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Why Join?
ABOUT
OUR CHAMBER
The Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry was incorporated in 1914 to serve as
the unifying
voice for the improvement of the entire business community.
Today, the Mission of the Chamber reflects those
same goals:
"To advance the interests of business, professional
and service organizations in the Joliet Region, acting as
their voice in governmental and social affairs, communicating
and servicing their needs and thereby enhancing the business
environment and the local quality of life."
A volunteer board of directors, elected by the
membership, sets Chamber policy regarding all aspects of the
organization's internal and external programs. A full-time,
professional staff carries out the day-to-day administration
of the Chamber. Member businesses work together through the
committee structure to enact the goals and objectives set
forth by the board of directors.
Our Chamber partnership is designed to serve
as a support structure for the region's business community.
The effects of this partnership are realized and made visible
in our community through the volunteer efforts of businesspersons
who serve the Chamber in various divisions, committees and
special projects.
All Chamber members are encouraged to take advantage
of this partnership and participate in our Chamber's many
programs and activities.
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
Chamber members are invited to explore the many resources
available through our Chamber of Commerce to build better
business relationships and increase business. The following
benefits are available to all Chamber members.
Referral Service:
Our Chamber office receives
thousands of telephone and mail inquiries each year. Requests
for information are always passed along to appropriate Chamber
businesses. We welcome all referral calls as we enjoy referring
your business to the growing Joliet community!
Membership Labels, List & Disk:
Many Chamber
members elect to use our expanding directory of member businesses
to conduct personalized direct mail or telephone campaigns.
By calling the Chamber Office, member businesses may request
a copy of our membership directory in any of three formats:
labels, listing or diskette (ASCII format). An additional
fee is charged for this service: List $35, Labels $50 and
Disk $75.
Committee Service:
Major functions hosted by
our Chamber of Commerce are successful due to the volunteerism
of Chamber members. We invite you to get involved on a planning
committee to help us in our efforts. To name just a few, our
Chamber enlists committee support in staging our annual golf
outing, business-to-consumer and business-to-business expos,
legislative affairs as well as many special recognition dinners
and award ceremonies. Share your talents, expertise and ideas
by joining one of our many planning committees!
Relocation Packets:
Our Chamber of Commerce
assists prospective homeowners as well as numerous corporations
in their efforts to relocate new employees to our community.
Included in our relocation packets are materials reflecting
the business and residential community: member lists of restaurants/lounges,
hotels/motels, realtors/appraisers, medical facilities and
practitioners, recreation/entertainment and communication/media
outlets in addition to a host of other pertinent information.
Packets are updated frequently with the latest information.
We always promote member businesses in these packets.
Community Leadership School:
Our Chamber enjoys
the benefits of strong voluntary leadership. Due to the immense
growth of our community, there is a continued need to develop
an expanding foundation of leadership. Excellence in leadership
development is fostered through this program by increasing
community awareness and involvement, discussing a "shared
vision" for a better future and unveiling opportunities
to develop valuable networks of resources. Enrollment in Community
Leadership School is open to individuals from all organizations
and professions. This program develops more effective, better-informed
leaders for the Joliet Region.
Other Benefits:
Chamber membership is 98% tax
deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense.
Through our Chamber, we are able to offer reduced-rate, long-distance
phone service to our members. We accept VISA/AMEX/MasterCard
and Discover for any/all payments.
BUSINESS GROWTH & NETWORKING
Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry members find
they can grow their business significantly by becoming actively
involved in the special events hosted by our Chamber. If you
are looking to make great business contacts and establish
lasting friendships, our Chamber is the place for you to invest
your time and energy.
Following are key opportunities for members
to expand their business network:
Business-After-Hours:
Each month the Chamber
hosts a social gathering of our membership at a Chamber member's
business. At these functions you have an opportunity to interact
with Chamber Staff, Board of Directors, Ambassadors and fellow
Chamber members. These events are usually held the last Thursday
of each month from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Bring your business cards!
Member Breakfasts/Luncheons:
Our Chamber schedules
a member breakfast or luncheon each month. The Chamber's goal
is to recruit a noted speaker who will update us on business
and community issues. Watch your Chamber newsletter, VISION,
for details regarding any upcoming member breakfasts or luncheons.
Community EXPO/Business Doing Business After Hours:
Twice a year our Chamber
organizes business EXPOS open to the community. Expositions
sell out quickly due to the overwhelming interest in booth
space. Our Business EXPOS are open to the public and attract
large crowds. EXPOS provide unique exposure to the community
and an opportunity to meet prospective clients face-to-face.
Golf Outing:
Our Chamber golf outing provides
an excellent setting for you to "entertain" your
business friends and clients. Our outing is a relaxing day
of golf on a private course followed by dinner and conversation
with Chamber friends/golfing legends in the clubhouse. Sponsorship
opportunities are abundant for our Chamber golf outing. You
may sponsor golf carts, holes, beverages, dinner, prizes and
much, much more! Specific details regarding our golf outing
are always published in the VISION newsletter.
Business Showcase:
A business showcase is an
opportunity for new, newly renovated, new CEO or expanded
businesses to host an open-house gathering of Chamber members.
All business showcases will be promoted in our VISION newsletter
and by special mailing in advance of their scheduled date.
Council for Working Women:
An affiliate organization
of the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the
Council for Working Women works to advance the interests of
women engaged in business, professions and service organizations.
An additional membership fee of $45 is required for admission
to the Council for Working Women. All working women are welcome
to participate in Council activities, including lunches held
the first Thursday of each month.
PROMOTIONS & ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES
Our Chamber of Commerce includes more than 1,500 business
members. We strongly encourage Chamber members to conduct
business with each other before reaching outside our membership
to satisfy their business needs. This creates a business "web" that works to keep business strong in the community, especially
among our own Chamber members.
You may elect to advertise your business through
the following sources:
VISION Newsletter:
Published monthly, our Chamber
newsletter is an excellent way to get your marketing materials
in the hands of a dedicated audience. More than 2,500 copies
of VISION are distributed throughout the community to member
businesses and civic leaders. Each issue provides a complete
activities calendar as well as information bringing you up
to date on Chamber initiatives. We sell advertising space
in VISION ranging from business card-size to full-page advertisements.
Chamber "Stuff":
Mailed monthly to
the entire membership, Chamber "Stuff" is a collection
of advertisements that various Chamber members have elected
to distribute to promote their business. To be included in
a Chamber "Stuff" mailing, simply provide the Chamber
Office with 2,500 (subject to change) copies of your advertisement
by the tenth (10th) of each month. A fee of $175 covers your
inclusion in this monthly service.
Web Presence:
www.JolietChamber.com is an active
website designed to promote our member businesses as well
as inform the public of the many benefits and activities our
Chamber of Commerce offers. Under the heading "Member
Directory," Chamber members will find their organization
listed according to business category with a map icon that
will take viewers to directions leading to each business.
Please visit our site and find your business friends on-line
with us!
Chamber Kiosks:
Visit our Chamber Office and
you will find three turn-about kiosks designed to hold your
brochures. This is a free service we offer our members to
help "circulate" their promotional materials. Visitors
frequent our Chamber Office daily to obtain information on
member businesses. It's to your advantage to have your business
information available.
Community Profile/City Map:
Each of these publications
provides an opportunity for Chamber members to advertise their
business to the Joliet community and beyond. Space is limited
in these publications and ad spots fill quickly. All Chamber
members receive a community profile book and are encouraged
to share them with their employees and clients -- a great
tool showcasing the outstanding business and residential climate
of our community! Maps are distributed to Chamber members
and area newcomers and provide an excellent resource for travel
throughout the Joliet Region.
Additional Programs
In addition to the opportunities and benefits already listed,
the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry strives
to provide more to our members. Here are more programs that
you as a Chamber member can take advantage of.
Ambassador Club:
On the first Wednesday of each month, the Chamber ambassadors
meet for an update on what's been going on in the Chamber
in order to help spread the word about the organization. Ambassadors
assist the Chamber by delivering new member packets, calling
on existing members and by greeting guests at various Chamber
functions.
Joliet Area Young Professionals:
An affiliate organization of the Joliet Region Chamber of
Commerce & Industry, the Joliet Area Young Professionals
(JAYP) work to establish social and professional opportunities
as well as identifying and satisfying the needs of professionals
ages 21-40 in the greater Joliet area. An additional fee of
$50 is required for admission to the Joliet Area Young Professionals.
All professionals age 21-40 are welcome to participate in
JAYP activities, including networking, educational programs,
and community service.
New Member Orientations:
Held a couple of times a year, new member orientations are designed
for new member representatives to become familiar with Chamber
staff, programs, events, committees, and all other aspects
of the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Web Site Advertising
and Web Site Linking:
If your company has a web site and you want everyone to know
about it, then you should look into linking it to www.jolietchamber.com.
This is a very easy process and extremely cost effective.
For an annual fee of $25 we will place a hot link to your
company web site. Also, banner advertising is available throughout
the different sections and pages of our site.
Salute to Industry Dinner
Annual Awards Dinner and Celebration of Success
Washington Fly-In
Springfield Drive-Down
4th of July Fireworks
Teachers Breakfast
Referral/Leads Group
Seminars
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