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It's about
people. It's about ideas. It's about influence.
The Power of
Connection.
Your business thrives on it. Your future depends on it.
How
Do I Use My Membership?
Membership in the Chamber gives you an edge with access to
exclusive tools and marketing opportunities that put your
business front and center, save you money and provide the
information you need to stay a step ahead. In order to help you
navigate your way through our many services, programs, events
and opportunities for doing business, we have provided answers
to some of our members' most frequently asked questions.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
If my company is a member, does that mean I am a member, too?
Yes! When a company becomes a Chamber member, all employees of
that company's local branch/offices are considered Chamber
members and have full access to our programs and benefits.
What does the Chamber's board of directors do? How can I get on
the board?
The board of directors is a valuable asset. Our directors bring
with them a sophisticated level of experience and expertise.
They set the strategic direction of the Chamber and oversee the
finances of the organization. The board serves as a sounding
board for ideas and policies, and reflects the thinking of a
broad spectrum of businesses in the Boise-Nampa Metropolitan
Statistical Area (MSA).
The Board Nomination/Development Committee first nominates new
board members; a recommendation is then made to the full board
for final approval. The committee actively seeks people who are
successful in their businesses, represent the diversity of the
Boise-Nampa MSA, have demonstrated leadership skills and have an
interest in helping guide the Chamber for a minimum of two
years.
Who are Chamber Members?
The Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce has a membership of more
than 1,750 companies, representing the Boise-Nampa MSA.
Businesses of all sizes, from the largest multinational firms to
growing mid-size companies and small businesses. Many people are
surprised to learn that more than 80 percent of member companies
have fewer than 100 employees.
How can the
Chamber help me save money?
Through professional partnerships, the Chamber is able to offer
members several bottom-line benefits. Our member services
department will help you learn more about our value-added
benefits that can save you money.
How
can I use the Chamber to market my business?
The Chamber offers comprehensive marketing-benefit packages
through our publications, website, programs and special events
that can help your company achieve multiple objectives. These
include increasing your visibility and exposure within the
Chamber membership and the business community, standing out from
your competition through exclusive sponsorship opportunities,
using promotions and merchandising opportunities, and
entertaining valued clients at prestigious events and driving
sales.
Through the Chamber, you will reach businesses of all sizes and
from every industry group. Depending on your company's target
audience, you can choose those events, programs and publications
that reach identified segments, such as small businesses,
mid-market firm and large corporations. Through out
well-established partnerships with other professional
organizations, our programs are widely promoted to increase your
reach.
What is the best way to use the Chamber to build my business
network?
The best way to build your business network is to develop
relationships with other Chamber members. All Chamber programs
are designed to give you an opportunity to make new contacts and
strengthen existing relationships. The more events you attend
and the more actively you participate, the faster and deeper
your network will grow.
We produce a number of programs that are specifically designed for
networking, such as Business After Hours, the Chamber's monthly
networking mixer, and the popular What’s Up Boise Metro. Another
way to build your network is through volunteering for the
Chamber by joining the Ambassador Committee. This is an
opportunity to increase your visibility and demonstrate your
professionalism and expertise to a wide audience.
What is
the Small Business Success Center?
A
division of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce committed to
champion the growth of local small businesses by providing
opportunities for education and training, business coaching and
mentoring, critical market research, and networking.
How can the Chamber help me build my professional skills?
The Chamber has monthly Early Bird Trainings, Lunch-n-Learns and
Workshops to help you develop the skills you need to excel in
business. The educational and professional development offerings
are updated annually to ensure we are matching what we have to
offer to members' needs. We want to hear from you about what you
would like to see in the way of new trainings.
How can I help shape Chamber activities and programs?
Most of the Chamber's programs have planning committees that
help create the content of the programs. You can contribute as a
member of the committee or, depending on your level of expertise
and experience, as a committee chair. For more information on
how to join a committee, call the Chamber staff member who
oversees the program series.
How do I find out about speaking at Chamber events?
The Chamber is always looking for good speakers and workshop
leaders. We book speakers on topics that are relevant to our
ongoing series, and we always look to our membership. Contact
the staff member who oversees the appropriate program series and
send him or her an outline of your proposed presentation, a
profile of your target audience and an overview of your speaking
experience, including references. A call for speakers is
announced in the fourth quarter of each calendar year for the
upcoming educational and professional development series.
How do I use the Chamber for business leads and referrals?
As you attend Chamber events and programs and expand your
network, you will have access to people who are in a position to
provide you with business leads. As you get to know them and
they gain trust in your professionalism, your fellow Chamber
members can become an important source of referrals for your
business.
If you are looking for leads, be sure to check out T.I.P.s (Tops in
Professional Sales), the Chamber's leads program. Three leads
groups meet at various times weekly and bi-weekly, giving you
the structure and the time to develop relationships that will
directly result in business leads.
Each group consists of one participant per industry per group
and ranges from 15-25 people in attendance per meeting
In addition, the Chamber publishes a Member Business Directory.
The membership directors is also available online. Log on to
look up member businesses by name or business category.
Each week, the Chamber receives more than 200 calls from all over
the country looking for referrals on businesses or services in
the Boise-Nampa MSA. Our customer-service representatives will
give a caller up to three referrals.
How can I help shape and support the Chamber's Legislative
Agenda?
The Chamber's Legislative Agenda is shaped by input from many
sources that tell us about which issues the business community
is most concerned.
The Chamber's positions on upcoming Legislative issues starts with
State and Federal Committee meetings. At these meetings,
presentations are made by Chamber staff and guest speakers
representing pro and con positions on issues. These meetings are
open to the general public, but only Chamber members and the
committee develops a recommendation to the Chamber's board of
directors.
How can I stay informed on legislative and community issues that
affect my business?
The Chamber's Governmental Affairs department provides several
communication vehicles to keep members in the know. Most current
are the Governmental Affairs pages on the Chamber's website.
Regular updates are published on essential issues that affect
you and the rest of the business community, as well as the full
story behind what is going on in Idaho business and government.
Information about our programs, our involvement with various
community issues are available in the monthly Boise Metro
Business Today newsletter.
Attendance at the State and Federal, Transportation, Local
Government and Education /Workforce Committee meetings is
strongly encouraged for members who wish to keep abreast of the
latest issues and the Chamber's activities at the federal,
state, and local level.
How can I stay informed on what is happening at the Chamber?
The Chamber has a variety of communication tools designed to
keep members informed about what is going on in and around the
Chamber and the business community. All members receive the
weekly E-News email and the monthly Boise Metro Business Today
newsletter. The Chamber's website will tell you everything you
want to know about the Chamber and our community.
Does the Chamber have publications that can be of use to my
business?
The Chamber publishes the Membership Business Directory, which
lists some 1,750+ businesses with contact information and the
Area Profile, which contains useful relocation information and
local demographics. An area map and relocation packets are also
available.
You
can purchase these and other publications by visiting our
Publications page online.
What is an Ambassador?
An
Ambassador of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce strengthens
member involvement by educating members about the benefits and
services of their Membership. The Committee offers extended
business contacts to volunteers and provides support for
Business After Hours, Trade Shows, business ribbon cuttings and
grand openings. |
