Chamber Membership Guide

2019

Membership Guide Membership Guide FEATURED INSIDE:

Member Benefits

Community Initiatives

Signature Events

Membership Options

“Making the Natchitoches area a thriving business community, by promoting commerce, strengthening people, and improving life.”

Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce 373 Second Street Natchitoches, LA 71457 318-352-6894 Natchitocheschamber.com info@natchitocheschamber.com

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Member Benefits The more involved you become with the Chamber, the more you will reap the benefits. Maximize your membership by attending events, sending door prizes for events, providing feedback, applying for our annual awards, or volunteering for the Chamber. There are many benefits to joining the Chamber that members of every investment level enjoy.

Exposure

Dollar for dollar, your Chamber membership is the most efficient way to advertise and network. Every business membership level includes brand exposure in 5000 printed chamber directories annually, an online directory listing with 75,000+ hits on average per year, 4,000+ social media followers, sponsorship opportunities at 50+ events with 2,000+ attendees, ribbon cuttings for new businesses, and much more!

Growth

Gain referrals to grow your business from staff and fellow members – we only refer members! You also have numerous opportunities to meet fellow members and make important connections that will help you grow your business.

Professional Development Learn and grow through the Chamber, with educational monthly luncheons, seminars, and leadership courses.

Advocacy

Many business owners have ideas about opportunities and threats to their business. The Chamber advocates on behalf of its membership at a city, parish, and state level to amplify your voice and affect change.

Networking In any community, but especially in Natchitoches, there is no faster way to gain exposure for your business than to join and ENGAGE in your local Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber offers opportunities to connect with other business leaders, professionals, elected officials, organizations and stakeholders in the parish. Receive member-only pricing and exclusive access to events – a great opportunity to build meaningful business connections.

Leadership

Opportunities are available to serve through Chamber Ambassadors, Natchitoches Young Professionals, Chamber Board of Directors and the A+ Coalition. Volunteers serve as a way to give back to their community, but it is also another great way to gain exposure for your business and to stay informed of Chamber activities.

Belonging

The Chamber is a strong network of businesses and community leaders.

As a member, you will work alongside likeminded individuals committed to advancing Natchitoches Parish and its business community

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Community Initiatives Your Chamber membership is a unique opportunity to contribute to an organization that not only benefits you and your business but also the community in which you live, work and play. The Chamber is committed to making the Natchitoches area a thriving business community through the following initiatives.

Natchitoches Young Professionals Young Professionals between the age of 21 and 40 are assuming leadership roles in various entities throughout our Parish, which is imperative to the growth and advancement of our communities. NYP aims to strengthen that network of individuals through leadership development, community outreach, and networking.

A+ Coalition Education plays a major role in workforce development, economic development, and the growth of Natchitoches Parish. The A+ Coalition provides a platform for concerned citizens, businesses, and leaders in our education system to work together to advance education in our parish.

Leadership Natchitoches Civic engagement and responsibility are the cornerstones of any progressive community. Leadership Natchitoches was established to develop a network of informed, committed and qualified individuals capable of providing Natchitoches with thoughtful, effective and dynamic leadership for the benefit of the parish and region.

#GoNatchitoches The Chamber promotes and encourages locals and tourists to eat, shop, and play in our many unique member businesses and attractions. The “GoNatchitoches” campaign is a collaborative marketing project with Chamber partners who share this goal.

The Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce is a 501c6 non-profit organization. These important community initiatives would not continue without our valuable members, sponsors, and community partners.

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Signature Programs & Events Chamber Chat with Mags

Member Events

Estimated Audience: 24 Local leaders, entrepreneurs, and business legends sit down with our Marketing Director to discuss the highlights, challenges, and evolution of their leadership in this bi-monthly podcast.

Participation varies.

New businesses are worth celebrating! We help get the word out about your milestone event, be it a ribbon cutting, grand opening, or groundbreaking, and offer tips and tricks to ensure its success. We also show up in droves to help celebrate and capture the moment.

Membership Luncheons Average Participation: 64 Guest speakers appear monthly to inform our membership on various topics. It’s the perfect opportunity to build your network and your knowledge base without a tremendous interruption to your workday. Members also learn about Chamber news and upcoming events.

Teachable Tuesdays Average Participation: 12 Throughout the year, the Chamber offers learning opportunities from various experts across several industries. These workshops are informative, hands-on, and usually include breakfast. What’s not to love!

Business After Hours Participation varies.

Members enjoy occasional afterhours networking opportunities, where the program is relaxed and the conversation is easy. The most successful after-hours events take place in a unique member-business setting, with a fun activity, food, and cocktails. This is a great way to showcase your business in a unique way.

Annual Awards Banquet Expected Attendance: 300 The Chamber gathers business professionals, dignitaries, and community leaders annually to honor and recognize the successes of our

member businesses, organizations, and individuals. Not only is this event continually the largest annual business gathering in Natchitoches, but it also serves as the Chamber’s annual meeting.

Home & Garden Expo Expected Attendance: 600 Expected No. of Vendors: 75 The Natchitoches Events Center overflows with homeowners who are looking for all things home & garden at the annual Natchitoches Home & Garden Expo. Booth space is very inexpensive, and the creativity you put into your booth is limitless. This event is family friendly, and attendance is FREE!

NYP Pub Crawl Expected Attendance: 450 The annual St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl calls revilers young and old to historic downtown Natchitoches for food and drink specials at Chamber member restaurants and bars. The pub crawl and poker run culminate at the finisher’s party on the riverbank, where a live band rocks the stage into the night. Proceeds benefit LYPC.

Signature Programs & Events CRAVE! Expected Attendance: 200 CRAVE! is an annual cooking competition between Chamber members with a different foodie theme every year. Teams get uber competitive to win the coveted cutting board trophy, and when teams get competitive with food, everybody wins. Located on the riverbank, this casual networking event is a fan favorite!

Elite Scholars Ceremony Expected Student Attendance: 75 Expected Total Attendance: 300 The A+ Coalition and its partners honor excellence in education each year by hosting a reception for high school seniors in Natchitoches Parish who meet certain academic criteria.

LYPC Expected Attendance: 100 Young Professionals from across the state gather in Natchitoches to strengthen their leadership skills and network with other like-

PRO TIP Event tickets are included with certain membership levels. minded individuals at the Louisiana Young Professionals Conference (LYPC). Breakout speakers offer a variety of professional development topics geared toward today’s young professional.

New Teachers Welcome Typical Cohort: 50 A+ Coalition Community Partners

work together to welcome new teachers each August with Natchitoches area information and goodies from participating partners. We know that if they feel welcomed, supported, and informed about community resources, they are more likely to thrive.

Annual Christmas Party Expected Attendance: 125 Members gather annually for an evening of holiday cheer, local eats, and eggnog. This festive gathering is a great opportunity to network with the business community and celebrate another year together.

Light the Way 5k and Fun Run Expected Participation: 300 This nighttime race is a whole new way to experience the City of Lights! Prizes are awarded to top runners as well as those with the most Christmas spirit. Santa, Frosty, or the Grinch have been known to participate! Proceeds benefit the A+ Coalition.

Membership Options Business Level - $300 annually $25 monthly for ACH members

Our entry-level business membership package is perfect for small or new businesses who wish to have access to the basic benefits of Chamber membership, which include:

Monthly, semi-annual, or annual payment options are available for your convenience.

Scan here to browse the current printed Chamber Directory. (natchitocheschamber.com/ communityguide)

 Discounts at Office Depot/Office Max and Constant Contact.  Free listing in our printed Chamber Directory, of which 5,000 copies are distributed to tourists, new residents, Chamber and community members each year.  Free listing in our online Membership Directory, which receives 75,000+ hits per year on average, and remains a top listing on search engines.  Free scheduled use of Chamber conference room  Exclusive invitations and pricing to 50+ Chamber events each year  Ribbon Cutting or Grand Opening for an additional $100  Enhanced web listing for an additional $100 o 1,600-character web description, 200-character results summary, 100-character hours of operation, 200-character driving directions, (6) 120-character linked text bullets, unlimited keywords, 75px x 25px search results icon, 150px x 100 px logo, unlimited photo gallery, YouTube video link, and a Google Maps link

Preferred Level - $700 annually $58 monthly for ACH members Preferred Membership is designed for members who wish to elevate their business through enhanced listings and free tickets to Chamber events. Receive:

Scan here to visit the Chamber website. (natchitocheschamber.com)

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All Business Level benefits Free Ribbon Cutting or Grand Opening Free Enhanced web listing Logo and video presence in online directory 2 tickets to CRAVE! 8 tickets to membership luncheons

Membership Options Premium Level - $1550 annually $129 monthly for ACH members Premium Membership best benefits business professionals who rely on a strong community presence to grow their business. Receive:   

All Preferred Level benefits Banner ad on the web directory of your business category 4 tickets to CRAVE!

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4 tickets to the Annual Awards Banquet 10 tickets to membership luncheons Access to Add-On Items

Executive Level - $2575 annually $214 monthly for ACH members Executive Members enjoy exclusive advertising and marketing opportunities, as well as a strong presence at Chamber events with included tickets. Investors at this level play a key role in the mission of the Chamber and provide valuable input on community solutions. Receive:    

All Premium Level benefits Banner ad on the home page Logo presence in all newsletters 6 tickets to CRAVE!

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Table Sponsor + 8 tickets to Annual Awards Banquet 14 tickets to membership luncheons One monthly luncheon sponsorship

President’s Circle - $5000 annually $416 monthly for ACH members At our highest membership level, President’s Circle members receive premium recognition at all Chamber events, on all printed and electronic material, and maintain key roles in Chamber leadership as available. Members at this level are typically key stakeholders for pressing issues in our community who value the Chamber and its impact on those issues. Receive:    

All Executive Level benefits Enhanced banner ad on the home page Ad in all newsletters Event Sponsor + 8 tickets to CRAVE!

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Event Sponsor + 8 tickets to Annual Awards Banquet 16 tickets to membership luncheons One monthly luncheon presenting sponsorship

Specialty Options Student Member - Free Collegiate students with current student identification can gain access and insight into the Natchitoches professional business environment on a student budget. Receive Chamber member-only invitations, pricing, and updates.

NYP Member - Free Business Professionals between the ages of 21 and 40 can learn, grow and network with other Young Professionals in the Natchitoches area through NYP. NYP members gain access to dozens of NYP events and member-only pricing throughout the year. They also receive Chamber member-only invitations, pricing, and updates.

Individual Member - $100 Individual Membership is perfect for dignitaries, retirees, and any other business professionals who are not associated with a corporation. Receive Chamber member-only invitations, pricing, and updates.

Non-Profit - $160 The Chamber recognizes that non-profit organizations benefit from Chamber membership in a different way than our for-profit businesses. This membership level was designed to keep those organizations engaged in a way that will maximize their impact on the Natchitoches area, a mission that is important to the Chamber. Receive Chamber member-only invitations, pricing, and updates.

Add-On Options Many Chamber members prioritize employee participation in our Chamber initiatives. Our Add-On Options are a great way to add value to our members while encouraging community involvement. Add-On Options are a’ la carte and are available to business members at the Premium Level and higher.

NYP Add-On - $500

A+ Coalition Add-On - $500

Built for Chamber members to financially support the NYP membership of their employees and to support major NYP events through sponsorship.

Receive:

Built for members to support the Chamber Education initiative at the Bronze Partnership level.

Receive:

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Pub Crawl Entry Level Sponsor LYPC Entry Level Sponsor

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Elite Scholars Entry Level Sponsor New Teachers Welcome Entry Level Sponsor

A Letter from the President Dear Future Member, Thank you for your interest in the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce, where our mission is to make the Natchitoches area a thriving business community. The Chamber serves each member differently according to their individual needs. Through a variety of programming and technology, our goal is for you to find your place in our business climate, grow your business through advertising and networking opportunities, and impact your community through Chamber initiatives. As you consider your budget and strategic plan for growth, I urge you to find the membership level that best suits your needs.

I would be happy to discuss the many ways in which the Chamber can serve you. Don’t take my word for it; read on for member testimonials!

In Good Business, Laura Lyles Chamber President

Laura.Lyles@NatchitochesChamber.com Office: 318-238-1942

Member Testimonials Janice Bolton, President & CEO of Bolton Realty Membership in the Natchitoches Chamber of Commerce has provided me immeasurable networking, helped me develop relationships with other business owners to refer to my clients, and provided valuable information to help me "sell Natchitoches", as I do on a daily basis. Without knowing how our local economy is performing, what is available, and how it works, I would not be as successful. The Chamber is the hub of business in Natchitoches. We are better together.

Robert Brown, Sales Associate with J&J Exterminating J&J Exterminating had a Deader than Dead Tour in Natchitoches. The Chamber helped promote this event for us. We were very successful with this program. We have had a lot of leads from this event.

JoAnna Washington, Assistant VP & Loan Officer with City Bank & Trust The Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce is a strong pillar in the community. It continues to be vital in uplifting the visibility of businesses through initiatives, networking opportunities, and using its platform to promote new and existing businesses. City Bank values its membership in the Chamber. We are very pleased to have the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce as a partner in advancing the future of our community.

Angela Lasyone, Chef & Owner of Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant We have been a member of the Chamber for over 40 years. The Chamber’s many activities, whether it be monthly luncheons, business lectures, ribbon cuttings etc., brings me in contact with many other business owners, managers and associates, who then come thru my doors to support my business. Customers like to put a face with the place.

This is what the Chamber does and Laura and her staff do a top-notch job of making that happen!

Mario Fox, COO of Rhodes Realty The Natchitoches area Chamber of commerce is an essential and credible intermediary between government, business and the general public. The Chamber has provided Rhodes Realty with many opportunities to increase our visibility and expand our brand.

We’re appreciative for the Natchitoches area Chamber of Commerce and its members.

Kyndal Harrell, Agent at Farm Bureau Insurance Being a chamber member has been a great tool for my business. My business is fully about relationships and being a chamber member allows me to network and meet other business professionals. I am able to be social and attend fun events all while making relationships both personally and professionally. I truly feel it helped me to get myself out there and known to our community in a much faster way than I could ever do on my own.

PRO TIP

Scan here to register and pay online.

Save this guide to refer a friend for discounted advertising & recruiter shout outs! (natchitocheschamber.com/join)

#InvestNChamber Invest at natchitocheschamber.com/join to take full advantage of your online listing. Alternatively, you can complete the application below and return to our office then visit natchitocheschamber.com/login to complete your business listing.

Feel free to schedule an appointment with our Chamber President to discuss the best fit for your business.

NATCHITOCHES CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION Name of Company or Individual:

Phone:

Physical Address: City:

State:

Zip:

City:

State:

Zip:

Primary Contact:

Title:

Primary Contact Email:

Primary Contact Phone:

Mailing Address:

CREDIT CARD PAYMENT □ AMEX Card #: Card Holder Name:

□ MC

□ VISA Exp. Date:

□ DISCOVER CVV:

Keep Card on File: yes/no

Amount Authorized:

MEMBERSHIP INVESTMENT | Check all that apply. □ $300 - Business Level □ $700 - Preferred Level □ $160 - Non-Profit* □ $100 - Ribbon Cutting (Business Level □ $1550 - Premium Level *Must show proof of non-profit status Member) □ $2575 - Executive Level □ $500 - NYP Add-On □ $100 - Enhanced Web Listing □ $5000 - President’s Circle □ $500 - A+ Coalition Add-On (Business Level Member) □ $100 - Individual Member

This application is submitted for membership in the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce and is valid for one year from the date of completion. Annual dues are not tax deductible as a charitable contribution. However, they are deductible for most members as an ordinary and necessary business expense. Membership is continuous unless cancelled in writing. A member shall be removed from membership roster if annual dues are over 90 days in arrears. ______________________________________________________ Authorized Signature

THANK YOU FOR INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF YOUR COMMUNITY AND SUPPORTING YOUR CHAMBER!