MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

BAINBRIDGE-DECATUR COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEMBER BENEFITS

Member Benefits Meeting – A quarterly meeting to discuss member benefits in detail.

Auto-Owners Insurance Discount - Auto-Owners is an affiliate of the Georgia Chamber and by using Auto-Owners as your insurance carrier, members may be eligible for a discount on their premiums.  Often times, the discounts are greater than the annual membership dues. Local participating agents are:  Palmer Insurance, Reynolds-Jeffords, Callahan Insurance and Clenney Insurance.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance Program – Qualifying business members with 2-50 employees can set up a group employee benefits packages for Group Health, Group Life & Accidental Death, Dental, Long and short term disability, and Long Term Care.  This member benefit is offered through Purchasing Alliance Solutions, Inc., another Georgia Chamber partner. 

Free and Discounted Advertising Rates – New members can take advantage of a buy one get one free deal for advertising on LIVE 101.9 FM.  And with a three month advertising schedule on Bainbridgega.com, members pay for two months and get one month free.  The Post Searchlight will offer to new members a buy one ad and get an ad of equal value free.  WMGR – Buy a WMGR television package and receive a 50% added value on 93MGR Radio. WALB will also offer a discount of 5 free spots during the news with the purchase of a spot. 

U.S. Chamber membership – Through our Federation Partnership, local qualifying business members are automatically registered with the U.S. Chamber as members.  The U.S. chamber is partnered with several national businesses to offer discounts and services like: FedEx, Avis, Budget, Monster, Sam’s Club and more. 

Georgia Chamber membership – Members can take advantage of also becoming a Georgia Chamber of Commerce member.  Georgia chamber partners include: Auto-Owners, Purchasing Alliance Solutions for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia, Atlas Van Lines, Office Depot, Sams Club, Yellow Transportation, and the Drugs Don’t Work Program (which could save business owners between 5 & 10% on their worker’s comp premiums). 

Member Referral Service – It is the chamber’s policy to first refer its members when we receive inquiries for a particular type business or service in our community.  

Networking Events – A big advantage of being a chamber member is the many opportunities to network with a host of influential folks in your community. Some events include: breakfasts meetings, business after hours, membership mingle, seminars and workshops, committee meetings, and community events like River Town Days and the Fair. 

Brochure Rack Placement – Members are invited to place their business brochures and cards in the display racks at both the chamber office and the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Ribbon Cuttings / Ground Breaking – Your chamber staff can organize these events upon request and will include:  invitations, the big ribbon & scissors and photo ops with publicity.  Your event will also be included in the Annual Awards Ceremony in January.

Bainbridge Bucks Program – $30,000 in Bainbridge Bucks are issued each year…that money was spent with participating local chamber business members – wouldn’t you like some of that to come to your business?  The Bainbridge Bucks program was designed to promote local shopping at participating chamber member businesses.  People buy them to give as gifts, incentives, and bonuses and they purchase from the Chamber in denominations of $15, $20, $25 and $50.  It’s a secure program--when Bucks are purchased, the money is deposited into the Chamber bank account and that money stays there until the Buck is presented by a merchant for deposit.  Participating businesses are readily identified by the Bainbridge Buck decal displayed at their business. A list of participating businesses is also given out at the time of purchase.

Constant Contact discount – A web-based email marketing program with templates and designs to make your marketing materials look professional.  This is the program your chamber uses.  Members can receive a deep discount from Constant Contact, by mentioning their affiliation with the Bainbridge-Decatur County Chamber of Commerce.  www.constantcontact.com

Newsletter Subscription – Your chamber aims to keep our members informed.  We produce a monthly newsletter filled with information about chamber events.  In 2009, the chamber implemented the use of Constant Contact as a cost-effective means of communication with our members.  Now, all members with email addresses receive their newsletter, invitations and other community news via email.  Your newsletter sponsorship will also be included in the Annual Awards Ceremony in January.

Member to Member Discount Program – Members can participate in this program by offering a discount or service to other chamber members.  Along with this program is lots of free advertising as the discount list is attached to every member-wide email that is sent from the chamber.  It’s a great marketing tool to get people in your door and to keep your business name in front of other members.

Free Directory Listings – Members are listed by category on our website and in our community magazine directory.

Publications – Your chamber can provide you with local city/county maps, community information, demographics and stats, directories, and entrepreneur resources.

Opportunities to be Involved – Your chamber believes your membership will mean the most to you by being involved in the planning and carrying out of the chamber’s work of its many projects and activities throughout the year.  There are opportunities to serve on committees and to lead projects.  The chamber could not operate without volunteer support.

Sponsorship Opportunities – There are many opportunities for members to promote their business by sponsoring an event or publication such as:  Breakfast, Business After Hours, a newsletter, the Ag Lunch, River Town Days, Youth Leadership, and more.  Your event will also be included in the Annual Awards Ceremony in January.

Seminars – Our small business committee continues to organize and present a series of Lunch ‘n Learn seminars to inform members about business related topics of interest.

Wireless Internet Hot Spot – Members can take advantage of the Chamber’s free wireless internet service offered at the Chamber office and grounds. 

If you would like to add a member to member benefit, please contact Kim Walden, Chamber of Commerce Membership & Communications Director at 229-246-4774.                             7/15/11 

Testimonial:

“Being a chamber member has been beneficial to us because, as relative newcomers, we needed to connect with the local business community in order to become familiar with the area's business climate. We are pleased to be a part of the chamber and enjoy attending the monthly breakfast meetings.” Robert and Justin Ketterer owners of J&R Auto Specialists