Membership

The Boonville Area Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit membership organization. The Chamber is a long-standing promoter of our region and, many times, works quietly in the background protecting and enhancing our quality of life. As a professional business group, a Chamber membership encourages networking, volunteerism and partnerships. The actions and the intentions of the Chamber benefit all of our area communities.

An active Chamber of Commerce takes work and commitment from not only our Chamber members, but also from our community. Active membership in the Chamber gives your business important exposure through networking, marketing opportunities, and referrals. You can establish personal and professional contacts and gain credibility and a presence in our community through a Chamber membership.

The Boonville Area Chamber of Commerce is funded exclusively by membership investments, and requires the support of as many businesses, organizations and individuals as possible to continue its efforts.

The Chamber is an energetic collection of business and community leaders dedicated to improving the quality of life in our area. Our members share a commitment for maintaining our community’s unique character and building on our economic strength.

The Chamber Matters
Communication
Read, and hear, all about us! The Chamber has much to claim—from our own work in progress, to our member’s announcements, and our community’s advancements. We use a variety of methods to publicize what is occurring in the Boonslick Region. We encourage Chamber members to submit their information to the Chamber office. We can post announcements in our office, on our calendar and Facebook page, other social media posts, send emails, mention on our Chamber Chat radio spot on KWRT, place announcements in the Boonville Daily News, and let our walk-in visitors know what is happening. We have a members only portal on our website where members can find Chamber-specific information to keep “in the know”.

Marketing
The Chamber produces a community profile guide that is used as the primary informational piece that we mail and hand out to newcomers and visitors. We also print a city and county map. Ad space in both publications is for Chamber members only. On our web site, we have community deals, job ads and market place links where members can post notices and coupons. Our Chamber events provide numerous opportunities for business exposure. Members can be sponsors of our events and be added to our programs, advertisements, signage and other materials, and receive reduced rates for vendor fees. We offer business directory listings in our community guide and on our web site with links. The Chamber has a bulk mail permit that Chamber members can use for their own mailings. We have a brochure rack where members can place informational or promotional material.

Education
The Chamber organizes business strengthening workshops and seminars that include topics such as finance, customer service, entrepreneurship, social media, and more. We make announcements and place notices for other organizations that can help our Chamber and community members with relevant business information and techniques. The Chamber co-partners with other community organizations to host Leadership Boonslick—a hands-on learning adventure for future community leaders.

Economy
The Chamber encourages Chamber members and residents to shop locally, and to entice visitors to stay and shop in the Boonslick Region. Economic development is important to the stability and vitality of our region. The Chamber is committed to fostering local support for area businesses and organizations. Boonville Bucks is an on-going service that we offer to encourage community members to keep money local. These special bucks can be purchased by any one and used in many local businesses.

Referrals
For many, the Chamber is an ideal place to receive information. The Chamber responds to inquiries from residents and visitors by referring them to Chamber member businesses and services. We represent 300 members. Our members are retail, commercial, professional, health care providers, educational institutions, organizations, individuals and other.

Support
All Chamber members receive a window decal signifying your business as a current Boonville Area Chamber of Commerce member. We encourage you to place the decal on your front door or window. Your customers will recognize it and your involvement and commitment to our community. Current studies show that Chamber involvement can enhance a company’s reputation. Seven out of ten consumers believe that being actively involved in the Chamber is an effective strategy for enhancing a business’ reputation and for demonstrating that it uses good business practices. Consumers need to be aware that the small business is involved with its local chamber in order for the benefits to emerge.

Networking
Participate and socialize regularly at the Chamber’s networking events can lead to improving your business profile by getting your face and your business known. Being active in networking opportunities gets you connected to many other people where you can develop long-term relationships and build lasting impressions. Through these relationships and connections, you will gain support. People will help spread positive information about who you are and what your business does.

Value of Membership
A national research study was conducted to determine if consumers really support businesses because they are a chamber member. This study was designed to determine the real value to companies in terms of consumer outcomes of joining and being active in their local chamber of commerce.

• Being active in the local chamber of commerce is believed to be an effective business strategy overall by 59% of consumers.
• Chamber membership demonstrates to 63% of consumers that the business is involved in the community. (Being active in a local chamber of commerce is 12% more effective for communicating community involvement.)
• With a chamber membership, a company indicates that it cares about its customers to 64% of consumers.(Being active in a local chamber of commerce is 13% more effective for communicating the business cares about customers.)
• Chamber membership establishes and enhances a favorable reputation of the business to 69% of consumers. (Being active in a local chamber of commerce is 26% more effective for communicating that a business is reputable compared to other business strategies.)
• Active membership in the local chamber of commerce exhibits that the business uses good business practices to 70% of consumers. (Being active in a local chamber of commerce is 29% more effective for communicating that a company uses good business practices than it is for making a general statement about the company.)

Positive impacts of a chamber membership
When a consumer thinks that a company’s products stack up better against the competition because the company is highly involved in its local chamber of commerce, it is because he or she infers that the company is trustworthy, involved in the community, and is an industry leader.

When a consumer thinks more favorably of a company because the company is a member of its local chamber of commerce, it is because he or she infers that the company is trustworthy, is involved in the community, cares about its customers, is successful, and is a leader in the business community.

Impact on large businesses
When consumers know that a large business is a member of the chamber, they are likely to patronize the company more often, to express favorable opinions about the company, to know more about the company, and to buy the company’s products.

Impact on small businesses
If consumers know that a small business is a member of its local chamber, the business enjoys a 44% increase in its consumer favorability rating, a 51% increase in consumer awareness, a 57% increase in its local reputation, and a 63% increase in the likelihood that consumers will patronize the business in the future.

Consumers need to be aware that the small business is involved with its local chamber in order for the benefits to emerge.

Seven out of ten consumers believe that being actively involved in the chamber is an effective strategy for enhancing a business’ reputation and for demonstrating that it uses good business practices.

Chamber involvement can enhance a company’s reputation

If a company shows that it is highly involved in its local chamber (e.g., sits on the chamber board), consumers are 12% more likely to think that its products stack up better against its competition.

When consumers find out that a company is involved with its local chamber, they are 19% more likely to think favorably of that company. This effect is not dependent on the degree of chamber involvement; it holds true regardless of whether or not the company is highly involved in the chamber.

Adapted from “The Real Value of Joining a Local Chamber of Commerce A Research Study” commissioned by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives with support from Small Business Network, Inc. The study was conducted by The Schapiro Group and coordinated by Market Street Services.

Value of Networking
For businesses, of all sizes, networking gets you and your business known. You will meet new people and build mutually beneficial business relationships. Through these relationships, you can compare and discuss issues of common interest and develop and share ideas. Networking gives you the chance to create a positive impression so people think of you when an opportunity comes up. The extent to which you benefit depends on how actively you become involved in networking.

• Networking provides a link to outside support and can generate business.
• Networking helps you develop knowledge and skills.
• Networking can boost your reputation and gain new leads.
• Networking is a key source to gaining and sharing information.
• Networking allows you to actively improve yourself and your business.
• Networking leads you to new ideas and new approaches.
• Networking advances business contacts and connections.
• Networking builds confidence in yourself and your business.
• Networking puts you in a position to help others.