Chamber Benefits
How the Chamber Works for Its Membership
We currently serve close to 400 business members in the Richmond County Area. The Board of Directors and staff are proud to provide the following membership benefits and resources to all members. Why Join?
Maintain and staff a visible visitor, resident information center, and Chamber of Commerce office, twelve months a year, Monday through Friday, regular business hours, providing information to the public on business services and products provided by member businesses. The Chamber employs three staff members to operate the information center and carryout the Chamber's Plan of Work.
Chamber staff fields phone calls from residents and visitors everyday. The nature of phone inquiries includes but is not limited to the following: business referrals, county government referrals, and community service inquiries, directions, new business inquiries, and tourism questions, requests for relocation/information packages, visitor information, maps, school information, demographics, statistics and area phone numbers. (Only Chamber business member's phone numbers are given and receive referrals)
The Chamber prepares and mails out an average of 10 relocation and information packages every month, year round. Packages are customized to fit the inquirers needs, using materials and information published by the Chamber and supplied by Chamber business members.
Benefits and Services
New members receive one insert in the Chamber's monthly newsletter FREE of charge, a $60 value. This one time opportunity provides free advertising to over 500 contacts in the business community. Member's receive the insert ½ price on their renewal date.
Member of the Month! Each month the Chamber will reveal a member to be featured in the Chamber Focus and in the Richmond County Daily Journal.
Member to Member Discounts - Chamber members receive special discounts by shopping participating members. (ex. Quarter-page color advertisement, for $195 from the Daily Journal for new members and renewing members)
Ribbon Cuttings and Grand Openings – Upon request the Chamber will hold a special ceremony if you are opening a new business, relocating, building or expanding. All ceremonies are featured in the Chamber Focus.
Newsletters
The monthly Chamber Focus newsletter keeps you updated on Chamber activities, issues, members, new business launchings and opportunities to become involved with the Chamber. Weekly e-newsletters keep members informed with the Chamber Update and Member Events and Promotions. For a reasonable fee, Chamber members can advertise in the Chamber Focus.
Website Listing - www.richmondcountychamber.com
In addition to the online directory you are automatically listed by business category and your listing includes a hyperlink to your website. We invite you to customize this site and link the Chamber's website to yours. The Richmond County Chamber of Commerce Web Site receives numerous ‘hits' daily. On average the staff answers approximately 20 e-mails per month from both residents and visitors.
Worker's Compensation Program
All Chamber members are eligible to participate in FirstBenefits Workers Compensation fund through the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association. Many members save more than enough to pay for their membership through this program.
Advertising & Networking Opportunities
Only Chamber members are eligible to sponsor events such as Annual Meeting, Business After Hours, Chamber Luncheons, Business Before Hours, New Member Orientation, Business Expo, Legislative Breakfast, Chamber Golf Scramble, and other unique business exposure opportunities.
The Chamber produces and distributes the community's only high quality full-glossy marketing piece, the Focus Magazineevery 2 years that includes a membership directory that all member businesses are listed in for free. This glossy magazine is the official guide to our community, featuring Chamber business members only as advertisers. This publication is distributed through the Chamber and is placed in area tourist attractions, motels, restaurants, banks, real estate offices and health care facilities. This directory is often the first request of those researching Richmond County and a source for new residents to secure employment, products and services from local businesses.
Chamber members have the opportunity to participate in the Chamber's Gift Certificate Program called "Shop Richmond First". This program allows area businesses and residents to purchase Chamber Certificates that can be redeemed at any participating Chamber member for products or services.
If you are interested in becoming a member, please contact us:
Richmond County Chamber of Commerce
101 W. Broad Avenue PO Box 86
Rockingham, NC 28380
Phone: (910) 895-9058 Fax: (910) 895-9056
info@richmondcountychamber.com
Thank you for your support and participation. Your membership in the Chamber assures you a voice in your community's future and identifies you with the growing number of businesses whom are joined together to direct the growth and development of Richmond County.
