101 Chamber Membership Benefits

1) Get on the list! The Business Directory list that is, this list will include a company’s business info and website link.  This online directory receives over 500 hits per month.

2) Social Media Aid- Take advantage of the Chamber Blog. Our organization wants to help promote business and if there is an interesting or entertaining story to tell, let us (and everyone) know!

3) Displays-  Take advantage of the Chamber’s display in our high traffic lobby, which is exclusive to all members.

4) Recognition-  Gain recognition in the Siouxland Business Journal during a Ribbon Cutting, chamber anniversary, or when becoming a new investor.

5) Get included in the Chamber newsletter “e-blast” that reaches all 2,000 member investors and representatives.

6) Free Advertising-  As a thank you for the first year of membership, receive $200 worth of free advertising on Powell Broadcasting stations NEW102.3 or Y101.3.

7) Facebook Helper- Use us, to help set up your Facebook fan page for business.  Just leave Beth or our Intern a message and we would be more than welcome to walk you through the process.

8) Business Blog- Use the tips provided on the Chamber blog to better equip your company.

9) Support- Let us be the resource for tough business questions…if we don’t know  the Chamber staff will point you in the right direction.

10) Welcome to Siouxland- When recruiting new employees, we can assist in showcasing the community.  The Chamber also has newcomer packets and all the up-to-date regional information available right in our office.

11) Commitment- Down at the Chamber we have an open phone, open mail, open door, and open building policy.  Call us, shoot us an e-mail, send us a letter with your trained pigeon etc.  Have your business become a member and we’ll do everything to help it get the exposure it needs.

12) Where to live-  Perhaps you’re strolling along this website and considering moving to Siouxland, great!  The Chamber will do anything and everything in its power to show you the lay and the land.

13) Business Roundtable- Networking & learning is what it’s all about. Let the Chamber aid your staff in getting informed and building relationships.  This event is geared at bringing in motivational speakers, business figure heads, and community leaders all to help the Siouxland business community.

15) Golf- Not Tiger Woods?  Okay you can’t play…..No, just kidding, but we do have a Chamber Golf Classic that brings together long ranking members with new members and allows us all to unwind and have a great time.

16) Community Enhancements- This is really special, because it allows businesses to give back and be an integral part in building on the community that they live in.  Join with the Chamber and its members to develop quality-of-life projects around Siouxland.

17) Government Relations- Business & politics go hand in hand.  This is where the Chamber can help the community lobby for pro-business legislation that will enhance the vitality of Siouxland and promote growth.

19) Side-Kick- Let the Chamber be your business side-kick, and don’t stand-alone.  Studies by The Schapiro Group say that fifty-nine% of consumers think that being active in a local chamber of commerce is an effective business strategy.

20) Gain Favor- When the consumer is aware that a local small business is a member of a chamber they are sixty-three percent more likely to purchase goods from that company in the future.  (The Schapiro Group)

21) Online Promotion- Do the job of a Chamber intern for just a little bit, and be featured on the Chamber blog.  That’s right, post a guest article on our blog or we can “tweet” about your business.  With the seal of the Siouxland Chamber on it, be a guest blogger!

22) Talk to Beth- If you’re a Chamber member or interested in becoming a Chamber member let Beth Trejo, Director of Investor Relations, help you.  Beth would love to set up a meeting and brainstorm various ideas on how the Chamber can assist your company get the most out of its membership.

23) Ground Breaking, Ribbon Cuttings, & Open Houses- This isn’t just for new members,  because old Chamber members can jump in and join new chamber memberships in welcoming into the community.  This builds instant business and personal relationships that will last for a life time.

24) Let’s help build the business- Starting a new business can be hard, especially when going it alone.  Whether it’s an entrepreneurship or a partnership, feel free to get advice from the Chamber.  Let us help you with advice, ideas, and understanding the community.

25) Reputation Notification- Statistics provided by The Schapiro Group show that being a member of a Chamber is an effective way to show consumers that its business is of good practice, involved in the community, and cares about customers.

26) Know what we Know- Every Chamber of Commerce should be ahead of the curve in their economy.  The Siouxland Chamber takes pride in it and we want businesses to know what we know.  Envision the Chamber as a warehouse full of information on current business trends and public policies.

27) Forget the Myth, Embrace the fact-  A common myth amongst people in the community is that a Chamber of Commerce is a govt. agency, funded by the city government.  The fact is, that Chamber’s lobby for pro-active business legislation.  It’s the best of both worlds because we have influence in both sectors, but geared toward private sphere success.

28) Job Creation-  The Chamber wants the economy in Siouxland to succeed and progress.  Come in and let’s get your business started, not just for you or for the Chamber, but for the community.  It’s a fact, that one of our main goals is JOB CREATION.

29)  Bridge Connections-   Support Pro-Business legislation and meet your legislative officials.  Being a member of the Chamber can open lots of doors in the political arena for the community and local business.

30)  Community Involvement-  The Chamber has a number of things they get involved outside of “for profit” business, like the Boundless Playground at Leif Erikson Park.  Siouxland businesses can easily be involved and make donations towards building the community as a Chamber member.

31) The Siouxland Initiative (TSI) Alongside the Chamber, TSI not only helps build new business, but they assist when its time to expand current business by helping start-up or sustain growth.

32) Call Nicole- Nicole Thompson, at the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce,

is an integral part in coordinating all of the Chamber’s events.  Find out how you can host a Business After Hours, become a Chamber Ambassador, or get involved in the Chamber Golf Classic.

33) Technology Friendly Environment-  Let’s face it, business has changed.  A good idea can plummet without the right technology & this can deter a lot of potential entrepreneurs.  Use the resources we have at the Chamber to make sure you have the right technology to compete in a 21st century environment.

34) Want to start A Restaurant Franchise? Being a member of the Chamber will help you do business.  Statistics by The Schapiro Group show when consumers know that a restaurant franchise is a member of the chamber of commerce they are 40% more likely to eat at that franchise in the next few months.

35)  Don’t hold anything back- Starting a business is a big decision and one that shouldn’t be handled entirely alone.  Maximize all opportunities and allow the Chamber to be a resource.

36)  We work for Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota…- Providing businessmen and women alike with the tools to do business in their state is crucial.  From supporting more cell phone towers so a signal is never lost, to trying to reduce regulations and taxes on start-up businesses.  These details are crucial factors when someone decides where start a business.  The Chamber lobby’s to make sure our state is business friendly.

37)  Transportation- The Chamber improves transportation connections within Siouxland and searches for trade corridors needed in economic development.

38) Friendship-  Of course the Chamber will be your friend, but that’s not all of it.  The Chamber sets up events to promote business interaction and they also serve the function as making friends within the community.

39)  Quality of Life- It is our job to recognize that Siouxland has a responisbility in providing quality of life.  We push towards promoting events that will do just that, such as: Fridays on the Promenade, Artsplash, Saturday in the Park or Go Fest 2009…just to name a few.

40) Be Seen! Being a member of the chamber gives others online access directly to your website via the Chamber’s online business directory.

41) Location, Location, Location-  An excellent tool at your finger tips is utilizing a Chamber that has members from three different states!  Businesses can do business and meet people across state lines; a luxury not every business has.

42)  The Chamber is a multi-faceted company- The Chamber specializes in having its hands in just about everything that goes on in the community whether it be area events (Fridays on the Promenade, ISU Tailgate etc.), to economic development, to quality of life initiatives, name it and we do it!

43) The Staff-  The Chamber staff is aligned perfectly to format all different types of business.  We have professionals geared towards moving the community and business in to the 21st century productively & effectively.  Our staff specializes in technology, marketing, promotion, running an effective budget, and lobbying for the community at the state and federal level.

44) Quick resources- If your product or business can benefit from another business here in the community the Chamber will bring businesses together.  We have over 1,000 members to pick from to aid organizations in getting started and flourishing.

45) Want to market an event?? Great, the Chamber will help!  In providing two blogs a year for each company, we can also help get the event details out in area papers, and the Siouxland Business Journal.

46) Schedule an appointment- Not sure whether or a not a Chamber membership is right for your business?  Call down to the Chamber and ask for Beth, the Director of Investor Relations.

47) Know what’s going on!-  There is always something going on in Siouxland, if you don’t think  there is…come to this blog.  The Chamber blog will feature nearly every entertainment activity throughout Siouxland.  The Chamber understands that business coupled with quality of life is crucial and we want to make sure its members are enjoying what the community has to offer.

48) Giveaways!- Check this blog or the Siouxland Chamber website every now and again, because the Chamber will be giving away tickets to events, prizes etc.

49) Politics and Business- There are so many different areas to cover when having a successful company.  The Chamber steps in and lobby’s for business and the community to receive tax breaks and necessary funding to boost the community and take pressure off of area businesses.

50) Trouble seeing the future…? Yea, we have that problem too. Everyone does, but the Chamber likes to think we know a little about the community and its people and would love to sit down and help foresee outcomes that are short and long-term with your company.

51) Demographic & Economic Statistics- Finding a key statistic to start business or expand product lines can take up a lot of time and resources.  We do that for area business and provide detailed statistics from labor force, population, incomes, regulations etc.

52) Incentive Packages- Want to expand? No problem, work with The Siouxland Initiative (TSI), the right arm of the Chamber.  They provide financial incentive packages utilizing economic strategies available from the tri-state region which includes Sioux City, South Sioux City and North Sioux City.

53) Diversity- Business prospectives have the advantage of three economic development programs, three tax structures and regulatory environments of three states.  The Chamber will sit down with you and help navigate the benefits each state has to offer!

54) Transportation Community Initiatives-  When Siouxland landed the Great Places Initiative back in October 2009 the Chamber understood the importance of re-structuring I-29.  This task will replace aging infrastructure, improve safety, and correct traffic operations utilizing modernized design standards. This will help business in the area as well as sustain future growth.

55) Education- Citizens of Siouxland – enjoy an impressive array of options for primary, secondary, post-secondary, and continuing education.  Just last week, the Chamber was happy to welcome the University of Iowa as they teamed up with WITCC here in Siouxland.  Then on Saturday, the Chamber teamed up with partners around Sioux City for the ISU tailgate that went to raise money for the ISU Design West Studio.

56) Calling all Inventors-  The Siouxland community has been known as a hotbed for innovation.  The Siouxland Initiative, coupled with the Chamber of Commerce is working rigorously to provide access and opportunities for local inventors to develop their ideas into products and get them to market.

57) Siouxland/Washington Conference-  The Chamber heads to Washington every year to meet with legislators to promote the community.  Want to come? Mark your calendar for the 56th Annual Siouxland/Washington Conference April 19-22, 2010 and join us as we work to better the region!

58) Entrepeneurs- The Chamber of Commerce and The Siouxland Initiative are here to serve.  Specifically, they assist entrepreneurs to form management teams, access local and regional capital, and connect with researchers.

59) Business Directory-  Log onto the Chamber website and check out our business directory.  The business environment in Siouxland is thriving and the Chamber of Commerce wants you to have interaction that’s “just one click away.”

60) Siouxland Beautification Task Force- A clean and attractive community will promote and encourage economic development and migration.  That’s why we have taken these initiatives with the community to fulfill this goal: Lighting of I-29 Railroad Bridge, Lighting of Veterans Bridge, Lighting of Gateway Park, Cleanup of neighborhood areas, Anti-litter campaign, North High triangle plantings,  and Welcome banners at Sioux Gateway Airport.

61) Executive Tours-  When recruiting new employees or welcoming executives, the Chamber can assist businesses in showcasing the community by taking a Tour of Siouxland (complete with backstage access).  Also, newcomer packets can be provided and all the up-to-date regional information available right in our office.

62)Reputation Mgmt- Being a member of the Chamber will help business. Statistics by The Schapiro Group show when consumers know that a restaurant franchise is a member of a chamber of commerce they are 40% more likely to eat at that franchise in the next few months.

63) Gain Media Attention- Creating press releases and handling public relations can be overwhelming for some. Let the Chamber help get the word out about your business by taking you through the process of keeping the media up-to-date about your business.

64) Key Executive Welcome- The Siouxland Chamber is here to welcome new management by formally introducing them to the business community. The next Key Executive Welcome will be held in the spring of 2010.

65) Accessibility-  The Chamber of Commerce strives to give you everything that a membership entails and nothing less.  A Chamber membership means constant retention, brainstorming, and putting us at your service.  We’re accessible and will help you find solutions to complex problems.

66) Quality of Life-  Let’s face it, quality of life is important to a strong economic economy that will make Siouxland a place to live.  That’s what the Chamber does, we want you to set up a successful shop in Siouxland and let us worry about promoting the community and drawing in consumers.  We work tirelessly to develop the economy and break down regulation and tax barriers to enable the innovator to make a buck.

67) Committee Diversification- The Chamber’s success strives off of ideas from our members, our staff, and our organization.  We organize by breaking down in committees to specialize and cover each facet of economic promotion and development, these areas include: Ambassadors, Siouxland Beautification Task Force, Transportation, Government relations, Business Roundtable, & Community Enhancement.

68) Event Promotion-  Have a special event coming up?  Yes! That’s what we were hoping and the Chamber will help market that event and get the word out to attract potential customers to your business.  This form of marketing is fulfilled through blogs, Siouxland Business Journal, e-mails, & media relations.

69) Designing Sioux City- President of the Siouxland Chamber, Debi Durham sits on the committee for Sioux City Design Works.  This signifies that the Chamber has made a commitment to designing a community that we all  can continually be proud of.    The goal of this committee is as follows:

“Sioux City has embarked on a project to create Urban Design Guidelines that will help guide future development and redevelopment and ensure the future vision of the community is reflected in the physical shape and character of the built environment.” For more info follow the link above…

70) Want to take a day trip? Siouxland is in the perfect location for that and the Chamber of Commerce’s website gives all the details as we will serve as a Tour Guide, but just for the day.

71) Promote the Area!-  To gain quality of life and a flourishing economy the Chamber of Commerce finds it vital to promote the Siouxland area events and help get involved with them.  Some of the events coming up just around the corner are “Downtown for the Holidays” and the NAIA Volleyball National Championship.

72) Make the link- Become a Chamber member today and get instant access to thousands of potential customers and clients.

73) Contact Executive Vice President Chris McGowan- If you’re a member of the Chamber and want to grow  the business contact Chris!  He specializes in expansion retention for our members and recruitment of new businesses to the area.

74) Dakota Valley Business Council- In affiliation with the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce, a collaboration has formed to compartmentalize areas to focus on economic development in our different area codes.

75)  Workforce development- Quality of life initiatives can’t be enjoyed  unless the citizens of Siouxland have stable, well-paid jobs.  The Chamber of Commerce works rigorously to bring jobs to Siouxland.  Every two years a Labor Shed analysis is conducted to address underemployment, check the current availability of current and prospective workers, desired occupations, wages, hours worked, and distance willing to commute to work.  These statistics help us to aid the community in “scratching where it itches.”

76) Business Retention- The Siouxland Initiative conducted fifty in-depth interviews with companies that ship goods out of the area and bring revenue back in.  TSI did this to gauge what the primary obstacles were in Siouxland that were limiting their growth so the Chamber can see what it can do better to promote growth.

77) Positively Siouxland-  Chris Mcgowan every week delivers a special segment titled, “Positively Siouxland” that airs on this blog and 1360 KSCJ.  The audio usually consists of some great events going on here in Siouxland, an inspiring story, a current event etc.  Check the blog here for more in the upcoming weeks!

78) Organic Initiatives- Recognized as one of the leading communities in the country for its commitment to the organic food industry, the Chamber invites Siouxland citizens to consider the City of Sioux City and Woodbury County in Iowa as your home for all things organic. Follow the link and watch our video on the organic industry in Siouxland!

79) Inter-business-net- The business economy has changed to a virtual playing field where states have to accomodate professionals in providing access for the global marketplace.  The Siouxland Chamber of Commerce understands this important aspect and has pushed for accessibility in Siouxland for multiple providers and a technology friendly environment.

80) Siouxland Washington Conference and Steak Dinner- Instead of “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” this is the “Siouxland Chamber goes to Washington.”  They come to Washington with around 75 people strong to lobby aggressively for pro-business issues, including legislation to break down artificial barriers between our communities created by state lines.  For 56 years they have been traveling to Washington meeting with our representatives on behalf of the Siouxland community.

81) Media List for Members- The Siouxland Chamber of Commerce provides a media list for members to accommodate them in promoting their events to the community.

82) Thousands of referrals through phone calls- The Chamber finds it necessary to condense business and bring together different professionals in the community that can feed off of each other.

83) Industry Specific Legislation- The Chamber promotes industry specific legislation that will help business owners be able to make a profit and employ more workers who retain a good wage.

84) Calling all volunteers- Want to see first-hand how your investment in the Chamber makes a difference for your business and the Siouxland community? Get involved. Whether you have a passion for Community Enhancement, Transportation, Government Relations or Small Business, there’s a place for you. We’ll save your seat.

85) Get informed- Every two weeks from September to May the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce holds a government relations committee meeting.  These meetings develop an agenda and designate Chamber priorities.  Local experts are also attained to discuss such things as: health care, cap-and-trade, tax regulations etc.

86) Support- It is our greatest pleasure to refer your business to the many inquiries we receive from around the country. We don’t do it for just anyone…you have to belong.

87) Referrals, recruiting and much more! You’re also just a phone call away from excellent reference and recruiting materials. Labor surveys, demographics and more are available. We also invite you to drop off your promotional literature on our information wall in the Chamber lobby at no cost.

88) Morningside College Scholarship-First time Morningside College enrollees will receive a $500 renewable scholarship, applicable to the immediate family of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce investors.

89) Hit Your Target- Ever wished for the opportunity to get your company’s information directly into the hands of the decision maker? Siouxland Chamber members have the opportunity to rent an up-to-date mailing list of nearly 2,000 names. You can choose from a listing of the Heads of Firm or one including all representatives for a nominal fee.

90) Sports enthusiasts enjoy Sioux City Explorer professional baseball at Lewis & Clark Park, fast paced football action with the Sioux City Bandits of the National Indoor Football League (NIFL), Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) hockey games, land-based and riverboat casinos and NASCAR Winston racing. College football, volleyball, basketball and baseball teams and numerous high school athletic activities round out an outstanding array of sporting events.

91) Catering Opportunities- The Siouxland Chamber of Commerce is constantly holding events at the Chamber or elsewhere that need to be catered.  With these events, the Chamber uses our members who cater to provide the food at our events.

92) Ambassadors- Take your membership one step further and become an ambassador.  Ambassador status provides a prime opportunity to be the face of the chamber, network and help promote business for the Siouxland community.

93) Tree Board- The Siouxland Chamber of Commerce’s Community Enhancement Committee promotes buying trees in the community by asking local tree retailers to provide a discount on trees to beautify the Siouxland community.  This project will take full force in the Spring of 2010.

94) Recycle Bank- The Community Enhancement Committee has jumped on the national initiative to encourage recycling by giving incentives to the residential recycler in the Siouxland community.  The committee played an integral part in encouraging the city to work on adopting the program.

95) Teresa Rosenboom is the Director of Government Relations with specific talents in marketing and research.  She provides specific demographic research for members and our specialists in economic development to promote business in the Siouxland community.

96) The Kitchen Incubator- This program created by The Siouxland Inititative will aid the local entrepeneur in creating and marketing a food product for distribution in the Siouxland area.  For more questions, call the Chamber and ask for Joseph Wright, 712-255-7903.

97) For inventors- TSI can help the local inventor develop and market their ideas in many different ways, these include:

• 98)-SBIR grants designed to subsidize research & development activity
• 99)Access to researchers at universities nationwide and particularly institutions in the tri-state area
• 100)- Office space that will fit your specific needs and at reduced or no cost for a start-up company

101)- Barbara Sloniker is the Vice President of Government Relations and Transportation.  We’re very fortunate to have her service as she has done vital work at the state level lobbying for pro-business legislation for the Siouxland community.