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Bay County Chamber of Commerce 2015 Guide to Member Opportunities
ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION Who We Are
For over 100 years, the Bay County Chamber of Commerce has served businesses in and around Bay County. The organization was formed in 1913 to promote the industrial and economic growth of Bay County while serving the cities of Callaway, Lynn Haven, Mexico Beach, Panama City Beach, Panama City, Parker, Springfield and unincorporated Bay County. The Chamber is a strong supporter of our military, working closely with our local installations. Economic development is also high on the Chamber’s priority list and promotes business and industrial growth through the Economic Development Alliance of Bay County.
Our Mission
“To create superior value for all Chamber members, large and small; to cultivate economic and personal development; promote and protect a competitive enterprise system of business; be a community leader, while embracing Bay County’s opportunities and challenges”.
How We Operate
The Chamber is not a division of the U.S. or State Chamber or a part of any government. We are not run by a small group of big businesses. In fact, 85% of the membership is comprised of businesses with 35 or fewer employees. We are a volunteer organization, owned by the membership, governed by a board and executive committee, managed by a paid staff and accountable to the membership. The Chamber of Commerce is governed by a volunteer board of directors. They are responsible for our financial accountability and policy. The Chamber exists to make Bay County a better place to live, work and play and is always striving to create value for our membership and helping your business grow.
ANNUAL & MONTHLY EVENTS Annual Events Annual Dinner & Award Ceremony
Monthly Events First Friday
Held in January, the Annual Dinner celebrates the Chamber’s previous year’s accomplishments, conducts award presentations and recognizes both the new and the retiring Chairman of the Board of Directors. The evening includes a reception, silent auction, dinner and networking.
Going strong since 1957, this is one of the Chamber’s most popular events. Held on the first Friday of every month, the event includes networking, a community program of interest, new member introductions, community announcements and an update on Chamber activities.
Tourism Appreciation Month
Business After Hours
May is designated as Tourism Appreciation Month to recognize our #1 industry. Events for the month include the Jungleball Volleyball Tournament, Spring Classic Golf Tournament, and more.
First Responder’s Appreciation
Celebrated in the fall to recognize local EMS, Firefighters, Law Enforcement and Dispatch, a luncheon is held in their honor for risking their lives to save ours.
Industry Appreciation Celebration
Shining a spotlight on companies that help diversify Bay County’s economy, the Chamber hosts Industry Appreciation Celebration in the fall. Events for the month include an awards breakfast and a skeet and trap shoot.
An evening social is held at different Chamber member locations each month. This is a great way to meet fellow members at this relaxed, evening social.
ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES BAY BIZ MAGAZINE
The Bay Biz magazine is “the voice of business from the Bay County Chamber”. The publication has a circulation of over 4,000, is printed quarterly, mailed to members, and delivered to various regional businesses. It is also available at Chamber events and online as a digital reader version linked on the Chamber website. The Bay Biz includes topics such as Political Perspective, Defense Intel, Trends, Economic Profile, Member Spotlight, Biz List and more.
E-BIZ NEWSLETTER
The e-BIZ is emailed bi-weekly to over 2,900 Chamber members. The e-BIZ keeps the membership informed about Chamber and community related information such as events, new businesses, grand openings, ground breakings and more. Members can advertise in the e-BIZ by purchasing a side-bar ad (linked to their website or flyer) for the low price of $100.
Guide to Discovering Bay County
Published annually, this guide is packed with valuable information about Bay County and all municipalities to assist individuals, families and businesses making a move to our area. It has a circulation of approximately 10,000.
Relocation Packet Program (RPP)
This program allows Chamber members to include their valuable business information with the Relocation packet that is mailed to individuals and businesses looking to relocate to Bay County. Various levels of participation are available allowing for different types of promotion material, from business cards to 8 oz. magazines to brochures.
CHAMBER WEBSITE
The Chamber website is a resource for our members which includes member directory, community and Chamber calendars, Internship Marketplace, Member to Member Discounts and more. Put your business in the spotlight with a banner, column ad or an ‘enhanced’ listing package on the Chamber’s high traffic web pages. The site receives thousands of visits each month from users looking for products and services in Bay County.
CHAMBER LOBBY
The information display is the main feature in the Chamber lobby. Members are able to display their cards and brochures for free. A full color 11.5” x 8” ad is available for only $500 a year, providing an opportunity for your business to stand out from the competition to thousands visiting the Chamber each year.
EDUCATIONAL & ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
The Bay County Chamber of Commerce Foundation is a 501(c) (3) non-profit which provides programs such as Leadership Bay, Junior Leadership Bay, Bay Young Professionals, Education Committee, Career Connections, Educators in Industry, Seminars, and more. These programs help educate everyone from high school students to business professionals.
Leadership Bay (JLB)
Founded in 1983, LB is a community leadership development program. Based on the premise that people are our most important resource, the purpose of the program is to offer potential leaders a curriculum in community leadership training. Participation is limited.
Junior Leadership Bay (LB)
Junior Leadership Bay is an exciting program, founded by the Leadership Bay Class of 2000, for high school juniors. It prepares Bay County’s youth and future business leaders to meet the challenges facing our area through hands-on activities and exciting discussions involving community leaders and motivational speakers. Participation is limited.
INVESTING IN EDA OF BAY COUNTY
The Bay County Chamber partners with the Economic Development Alliance of Bay County, a private-public partnership of business and government working together to build a stronger economy. Often referred to as the EDA, it serves as the primary economic development organization for Bay County and works closely with Enterprise Florida, the state’s economic development partnership. Economic development is important because it helps to create wealth in our community which leads to job growth, higher wages and an expanded tax base. The EDA offers opportunities for private companies and individuals to invest in the economic future of the community, and provide additional resources to support the organization’s aggressive efforts in attracting new jobs and investments. In order to participate, potential investors must also be supporters of their community Chamber of Commerce. For more information about the EDA, visit: www.BAYEDA.com or call (850) 215-9965.
CHAMBER COMMITTEES AMBASSADORS Mission: To serve as the official diplomatic representatives of the Chamber of Commerce coordinating ground breakings, grand openings and other interactions between the Chamber, its membership and the public.
GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS Mission: To monitor activities of local, state and federal governmental entities, specifically targeting issues affecting business and creating a working relationship between the Chamber and governmental leaders.
BUSINESS REFERRAL NETWORK Mission: To provide business professionals an opportunity to come together to network, share business leads and referrals with the intention of increasing business.
TOURISM APPRECIATION MONTH Mission: To recognize Bay County’s number one industry during the month of May.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE Mission: To serve as the liaison between the business community and the Bay County education system. INDUSTRY APPRECIATION CELEBRATION TASK FORCE Mission: To shine a spotlight on companies that help diversify Bay County’s economy and acknowledge existing businesses in appreciation for their involvement in the community, and their contributions to economic development.
BAY YOUNG PROFESSIONALS (BYP) Mission: To help young professionals build business relationships, develop personally and professionally, and to contribute to the economic development and quality of life in Bay County.
MILITARY AFFAIRS (MAC) Mission: To promote a cooperative working relationship and direct support to the military installations by the business community. PUBLIC RELATIONS Mission: To provide consistent, appropriate communication about the Chamber, help build relationships between the Chamber and the public it serves, as well as work as the editorial board for the Bay Biz magazine. FIRST RESPONDERS APPRECIATION TASK FORCE Mission: To show appreciation and recognition to the local first responders in our community.
I W NT TO G E T GET I N V O LINVOLVED! VED! I AWANT TO Place a check in the box for all committees you are interested in joining. AMBASSADORS * Additional Fee
INDUSTRY APPRECIATION CELEBRATION TASK FORCE
BUSINESS REFERRAL NETWORK GROUPS (BRN)
MILITARY AFFAIRS (MAC) * Additional Fee
BAY YOUNG PROFESSIONALS (BYP) * Additional Fee
PUBLIC RELATIONS
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
FIRST RESPONDERS APPRECIATION TASK FORCE
GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
TOURISM APPRECIATION MONTH TASK FORCE
I AM INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING
I AM INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIPS
NAME: _____________________________________________ BUSINESS NAME: _____________________________________________ PHONE NUMBER: ____________________________________
E-MAIL: ____________________________________________________
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION BUSINESS NAME: _________________________________________
I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER A MEMBER-TO-MEMBER DISCOUNT (Y/N) ___
ADDRESS: _______________________________________________
WHAT IS YOUR EXPECTATION OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP WITH THE BAY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ?
CITY: ____________________ STATE: ___________ ZIP: _________
_____________________________________________________
PHONE: ________________________ FAX: ___________________
_____________________________________________________
WEBSITE ADDRESS: _______________________________________ FACEBOOK LINK: _________________________________________ TWITTER LINK: ___________________________________________ YOUTUBE LINK: __________________________________________
REFERRED BY: __________________________________________
COMPANY E-MAIL: ________________________________________ TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: _________ FT
_________ PT
BUSINESS CATEGORY/KEYWORDS: 1. _____________________________________________________ 2. _____________________________________________________ 3. _____________________________________________________ CONTACTS: Member businesses are encouraged to list employees on their Chamber membership. Please add names of any employee that would benefit by being involved. (1) MAIN CONTACT: ______________________________________
Annual Membership Investment
$___________________
Military Affairs
$___________________
Website Advertising
$___________________
Other1: ______________________ $___________________ TOTAL PAYMENT ENCLOSED: Please charge my:
$___________________
Visa
Mastercard
AMEX
Credit Card#: ___________________________________________ Exp. Date: ______ /______
Security Code: __________
Name on Card: __________________________________________
(2) BILLING REP: __________________________________________
Yes, I would like to sign up for Autopay _____ I authorize the Bay County Chamber of Commerce to draft my membership investment from this credit card on an Annual Semi-Annual Basis
E-MAIL: _________________________________________________
_____ Charge my credit card one time only
(3) _____________________________________________________
_____ Yes, I authorize e-mail communications from the Bay County Chamber of Commerce.
E-MAIL: _________________________________________________
E-MAIL: _________________________________________________ (4) _____________________________________________________
Signature: ______________________________________________
E-MAIL: _________________________________________________
Date: _____________________
Acct. Rep: __________________