Benefits of Membership
The following page is dedicated to outlining the multifaceted benefits of The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce membership, emphasizing how it can significantly bolster your business's growth and community presence. It delves into various advantages such as networking opportunities, access to business resources, marketing and advertising opportunities to enhance business visibility, and cost-saving benefits through discounts on products and services. This comprehensive overview aims to illustrate why joining the Chamber is a strategic move for businesses seeking to expand their reach, build meaningful connections, and gain a competitive edge in the local marketplace.
Business Resources
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As part of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce's mission, providing leadership through member engagement, business advocacy, and civic partnerships to strengthen our community and business environment. This includes providing benefits, programs, and resources to help our members be successful.
More to come soon!
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Cost-Savings Programs
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The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce offers significant cost-saving benefits to its members. These benefits include discounted rates on essential business services such as health insurance, office supplies, and others facilitated through partnerships the chamber establishes with service providers. Additionally, members have access to receive reduced fees for attending training programs which is vital for professional development and business growth.
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Co-Work Space & Conference Room Access
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The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce offers members access to the co-working space and conference rooms, providing a flexible and professional environment for businesses to operate and collaborate. These spaces have essential office amenities. Additionally, the availability of conference rooms allows for hosting team discussions, or larger gatherings, all within a business-oriented setting. This benefit not only adds value to the membership but also fosters a sense of community and networking opportunities among local businesses.
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Co-Work Space
Stop by, say hello, and get some work done between meetings in the Chamber's co-work space. With our office being located in downtown Bloomington, just two blocks from the square, this space is perfect for those hour long breaks between meetings or even for a change of scenery in your work week. Our co-work space features a hot table that has plenty of outlets to re-charge all of your devices as well as a few lounge chairs to relax and re-charge yourself before heading into your next meeting.
All of our members can take part in this benefit. We hope to see you around the office sometime soon!
All of our members can take part in this benefit. We hope to see you around the office sometime soon!
Chamber Conference Room
With seating for up to 20, the Chamber's conference room is a great place for you to host your next leadership meeting or planning committee session. Our conference room is fully equipped with a conference phone and a 60 inch smart television that has HDMI connectivity, Chrome-cast, and a slide clicker. This space can be utilized throughout the Chamber's regular business hours (Mon-Thurs 9am-5pm and Fri 9am-3pm), just give us a call and we would be happy to work out the details with you!
This benefit is for executive levels members and higher. To learn more about these membership levels, contact our Director of Member Services, Stacy Bruce.
This benefit is for executive levels members and higher. To learn more about these membership levels, contact our Director of Member Services, Stacy Bruce.
These spaces are not to be used for sales meetings/presentations.
Coupons & Discounts
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The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce enhances the value of its membership by offering exclusive coupons and discounts from fellow member businesses, specifically for other Chamber members. This arrangement fosters a mutually beneficial network where members can save on products and services while also driving business among the local community. These discounts can range from reduced rates on professional services, retail, dining, to special offers on local attractions and events. This not only encourages members to support each other's businesses, but also strengthens the local economy and fosters a culture of collaboration and mutual support within the Chamber community. This benefit is particularly valuable for small businesses looking to maximize their resources and build strong local business connections.
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Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Training
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Within the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce and the Bloomington community, we strive to be accessible and inclusive in the way we conduct ourselves as a chamber and as individual businesses. The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce celebrates the diverse backgrounds represented by our members and seeks to support everyone through awareness, advocacy, and education. Our success relies heavily on having members with unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging (DEIJB) is a continuous journey to providing equal opportunities and creating a safe and inclusive culture for all.
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Toolkits - More information about DEI application |
DEI Training SessionsThe Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is offering Chamber members free Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) trainings. Trainings are provided by Nichelle Wash at The Guarden, which offers diversity education training for institutions, corporations, and organizations of all sizes.
During each semester, the trainings cover six topics throughout the season and are open to members who can attend as many sessions as they wish.
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Job Board
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View job postings on the Chamber's new Job Board. Job seekers can submit their resumes and apply for open positions, and employers can access resumes through their member portal.
Members and non-members alike may post jobs to the Job Board and even feature their listings which (1) promotes the post at the top of the board, (2) highlights the post, and (3) publishes it to the Google Jobs Network. Members can post 30, 60, or 90 day job posts for FREE. Costs for non-member postings can be found on the Job Board site. For more details on how to post a job, click here. |
Marketing & Advertising
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The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce provides invaluable marketing and advertising opportunities to its members, a significant benefit for businesses looking to enhance their visibility and reach in the local market. By offering the option to download and display a member badge on their websites, businesses can leverage the Chamber's reputable brand to build trust and recognition. Additionally, the member news blog and the 'Membership Matters' newsletter present platforms for businesses to share their news, achievements, and promotions, effectively reaching a wider audience within the community. The Member-to-Member promotional program encourages intra-chamber business, further fostering a supportive business network. Moreover, sponsoring Chamber events offers a unique opportunity for businesses to gain exposure and associate their brand with influential community gatherings. These marketing avenues provided by the Chamber are vital for businesses aiming to establish a strong local presence and grow their customer base.
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Download your Member Badge!
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We encourage every member of The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce to add our 2024 badge on their website, indicating their support of "Better Business, Better Community."
Did you know that according to a 2012 research study on the value of joining a Chamber of Commerce by The Schapiro Group, when consumers know that a 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? Let consumers know that you are a Chamber member right on your website. Please hyperlink the image to our website - http://www.chamberbloomington.org/ |
Membership Matters
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Membership Matters is The Chamber's twice-monthly e-newsletter. Typically delivered on the 1st and 15th of each month, Membership Matters includes a variety of member news, the Chamber's Job Board, event information and updates.
As a member of The Chamber, your business has the unique opportunity to share news in the form of press releases, announcements, flyers, etc. This isn't just a member benefit—it's a chance to elevate your visibility within our network, extend your reach, and forge stronger connections within the business community. Event submissions will only be published once. Please consider submitting your event to the Community Calendar through your Member Portal. To submit information, fill out this form. |
Member to Member Emails
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Member to Member emails are customized marketing pieces distributed to The Chamber's membership. For a $400 investment (or a bundle of 5 emails for $1,600), The Chamber will take your images and verbiage and craft an email. A Member to Member email is a great way to highlight an upcoming event, a holiday promotion, a milestone celebration or some other occasion.
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Marketing your Business with Sponsorship
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Sponsoring a Chamber event or program provides a great means of broadening your competitive advantage by improving your company’s reflection, prestige and credibility through supporting events and programs that your community and audience find attractive and important.
In addition to enhancing your visibility and image, there are many other great benefits that coincide with sponsoring Chamber events.
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Digital Opportunities - Advertising
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Mobile AppThe Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce app, available for both Android and iOS devices, is a dynamic tool connecting our members and the broader community. The app features a membership directory, news feed, groups, events, surveys, and push notifications, creating an interactive space for engagement and collaboration.By sponsoring this app, your business earns prime visibility with a rotational banner on the homepage, accessible to every app user. This opportunity not only places your brand directly into the hands of our members and the wider community, but also aligns your business with technological innovation and community engagement. It's a digital handshake with our community, associating your brand with a tool that facilitates seamless, immediate connectivity within the Bloomington business network.
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Newsletter Banner AdUtilizing a newsletter banner ad is an effective way to connect with a large audience, effortlessly. Our newsletter, with over 4,000 contacts and an impressive 38% open rate—well above the industry average of 25%—offers a powerful platform for your business message. By placing a banner ad in our newsletter, you're not only increasing brand visibility, but you're also aligning your business with a trusted source of local news and events. It's an ideal avenue to reinforce your brand, promote new offerings, or launch campaigns directly to an engaged audience receptive to business growth and community development.
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Webpage Square AdEnhance your business's visibility with a webpage square ad on the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce's Member News Blog webpage, a vibrant center of business activity. Our website, boasting 77,747 total visitors, 6,479 unique visitors, and 13,026 page views in the last year, positions your ad to attract significant attention. By choosing a webpage square ad, you access a focused audience of business professionals and community members who rely on the Chamber for trusted local member news and events. This is an excellent chance to increase your brand presence, showcase your offerings, and align with a reputable organization, offering a strategic avenue to engage with an audience invested in business success and community growth.
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Networking
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Networking is a pivotal benefit of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce membership, often considered one of its most valuable aspects. It provides members with numerous opportunities to connect with other business professionals, potential clients, and community leaders. These interactions, facilitated through events organized by the Chamber, enable members to build relationships, exchange ideas, and often lead to collaborations and business growth. Networking in this context goes beyond mere acquaintance; it fosters a community of like-minded individuals who can offer support, advice, and business referrals.
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Business After Hours, organized by The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, is a prestigious networking event that offers our Chamber member professionals the chance to connect, engage, and foster meaningful relationships. Each month, the event takes place at a different location - with our member businesses working alongside caterers to provide delightful food and drink options. As a complimentary event for any employee of a Chamber member business to attend, we encourage attendees to bring their business cards, and ensure our Ambassadors are available to guide new attendees, making introductions and setting the tone for productive networking.
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Bloomington Women in Leadership (BWIL) is a professional women's group that empowers, inspires, and engages through mentorships, professional development, and community. For women in all seasons of their leadership journey, BWIL offers regular meetings and professional development opportunities to meet your professional needs and help you reach your aspirations.
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Young Professionals Bloomington, or YPB, is The Chamber's program designed for connecting the under-40 crowd in Bloomington and Monroe County. The gatherings are usually free to attend, and range in theme from professional development to "just for fun" to volunteer opportunities in the community. YPB is open to anyone, regardless of Chamber membership.
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Ribbon Cuttings
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As a member of The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, we're excited to help you commemorate your business achievements. Be it the opening of a new location, a noteworthy renovation, or a significant business anniversary, we are here to help you amplify these milestones and foster a stronger connection with fellow Chamber members and the Bloomington community at large.
We invite you to let us know when these landmark moments are occurring, and in turn, we will assist in making your celebration a grand affair. By utilizing the Ribbon Cutting form, you inform us about the specifics of your occasion, enabling us to tailor our support for your big day. Not only will we bring our Ambassadors to grace your event, but we'll also leverage the power of social media by sharing your event on The Chamber's Facebook page. |
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We even have some tips to help you maximize the publicity of your celebration! Don't forget to check out Chamber members who provide catering - they can help enhance the occasion!
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Ribbon Cuttings & Milestone CelebrationsA complimentary Ribbon Cutting ceremony signifies not just the launch or relocation of your business, but also an opportunity to announce to the community that you're ready and open for business. These ceremonies can mark the inauguration of your venture or celebrate its successful run in the community for 25, 30, or even 50+ years. This member benefit is designed to offer your business heightened visibility, draw attention to your services or products, and generate buzz that can lead to future business opportunities. Let us assist you in celebrating your business milestones, and together, we can contribute to a thriving Bloomington business community.
If your business...Is a Chamber member in good standing and one of the following:
For other celebrations, consider the Open House Promotional Package! |
Open House & Community Celebrations Promotional Package
An open house presents a unique and engaging opportunity to spotlight your business, allowing you to share your vision, products, or services with the community in a relaxed and enjoyable setting. Whether you're celebrating a notable milestone, introducing a rebrand, welcoming new ownership, or simply desiring to host an event that brings people together, our open house promotional package is the perfect solution for your business.
Our open house promotional package offers you comprehensive Chamber marketing support, ensuring your event reaches the right audience. This package includes electronic promotion to our 850-strong membership base and their employees, leveraging the power of the Chamber's influential social media platforms and email marketing channels. Your open house won't just be an event; it'll become a talked-about, highly anticipated celebration within the local business community. By choosing this package, you're investing in a spotlight moment for your business, creating opportunities for new connections, fostering relationships, and amplifying your business' profile. Let’s turn your open house into a memorable community event that elevates your business standing and visibility in the Bloomington business community.
Our open house promotional package offers you comprehensive Chamber marketing support, ensuring your event reaches the right audience. This package includes electronic promotion to our 850-strong membership base and their employees, leveraging the power of the Chamber's influential social media platforms and email marketing channels. Your open house won't just be an event; it'll become a talked-about, highly anticipated celebration within the local business community. By choosing this package, you're investing in a spotlight moment for your business, creating opportunities for new connections, fostering relationships, and amplifying your business' profile. Let’s turn your open house into a memorable community event that elevates your business standing and visibility in the Bloomington business community.
