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Membership Benefits & Services 2017
Your Membership is a
passport to information and
networking opportunities.
Don’t let opportunity pass
you by – plan to attend!
Breakfast with the Mayor -
Wednesday, February 8,
2017: Discuss topics of
interest and importance to
your business with local
government
representatives. Typically,
representatives from
Tourism Sarnia Lambton
and Southwestern Ontario
Tourism Corporation are
also in attendance to speak
with YOU. Cost: $20 p.p.
Annual General Meeting –
Tuesday, February 28,
2017: This is a key Chamber
business continuance event
at which we confirm new
directors to the Board,
review and approval
financial reports and
provide members with an
annual report. Cost: FREE
Spring Members’ Mixer –
Thursday, April 6, 2017:
Great chance to socialize,
network with fellow
members, and compare
business notes as we head
into peak season. Features
Chamber and Member
announcements, various
reports from the Board and
key organizations like
Tourism Sarnia Lambton
and Southwestern Tourism
Corporation. Cost: FREE
Fall Classic Golf
Tournament – Wednesday,
September 13, 2017:
Opportunity to showcase
your business through
sponsorship or prize table
donations as well as
socialize and network. This
is the Chamber’s largest
fundraiser. Enjoy 18-holes
of golf, power cart, BBQ
dinner, golfer’s gift, golfing
contests. Cost: $95 p.p.
Fall Members Mixer –
Thursday, October 12,
2017: Similar to the Spring
Mixer – this is a chance to
mingle with fellow local
business owners and find
out how their year is going.
Cost: FREE
Celebrate the Season
Awards Dinner – Thursday,
November 16, 2017: Our
largest event of the
Member season. Celebrate
business savvy with our
awards presentations, enjoy
a sumptuous meal, silent
auction, networking and
socializing. Cost: $45 p.p.
Mark the Date – 2017 Member Events T H I N G S Y O U
S H O U L D K N O W
The Chamber – Since 1957 Established in 1957 and
incorporated in 1975 by
George Kadlecik, Peter
Haist and Donald
Southcott, the Grand Bend
& Area Chamber of
Commerce is a small yet
active Chamber, serving
businesses located along
Lake Huron’s shoreline
corridor. Our Members are
located south in Sarnia and
north in Goderich, as well
as closer to home in
Arkona, Dashwood, Exeter,
Forest, Grand Bend,
Hensall, Ipperwash, Kettle
Point, Northville, Parkhill,
Parkhill, Port Franks, St.
Joseph, Thedford, Varna
and Zurich – and all points
in between!
The Chamber’s roots lie in
the Grand Bend Promotion
Committee of the 1950s,
which worked to promote
area tourism.
Mark the Date. . . . . . . . . .1
The Chamber. . . . . . . . . . 1
2017 Membership Fees. . 2
Reasons to Be a Chamber
Member. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Marketing & Advertising
Opportunities. . . . . . . . . . 3
Professional Development
& Networking. . . . . . . . . . 6
Affinity Programs - Perks of
Membership. . . . . . . . . . . 7
Advocacy for the local
Business Community. . . .. 8
Membership Benefits
Summary Chart. . . . . . . . . 9
Professional Development
Workshops. . . . . . . . . . . . 9
When consumers
know a business is a
member of their
local chamber, they
are 44% more likely
to think favorably of
it and 63% more
likely to purchase
goods or services
from the business in
the future.
2017 Membership Fees – Due November 1
Membership Benefits & Services 2017 Page 2
Reasons to
Be a Chamber
Member
CREDIBILITY: It increases
your positive perception
among consumers and
business owners.
1. VISIBILITY: Members get
listed in the Chamber’s
membership directory, on
GrandBendChamber.ca and
GrandBendTourism.com,
and highlighted in the
Chamber’s Facebook and
Twitter activities. Grow
your business by
participating in advertising
opportunities and by
sponsoring events.
DISCOUNTS: Save money
through Chamber affinity
programs – First Data POS
Program, the Chambers of
Commerce Group Insurance
Program, Purolator’s
Affinity Program and
Constant Contact. Benefit
from discounted business
and marketing programs.
NETWORKING: It’s not
just who you know, it’s who
others know. A Chamber’s
fundamental mission is to
generate more business
activity for the community.
Chambers initiate more
business-to-business
commerce and
opportunities for
connecting local
professionals than is
available through most
other local organizations.
Membership renews
annually based on the
Chamber’s fiscal year
(November 1 to October 31).
Fees are based on the
number of “Full Time
Equivalent” (FTE) employees.
ADD-ON BUSINESS
An employee-based fee
structure means we can
extend membership to ALL
businesses owned and
operated by a single
business owner/group.
The Add-On Business fee is
$25 (+HST) per business and
extends all the same
membership rights and
privileges to that business.
CALCULATING FULL TIME EQUIVALENT (FTE)
A full time employee works
up to 40 hours per week for
52 weeks. If you have
seasonal or part-time staff,
add up the total number of
hours per week your staff
work, divide by 40, then
divide by 52. The result is
how many FTE employees
you have.
HOW TO PAY
Post-Dated Cheques: Send
us a post-dated cheque
dated for November 1, 2016.
We'll cash your cheque on
that Tuesday and your
Membership never lapses!
Credit Card: Go to
GrandBendChamber.ca/pay
ment – use your favourite
credit card and your
transaction is completed on
PayPal’s secure website.
Paypal sends you a receipt
and us a payment
notification.
NOTES
Every member listing on
GrandBendChamber.ca
includes photos, logos, maps
and text.
Every member also gets a
basic listing on
GrandBendTourism.com and
it’s this listing you can
upgrade with hyperlinks,
photos and map.
Slideshow upgrade fee is a
one-time setup fee.
Add-on business option is
per business.
EARLY BIRD
CONTEST
Sept. 30, 2016
Pay your
membership fees
by
Sept. 30, 2016
for a chance to
WIN
your 2017
Membership
for FREE!
Membership Benefits & Services 2017
Page 3
The membership directory is
produced in web and print.
GrandBendChamber.ca/directory
is a searchable database. It
enables those seeking
reputable businesses to
search by name and
product/service type. Your
Member listing includes:
Business name,
Business address,
Contact names,
Phone numbers,
Email addresses,
Website & Social Media addresses
2+ Photographs
400+ words of your product and service information.
Marketing & Advertising Opportunities
The print format is also
provided online for easy
download as a PDF
document and is
photocopied and handed out
at the Welcome Centre.
The printed directory
includes a list of Board
Directors, staff and
volunteers, a membership
index by name cross-indexed
to business type, and the
listings are organized by
major categories and sub-
categories (e.g. Services >
Real Estate). Listings
include:
Business Name
Business address
Website
Phone
The Chamber’s Members’ website includes information about Membership, Chamber activities, member events, affinity program details, archived e-newsletters, business awards information and past recipients, reports and publications, member marketing and advertising programs and the Members
Forum. The Members Forum includes many years of Chamber AGM and Directors meeting minutes,
Member events and
committees provide
networking opportunities
and leadership
development.
2. HAVE A VOICE: Gain a
say in what happens in the
community and help
promote the principles of
free enterprise through
Chamber advocacy
activities.
3. LEARNING: Get a
competitive edge with
training opportunities on a
variety of hot topics.
4. REFERRALS: Every day,
the chamber receives calls
from individuals and
businesses looking for
potential vendors, and
chamber members typically
recommend other chamber
members.
5. INFORMATION: The
Chamber’s emails and
monthly e-newsletters give
members information
about operating a local
business, alerts on changes
in the local business
environment and details
about upcoming chamber
events and marketing
opportunities.
6.
Keep in mind you need to
make an investment of
time and effort in
chamber activities and
become involved. On a random basis, we highlight member businesses on our Facebook and Twitter
accounts.
GrandBendChamber.ca - FREE with your
membership
The Membership Directory – FREE with your Membership
Social Media Mentions – FREE with your
membership
annual reports, financial statements and similar documents.
Membership Benefits & Services 2017
Page 4
GrandBendTourism.com – Basic Listing FREE with your Membership / Fee-based Upgrades
Your Business
on Display–
FREE with
membership Open year-round, Welcome
Centre staff respond to
11,000 inquiries from
visitors, residents, cottagers
and other businesses
seeking area and business
information!
A prominent area of the
Centre is reserved for
member brochures, rack
cards and business cards.
Get Noticed
through
Sponsorship –
Fee based
All Chamber events are
open to sponsorship!
Sponsorship is recognized in
a number of ways: emails to
members, press releases,
through event brochures
and flyers, business
promotional materials on
display at an event,
opportunities to be the first
speaker to address event
attendees, special signage
and website postings.
Golf Sponsorships start at
just $150 for a Hole
Sponsorship. Or, for just
$199, why not sponsor
Breakfast with the Mayor,
Members’ Mixers, the
Annual General Meeting or
Celebrate the Season?
This tourist-facing
website promotes the
Greater Grand Bend Area
to visitors, vacationers,
local residents and
cottage owners.
Launched in 2001, it has a
reputation for being the
place to find information
about what to do and
where to go in this area.
From launch, website
traffic quickly grew and
today the site has almost
2 million page views per
year.
BUSINESS LISTINGS –
FREE WITH MEMBERSHIP
Business listings are
categorized by task-
oriented tourist search
goals (i.e. places to Stay,
Play, Dine, Shop and get
Services). Listings are
complemented by
editorial content
developed in conjunction
with articles written for
the visitors guide – It
Starts at the Beach…and
ends where you want.
WEBLINK UPGRADE (+
$70**): Includes multiple
weblinks to your website,
facebook, twitter or any
other social media
accounts.
WEB BADGE AD
SPECIFICATIONS
Acceptable file formats:
gif, jpg, jpeg, png, swf
Acceptable file sizes for
large web badge: 25kb
for standard graphic
file; 35kb for Flash/swf
Acceptable file sizes for
small web badge: 15kb
for standard graphic
file; 20kb for Flash/swf
Web Badge ads display in
random rotation at the top
right of pages site-wide.
AD SIZES
1. Large ads (250 pixels x 250
pixels)
2. Small ads (125 pixels x 125
pixels)
Web Badge advertising is
sold in 3, 6, 9 and 12 month
periods with a minimum 3-
month purchase.
Membership Benefits & Services 2017
Page 5
Web Badge Ads –
Discounted Rates for
Members
Outdoor
Message Centre
Map Board – Fee
based Located in front of the
Welcome Centre just 500m
from Lambton Shores’ Main
Beach, the Outdoor
Message Centre Board
displays a large map of
Grand Bend’s business core
flanked by two Members
Only advertising areas. Each
area can display up to 8 ads
and each ad is 13-inches
wide by 8-inches high. In
total, there are 16 advert-
ising spots available on a
first come, first booked and
paid basis.
The Message Centre board
also features literature slots
where we display copies of
the visitor guide. During the
summer months we
replenish weekly and based
on the number guides
picked-up, almost 1,000
people view the board.
ADVERTISING DETAILS
• Advertising period runs
July 1 to June 30 annually
• Ad may be changed as
many times as desired
during the advertising
period
• Advertisers get first-right-
of-renewal before the spot
is sold to another member
the following the year
• Cost: $249+HST
FULL UPGRADE (+$89**):
2+ photos, interactive
Google map showing your
location and 400+ words
of business product or
service description.
NOTE: If you already
purchased the Weblink
Upgrade, then this
option is only a $19
incremental fee.
SLIDESHOW OPTION
(+$15): we can put
together a small
slideshow that displays in
the business description
section. One-time setup
fee: $15.
**Upgraded listing fees
include $20 discount on
Web Badge advertising.
Save up to
20% on Web
Badge
advertising
when you also
advertise in the
visitor activities
guide.
Membership Benefits & Services 2017
Page 6
Annually, the Chamber
produces a full-colour, visitor
activities guide called It
Starts at the Beach…and
ends where you want! This
guide to the Greater Grand
Bend Area (Lambton Shores,
South Huron, Bluewater &
North Middlesex) is the most
comprehensive source for
residents and visitors
planning where to stay, play,
eat or shop.
We distribute 30,000 copies
to 68 Ontario Information
Centres and independently
operated welcome centres,
and to 240 locations along
the Highway 21 corridor
from Sarnia to Goderich at
key locations (restaurants,
hotels, attractions, gas
Discounted Advertising Opportunities for Members
It Starts at the Beach Visitor Guide – Fee based
stations, libraries, banks and
retailers), including London’s
Airport, Huron Country
Playhouse, Stratford Festival
and Blyth Festival.
At the Welcome Centre, we
handout about 4,000 copies
a year.
Advertising in the guide is
open to all area businesses
with Members enjoying
discounted rates.
The guide includes 68+ local
festivals and events, area
maps and an advertisers’
index.
Advertisers also get:
Their business mapped on
a street or local level map
and listed in the
advertisers’ index
Free QR code option
Online FlipBook version is
published on
GrandBendTourism.com
with your ad linked to your
website
NOTE: The Guide is funded
entirely by advertising sales
and is not the Chamber’s
Membership Directory.
Professional
Development &
Networking
Opportunities
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
At the annual general
meeting (AGM) held in
February, directors are
confirmed to the Board. At
the first post-AGM Board
meeting, directors vote
fellow directors into the
Executive Roles of
President, Vice-President,
Treasurer and Secretary.
The Board of Directors
meets every third Tuesday
of the month.
WHAT DIRECTORS DO
The Board of Directors
holds administrative power
and is authorized to make
decisions on behalf of the
Chamber. The Board
determines any bylaws,
rules or regulations it feels
are in the Chambers’ best
interest and changes are
voted on at the AGM to
adopt into practice.
The Board provides
general direction to its
Manager on day-to-day
operations.
• President: Chairs Board
meetings, regulates
order of business, signs
documents requiring
official signature, and
presents a general report
at the AGM.
IMPORTANT DATES
Early Bird Book & Pay:
September 16, 2016
Last Ad Booking Date:
December 2, 2016
Artwork Submission
Date: December 2,
2016
NEW FOR
2017:
Fold-out
map of
Lambton
Shores
FirstData POS Program for
Chamber Members
First Data – a leader in the
electronic payment
processing industry brings
you exclusive benefits to
help grow your business
with preferred pricing and
products tailored to suit
your needs. Their full suite
of products include:
• Ecommerce
• Wired & Wireless
Terminals
• First Data Mobile Pay
• Gift Cards Solutions
• TeleCheck®
• Electronic Cheque
Acceptance
SIGN UP & GET MORE
INFORMATION
FirstDataCanada.ca/chamb
ermembers
1-888-265-4117 or Email
chambermember @
firstdata.com
Chambers of Commerce
Group Insurance Plan
Chambers of Commerce
Group Insurance Plan
Benefits Coverage – offers
you and your employees
Life & Disability insurance,
Short & Long Term
Disability, Health & Dental
coverage, Travel Health
insurance, Vision Care, Drug
plans, Business Overhead
coverage, Critical Illness
Benefits, Group Retirement
Solutions and more.
SIGN UP & GET MORE
INFORMATION
Contact Christina Godbolt
(the program’s local
representative)
519-235-2740 /
Christina.godbolt@sunlife.
com
Membership Benefits & Services 2017
Page 7
• Vice-President: Acts in
the absence of the
president.
• Treasurer: Responsible
for the Chamber’s
deposits, payments,
investments and financial
reporting. In practice, the
Manager handles all day-
to-day accounts
receivable and payable
and the auditor reviews
the financials, providing
audited financial
statements for the AGM.
• Secretary: Responsible
for the Chamber’s
business affairs, minute
book, correspondence,
record-keeping, corporate
seal and communicating
to Members. In practice,
the Manager handles all
aspects of this position.
Directors attend monthly
meetings, act for the good
of the entire Chamber,
abide by the Chamber’s
Bylaws and government
legislation that affect
operations, represent the
Chamber in a positive
manner and work as a team
for the Chamber and its
Members.
Affinity Programs – Perks of Membership
Purolator’s Discount
Affinity Program
Delivering best-in class
service to members. Access
Purolator shipping services
and enjoy preferential
pricing through a volume
discount program. Purolator
offers Chamber members
discounts starting at 25% on
Purolator Express® and
Purolator Ground® suite of
services. For more
information, visit
Purolator.com/occ
Constant Contact
Constant Contact is an
online e-marketing
subscription service that
helps you look professional,
connect with your
customers and comply with
the latest marketing
regulations. Simple to use
templates make you look
professional and it’s easy to
stay compliant with their
contact management
features that handle
unsubscribes, bounces and
inactive emails.
Chamber Members save up
to 25% on an annual
subscription.
Constantcontact.ca
Save money on daily business operations
Help Yourself & Help The Chamber Too The Chamber receives a small referral fee for
each member business that signs up with
FirstData or the Chambers of Commerce Group
Insurance Plan.
Membership Benefits & Services 2017
Page 8
Your membership with us
gives you membership in
the Ontario Chamber of
Commerce (OCC). We remit
$10+HST of your member-
ship fee to the OCC.
The OCC works on the
provincial level to advocate
on behalf of businesses.
They also help member
Chambers stay informed on
issues. Our membership
within the OCC gives us
access to the member
affinity programs.
During 2016, the OCC has
listened to its small
chamber members and
focused efforts on
highlighting the importance
of small businesses to
Ontario’s economy and in
responding to the Ontario
government’s Tourism
Action Plan. The Grand
Bend & Area Chamber’s
manager is a member of the
OCC’s chamber task force.
Results from both of these
initiatives will be released
during Small Business Week
(week of October 16).
On the local level, directors
and staff work with local
municipal staff, councilors,
other business-focused
organizations (BIAs &
Chambers), and tourism
marketing organizations for
the benefit of our members.
In the last few years, the
Chamber has affected
change on a number of
Advocacy for Local Business Community TOURISM MARKETING
COMMITTEE
The Committee’s goal is to:
• Liaise with the
destination marketing
organizations that affect
tourism in the Greater
Grand Bend Area
(Southwest Ontario
Tourism Corporation,
Tourism Sarnia Lambton,
Huron Tourism
Association, RTO 4) ,
• provide local input into
municipal, county and
regional tourism planning
and development
frameworks, and
• connect the official
tourism organizations
with local business and
event planners.
GOLF TOURNAMENT
COMMITTEE
This Committee organizes
the annual golf tournament.
Activities include selecting
the golf course, helping to
obtain sponsorships,
updating Chamber staff
who in turn support the
Committee with all
administrative, invoicing
and marketing activities.
GRAND BEND HOLIDAY
HOME TOUR COMMITTEE
This Committee of the
Chamber liaises with
several local community
organizations to plan and
implement a holiday home
tour. This year’s event,
scheduled for November
18-20, 2016 is the FIRST
EVER home tour!
issues, here’s a short list:
Successfully lobbied to
get Lambton Shores’
Bylaw ban on buskers
changed to allow busking
(some conditions apply).
Successfully lobbied to
obtain Lambton Shores’
consent for sidewalk
sales.
Highlighted importance of
traffic congestion and
pedestrian safety through
two round table sessions,
providing Lambton Shores
with resulting reports.
Researched and wrote
reports on the import-
ance and impact of
Tourism & Visitor Services
(2012 & 2013) to local
area businesses.
Hosted a round table
meeting on “What Kind of
Town Do You Want in 10
or 20 Years” to provide
business input into the
2015 Lambton Shores
strategic planning.
Hosted two meetings
with regional tourism and
destination marketing
organizations (2012 &
2015), and Lambton
Shores representatives, to
discuss the area’s tourism
marketing needs and
challenges. As a result,
Southwestern Ontario
Tourism Corporation
(SWOTC) placed a staff
member in Grand Bend
summer 2015 to
implement data collection
in support of tourism
initiatives.
Worked with local service
clubs and Lambton Shores
to organize the funding,
purchase and installation
of Christmas lights and
street décor in Grand
Bend in support of retail
and community events.
Organized All Candidates
Meeting.
Partnered with Lambton
Shores in the application
of a Rural Economic
Development grant.
Worked with SWOTC to
develop a tourism survey
to garner essential visitor
data.
Worked with the Rotary
Club of Grand Bend to
bring about the Stage
Opening event, complete
with music and culinary
bites and the “Get in the
Bag” gift bags.
Through our discussions
with SWOTC, they
provided Lambton Shores
with $2k for wayfinding
signage.
Advocated on behalf of
local event organizers and
groups regarding
Lambton Shores event
insurance requirements.
Advocated on behalf of
the business community
relative to the proposed
Noise Bylaw and need for
further community
consultation.
Working with OCC on
Tourism Task Force.
The little Chamber that does!
Membership Benefits & Services 2017
Page 9
Membership Benefits Summary
Professional
Development
Workshops
It’s not often easy or
efficient for local area
business owners to travel to
larger urban centres to
upgrade or take a course.
For this reason and because
the Chamber can often
negotiate special discount
pricing, making these
opportunities affordable for
member businesses, we
present several
workshops annually.
Workshops are held in
the spring and fall,
avoiding the busy
summer months.
Examples of workshops
provided in past:
Phoneography
Workplace Safety &
Prevention Certification
Several Social Media
Workshops
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
Topics planned for future
workshops include Trip
Advisor, Digital Marketing
on a Shoestring and
Accessing Local Grants.
WORKPLACE SAFETY &
PREVENTION SERVICES
KNOWLEDGE (WSPS)
WSPS Knowledge
Exchange session topics
and dates are published
on
GrandBendChamber.ca.
These sessions are held at
OMAFRA, 100 Don Street
in Clinton. Registration
required, but FREE to
attend.
OMAFRA – Ontario
Ministry of Agriculture,
Food & Rural Affairs.