Chamber History

Background Founded in 1919

Private business membership organization, 501(c)6

organization Volunteer Board of Directors,

Committees, and paid staff Revenue generated from

membership & programs Member of both U.S. Chamber of

Commerce and Maryland Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Staff

Kathyrn GrattonDirector of Membership SalesYour Contact for: New Membership ~ Presentations~ Membership Committee~ Chamber Connects

Donna LongDirector of OperationsYour Contact for: Volunteering for Events ~ Billing ~ Dues Renewal~Planning Events~ Business & Education Partnership Committee

Jill ReddecliffDirector of Member ServicesYour Contact for: Marketing ~ Retention~ Ribbon Cuttings ~ Ambassador Committee

Kendra FritschOffice CoordinatorYour Contact for:General Questions~ Registrations~ Profile Updates~ Scheduling Meetings

Industries We Represent Accounting Advertising Real Estate Professional Services Legal Services Construction Firms Computer/

Technology Services Cleaning Services Marketing Firms Media Outlets Restaurants Caterers Civic Groups Non-Profits Government Agencies Schools Secondary Education Medical Industry Banks

Financial Planners Insurance Companies Car Dealerships Automotive Repairs Staffing Companies Engineering Firms Beauty Salons and

Spas Electrical Contractors Plumbers HVAC Contractors Doctors Dentists Orthodontists Funeral Services Hearing Specialists Hotels/ B&Bs Retail Shops Agriculture Employee Benefits

Travel Pet Services Jewelers Manufacturers Bio-Technology Firms Museums Sports Teams Wineries Pharmacies Photographers Trash Removal Networking Groups Emergency Services Associations Consultants

And many many more businesses!

Chamber Membership at a Glance

398

66

4627 16 Members By Size of Staff

20 or Less Employees

21-50 Employees

51-100 Employees

101-300 Employees

300+ Employees

Monthly Events Learning Lunch Hour: Business Educational

Series ~ held the 1st Tue from 11:30am- 1pm ~ located at Bulls and Bears

Eggs & Issues: Informational Series~ held the 1st Wed from 7:30am-9am ~ located at Academy Theatre

Savvy Managers Book Club: Business Book Club ~ held the 3rd Wed from 8am-9am ~ located at Kaplan University

Business After Hours: Networking Event ~ held the 3rd Thurs from 5pm-7pm ~ Location varies

Computer Tips & Tricks: Brush up on Microsoft programs ~ held the 3rd Fri from 8:30am-10am ~ located at Kaplan University

Morning Mixer: Networking Event ~ held the 4th

Wed from 7:30am-9am ~ Location varies Chamber Connects Groups: Networking Groups

~ held 2nd & 4th weeks

Annual Events Washington County

Business Awards State of the County State of the City Teacher of the Year Awards Commerce Cup Golf

Tournament Just Us Girls Diamond

Soiree Chamber Annual Meeting Economic Summit Minority Business

Luncheon

So how does a Chamber of

Commerce work?And how can I fit it into

my schedule?

In less than 10 hours a month

Attend/ Present at Learning Lunch Hour

Attend an Eggs & Issues Join a Committee

Join a Chamber Connects Group

In less than 7 hours a month

Network at a Business After Hours

Network at a Morning Mixer Attend a Ribbon Cutting event

Attend Chamber 101 Attend New Member

Reception

If you feel you can’t possibly add another thing to your calendar:

Check out the M2M & Affinity programs

Submit & promote one of your own events

Add your materials to our Welcome Bags & Relocation Packets

Manage online referrals you receive Add an article to the newsletter Promote your Member News Sponsor an Event

Referrals

5,056,682

Referrals

3,917 per

Member

13,854

each day

Exposure

Newsletter• Articles• Member

Offers• News

Website• Member

Events• Advertising• Directory

Listings• Connect with

Social Media• Hyperlinks to

your website• Post Job

Listings

Marketing• Sponsor Events• Ribbon

Cuttings• Email

Advertising• Money Section

of Herald Mail• Mailing Lists

Savings for Members

Affinity Programs are designed to help protect your bottom line and offer competitive costs that we, the Chamber, have negotiated for our members. Merchant Services Energy Savings Email Services

M2M BenefitsThese offers are created by our members to generate business with other members. We average about 70 offers monthly ranging from:

• College Tuition• Salon Services• Web Hosting• Entertainment• Restaurants• Catering Services• Photography Specials

• Energy Services

• Automotive Services• Internet ProvidersDeals can change at anytime refer to the Chamber website

for a complete list

Legislation

• Work with Lobbyist to stay informed of legislative agenda

Lobby Annapolis for Washington County Business

• Protected $18 million in funding for Washington County

Member Lobbying Coalition

• Attend Events with Local and State Representatives

Events involving Local Government

• Help lead the political direction of the Chamber

Government Affairs Committee

Promote Business Interests in Local Media Outlets

The Chamber is really what you make of it!

“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.”

Zig Ziglar

Thank you for attending the Hagerstown Washington County Chamber of Commerce’s

Business Builder