Benefits of Chamber Membership

  • Networking: The Chamber offers opportunities to get to know other Chamber members in a relaxed setting.

    • By attending Business After Hours and/or Business Before Hours, members meet and develop contacts. Since members are encouraged to do business with other members, Chamber contacts will become your best source of new customers and increased sales.
    • The Annual Awards Dinner is held the 3rd Tues. in June each year. In addition to dining with fellow chamber members and guests, the evening’s highlights are the presentation of the awards to the Small Business Person of the Year, the Outstanding Citizen of the Year, the Chairman’s Distinguished Service Award and the Chairman’s Award.
    • The Chambers works with a variety of organizations and individuals to develop seminars for businesses to keep abreast of new techniques and technology.
    • One of the highlights of new businesses is the Chamber’s Ribbon Cutting to launch the official opening of a business’ location. Many chamber members attend to congratulate the new owner and offer encouragement. A press release with photograph is sent to the Eastern Shore News.
    • Membership provides opportunities to serve on various committees for the betterment of the Eastern Shore. Working with on projects fosters stronger relationships with fellow members.
  • Chamber Web site: When people need information about Shore businesses, they call the Chamber or visit the Chamber Web site (www.esvachamber.org). The site profiles all Chamber members and provides a link to your Web site.
  • Customer referrals: Each week the Chamber receives dozens of calls from consumers (both local and travelers to our area) looking for providers of goods and services. The Chamber supports and recommends its members to the public. The Chamber’s unique software, designed specifically for chambers of commerce, allows staffers to track these referrals and report to Chamber members upon request.
  • E-newsletter: Keep up-to-date on Chamber programs and events, business news, seminars, regional events and legislative updates with our newsletter, which is published bimonthly.
  • Advertising: A variety of advertising opportunities are available to members only:

    • Spotlight on Business: Each month a different Chamber member is spotlighted with its own table display in the Chamber lobby. This display is seen by everyone who visits.
    • Brochure/Business Card Display: Each member may place rack cards, brochures and/or business cards at the Chamber office for distribution to visitors.
    • “Essentials” Magazine: Each spring a new Essentials delivery is met with enthusiasm. This successful publication lists all Chamber members in the Directory section; but also provides the opportunity for members to have a display ad with a variety of sizes available. 25,000 issues of this magazine are distributed throughout the region annually.
    • Festivals: Harvest Festival (1st Wed. in Oct.), is attended by 2500+ people each. These annual events are fantastic opportunities for concentrated business exposure to the community through sponsorships, corporate spaces, and/or hospitality tents.
  • E-mail blast: The Chamber takes reservations for e-mail blasts to promote members. Chamber staff develops the e-mails from text and images provided by the businesses or from a custom announcement formatted by the member business. Each “blast” is $50 and is available for Chamber members only.
  • Partnerships: The Chamber partners with other chambers and various agencies on project of interest to citizens and businesses. These include, but aren’t limited to the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the Virginia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, Accomack County, Northampton County, ESVA Tourism Commission, Wallops Flight Facility/NASA, Accomack County Schools Career & Technical Education Committee, ES Community College, and various towns’ business and citizens organizations.
  • Government relations: Staff members track the many legislative issues affecting the Eastern Shore and make recommendations to the Board of Directors on positions the Chamber may need to support.  Members and staff develop a working relationship with the local state and federal representatives. Staff attend the Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s “Chamber Day at the Capitol” at the beginning of the legislative session each year. In addition, the Chamber hosts the annual “Eggs & Issues” breakfast at the end of the legislative session with our state Senator and Delegate.
  • Magazine subscription: A complimentary subscription to Hampton Roads Monthly is included with your membership. Editorial content in this quality lifestyle magazine addresses issues of importance to the community and looks at local trends and the effects on our everyday life. Regular features include review of local political and economic issues, gift guides, home and garden features, travel destinations, leisure activities, coverage of the arts, entertainment, an events calendar and dining guide.
  • Meeting rooms: Two meeting rooms are available once a month free of charge for members. One, our conference room can seat as many as 50 people in a classroom style or multiple table setting. The other, our more formal board room, can seat approximately 20 people at a large conference table and several more in auxiliary seating. Both of these room can be used more often for a nominal charge.
  • Mailing labels: Mailing labels of the membership are available to help target your products and services through direct mail. Each member is allowed one free set with additional runs available for $25 each set.
  • Save on Health & Wellness Benefits:

    • Anthem: Receive special benefits and programs. Anthem BC/BS and HealthKeepers group plans for businesses with 2-99 employees include life insurance and web-based wellness programs, without costing you extra.
    • ChamberRx: Prescription Drug Discounts powered by HealthTrans one of the nation’s top 10 pharmacy benefit managers are available. The ChamberRx card offers discounts of 10-85% on brand name & generic Rx drugs at more than 58,000 participating pharmacies.
    • ChamberSolutions HSA: This program maximizes a company’s savings and enables employees to fully understand their HSA option. With features like a free HSA Visa Check Card, and many other features, ChamberSolutions HSA is one of the best on the market.
    • CTGroup: Members with 2-9 employees receive discounts of 10% on group term life, short term and long term disability coverage.
  • Save on Day-to-Day Business Expenses:

    • OfficeMax buying-group power: Our negotiated contract pricing provides savings normally reserved for “big business.” Chamber members, regardless of size, now have access to remarkable discounts with orders shipped door to door free of charge, most with next-day delivery.
    • FedEx shipping savings:Get special savings on both air express and ground services with no commitments, no contracts, and no enrollment fees.
    • Payroll4Members: Members receive an extraordinary price for full-service payroll. Payroll is completed with “One-Click” in seconds, or in minutes when using the “3-Step” process. No more tax reminders. No more 940s and 941s. In place IRS penalty safeguards protect you from payroll tax penalties.
    • PriceLock: As a chamber member you can set a desired fuel protection price and cap exposure to fuel costs – with no administrative hassle or change to how you currently purchase fuel. This program can protect your operating margins and help eliminate budget variability.
  • Save on Communications:

    • FreeCalls4Members: This program offers members no cost conferencing for up to 250 participants. Members even have a “web dashboard” to control the call and each caller’s participation. The call can be recorded and instantly downloaded for playback, editing or distribution.
    • Webcast4Members: Members can conduct meeting and presentations right from your desktop. This simple yet powerful tool combines phone and Internet to run an effective online meeting. You get your own free conference call line with unlimited talk time.

Rev. 01/07/2011