You gotta love the “Chamber Movement”.  As an engaged “outsider”, I have thoroughly enjoyed 2009 heading up the team at Commerce Ad & Marketing.  Having spent 12 years as a Board member with the Oakville Chamber (under the tutelage of Don Crossley) and now active with the Burlington Chamber, I have been exposed to the Chamber world. I owned and operated a small business and I knew that being involved with MY local Chamber would serve to grow my business and that it did!  What you give is what you get and I can say from personal experience that I got 10 fold back.

What YOU know as Chamber executives is that unless you “engage” your members then retention is virtually impossible.

In my capacity as General Manager of Commerce Ad & Marketing, I have the opportunity to work with many, many Chambers in Ontario. 2009 has been a difficult year across the board. Membership is generally stagnant but advertising and sponsorships has taken a 19-23% dip in revenues with most Chambers. We need to get more creative in terms of creating non-dues revenue for our Chambers.  “Bundling” advertising and sponsorship opportunities is a brilliant way to ensure participation and your members (and you) don’t always want to be in the “asking mode”. Put together corporate sponsorship packages that you offer to your members on an annual basis. Ask once. It makes their budgeting process easier and lightens your workload. You are asking from both their advertising, marketing and charitable giving budgets. Don’t forget to make it affordable to your entire membership base. Never underestimate the power of excellent branding or image of your Chamber. Members will want to capitalize on that. Bundle together advertising opportunities on your website, in your printed directory and in your newsletter. Combine opportunities to sponsor your AGM, Business Achievement Awards, or Golf Tournament. Customize your packages if need be. Create packages that combine membership and advertising. The name of the game is “creativity” and now is the time to make those kinds of changes as the New Year is upon us.

From all of us at Commerce Advertising & Marketing – to all of you and your families…We wish you a happy, safe holiday season and prosperity for the New Year.

Kind Regards,

Laurie Nadeau

General Manager