Member Advantages
Advantages of Becoming a Chamber Member
As a member of the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, you have shown your commitment to yourself and the community in which you do business. The Chamber is a private independent non-profit organization supported entirely by its members. It is not a governmental agency and does not receive outside funding. Below are just a few benefits to take advantage of as a Chamber member:
Advocacy
The Putnam County Chamber of Commerce is your voice to the government in Putnam County. We concern ourselves with issues that impact business and the livability of the Putnam County community at large. We work closely with municipal and county officials, District Delegates, and State Senators. When you join the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce your concerns are being heard.
Advertising & Promotion
Annual Chamber Consumer & Relocation Guide
Professionally printed every year, each member is listed and cross-referenced by business name, by product or service provided, and by a designated individual. A variety of advertising options are available. Over 3,000 copies are distributed throughout the community to Chamber members, hotels, libraries, government offices, service agencies, etc. making this guide a valuable reference tool for an entire year.
Pride & Progress Monthly Newsletter
Up-to-date information on new and current Chamber members, promotion of upcoming Chamber events, and publicity coverage of past events, including pictures (when available) help to keep your business front and center in Putnam County. This full-page newsletter is printed in the Metro Putnam section of the Charleston newspapers on the first Wednesday of every month and once monthly in the Putnam Herald. Additionally, Chamber members who have email listings with the Chamber receive the newsletter electronically.
e-BILLBOARD
A service for members of the Putnam County Chamber, e-BILLBOARD is an instant electronic message to broadcast a service, event, or activity. For a modest fee, your business can reach as many as 1000 business-minded individuals immediately. Your message can include graphics, logos, and coupons – the content is limited only by your imagination!
Chamber Business of the Month
Putnam County Chamber partners with the Herald Dispatch and the Putnam Herald newspapers to recognize a selected Chamber business as Business of the Month! The designated business will be featured with pictures and text in these local papers as well as in the Chamber’s Pride & Progress newsletter in the Charleston newspapers. Additionally, for the period of one month, the designated business is provided with signage to display at their place of business. Following that period, a certificate is provided to the business for display purposes. You may be asking, “How does a business get chosen for this?” It’s simple – a name will be drawn from those chamber members attending Business After Hours the previous month.
Open Houses, Ribbon Cuttings, Ground Breakings
Many Chamber businesses have occasions to celebrate. The Chamber staff and Chamber Champs are always prepared to assist in these celebrations. We bring shovels, signs, ceremonial scissors, and ribbon and alert the media for maximum exposure.
Pre-Printed Mailing Labels
A complete mailing list of Chamber members is available to any Chamber business for a small fee. Addresses are printed on standard-size mailing labels, ready to go, allowing easy promotion of your business via US Mail to someone you know is as business-minded as you.
Professional & Social Networking
Annual Meeting
Held annually in January, this occasion presents Chamber members with the Annual Report along with a brief business meeting to elect the Chamber Board. A social hour, dinner, and speaker are part of the evening.
Business Expo
Held annually, this event provides a means to exhibit business products and services to other businesses and the community. Exhibition booths are available to Chamber members only and require a nominal exhibitor fee for facility rental and set-up supplies.
Business After Hours
This premier networking event is hosted by a Chamber member or members at a designated location each month except in January and July. Business After Hours is typically held on a Thursday from 5 pm – 7 pm. Participation is open to Chamber members and their guests; there is a nominal fee to attend. As an additional incentive to participate, the upcoming recipient for “Chamber Business of the Month” is selected from the business cards of members in attendance.
Golf Tournament
Held annually at Putnam County’s only private club, this tournament includes an 18-hole round of golf and contests for 4-person teams. Golf is followed by dinner, raffles, awards, and prizes. Participation is open to both Chamber and non-Chamber members.
Leadership Putnam County
This nine-week course (meeting for nine consecutive Wednesdays) is intended to provide participants with a thorough understanding of county operations. Classes meet on location with representatives from law enforcement, government, education, social services, utilities, health care, manufacturers, and business people. Participation is open to both Chamber and non-Chamber members.
Chamber Committees
As a member, you are invited to participate in Chamber Committees. Committee participation offers you and your employees the opportunity to become more involved with the Chamber and share your expertise with others. Committees meet on a regular basis determined by the committee members. The time commitment is minimal, yet the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve helped your community and business is great.