Membership Information

GREATER CENTRALIA CHAMBER of COMMERCE
130 S. Locust, Centralia, IL 62801
(618) 532-6789 * Fax: (618) 533-7305
Website: www. centraliaIL.com
Email Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce
CHAMBER "TIME, TEMP, & WEATHER FORECASTING" 532-6795

"TAKING CARE of BUSINESS"

With The Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce, "Taking Care of Business" (TCB) comes first!

The Mission of the Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce is to benefit members and enhance business success by providing programs and services that are valued by our members, and coordinating resources in the greater Centralia area.

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MEMBERSHIP ADVANTAGES
Through membership you're afforded hundreds of opportunities to make important contacts
and expand your customer/client base.

Making Valuable Contacts

Members Do Business with Other Members. Other Chamber members can be a source of increased business for YOU. There are Chamber Members throughout the Southern Illinois area, which increases your contact area.

"Business After Hours", a regular monthly membership get-together, held after regular business hours, hosted and held at various member businesses. BAH offers a unique networking opportunity to develop valuable business contacts in an informal setting. Also, it offers the hosting business the opportunity to "spotlight" their business, products and/or services.

Traveling Treasure Chest, is an addition to Business After Hours. Each member receives a numbered key imprinted on the BAH invitation flyer. The Treasure Box has $50 added to it at every BAH until the winning number is drawn. Members must be present to win and have their number key with them.

Business Blast, once a year many small businesses (6 employees and under) join together to host and share the spotlight for a "Business After Hours."

Membership Meetings, offer members updated information on business topics and issues. This is another terrific networking opportunity for members with the addition of a "member spotlights" during each meeting. A member is selected at random to take 5 minutes to tell about their business, a new product or service.

Gift Certificate Program, offers participating members new sources of business and customers/clients. This program also promotes Chamber Members doing business with Other Chamber Members and is a wonderful way to reward employees, use for personal gifts, birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, etc.

Membership Directory & Buyer's Guide, lists your business alphabetically and by business classification. It also includes governmental listings for Federal, State, County (Marion & Clinton), City (Centralia, Central City & Wamac). It is distributed to all Chamber Members, new residents to the area, and business and resident prospect inquiries.

"Jump Start" is a special benefit, which enables you to gain the lead on your competition. For a nominal fee annually ($100), you design the page flyer and we will reproduce it to be enclosed in all of the relocation packets. These packet are given to new residents, residential inquiries, new area prospective businesses/industries, and relocating businesses/industries.

"Time & Temp & Weather Forcasting" (532-6795) is a new service from your Chamber, which gives the local Temperature, Time and Weather Forcasting for Centralia. Commercial ads are available (10 second ads) for members prior to the "time & temp" and immediately following it (you have both front & back); this commercial space is a direct message to all callers.

Business Referrals: Each year The Chamber receives hundreds of inquiries concerning area businesses. The Chamber can only speak for its members. Therefore, it is YOUR business that is referred.

Chamber Website: The Chamber offers information about the area; demographics; contact numbers to assist new residents; Tourism information pages; Membership Information; Calendar of Events; Balloon Fest information; Restuarants and a Business Connections section.

Community Calendar of Events: The Chamber maintains a Calendar of Events for the area and posts this on the website.

Staying Informed

The "HotSheet" and "Dateline," the newsletter, keeps members informed about current Chamber information, upcoming meetings, events, and activities, business tips, new members and renewing members. It also offers members advertising opportunities at a low cost to reach a fantastic market.

Business Assistance Information is provided in a variety of ways through demographics of the area, special surveys and reports, maps, statistical information and economic data. The Chamber is pleased and proud to have a productive relationship with the Centralia Area Development Association (CADA), the City of Centralia, and the Small Business Development Center through Kaskaskia College to assist new business owners and help existing businesses expand and grow.

Working with the Economy

Attracting New Businesses and Promoting Established Businesses are the main objectives of The Chamber. The Chamber works in a supportive and collaborative way with other area economic development organizations to create more jobs and increase the market potential for YOUR business.

Improve the Centralia Area Business Climate by working diligently for positive community planning and change are the goals of The Chamber.

Committees

Joining a committee whose interests coincide with yours allows you to become involved and make an impact. It is another terrific way to network and make new contacts.

Ambassadors: Assists in member recruitment and retention; serves as the Chamber's goodwill and greeting committee recognizing new businesses, start-ups and expansions.
Education Committee: Promotes workforce preparation, quality education services, business-education partnerships, evaluates and recommends action regarding education issues. Communicates employers' needs and expectations to the area educational institutions.
Government Action Committee: Reviews and addresses governmental issues, regulations, legislation that affect business and/or the quality of life of the area.
Community Image/Charrette Committee: Addresses issues concerning the overall image of the community (appearance, environmental, efficient use of resources, etc.)
Tourism Committee: Develops activities, programs, and materials to attract tourism to the area and collaborates with other tourism entities to promote, develop and attract tourism. Addresses issues relating to tourism.
Special Events Committees:
"Balloon Fest" - Plans, develops, and presents the Balloon Fest, which is an annual Chamber and community area event (involves many subcommittees).
"Plae Dae" - Plans, develops and presents an annual golf outing and picnic, which is a Chamber fundraising event.
Home, Garden and Business EXPO: Plans, develops and presents an annual home show offering another avenue for businesses to showcase their products and services.

CALL 532-6789 to become a MEMBER.