1. Instant Exposure for you and your business.
Research tells us that when consumers know that a small business is a member of the chamber of commerce, they are 44% more likely to think favorably of it and 63% more likely to purchase goods or services from the company in the future.
Free racking of your business cards, brochures or other marketing materials in our office
Free exposure through our weekly e-newsletter, the Monday Memo (reaching over 2000 contacts
Participate in Networking Events (many of which are FREE!) Hosted, Sponsored or Facilitated by the New Westminster Chamber of Commerce
Host a Networking Event at your location. You provide the space, snacks & refreshments & we take care of the rest – Marketing, promoting etc. A typical scenario is from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM on a Thursday evening but this is flexible
The opportunity to participate in any and all of our events as a sponsor
Free website listing with individual Member page
Free Listing in New Westminster Chamber of Commerce Magazine
Participation in our Member-to-Member Discount Program
2 Credibility associated with Chamber Membership.
When a consumer thinks that a company’s products stack up better against the competition because the company is highly involved in its local chamber of commerce, it is because he or she infers that the company is trustworthy, involved in the community, and is an industry leader.
3. Many ways to save money through member discounts
Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance
Chamber Learning Network
Constant Contact
Hotel Discounts
Petro Canada Discounts
Shaw Sabey Insurance Discounts
Shell Gasoline Discounts
Staples Advantage
Esso Gasoline Discounts
4. Regularly hosted Networking Events.
Annual Mayoral Luncheon
Leadership Luncheons
Springtime Sizzle in partnership with Pacific Breeze Winery, Thrifty Foods, The NewsLeader and Patti Goss RE/MAX Advantage
Mixer at the Quay in partnership with the Inn at the Quay, Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce and Burnaby Board of Trade
Pot of Gold Golf Tournament in partnership with Royal City Rotary and Pathfinders Youth Society
Royal City Builders Awards in partnership with City of New Westminster
Business after Businesses
Business Before Businesses
Power Hours
Platinum Awards
Christmas for Kids with proceeds benefiting New Westminster Family Place and Purpose Society of Lower Mainland
5. Membership is 100% tax deductible.
Although our Chamber does not have an official Charity designation all memberships and sponsorships are 100% deductible as an operating expense.
6. Chamber Group Insurance offers affordable Group Plans for 1-25 employee based companies.
Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan has been protecting Canadian firms for over 40 years. From Victoria to St. John’s, over 25,000 small to medium-sized businesses use the Chambers Plan to protect their employees with comprehensive group benefits including dental and health insurance – making it Canada’s #1 employee benefits plan for small business.
Thousands of small business owners join the Chambers Plan each year because it’s the simple, stable, smart choice for their business: combining accessibility, flexible options and pooled benefits that add stability to their employee benefits.
Firms stay with the Chambers Plan year after year because the Plan combines unsurpassed value with excellent customer service at the national and local levels.
7. Be connected to your community through regular Chamber communications.
Staying in touch with almost 400 members is one of our top priorities, and we’re always working to improve how we communicate with them. This committee advised the Board on how best to reach members via email, web, and social media, as well as contribute to special projects and advocacy issues.
IN 2012 the New Westminster Chamber of Commerce initiated the following:
“Welcome Wednesdays” outreach to new businesses in New Westminster
Letters of welcome sent to every new business in New Westminster
Development of new Membership Marketing Collateral
Review of all membership benefits
Joined the BC Chamber to enhance the benefit portfolio of the New Westminster Chamber of Commerce
Launched Monday Memo and issued 50 issues in 2012
Issued Media Releases regularly
New Website Launched
Social Media Activities
Produced 10 Newsletters distributed via The RECORD Newspaper
Doing Business in New Westminster Magazine
Issued Surveys to members on issues such as signage, Pattullo Bridge, Chamber events etc
Personal telephone calls to each member regarding satisfaction survey
Hosted Focus Groups on Pattullo Bridge
Attended and participated in SOHO Business Trade Show
Produced an Annual Report Feb 29, 2012
8. One voice for business in New Westminster.
Advocacy begins at a local grass roots level. To be authentic it requires an organic approach to meeting with and having dialogue with our businesses as to what issues are having an adverse affect on their economic potential. Sometimes the issues can be resolved from a local governance perspective but in many cases the advocacy must proceed to the Provincial or National stage.
In 2012 your New Westminster Chamber of Commerce’s activities included:
Completed research using a Public Relations Firm on the New Westminster Business Community’s position on the Pattullo Bridge
Co-Hosted Presentation on Credit Card Processing Fees with Fin Donnelly and Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce Co- Hosted a Pattullo Bridge Dialogue with Surrey Board of Trade
Held meetings with Mayor Wayne Wright, Councillors and City of New Westminster Senior Staff Held Meetings with MP Peter Julian and MP Fin Donnelly
Held Meetings with MLA Dawn Black
Participated in:
SD # 40 Graduation Requirements Dialogue
BC Budget dialogue
Premier and Cabinet Meeting
Adrian Dix Meeting
Minister of Transportation Meeting
City of New Westminster Special Services and Access Committee
City of New Westminster Neighbourhood Traffic Advisory Committee
Downtown New Westminster Parking Commission
9. Membership supports Economic Development initiatives that promote business attraction and business retention in New Westminster.
Economic Development is defined as action by people within a specific geographic community or group of communities to create local economic opportunities and improve quality of life. This can include developing entirely new businesses or industries, adding value to existing sectors, strengthening capacity, and improving local infrastructure to help communities achieve their full economic potential. The New Westminster Chamber of Commerce is committed to working with its community partners to achieve success!
In 2012 the New Westminster Chamber of Commerce participated in the following:
2012 Inaugural NEW New West Economic Forum WIN- Welcoming and Inclusive Communities Roberts Bank Rail Corridor Tour with Translink and Surrey Board of Trade Metro Vancouver Sustainability Dialogues Port Metro Growth Strategy Dialogues Meeting with Trinidad and Tobago Consul General
City of New Westminster Economic Development Advisory Committee
BC Transportation Summit
Surrey Industry Tour Tourism New Westminster
Regional Economic Development Dialogues
Issued letters of welcome to all new businesses in New Westminster