What reason do you have NOT to Join Today? Here are just some of the ways Your Local Chamber will help you

increase your business viability and growth.Reasons to Join

• Improve Your Bottom Line• Free business counseling sessions and seminars are

designed to help you company prosper.• Expand Your Networking• Our numerous networking events, activities, and

committees give you plenty of opportunities to meet new contacts.

• Enhance Your Credibility• Chamber membership lets others know that yours is a

reputable company that actively participates in the local business community.

• Receive Value-Added Benefits• From discounted health insurance programs to a low-fee

credit card processing program, your membership makes you eligible for many great benefits.

• Publicity and Exposure• Affordable advertising is available in The Chamber's

publications, electronic newsletter and on the NEW redesigned website.

• Learn from Small Business Programs• The Small Business Council can help you achieve your

business goals, from guidelines for starting a new business to advice for getting an expansion loan. The Frank G. Berlin, Sr. Business Resource Center is available 24/7 by visiting www.sarasotachamber.com. This council also offers Chamber University success series workshops with topics from marketing to customer service to international trade. Members can also get involved and develop professionally with the Young Professionals Group or Leadership Sarasota County.

• Have a Voice in Issues Affecting Your Business• The Chamber's Governmental Issues Council works on

developing public policies and supporting candidates that improve the general business climate of greater Sarasota.

• Participate in Local Economic Development• Take part in the Sarasota Tomorrow program and play a

vital role in growing companies across great Sarasota and improve the conditions for businesses.

• Give Back to Your Community• Get involved in your Chamber and give back to the

community by becoming knowledgeable about business issues and active in local projects.

This could be you celebrating your business, Ribbon Cuttings are just one of many Chamber benefits.

Member Benefits through Networking-Developing Lifetime Relationships in your Community

Making ContactsThrough the many and varied networking events The Chamber holds for you, the potential for cultivating new and current business contacts is unlimited. Attending just one event per month, gives the opportunity to make over 1,000 contacts per year. With The Chamber you have access to the most powerful, successful, and influential business people in the entire Sarasota area. More contacts equals more referrals which equals more business.

Achieve RecognitionYour Chamber has several awards and programs to recognize members who provide exemplary service, including the prestigious Insignia Award, Chamber Partner of the Year, Premier Volunteer Award, Chair's Cup Award and more.

Still not convinced? Just take a look at some of the benefits you’ll receive as a member of Your

Local Chamber.Membership Benefits• Chamber Perks• The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce gives you

access to savings with big name companies such as Office Depot and FedEx, as well as, discounts and/or access to other products and services that save businesses time, money and effort. Programs include savings on payroll processing, human resource materials, insurance and much more.

• M2M Rewards• Members of The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce

receive unique and special discounts from fellow members. M2M is an innovative and inexpensive way to increase exposure while offering Chamber members a way to save big on practical, everyday items and services that every business needs and uses. Look at the M2M page in our Membership section of the website to see all the exciting values available.

• Brochure Display• The quickest and easiest way to start getting exposure as

a Chamber member. All our members are welcome to display their brochures and/or business cards in the lobby of our offices at no charge. We welcome thousands of visitors and fellow business people each year through our doors.

• Small Business Counseling• The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce’s Small

Business Council provides members resources both onsite and online through the Frank G. Berlin, Sr. Small Business Resource Center. Made possible by the generous support of the Frank G. Berlin, Sr. Foundation; this center offers a multitude of resources for entrepreneurs. The center is available onsite Monday through Friday during normal operation hours at The Chamber’s main office at 1945 Fruitville Road. This center offers meeting space, access to the Internet, and WiFi throughout the building on a first-come, first-served basis. Online assistance can be found at the Regional Business Resource Center, www.energizemybiz.com, a global and virtual marketplace.

• Referral Line• Before spending your time and those hard earned

dollars, call The Chamber’s Referral Line, 941-366-3144. One quick call to the Referral Line can provide you with the information necessary to make a wise decision when buying goods and services. Your Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce strives to promote trust between consumers and the business community.

Marketing Your Business through Your Local ChamberChamber Seal of Approval and Logo• GSCC members can utilize The Chamber’s seal of approval on

their own website, business cards and other printed materials. Similar to the Better Business Bureau Logo, the Seal of Approval shows that your company has made an investment in themselves and the community. Access this logo through the members’ only section.

Affordable Advertising• It Pays to Advertise! The Greater Sarasota Chamber of

Commerce offers cost-effective, targeted marketing vehicles for member messages, including advertising on the Web site, in ePoint!, a weekly electronic newsletter, and in The Bridge, a bi-monthly print publication available only to Chamber members.

Free Press Releases• This tool is worth the price of your membership in itself! Do you

have a newsworthy topic that you’d like to share with our community and don’t have an in-house marketing/public relations director? Available exclusively for Chamber members, you have the ability to submit press releases to the local media with efficiency and ease. You can access this section by signing into your Members Only account and clicking on the “Submit Member Press” tab.

Exposure for Your Business • Through listings on our Website, Desktop Reference Guide, local

map and our Online Member Directory, customers have instant access to all our members’ business information. Searches can be done by keyword, business name or category and can be tracked through your member access.

Notary Public• Many members don’t realize that we offer

complimentary notary public services for Chamber members. We will also issue Certificates of Origination for a fee.

Meeting Facilities• Members can utilize our meeting facilities for

complimentary or reduced fees based on availability. Our large Boardroom will comfortably fit 35 people around the conference table with room for others around the outer edge. The smaller conference room holds 6-8 people.

Educational Programs• Chamber University is an innovative program

designed to address critical topics and to help prepare participants to meet the ever-changing demands of the 21st century workplace. Seminar and workshop topics range from Microsoft TAG, 201 Ideas for Your Small Business, Marketing to Boomers and Social Media. Many of these Chamber U events are free to low cost so the opportunity to gain vital information from business experts is priceless.

Small Business Resources Partner with Your Local Chamber

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce's Small Business Council provides members resources both onsite and online through the Frank G. Berlin, Sr. Foundation, this center offers a multitude of resources for entrepreneurs.

• The Center is available onsite Monday through Friday during normal operation hours at The Chamber's main office at 1945 Fruitville Road. This center offers meeting space, access to the internet, and WiFi throughout the building on a first-come, first-served basis. The center houses reference tools including printed information and access to the internet and CD-ROM software via the computer. This also serves as the thinking tank for Chamber University to develop seminars and workshops.

SCORE• This counseling program is available to both current Chamber members and those looking to start a

new business. A SCORE counselor is available at The Chamber for several hours each week and assesses the needs of the prospective client. When possible SCORE pairs counselors with experiences that best match the client's specific needs.

Customized Training• Sarasota County Technical Institute and State College of Florida offer occupational/technical training

programs that can be designed for individual business as needed. Both of these institutions have worked to make classroom and on-the-job training within easy reach for most employers.

I am a volunteer at the Sarasota Chamber, as a Board Member and on various committees and councils. To grow our business and give back to the community, we joined the Sarasota Chamber for these key reasons:

To meet other business owners in the areaTo grow our business

To take advantage of educational opportunities To give back to the community

Our membership and involvement in the Chamber has been priceless in so many ways for us, and the benefits we have derived from the association have been enormous. Businesses do business with people they know, like and trust, and the Chamber provides many opportunities to meet people from other businesses, get to know each other, grow to trust each other, and either do business directly or act as a valuable referral source for others. Building those relationships takes time, effort, and just showing up! Whether attending Power Hour Live lunches, Breakfast with a Bang, First Monday, Mega Mingle, Prime Time, etc., all these opportunities allow businesses to meet people from other businesses who have the same goals and desires to grow their businesses and be involved in the community. Sounding good? Now here’s the icing on the cake – If you or someone you know signs up to be a member of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce during their membership drive April 30 through May 4, 2012 the new member will receive an incentive package that includes one round of golf for 4 people at TPC Prestancia, 14 months of Chamber membership for the price of 12, and an advertising showcase through print, radio and television! The incentives are guaranteed when you sign up through a member of the Membership Drive teams, and the benefits derived by being an active member in the Chamber are priceless. I am part of the Lucky Charms member drive teams and would appreciate your contacting me if you are interested in signing up for Chamber membership, or would like to find out how you can make better use of your current Chamber membership. I look forward to hearing from you! Sharon Litchfield, Controller of TPC Prestancia, Chamber Partner, Chamber Trustee, Green Business Council MemberYou can call me at 941-922-2800 ext 226 or email at: slitchfield@heritagegolfgroup.com.