The document provides information on the benefits of joining the local chamber of commerce. It outlines several key benefits including improving business viability through learning opportunities, expanding one's network, enhancing credibility, receiving discounts and value-added benefits, and gaining publicity and exposure. Members can access counseling sessions, seminars, numerous networking events and committees to meet new contacts. The chamber also advocates for small businesses and participates in local economic development.

2. 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 • Learn from Small Business Programs
• The Small Business Council can help you achieve your
• Improve Your Bottom Line business goals, from guidelines for starting a new
business to advice for getting an expansion loan. The
• Free business counseling sessions and seminars are
Frank G. Berlin, Sr. Business Resource Center is available
designed to help you company prosper.
24/7 by visiting www.sarasotachamber.com. This council
• Expand Your Networking also offers Chamber University success series workshops
• Our numerous networking events, activities, and with topics from marketing to customer service to
committees give you plenty of opportunities to meet international trade. Members can also get involved and
new contacts. develop professionally with the Young Professionals
• Enhance Your Credibility Group or Leadership Sarasota County.
• Chamber membership lets others know that yours is a • Have a Voice in Issues Affecting Your Business
reputable company that actively participates in the local • The Chamber's Governmental Issues Council works on
business community. developing public policies and supporting candidates
• Receive Value-Added Benefits that improve the general business climate of greater
• From discounted health insurance programs to a low-fee Sarasota.
credit card processing program, your membership makes • Participate in Local Economic Development
you eligible for many great benefits. • Take part in the Sarasota Tomorrow program and play a
• Publicity and Exposure vital role in growing companies across great Sarasota
• Affordable advertising is available in The Chamber's and improve the conditions for businesses.
publications, electronic newsletter and on the NEW • Give Back to Your Community
redesigned website. • Get involved in your Chamber and give back to the
community by becoming knowledgeable about business
issues and active in local projects.

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

5. Member Benefits through
Networking-Developing
Lifetime Relationships in your
Community
Making Contacts
Through 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 Recognition
Your 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.

6. Still not convinced? Just take a look at some of the
benefits you’ll receive as a member of Your
Local Chamber.
Membership Benefits • Small Business Counseling
• Chamber Perks • The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce’s Small
• The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce gives you Business Council provides members resources both
access to savings with big name companies such as Office onsite and online through the Frank G. Berlin, Sr. Small
Depot and FedEx, as well as, discounts and/or access to Business Resource Center. Made possible by the
other products and services that save businesses time, generous support of the Frank G. Berlin, Sr. Foundation;
money and effort. Programs include savings on payroll this center offers a multitude of resources for
processing, human resource materials, insurance and entrepreneurs. The center is available onsite Monday
much more. through Friday during normal operation hours at The
Chamber’s main office at 1945 Fruitville Road. This
• M2M Rewards
center offers meeting space, access to the Internet, and
• Members of The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce WiFi throughout the building on a first-come, first-
receive unique and special discounts from fellow served basis. Online assistance can be found at the
members. M2M is an innovative and inexpensive way to Regional Business Resource Center,
increase exposure while offering Chamber members a www.energizemybiz.com, a global and virtual
way to save big on practical, everyday items and services marketplace.
that every business needs and uses. Look at the M2M
• Referral Line
page in our Membership section of the website to see all
the exciting values available. • Before spending your time and those hard earned
dollars, call The Chamber’s Referral Line, 941-366-3144.
• Brochure Display
One quick call to the Referral Line can provide you with
• The quickest and easiest way to start getting exposure as the information necessary to make a wise decision when
a Chamber member. All our members are welcome to buying goods and services. Your Greater Sarasota
display their brochures and/or business cards in the lobby Chamber of Commerce strives to promote trust
of our offices at no charge. We welcome thousands of between consumers and the business community.
visitors and fellow business people each year through our
doors.

7. Marketing Your Business through Your Local Chamber
Chamber Seal of Approval and Logo Notary Public
• GSCC members can utilize The Chamber’s seal of approval • Many members don’t realize that we offer
on their own website, business cards and other printed complimentary notary public services for Chamber
materials. Similar to the Better Business Bureau Logo, the members. We will also issue Certificates of Origination
Seal of Approval shows that your company has made an for a fee.
investment in themselves and the community. Access this
logo through the members’ only section. Meeting Facilities
Affordable Advertising • Members can utilize our meeting facilities for
• It Pays to Advertise! The Greater Sarasota Chamber of complimentary or reduced fees based on availability.
Commerce offers cost-effective, targeted marketing Our large Boardroom will comfortably fit 35 people
vehicles for member messages, including advertising on around the conference table with room for others
the Web site, in ePoint!, a weekly electronic newsletter, around the outer edge. The smaller conference room
and in The Bridge, a bi-monthly print publication available holds 6-8 people.
only to Chamber members. Educational Programs
Free Press Releases • Chamber University is an innovative program designed
• This tool is worth the price of your membership in itself! to address critical topics and to help prepare
Do you have a newsworthy topic that you’d like to share participants to meet the ever-changing demands of the
with our community and don’t have an in-house 21st century workplace. Seminar and workshop topics
marketing/public relations director? Available exclusively range from Microsoft TAG, 201 Ideas for Your Small
for Chamber members, you have the ability to submit Business, Marketing to Boomers and Social Media. Many
press releases to the local media with efficiency and ease. of these Chamber U events are free to low cost so the
You can access this section by signing into your Members opportunity to gain vital information from business
Only account and clicking on the “Submit Member Press” experts is priceless.
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.

8. 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.

9. 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 area
To 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 Member
You can call me at 941-922-2800 ext 226 or email at: slitchfield@heritagegolfgroup.com.