Chamber Benefits

A recent national study of 2000 adults by the Atlanta-based Shapiro Group indicated that respondents were 44% more likely to rate a business favorably when they were told it was a Chamber member.

10 REASONS Why You Should Join the Ozark Chamber

1. NETWORKING
2. MARKETING
3. CREDIBILITY
4. REFERRALS AND SALES OPPORTUNITIES
5. BUSINESS ASSISTANCE AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
6. PUBLICITY AND EXPOSURE
7. LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY
8. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT
9. COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY
10. BUSINESS SEMINARS

When you join the Chamber, you gain a new business partner, as well as opportunities to network and meet potential clients, market your business, increase management expertise, and become involved in issues that affect your business and community.

Events, Advertising and Marketing Opportunities

• Ribbon cuttings and Grand Openings - These ceremonies are
traditional Chamber events that offer a burst of exposure for new
businesses and great networking opportunities for existing members.
Ribbon cuttings and grand openings are featured on the Chamber
website, in the Chamber newsletter, and frequently in the local paper.

• Relocation & Welcome Packets – Whether your business is directed
towards the public or towards other businesses, we have ways for you to
get your name in the proper hands. We get constant requests from
residents considering moving to the area. We mail them packets of
information including brochures and/or promotional items from local
business. We also provide welcome bags to new businesses with
similar information. To include your items in these bags, simply provide a
small supply (100 or so) at a time to the Chamber office. When your
supply gets low, we’ll contact you to bring more items. In addition, each
month we’ll email the membership a list of all the names and addresses
of people we sent packets to so you can begin a direct marketing
campaign of your own.

• Volunteer committee involvement - This is a great entry-level
opportunity for someone who’s new to civic involvement. The Chamber
has several committees assigned to organize its various events such as
MoFest, the Business Expo, the Golf Tournament and the School Partner
Cards. Choose something that interests you or falls within your area of
expertise and help make a difference!

• Annual Ozark Business Expo

• Annual membership directories (on-line and print) - A current directory
of our membership is available to the public at all times, whether through
our website (which provides links back to your site) or through the print
version which is printed annually and provided to all Chamber members
and distributed throughout the year at businesses and events. These
directories are exclusively for member-businesses.

• Monthly newsletter and periodic e-mail updates - We’ll deliver a
newsletter to you email inbox each month updating you on upcoming
events, new members, etc. Additionally, you’ll receive periodic email
notifications of event reminders, Chamber news, etc. (Newsletters may
be snail-mailed upon request.)

• Bulk Mail Permit – The Chamber offers the use of it’s bulk mail permit
number to any member business. This can save you considerable
money for your direct mail campaigns.

• Chamber Website

• Annual Banquet

• Annual Golf Tournament

• City Map

Business Referrals from the Chamber office
The Chamber receives numerous inquiries each day requesting information on businesses that provide goods and services in the Ozark area. In every case, we refer only to member-businesses (unless there are no member-businesses who offer the requested goods or services.)

Legislative Access and Input
Your Chamber monitors and works with local and state government and relays information to the membership on issues that may affect them.

Local Economic Development Support
In a 2006 Citizen Survey for the City of Ozark, 91% of the respondents wanted us to attract NEW business to the area; 81% wanted to encourage EXISTING businesses to expand locally; and 63% wanted us to attract more employment opportunities. Ozark is in one of the fastest growing counties in the State of Missouri…economic development is happening all around us and the opportunities here are endless. This is an exciting committee who’s ‘in the know’ about the city’s growth.

Board of Directors
After you’ve dipped your toe into volunteerism, consider making this 3-year commitment to the fundamental operation of the Ozark Chamber. Elections are held in the fall for new board members. If you’re interested, mention it to any Chamber member who can then nominate you. Keep in mind that being a Director demands a greater time commitment and dedication to see the job through. We always need good people with fresh ideas and a willingness to work!

When you join the chamber, you gain a new business partner, expand contacts, increase management expertise and become involved in issues that affect your business and community.