Membership 101 Offers Training, Answers to Questions
For both brand-new and seasoned members of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Membership 101 events like this past Monday’s at the Chamber Depot are worth attending. In the first M101 event since the Springfield Chamber re-established the program this year, not only did a full room of members get a refresher course on their membership benefits, but a robust update on the Chamber’s programs and advocacy efforts.
During the hour-long program, Membership Director John Garbett walked attendees through both the basics and some of the not-so-obvious features of membership. Members were shown what features exist on the back end of their online profiles, which are displayed in the Chamber’s membership directory – and ultimately, across search engines.
Garbett went on to explain the various marketing and visibility benefits of being part of the Chamber, ranging from advertising opportunities and online event promotion to exposure in the annual Magazine + Directory and the importance of member window clings, which instill trust in a business from other Chamber members and the greater community.
“It was inspiring to see such a diverse mix of businesses and nonprofits come together for our Membership 101 program. Whether new or longtime members, everyone walked away with a deeper understanding of how to make the most of their membership investment.”
– John Garbett, Membership Director, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce
Garbett invited those in the room who are involved in the Springfield Chamber Greeters to expand on their experience with this popular, professional networking group. What followed was the Greeters’ mantra: “the more you put yourself out there, the more business and connections you will attract.” Many members have reported that attending Greeters – regularly, or even once in a while – has greatly expanded their networks and created or improved meaningful business relationships.
John also walked members through each of the Springfield Chamber’s programs and events, which offer topical discussions, gatherings, and training in the areas of business development, leadership development, networking, workforce development, and business advocacy. These programs include:
- Ribbon Cuttings / Grand Openings
- Roundtables / Roundtable + Tours
- Business After Hours
- Inspire Excellence Annual Awards (February)
- Small Business Solutions Hub
- Spring and Fall Open Houses
- Leadership Summit (November)
- Essential Skills Workshop
- Leadership Eugene-Springfield (LES)
If you are a member of the Springfield Chamber and are seeking extra support in your membership benefits, marketing or advertising opportunities, or sponsoring programs or events, the Chamber’s membership team is at your disposal. Whether it’s for information, one-on-one meetings, trainings, or to talk through ideas, John and Bre – as well as the rest of the stellar Springfield staff – are here to help you maximize your Chamber membership experience.
Contact:
John Garbett, Director of Membership and Investor Relations
john@springfield-chamber.org • 541-746-1651 ext. 204
Bre Boersma, Member Experience Coordinator
bre@springfield-chamber.org • 541-746-1651 ext. 200
The Springfield Chamber plans to host upcoming Membership 101 events like this in the future. Check your Member Connect weekly e-newsletter (exclusive to members), as well as the Chamber’s website, for these dates to be announced.
