Information Technology Solutions What can the Chamber do for you? Promote. Engage. Collaborate.

The vision of the Park Rapids

Lakes Area Chamber of

Commerce is to be progressive,

successfully serving as a

community partner to enhance

and promote the Park Rapids

Lakes Area as the ultimate

destination to live,

work and play.

The Chamber is an organization

with over 350 members. We

are looking for partners like you

to build a strong, vibrant area.

Our job at the Chamber is to

make doing business easier.

Through networking events,

promotional opportunities,

resources and workshops; we

deliver value in membership.

We welcome the opportunity to

learn about your business and

appreciate your interest

in the Chamber

Find out more at

www.parkrapids.com

Top Seven Reasons To Join

Referrals – The Chamber’s referrals of our members are a great return on your investment.

Leadership Development – Professional development opportunities to help you run a smarter, more profitable business.

Publicity and Exposure – Publicity and heightened name recognition as a Chamber Member shows your customers and potential customers who you are.

New Business Contacts – Networking will help your business grow. By engaging with the Chamber, you’ll have no problem adding to your contact base.

Credibility – It’s a statement that you are committed to the future of the Park Rapids Lakes Area

Marketing & Sponsorship – We offer a FREE website landing page with statistics to all of our members! Also, targeted and affordable advertising & sponsorships are offered to help you promote your business effectively on a small budget.

A Healthy Local Economy – Be a part of a group that is committed to creating a strong local economy keeping our business momentum moving forward.

Our Members receive numerous promotional perks, exclusive advertising and networking options and additional exposure for their companies or organizations. Benefits of Membership Learn something new (or act as an expert) The Chamber’s Ambassador Committee will begin hosting educational programs in the fall of 2014. Topics ranging from customer service to office management and marketing are going to be covered. Further, sharing your expertise with the membership can establish you as an expert and when members need your type of product or service, they’ll call you first! Get free press Our monthly Chamber Connection newsletter and Every Friday News email blast gets distributed to hundreds of members and the community-at-large. This can provide a forum for getting your name out there. The Chamber Connection features a “Member News” section for you to gain additional free exposure. This can lead to not just potential customer leads, but other media exposure as well. Become a resource We provide top quality referral services. If you have a customer searching for a product or service that’s outside your area of knowledge, the Chamber can quickly put you in touch with potential businesses to assist them. Further, we provide referrals for member businesses and the general public all the time, your membership puts you on the referral list! Raise your profile Being active within the membership through participating in committees and volunteering your services can drive your profile awareness within the community, and put you in touch with decision makers in business. This high visibility opportunity can directly affect your bottom line. Increased exposure in multiple formats Our website, www.parkrapids.com, is heavily trafficked and highly search-engine optimized to provide resources and interest to local citizens and visitors alike. There are also many sponsorship opportunities within the Chamber’s Events Committee to provide you with increased awareness both to members and the general public.

Benefits

Our Objectives To create a spirit of cooperation in the Park Rapids Lakes Area; To actively represent our members' interests; To provide leadership by developing partnerships; To plan and develop strategies for our success. Vision Be a progressive, member-driven Chamber that successfully serves as a community partner to enhance and promote the Park Rapids Lakes Area as the ultimate destination to live, work and play. Who Can Join Chamber membership is open to any interested business, organization, or individual maintaining a voluntary annual dues investment. All employees of Chamber members are invited to participate in Chamber activities. We are financed through membership investment and creative fundraising efforts. The Chamber is not a tax-funded government organization. Why Join The Chamber is a membership-driven organization of business leaders who work together to improve our community and the area’s business climate. The effectiveness of the Chamber is entirely dependent on your support.

Membership is an Effective Business Strategy Strong Consumer Awareness Two-thirds of consumers believe that chamber members use good business practices, are reputable, care about their customers, and are involved in the community. If a company shows that it is highly involved in its local chamber, consumers are 10% more likely to think that its products stack up better against its competition. Major Impact on Your Business. Small businesses represent the largest segment of our chamber membership, and studies* indicate that chamber membership has consistent and powerful benefits for small business members.

49% increase in its consumer favorability rating

73% increase in consumer awareness

68% increase in its local reputation

80% increase in the likelihood that consumers will patronize the business in the future.

* The study was conducted by The Schapiro Group, an Atlanta-based strategic consulting firm.

Business Engagement & Collaboration

Business Lead Generation and Referral

Networking Events

Educational and Professional Development Opportunities

Park Rapids Area Business Directory Listing (www.parkrapids.com)

Happy Pack Coupon Book (fee)

Sponsorship & Advertising Opportunities

Relocation & Community Information Packets

Business Information Center at the Visitor Center

Chamber Connection Monthly Newsletter

Sponsorship opportunities (fee)

Every Friday News Email Blast

Monthly Calendar of Events

Official Destination Marketing Organization

Tourism is a 29 million dollar industry in Hubbard County

Promotion of the Park Rapids tourism product (www.parkrapids.com)

Discovery Guide Magazine (fee)

Execution & Marketing of events to increase visitors (sponsorships available)

Regional and State Sport Show Exhibitions

Multi-Platform Media Campaigns

Tourism Lead Generation and Referral

Tourism Information Center & Wayside Rest 24/7

Close partnership with Explore Minnesota Tourism

What does the Chamber do?

Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce PO Box 249 1204 Park Avenue South Park Rapids MN 56470 www.parkrapids.com nicole@parkrapids.com (218) 732-4111 phone (218) 732-4112 fax

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP 1 Person Home-Based $185 0-2 FTE* Employees $285 3-10 FTE* Employees $390 11-20 FTE* Employees $540 21-50 FTE* Employees $745 51-70 FTE* Employees $1025 71-100 FTE* Employees $1415 101+ FTE* Employees Negotiated *FTE Employees = Full Time Equivalent

ADDITIONAL MEMBERSHIPS Second Business/Same Owner - 30% discount off General Membership for additional business

LODGING & ACCOMMODATIONS General Membership based on FTE equivalent, plus $13.50 per bedroom & $3.25 per campsite

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIPS Associate (non-voting) $145 Nonprofit (non-voting) $125 Churches $125 Individual $85

Value Partnerships Enhanced Package Premium Membership $50 Additional Quicklink Category listing $30 Additional Category listings $10 Additional Voluntary Program Investment $_______________ please choose program: [ ] Tourism Marketing [ ] Membership [ ] Events [ ] Capital Improvement Investments are payable in advance and membership renews annually unless a 30 day written notice of cancellation is received. Membership investment in the Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce may be tax deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense, but not as a charitable tax deduction for federal in-come tax purposes.

2014 Investment Schedule

Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce PO Box 249 1204 Park Avenue South Park Rapids MN 56470 www.parkrapids.com nicole@parkrapids.com (218) 732-4111 phone (218) 732-4112 fax

1204 Park Avenue South PO Box 249

Park Rapids, MN 56470 PH: (218) 732-4111 | FAX: (218) 732-4112

chamber@parkrapids.com | www.parkrapids.com

YES NO Do you want this physical address listed on the Chamber website? YES NO

Membership Application Please complete the Membership Application and return it to the Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce along with your annual investment. (Membership in the Park Rapids Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is a tax deductible business expense.)

BUSINESS NAME (If joining as an individual, list your name.)

PRIMARY REPRESENTATIVE TITLE EMAIL ADDRESS

Is there a secondary representative that we should include in our email list and in your business listing on your Chamber listing? Please add to the back of this form.

BILLING REPRESENTATIVE TITLE EMAIL ADDRESS

MAILING ADDRESS (if not the same as physical address) CITY STATE ZIP CODE

PHYSICAL ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP CODE

WEBSITE EMAIL ADDRESS

TELEPHONE FAX TOLL FREE NUMBER

ALTERNATE TELEPHONE

HOME BASED BUSINESS

NUMBER OF FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES (FTE = total of hours worked in a calendar year and divided by 2080)

IS THERE SOMEONE THAT WE CAN THANK FOR REFERRING YOU TO THE PARK RAPIDS LAKES AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE?

ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS: (This information will be used to promote your business on our website, newsletter, etc.)

ANNUAL INVESTMENT: $____________ (Please see the Investment Schedule to calculate your annual investment.) Membership investments are due by the 1

st day of your renewal month. Investments automatically renew annually unless 30 days

written notice of cancellation is received.

AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE DATE

YES NO Do you want your “alternate number” listed on the Chamber website?