INCREASED VISIBILITY: MEMBERSHIP puts Your Business on the tip of our tongues! The Lapeer Area Chamber of Commerce processes over 20,000 inquiries in our office each year requesting information about various products, services and professions throughout the entire county. Your membership means that your business is referred first. Our motto Do Business With Chamber Members - They Support Our Community - is reinforced with our policy to refer Chamber members first.
 

KICK START PROGRAM: This program puts NEW MEMBER COMPANIES out in front of the membership with several fast-paced efforts!

UPON JOINING:

• You’re invited to attend your first “Wake Up Lapeer” as our guest

• You prepare an article, 125 words or less, about your company for our monthly hard copy newsletter.

• insert a double sided, 81/2 x 11 flyer, B&W or color, about your business in our newsletter. Normally this is a $75.00 service. You pay only $50! A $25 savings (700 piece mailing) (July 2,000 piece mailing is $100 for new members)

• You receive a lead list of chamber member companies in the form of mailing labels or an Excel spreadsheet. You can use this prospecting tool to send your company brochure and a business card out to fellow business owners. Promote a new product line, new location, grand opening, business or charitable event!

• New members are welcomed to the Chamber on the home page of our website during the month they join.

• New members are announced at Wake Up Lapeer, our monthly business networking meeting,  listed on the Wake Up Lapeer dvd aired on channel 98 & 991 during the month they join.

• New members are also announced in our Chamber View page in the LA View news paper the following month.

RENEWING MEMBERS: are recognized at Wake Up Lapeer, our monthly networking meeting, on the Chamber View page of the LA View and on channel 19 our local public access channel as well as on the Chamber website home page during the month they renew

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY: We publish a Lapeer Area Profile and Member Directory annually, a favorite with residents, fellow members, Realtors, tourists and newcomers to our community. Chamber members advertise in our directory and find a great audience of interested folks! Five thousand copies are distributed throughout Lapeer County each year!

WEBSITE PRESENCE: This website is another effective way to gain valuable marketing exposure! Member businesses are listed on our website with important contact information, including e-mail addresses and links to member's websites. This website is the best business site emanating from Lapeer Michigan and it's available for your business!

NEWSLETTER: Our monthly hard copy newsletter Business Connections showcases our new members with articles about their businesses, provides important information about the community and seeks to keep local businesses informed. It also serves as an additional promotional tool for members, providing a venue with reasonable advertising rates and an educated, interested audience.

NEWSPAPER VISIBILITY: Each Month information about our new member businesses, renewing member announcements, business and marketing tips, events, and more are featured in the LA View and the County Press.

E-NEWS: In addition to our Business Connections newsletter, each week we send important email blasts to our members to keep them informed of important reminders for upcoming Chamber and Chamber member events and community announcements!

CHAMBER REFERRALS: The Chamber office provides a literature and business card rack to display member's business cards, brochures and literature. The Chamber office is host to a significant number of walk-in inquiries every day.

GIFT CHECKS: Our Chamber Checks are another way that we promote your business while we keep the bucks in Lapeer! These gift checks, which can be redeemed at participating member businesses, are available in $10, $15, $25, and $50 denominations. They're great for holidays, for employee recognition, or as door prizes at events and meetings. There are no transaction fees! Chamber Checks are available for purchase at the Chamber of Commerce office.

 

RIBBON CUTTINGS & GRAND OPENING CELEBRATIONS -
We take pride in celebrating the achievements and growth of our members. Chamber staff, Chamber members and Ambassadors assist members to schedule ribbon cutting ceremonies at their business and promote these events to our membership.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES -
Sponsoring events, programs, educational seminars, Lapeer Days events all generate more visibility for your company or organization. Membership in the Chamber offers a number of these opportunities from sponsoring Wake Up Lapeer to an event or entertainment during Lapeer Days.

Sponsorships generally include advertising in Chamber publications as well as through local newspapers, radio and television including promotion on Channel 19, the local government cable channel, signage at events and distribution of promotional items, information and product. Sponsors realize the importance of giving back to the organization and community. These activities positively affect the community increasing community appreciation and respect, customer loyalty and generating increased awareness of and new interest in their company.

LAPEER DAYS FESTIVAL & ANNUAL PARADE: The premier festival of Lapeer County since 1902! Much more than just a festival, Lapeer Days brings new revenue into our community, redistributes existing dollars and showcases our downtown area and businesses to over 150,000 festival goers.

Nearly two dozen community groups utilize this annual festival as an opportunity to raise funds for their organization. Revenue raised from these efforts, which combined with spin-off revenue, creates a minimum of $500,000 income that stays at home in Lapeer County to work for the community all year long. Visit www.lapeerdays.com for more information.

Sponsorship opportunities for Lapeer Days are available. Sponsorship increases your company's visibility, name recognition, Community loyalty and helps our community grow and prosper. For sponsorship information go to www.lapeerdays.com.

 

 

NETWORKING: The Chamber plays host to a variety of events providing members a variety of opportunities to develop new business relationships, support existing business relationships and dust rekindle those from the past.  We offer a structured format at our Wake Up Lapeer monthly meeting or a more relaxed atmosphere of introductions and information at our Business After Hours Mixers.

WAKE UP LAPEER: The THIRD THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH, 7:00 AM, AT MOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE - LAPEER CAMPUS AT 550 LAKE DRIVE.
The Chamber offers this valuable monthly meeting to chamber members, civic leaders, and community organizations. Featuring a fast paced agenda of valuable information, important local news and face-to-face, business-to-business networking, business updates from our sponsors, news from the City, County, Chamber and several non-profit organizations. (Attended each month by 75 - 80 Chamber business members.)

Wake Up Lapeer Sponsorship Opportunities:
 

Click here to view packages.
 

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS CHAMBER MIXER- The Chamber sponsors four of these events per year. We strongly encourage members to sponsor a mixer as well.  You can co-sponsor with another Chamber member or the Chamber itself!

• It’s an opportunity for your business to sponsor and host a networking
event in a relaxed and social atmosphere. We help you organize,
promote and host the event.
• It’s a community based promotion of your business.
• It’s a chance to showcase your business, a new location, a special
program or anything about your business you want to promote.
• It’s a Marketing Opportunity for Chamber member businesses, city,
county and township officials as well.
• Your mixer can be held at a local chamber member restaurant or Sport Pub.
• Keep it simple with appetizers and a door prize. (Cash bar is
recommended at locations serving alcoholic beverages)
THAT'S ALL THERE IS TO IT!
 

AMBASSADORS CLUB: Ambassadors welcome the newest members of the Chamber to educate, involve them in the Chamber and to reinforce the value of Chamber membership. They act as representatives of the Chamber at functions and events and actively promote the Chamber through their community involvements. Ambassadors participate in and provide much needed and appreciated support for activities such as Wake Up Lapeer, Ribbon Cuttings, Business After Hours and assist during Lapeer Days and other Chamber events.

ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET: This is the premier community event of the year! Each year two remarkable individuals are nominated by their peers and selected to receive the Male and Female Citizen of the year award. This award recognizes these individuals for their extraordinary contributions to our community through volunteer efforts and contributions that enhance the quality of life in our community. The banquet is accompanied by fine food, entertainment and an evening of great fun!

EDUCATION: Education receives high priority for our members. The Chamber conducts several workshops and seminars each year available to our members at a nominal expense in time and money.
We work hand in hand with many resources in presenting these programs as well as seeking speakers and outside consultants to assist in such programs as Customer Service, Marketing, Leadership and Team Building.
We look for every opportunity to assist our members in successfully operating their businesses.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: The Lapeer Area Chamber of Commerce takes pride in its community projects including the Citizens of the Year Awards, Lapeer Days Festival and the Light Up Lapeer Christmas Parade promotion. Actively involved in the community, the Chamber serves as a facilitator on the city, township, and county levels to improve infrastructure, plan for community growth, and enhance the business climate. It also works to attract, retain and promote business, tourism and travel.

We assist in easing the demands on businesses by representing our member’s interests in regional, state and local affairs.
Our contract with you is placing your perspectives and interests in the forefront.
You are the Chamber --Local businesses, merchants and industry.

COST SAVINGS: As a member of the Chamber you will have access a number of programs and services that will positively impact your bottom line!

 

BANK CARD PROCESSING FEES: Reduced fees and no monthly minimums for Chamber member companies through Bankcard Processing Systems.

 

MEMBER-TO-MEMBER DISCOUNTS: One of the ways our member businesses support one another is by utilizing each others services. A Member-To-Member Discount program, with many businesses offering special discounts to Chamber Members, is a valuable benefit to our members.

HEALTH INSURANCE OPTIONS:

 

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network programs provide members with the best possible rates to their individual businesses. There are insurance options available for small businesses through Chamber membership that would not otherwise be available.  For further information and referral to a BC/BS appointed agent, please call the Chamber.

 

Health Alliance Plan, Delta Dental, AAA of Michigan Power Package

The Lapeer Area Chamber proudly presents the Power Package designed by Health Alliance Plan, Delta Dental and AAA for individual and small to mid-sized businesses.  Learn more about the incentives and product offerings this valuable package offers you and your employees/clients.  If you currently have an agent who offers this plan contact them.  If not, contact agent Anita Moliterno at 810-230-7404.
http://www.hap.org/powerpackage/  or call 800-HAP-PLUS

 

McLaren Health Plan

"McLaren Health Plan offers a comprehensive product portfolio to meet the needs of today's businesses, including HMO, Point of Service, and PPO plans. Take a closer look at us today to see which one is best for you and your business.  For more information on McLaren Health Plan, contact Duncan Banes at (810)733-9738 or at DuncanB@mclaren.org or visit www.mclarenhealthplan.org. 

OFFICE DEPOT PRODUCTS: Now your Office Depot Chamber Benefit is easier!

The Lapeer Area Chamber has partnered with OFFICE DEPOT to offer their members great office supply discounts. Top 92 Item List of Frequently Purchased Products. Free in-store purchasing discount cards. Contact the Chamber office at 664-6641 for your card today!

ADVERTISING DISCOUNTS: Members can advertise in the Chamber's Business Connections Newsletter. This targeted mailing is an effective yet inexpensive benefit to promote business-to-business. Contact the Chamber office for complete advertising rates.

Save 25% on your advertising dollars when you advertise in the LA View on the Chamber View page every first Thursday of the month. This valuable savings is available only through membership in the Chamber!

REFERRAL REWARDS FOR MEMBERS: The Lapeer Area Chamber of Commerce offers our loyal members a way to earn DISCOUNTS ON MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL when they refer new members to the Chamber! It’s our REFERRAL REWARDS program. Refer up to five new members annually and SAVE UP TO 50% off of your dues and continue to enjoy the benefits of membership.

PERMIT IMPRINT FOR BULK MAILING: Chamber members can use the Chamber's Permit Imprint (indicia) for bulk mailing purposes and benefit from significant savings on postage for large mailings. This is especially helpful to smaller companies and organizations whose mailings are less frequent and therefore doesn’t warrant the initial outlay of $360 dollars to purchase the permit imprint, first year license fee and annual renewals.
Please note: Members using this benefit are responsible for the preparing the mailing and for completing the required postage forms.  Your printed piece must have the Chamber mail permit indicia printed directly on each piece of your mailing.  Contact the Chamber office prior to printing your mail piece.

 

MEMBERSHIP DUES SCHEDULE

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION