What can the Chamber do for me? 

• You will have access to the best and the brightest of your community through your association with the Chamber.  Fellow business people are great resources, mentors, and customers!

• As a Chamber Member, your business will gain recognition and respect as one of the community’s interested and active businesses who are concerned about the area it operates in.

• You will be able to network with other Chamber members at Chamber Events.

• Chamber Member Referrals – We refer consumers to our Chamber members – that means you!

• Seminars and Workshops – We provide timely seminars and workshops to keep you and your business on the cutting edge for better business, greater customer service and higher profits.

• Legislative Updates and Contacts – We work to keep you abreast of the kind of state and federal actions that can hurt or help you. 

• Business Monthly – Monthly newsletter that keeps you informed of new local and state developments.  The newsletter is an excellent way for you to reach Chamber members with your ideas and products.  This means networking with hundreds of potential clients, suppliers and business associates.

• $2000 Advertising Program – Receive $2000 in advertising from local advertisers when your first year of membership is paid.

• Chamber Gift Certificate program – Also know as Chamber Bucks.  As a Chamber Member your business will be able to accept Chamber Bucks for payment.  Our Chamber sells over $150,000 in gift certificates each year.  That’s money spent only at Chamber member businesses!

• Chamber website – Your business will be listed on our website’s (www.albertlea.org) membership listing.

• Member to Member discount program – an opportunity for you to offer other members discounts, and receive discounts at participating businesses.

Why Join??

• Because you want to make more money here.  By being a member, you help the Chamber succeed in helping your market grow.  You strengthen the Chamber’s efforts to make the condition in this market good for your business.   This helps our community become prosperous, which means your customers have more money to spend with you, and you eventually have more customers.

• The Chamber unites more than 500 businesses and professional firms, thus creating a unique central agency working to improve business and build a better community.

• The Chamber membership is made up of small and large businesses interested in prospering and creating a healthy environment in which to conduct business.

• More importantly, the Chamber is people just like you.  People who realize that though the Chamber they can accomplish collectively what no one of them can do individually.

• The strength of the Chamber lies in attracting the greatest number of members, creating a pool of resources from which ideas, energy and finances can be drawn.  We want your participation for a better community!

 Membership Benefits 

Networking & Marketing Opportunities

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP CELEBRATION: An event to celebrate our membership!  Large Business of the Year, Small Business of the year, Volunteer of the year and Ambassador of the year will be recognized.  The Chair of the Board will give the year-in-review and the Incoming Chair of the Board will present the Chamber's priorities for the upcoming year.

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS: One of our most popular business networking events!  Held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 5:00–6:30 p.m. at a Chamber member’s place of business, average attendance is 100 people.

GOLF OUTING: Join your fellow Chamber Members at the Annual Chamber Ambassador Golf Outing. The format is four-person best shot (scramble). Games and contests are held at several spots throughout the course including a Hole In One contest.  Raffle tickets will be sold for the chance to win many donated items. 

Publicity & Promotion

BUSINESS MONTHLY NEWSLETTER: Published monthly, the Business Monthly is one of the Chamber’s major information sources for the membership. Members are able to submit newsworthy items about their business to the Small Street Journal section.   Information for the Small Street Journal should be sent to alfccoc@albertlea.org with Small Street Journal in the subject line.

CHAMBERPAK: Mailed to nearly 600 Chamber Members.  Chamber members may insert their flyer in the ChamberPak for a fee of $125.  If you are interested in inserting a flyer, simply provide the Chamber with 600 copies of your insert at least 15 days prior to the 1st of the month you wish to participate in. 

 EVENT SPONSORSHIP: The Chamber hosts many monthly and annual business/social events intended to increase member contacts and encourage community involvement. Your sponsorship of these events is an excellent way to increase your organization’s visibility and promote your business. Sponsorship opportunities are available for the following: Annual Meeting, Business After Hours, Eggs & Issues, Golf Outing, Albert Lea Area Leadership, Farm Family of they Year, 3^rd Grade Farm Tours.

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY: Published ever two years and updated on our website weekly, the Directory is a complete listing of the Chamber membership – alphabetic and by business category.  This piece is a key resource for employee recruitment and new residents.

MEMBER TO MEMBER DISCOUNT PROGRAM:  Members supporting Members!  The Chamber publicizes your offer via email, fax, website, Business Monthly, E-Biz Weekly, and Friday Focus.  This is a free service offered to our membership.

 RIBBON CUTTING & GROUND BREAKING CEREMONIES: The Chamber Ambassadors visit new and existing Chamber members each week. 

 WEBSITE: Each Chamber member is listed in the Chamber’s online membership directory with a link to the member’s website. This gives browsers who are looking for goods and services direct access to your website.

Educational Opportunities

LEADERSHIP: A comprehensive ten-month program designed to educate participants about our community and provide an opportunity to discuss the challenges and issues that face the Albert Lea-Freeborn County area.

Other Member Services

·         Meeting room space: Chamber Conference room is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. for strategic planning, interviewing, training, and other needs.   Call 507.373.3938 for availability.

·         Member mailing labels and lists

·         Business referrals

·         Certificates of Origin

·         Community Information

·         Market Research

·         Employee Recruitment Packets

For further information about Chamber Member Programs and Services, Contact the Chamber at 507.373.3938 email alfccoc@albertlea.org