1. A SMART INVESTMENT Business referrals can make or break a small business’ bottom
line. Everyday the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce
receives phone and web inquiries from people in need of a
OUR MISSION
A Chamber membership is an investment in your
business. The Chamber offers a wide variety
of high visibility marketing opportunities to help
product or service. Chamber members get those referrals. Our
website, www.springfieldchamber.com, receives nearly 50,000
hits per month. More than 5,200 of those hits turn into web
Benefits of
It is the mission of the Springfield
Membership
referrals for Chamber member businesses and organizations
you build brand awareness within the Chamber each month!
network and beyond. Area Chamber of Commerce to:
Networking events Our networking events are designed to
help you make quality business connections and increase • Serve as the principal advocate for business in partnership
Membership Directory/Book of Lists The Springfield Busi- awareness about you and your business or organization. Events with the community;
ness Journal’s Book of Lists is described as the “go-to business like Good Morning, Springfield!, 60 Minutes to Success, Business-
resource” for the Springfield area. The Chamber’s membership to-Business Connection, Business After Hours and Connect for • Support and assist existing businesses;
directory is listed in the Book of Lists. Members are listed alpha- Lunch and others provide a variety of platforms to help you
betically, by business category and contact name. The Chamber develop beneficial business relationships. • Act as the primary catalyst in promoting the economic
encourages members to turn to the directory first when looking health of the Springfield area, stimulating jobs and
for a particular product, service or community information. improving the quality of life.
7,500 copies are printed and circulated annually. Advertising in
the Chamber directory is available to members only.
Chamber Website Listing As a member, you will receive a free
listing in the Chamber’s online business directory. The searchable
202 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway
directory is available to fellow members and the public via the
PO BOX 1687 65801-1687
Chamber’s website 24/7. Your free listing also includes a link to
Springfield, MO 65806
your organization’s website.
Phone: 417-862-5567
Newsletter listing/subscription As a new member, you will Members-Only Promote new products and services and other Fax: 417-862-1611
receive a free listing in the “new members” section of the Chamber’s news about your business or organization on the Chamber’s
monthly electronic newsletter, the Springfield Spirit. The website through your exclusive members-only access. Chamber www.springfieldchamber.com
newsletter is distributed to more than 5,000 business owners members can also post job listings.
and professionals. You will also receive a free subscription to
the newsletter so you can stay up to date on Chamber news, Ribbon cuttings/Groundbreakings The Chamber will coordi-
programs, events and services. nate a free ribbon cutting ceremony if your business is new to the
A.M. Edition community, has relocated, or has undergone a major renovation.
Member-to-Member Discounts Your chamber membership
allows you exclusive access to share coupons and discounts Chamber Committees offer members a chance to develop It must be understood that a Chamber of Commerce is
with other Chamber members. leadership skills and get involved with other business leaders people. There is a place in the Chamber of Commerce
in a variety of community initiatives and activities. efforts for all who share the desire to improve the
Free business spotlight opportunity on Chamber’s website community and the conditions under which business is
and electronic newsletter Community Demographics The Chamber’s economic devel- conducted. It directs the energies of those who believe
opment staff can provide you with community and metro area that a community worth living in is a community worth
demographics, statistics and tax rates. improving. The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce
enables its members to accomplish collectively what no
one of them could do individually.
®
www.springfieldchamber.com

2. THE BIG PICTURE
A STRONG ECONOMY JOB CREATION BUSINESS ADVOCACY WHY THE SPRINGFIELD AREA CHAMBER
A strong local economy means better business for you. The Chamber’s priorities include a focus on attracting Your business is affected everyday by decisions made OF COMMERCE?
But a positive business climate does not just happen. It new businesses but also on helping businesses that are in Jefferson City and Washington D.C. and at the county • Springfield’s area of economic influence reaches 27
is the result of business and community leaders coming already here. The Chamber provides a single point of and local government levels. The Chamber is working counties and 950,000 people
together to improve this place that we all call home. entry to a variety of business assistance resources to help everyday to make sure our lawmakers and other elected
existing companies get access to the organizations, ser- officials consider the issues important to business in the • Without a strong effective Chamber, Springfield would
The Chamber is leading those efforts. Nearly 1800 mem- vices and benefits to help their businesses grow and help Springfield area. be less able to compete with other cities for new
bers strong, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce create jobs in our community. The Springfield Business industries and new payrolls
represents small and large businesses alike. A volunteer Development Corporation, the economic development Locally, our Voice of Business committee serves as just
board of directors guides our organization, supported arm of the Chamber, has directly aided in the creation that, the voice of business. Committee members attend • As a citizen doing business in the Springfield area, you
share in its prosperity. But, responsibility for the free
by a full time staff. Together, we are able to accomplish of more than 2300 new jobs in the Springfield region Springfield City Council meetings to provide business
enterprise and profit-motive system is not a responsibility
what no one of us could do on our own, and the entire since 2008 with 1240 of the jobs announced last year. perspective on the issues that are presented to our council limited to a few. It is an obligation and a privilege
community benefits from our efforts through a stronger The average wage of these new jobs is above the current members. In 2011, the Springfield Business Journal rec- shared by every responsible, forward-looking citizen.
economy and outstanding quality of life. county average. ognized the Chamber as its 2011 Business Advocate of
the Year.
BOTTOM LINE
2500 WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
If your business or organization benefits from a strong
2312
It is no accident that one of the top challenges of our WHAT MEMBERS ARE SAYING
2000 local economy, you can’t afford to not be a member of
members—retaining and attracting a quality workforce,
63%
1970
the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce! As a Chamber
Total New Jobs
1500 is also a priority for the Chamber. Through programs member you not only reap the tangible benefits of your
like The Network for Springfield’s Young Professionals business’ membership, but you are also contributing to
1000 and collaboration with the area’s secondary and higher consumers who the economic success of our entire community. Become
729 education providers, the Chamber is working to ensure are more likely a Chamber member today and join the thousands of
500
479 that our areas workforce remains competitive as we to purchase goods or services from other local business owners and professionals who are
enter a new knowledge-based economy. working to make their businesses, organizations and our
0
2008 2009 2010 2011(YTD) a small business that is a member
community the best they can be.
of the local chamber.