Why should I belong?

Referrals
The Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce receives thousands of phone calls at the office and Iowa Welcome Center each year from people around the world. Some calls are questions about the city, and many are for goods and services. Any of the referrals for goods and services go to our Chamber members. Members in the hospitality industry can display their brochures in the Iowa Welcome Center brochure racks where visitors to the city can find places to stay overnight, dine out, and visit our many attractions.

Membership Directory Listing
Included in your membership investment is inclusion in our Membership Directory.not just once, but three times (alphabetical, categorical, and representatives). The Directory is available to the entire membership and you are asked to use it as a resource prior to going to the telephone book "yellow pages".

Website Listing
As a member, your business is automatically listed free of charge on the Chamber's website membership directory at www.dubuquechamber.com. A member can be located 1) alphabetically, 2) by typing a key word, or 3) search by category. If your business has a web site, you are direct-linked to it from the Chamber at no charge.

Political Action
The Chamber works for the business community twenty four hours a day, 7 days a week, throughout the year, so you can spend your time running your business. The business community is kept informed of issues of importance to you. We keep an eye on public policy, make legislative information available to you in our newsletter, Chamber Updates, and e-mailed Legislative Updates throughout session, and make frequent trips to Des Moines, Springfield, Madison and Washington, D.C. to keep our legislators aware of Dubuque needs. The Chamber encourages business-friendly candidates for local, county, state, federal and school board elections and educates members on positions of candidates.

Committee Involvement
If you choose to become involved, there are many opportunities to serve on task forces or committees where you can have your voice heard. Your level of involvement is up to you; the more you are involved, the greater the benefits.

Networking
Throughout the year, the Chamber is your best source for making new contacts and forming relationships for potential business customers. Whether you attend the popular monthly Business PMs, the smaller Business AMs, Quarterly Power Networking, the annual Golf Outing, Annual Meeting, or our Quarterly Membership Meetings, you have the potential to increase your contact base for improving your bottom line.

Information
More than 5,000 people in the Tri-state area receive the Tri-State Business Times in which the Chamber's ChamberEdge newsletter is included. The monthly publication gives you up to date information of what is going on within the Chamber and within the business community. New Chamber members are introduced with a listing in the New Member section including a brief description of their business. What better way to introduce your business to thousands of readers. Twice a month, the Chamber sends a Chamber Update to our more than 1700 member representatives either by e-mail, fax or mail. The Update gives information in a Kiplinger format about Chamber activity, upcoming events, and other timely information.

Marketing Opportunities
Low cost advertising is available in the monthly ChamberEdge newsletter and discounted cooperative advertising is available to those in the hospitality industry. By hosting a Business PM or AM, you have the opportunity for hundreds of people to come to your business and see what you offer. Once a year, the "Toot Your Own Horn" Business PM allows for smaller companies to participate in a tradeshow format, reaching more than 600 business people. There are also sponsorships at events that give your business recognition by invitations and at the events. Low-cost mailing lists are available either by printed labels or electronically, making your advertising convenient and inexpensive.

Recognition
Businesses reaching benchmark years of Chamber membership and business years, are recognized during the year, and all renewing members are listed in the newsletter. Free ribbon cuttings, ground breakings or grand opening celebrations are offered with pictures in the newsletter and on the website.

Savings & Convenience
AAA roadside assistance at a discounted rate is available. Using our mailing list offers a low cost way to market your business. For your convenience, the Chamber offers credit card processing for all programs, events and investment.