Loudon County Living Guide and Membership Directory: This full color, magazine style annual directory/guide is distributed to 5,000 members, visitors, newcomers and residents of the Loudon County area. Members only are listed free by classified categories, providing high visibility to potential customers. Display advertising is also available to members only, providing even more visibility to potential customers.

Internet Exposure: The Chamber's web site includes a business directory of our members, giving them free global exposure. Each member may add a 50-word description of their business at no charge...it's like having your own mini web page! Any member who already has their own home page can have it hyperlinked to their Chamber listing for $50 - with an average of over 5,000 hits per month - a very economical avenue of advertising.

Newsletter: Each month the Chamber newsletter, The Business Link, is included in the News-Herald, reaching almost 30,000 readers - all potential customers! All members can submit special event or sale information to encourage chamber members to do business with chamber members. In addition, very affordable broad exposure advertising is available to members through member only display advertising ranging from $40 -$140.

Grand Openings/Ribbon Cuttings: These ceremonies that increase the visibility of new or expanding businesses are provided to Chamber members only. Free post-event publicity is provided in the newsletter reaching almost 30,000 potential customers!

Member Sponsorships: High visibility and advertising value is offered to members who sponsor a Chamber event or initiative, such as a Business After Hours, New Membership Receptions and Orientations, Golf Tournament, the Business Link, and the Annual General Membership Gala and Benefit Auction. As event sponsors, your name is prominently displayed and promoted. Pre-event publicity and mailings afford you broad advertising exposure at no additional cost above your sponsorship fee.

Special Newspaper: In the fall, the News-Herald publishes "FYI," a special newspaper tab section listing all Chamber members, reaching approximately 30,000 residents, businesses and tourists - providing huge exposure absolutely free! In the spring, a special "Salute to Industry" tab is co-sponsored by the Chamber and News Herald, where all of the area's industries are listed free of charge.

Business After Hours: Held the second Tuesday of each month from 5:30 - 7 p.m., this is your chance to network, learn and enjoy complimentary refreshments . Numerous members offering vital community information and business building opportunities attend these networking events.

New Member Reception: Every quarter, a special reception is held to welcome all new Chamber members, allowing them to introduce themselves, promote their businesses, and network extensively. A review of all of the Chamber member benefits reinforces and teaches new members how to utilize their membership to the fullest extent. (By invitation only.)

Special Events: One of the most fun ways to network with fellow Chamber members is during its special events. An upscale, goody-packed golf tournament in the spring provides relaxed networking opportunities for both players and volunteers. In the fall, the Membership Gala & Benefit Auction, touted as the "Event of the County," attracts over 400 business, government and civic leaders, providing numerous opportunities to expand your network of contacts.

Committees: Volunteer opportunities abound at the Chamber! Members may participate in any of our many active, dynamic committees, covering a wide range of interests, from business & economic development and education, to community development, government relations and special events. Not only does Chamber committee work provide members with an opportunity to actively participate in Chamber programming, it also affords members an organized and effective way of giving back to their community.

Mailing Labels: Members have access to complete direct mailing information of over 400 Loudon County area businesses on ready to use labels or as a list, allowing you to develop a database of business prospects. Chamber members receive the list for free and pay only $30 for labels. (Non-members, $130/$100.)

Business Referral Service: Each month hundreds of referrals of Chamber business members are given to potential customers in response to inquiries. Members only are referred to these inquiries.

Relocation and Newcomer Lists: Members may provide 12 self addressed, stamped envelopes and receive a list of people who have requested newcomer packets to start establishing relationships before they even become residents! Also included will be a newcomer list, which gives members access to individuals, families and businesses that are new to the area. This is an excellent way for Chamber members to access the initial buying habits of newcomers. Members may also insert a flyer or brochure about their business in the Chamber's relocation packet for $100 annually.

Promotional Displays: Only members may display their cards and promotional materials in the Chamber office, providing exposure to hundreds every year.

Tax Deductibility: Membership in the Chamber is 100% deductible as a necessary business expense.

Calendar: The Chamber maintains a monthly calendar of community events. It is distributed to members in various ways, including the Business Link and via e-mail so that your calendar can be incorporated directly into your planning software!

Resource Center: Resources that businesses need are available at the Chamber office, free of charge to members. Examples include community demographics, local and area phone directories, local tourism publications, a list of clubs and organizations, SBA publications, local maps, major employers and industrial directories, access to a cross reference directory, a Business Resource Library, contact information for all levels of government officials and Business Start Up Kits.

Chamber Checks Incentive and Gift Program: Members may take the worry out of incentive and special occasion gift shopping by purchasing Chamber Checks. These gift checks are good for merchandise and services purchased from any member business. The redemption of Chamber Checks encourages members to support Chamber members and promotes the concept of "shopping locally." This program opens the door to hundreds of potential clients. The Chamber Checks program is a free member service that promotes member patronage and provides free advertising exposure to its participants.

Advocate for Business: The Chamber is the voice of the business community in local, county, and state issues representing the business community in problem solving and promoting economic development. Action steps to continue playing such a vital role are:

• Utilizing the Business Link to assist in disseminating workforce-related information.
• Continuing the partnership with Roane State Community College to offer Conversational Spanish classes, which enable employers to tap alternative labor pools.
• Promoting the Chamber Checks Incentive and Gift program.
• Promoting and publicizing the free business counseling services of S.C.O.R.E.
• Expanding member listings on the Internet to include up to 50 word descriptions.
• Continuing to play an active role in local and regional visioning processes, such as Nine Counties. One Vision. and the Regional Transportation Alternatives Study.
• Supporting, both monetarily and through volunteers, the Loudon County Education Foundation in its efforts to positively impact lifelong learning in the community.

S.C.O.R.E. Counseling: Excellent free one-on-one business advice from retired business executives is available by setting an appointment through the Chamber. S.C.O.R.E. also provides affordable seminars addressing topics crucial to basic business building, such as: Business Planning and Personnel Management; Marketing and Business Regulations, Financial Planning and Basic Accounting; Recordkeeping; Finances for the Business and Business Insurance.

Business Seminars: These professionally conducted and informative seminars, conducted 2 - 3 times per year, assist businesses in becoming more successful by addressing "How to" topics and issues affecting the business community.

PC Users Group: Members are invited to become involved in a PC Users Group, which offers information on diverse topics each month. These classes and presentations are directed at beginner to intermediate level students. The Loudon PC Users group is accredited by the Association of PC Users Groups.

ChamberBiz: The Chamber has partnered with this Internet portal (sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce), which specializes in small business resources. ChamberBiz allows small business owners to find simple, easy answers to their questions with expert advice on topics such as hiring and managing employees, dealing with regulations and expanding a small business. It is a free service to Chamber members.

• Annual General Membership Gala and Benefit Auction: This event is held each fall at the Tellico Village Yacht and Country Club. It features a reception and silent auction, seated dinner, live auction, upscale entertainment and the graduation of the LEAD Loudon County class. Over 400 movers and shakers attend this "Event of the Year" in Loudon County. Several sponsorship packages are available.
• Golf Tournament: Held each spring at one of several upscale member golf courses, this event involves more than 140 participants and numerous sponsor levels. This two-flight, three-person select shot tournament offers cash awards to first, second and third place teams of each flight, dozens of incredible door prizes, and the best goody bags and commemorative apparel around! Several sponsorship packages are available.
• Affiliated Organizations: The Chamber is proud to be a partner of both the Loudon County Visitors Bureau and the Loudon County Education Foundation. Through this affiliation, Chamber members have access to an even wider variety of programming, materials, and volunteer opportunities.