Biddeford Saco Chamber of Commerce

WHAT IS A CHAMBER OF COMMERCE?

A Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary federation of the business community uniting the efforts of business and professional individuals to ensure a healthy economic base to benefit the entire community. The Chamber harnesses the tremendous potential of the private enterprise system and enables its membership to accomplish collectively what no one could individually.

WHAT DO WE DO?

The Chamber represents and promotes the area's economy and encourages business and industrial investment, broadening the tax base and providing employment. To business prospects and newcomers, the Chamber represents the community's self image.

Chambers of Commerce are increasingly involved in non-commercial areas, such as education, human relations, environmental, cultural and governmental concerns. These challenges have caused Chambers of Commerce to become a viable force in seeking solutions in today's social problems. Chambers of Commerce influence national, state and local legislation affecting business.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The policies and programs of your Chamber are determined by the Board of Directors, elected by the membership. They, in turn, employ a paid chief executive officer whose basic responsibility is to organize and execute the Chamber's program and carry out its policies.

WHO FINANCES THE CHAMBER?

The Chamber is a "business" and it incurs costs of operations and expenses similar to any other type of business. Those expenses are apportioned among its members, individuals and firms, representing all types of business, industry and professionals. All share a mutual desire to achieve a better community for all its citizens. Chamber of Commerce membership is an investment in the present and future welfare of both the individual and their community.

YOU AND YOUR CHAMBER

Basic to all activities of the Chamber is its unifying influence. Through council involvement, every member contributes to an organization effort that is mutually beneficial to the community and to business.

Over the years, the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce & Industry operations, attitudes and programs have changed to meet the challenges of today. However, one premise remains intact - the integrate role of involved and concerned citizens to protect and preserve our free enterprise system.

Today, as it was in 1768 when the first Chamber of Commerce in America was formed, the basic concept of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce & Industry remains the same: a voluntary organization representing the business community marshaling the energies and efforts of its membership toward the accomplishments of common goals.

Chamber Serves in Many Ways

The Chamber is growing. It has become many things to many different people. There is an actual breakdown of 131 different member categories represented in our organization today, like banks, lodgings, automotives, restaurants, churches, retail stores, attorneys, dentists, gift shops, hospitals, physicians, TV stations, veterinarians- to name but a few categories. We are designed to build our community with your support. Come join us.

Look at the various things a Chamber like ours does for the community.

1. Workshop Seminars at University of New England .

2. Annual Business Expo held in September.

3. Small Business Seminars Monthly evenings - 6:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at University of New England , Biddeford . Timely subjects of interest to business people, retirees, start-ups and the general public.

4. The Restaurant and Hospitality Expo held in April.

5. Breakfast Forums. Meet interesting speakers from 7:30 A.M. to 9:00 A.M.

6. Business After Hours Socials, from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., Appetizers, refreshments and door prizes given to attendees. Every month. Very interesting. Great for networking.

7. A weekly, 30 minute Cable TV Show highlighting all types of businesses/organizations. On channels 85 and 3 in Biddeford and on the Educational/Government channel in Saco .

8. Tourism Promotions for hotels, motels, inns, restaurants and gift shops.

9. Award winning, monthly CHAMBER NEWS publication on what’s happening in our area. An excellent media to advertise your business services or merchandise to Chamber Members and their employees.

10. Specialty Guides promoting our members. Dining, shopping, real estate and accommodations.

11. Biddeford-Saco Community Tourist and Membership Guide

12. The Aaron Drisko Distinguished Lecture Series, a collaborative partnership with the three local High Schools in Biddeford , Saco ( Thornton Academy ) and Old Orchard Beach thirty students in the 11^th & 12^th grades attend 9 weeks of classes on various subjects each week. Sold out each year.

13. Annual Golf Tournament held each year in June.

14. Annual Holiday Auction and Dinner held in November.

15. Ribbon Cutting/Grand Openings at company and store openings, throughout the year.

16. Advocacy. The Chamber leadership speaks out on a non-partisan basis on issues that affect our Chamber members. This advocacy is done on a private, confidential basis, to prevent any retribution taken against any person or any business inquiring on specific concerns.

17. Annual Membership Appreciation & Award Night held in January. Free Food. Community Awards.

18. A Conference Room is available for Chamber Member’s use for meetings or events.

19. The Chamber is a clearing house for customer referrals to visitors, tourists and local resident inquiries on housing, lodgings, and places to shop or to get services, restaurants, and vacation sites events in our area.

20. A category of “Friends of the Chamber” as a result of non-business people supporting our mission to continue to do the work we are doing for our community. Why not join us as an honorary member of the Chamber to support our good works?

Refer A Friend In Business To Join The Chamber. We all benefit!