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 do individually.

WHAT DOES THE CHAMBER DO?

The Chamber represents and promotes the area’s economy and encourages business and industrial investment, broadening the tax base providing employment. To business prospects and new comers, 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 viable forces in seeking solutions to today’s social problems. Chambers of Commerce educate and add value to national, state and local legislation and policy affecting the business community.

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 responsibility is to organize and execute the Chamber’s programs and carry out its policies.

WHO FINANCES THE CHAMBER?

The Chamber is a “business” and it incurs cost of operation 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 mutual desire to achieve a better community for all its citizens. Your membership in the Chamber is an investment in the present and future welfare of individuals and their community.

YOU AND YOUR CHAMBER– WHAT IS YOUR COMMITMENT?

Basic to all activities of the Chamber is its unifying influence. The Chamber utilizes multiple committees to address the needs of the community and the organization as a whole. Through your membership, you will chose what committee you would enjoy being involved with and quickly you will see the benefits of networking and strategizing with your peers. Through committee involvement, every member contributes to an organizational effort that is mutually beneficial to the community and to business. The possibilities are endless. Over the years the Chamber of Commerce operations and programs have changed to meet today’s challenges. However, one premise remains intact, the role of involved and concerned citizens to protect and preserve our free enterprise system. The Chamber meets once a month and committees meet as needed.

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 enhancing the energies and efforts of its membership toward the accomplishments of common goals.

WHY JOIN A CHAMBER?

The Chamber of Commerce is the salesperson for our community and businesses - unceasingly promoting the products and services our members offer. At the same time, we are the watchdog protecting your interests, particularly in the political arena. The benefit of belonging to the Chamber is full-time representation and year round results.

WHEN SHOULD I JOIN?

TODAY! The “opportunities” available to you as a Chamber member are valuable and profitable. The benefits are tangible for the individual as well as the community.

Today’s investment in your Chamber will produce immediate results and continued returns. If pride and commitment are feelings you have toward your business and your community’s future, please contact your Chamber of Commerce office today for a membership application.

“YOUR EXTRA FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE”

CONTACT INFORMATION

Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce & Industry

138 Main Street, Suite 101 , Saco, ME. 04072

Telephone: 207-282-1567 Fax: 207-282-3149

E-Mail: info@biddefordsacochamber.org

Website: www.biddefordsacochamber.org

HOURS OF OPERATION

Chamber : Monday-Friday 8am to 5pm

Train Station Lobby: Monday-Sunday 5:30am to 8:30pm

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. FREE Workshop Seminars .

2. Third Tuesday Community Workshop Monthly evenings - 5:30 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Timely subjects of interest to business people, retirees, start-ups and the general public.

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

4. 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.

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

6. 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.

7. Biddeford-Saco Community Tourist and Membership Guide

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

9. Annual Golf Tournament held each year in June.

10. Annual Business Expo held each year in September.

11. Annual Holiday Auction and Dinner held in November.

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

13. 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.

14. Annual Membership Appreciation & Award Breakfast held in January. Community Awards.

15. The Chamber’s conference room is the ideal spot to host business meetings, seminars, training sessions and other gatherings. The room holds up to 20 people seated or up to 30 standing. Rental fee must be paid in full prior to reservation date.

Rental Rates:

                       Chamber Member             Non-Chamber Member
                       ½ Day (4 hours)                   $50                             $75
                      Full day (8 hours)                  $100                          $125

Please call 207-282-1567 for more information or to make a reservation or Email: info@biddefordsacochamber.org

16. 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.

17. 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!