Chamber Member, did you know September is Chamber Member Appreciation Month? It also includes “Chamber of Commerce Week” in Illinois, proclaimed by Governor JB Pritzker for September 13 through 19. In the proclamation, he recognizes the role Chambers and their Members play in creating jobs, supporting commerce, and making Illinois a better place to live. Chambers can only do that work because businesses and organizations choose to invest in them, so I want to start with a simple thank you.
I am incredibly appreciative of your Membership and of everything you contribute to the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce (NACC).
But this month is about more than saying thank you. Member Appreciation Month should not only be about telling you how much we value your Membership. It should also be about helping make sure your Membership is valuable to you.
Your Membership should keep your business connected, informed, visible, and supported, whether that happens through a program, a referral, an introduction, a resource, or advocacy on an issue that matters to you. And it should still be useful when your calendar is full.
You do not need to attend every event to get value from NACC. We can still help make an introduction, share your news, connect you to a resource, promote your business, or bring your perspective into conversations with local decision-makers.
Where Your Membership Can Pay Off
Your Team
Membership belongs to the business, not one person. Different employees may get value from different programs, committees, leadership opportunities, networking, or professional development. If only one person at your organization uses NACC, you may be leaving value on the table. Your Membership extends to your entire team, and we would love to connect with them too. You can add an employee to your Membership by emailing membership@naperville.net.
Connections
Sometimes the value is simply knowing who to call. Need a vendor, workforce resource, nonprofit partner, local expert, or someone who has dealt with the same challenge? NACC can often help make that connection faster. Our Membership is full of experts ready to partner with you and your business.
Visibility
Your Membership gives your business more ways to be seen. Your directory profile, Member news, job postings, sponsorships, and other promotional opportunities can help more people understand who you are and what you do. The Chamber is not just a place to see, but to be seen.
Information
Part of NACC’s role is to help filter a wealth of national, state and local information and point Members toward what may actually affect their business. You should not have to track every business, workforce, legislative, and community update on your own. Let us help.
Advocacy
Some of the most important value we provide happens behind the scenes. NACC brings the business perspective into conversations with elected officials and decision-makers. When Members tell us what they are experiencing, that helps shape the issues and concerns we bring forward, so we can move your Business Forward.
Opportunity
Not every benefit is something you can schedule. A referral, partnership, new customer, community relationship, or unexpected introduction may come simply because you are part of the network. Membership creates more opportunities for those connections to happen and for your business to continue to flourish.
Members will use NACC in different ways, and that is exactly the point. The value of Membership should reflect what your business needs right now, while still giving you access to opportunities, expertise, information, visibility, and support that can help move your Business Forward.
That value should be there all year long. Member Appreciation Month simply gives us a reason to pause, recognize the businesses and people behind NACC, and say thank you for everything you contribute to this Chamber and our community.
And the appreciation doesn’t stop when Member Appreciation Month Ends. Join us on October 1, as we raise a glass to you, at our Annual A Toast to Our Members event.
Join Us: A Toast to Our Members
On Thursday, October 1, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., we will come together for A Toast to Our Members, our annual thank-you to the businesses and people who make NACC possible.
The event is complimentary and exclusive to Members, featuring food and beverages from Chamber businesses, local catering partners showcasing signature items, and a closing champagne toast. Come as you are and bring your team. If you would like to bring more than two guests from your organization, just let us know, and we’re happy to accommodate you.
One evening is a good way to say thank you.
Making sure your Membership works for your business all year long is a better one.
Business Forward,
Kaylin