Membership in the Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce provides your business with the following benefits:
- Advertising
The Chamber sponsors several cooperative advertising programs during the year that provide a savings to our membership. The programs include television, radio, billboard and print advertising that helps to promote member businesses and the Marshall area.
- Advocacy
The Chamber serves as a facilitator on behalf of the business community on a number of issues. As the need arises, the Chamber sponsors and participates in forums, seminars, workshops, legislative dinners and breakfasts among others.
- Auto Owner's Commercial Discount Program
A 10% discount on premiums for business insurance is available to members.
- Blue Cross/Blue Shield Insurance
Members of the Chamber may be eligible for Blue Cross/Blue Shield programs that offer a broader range of coverage than would be available to small business (1- 5 employees) on their own.
- Business Counseling
The Chamber, in conjunction with Kalamazoo College Small Business Development Center, offers free business counseling by a trained Michigan Small Business Development Counselor to new and existing businesses in the area.
- Business Direct Weekly Discount Program
A 25% advertising ad discount is available to members for this publication.
- Chamber Bucks
Chamber Bucks are a generic gift certificate for Marshall. They can be used like cash at any participating Chamber member business for a variety of goods and services They come in a gift envelope and are available in $5 and $10 increments. The program is designed to encourage spending money locally.
- Community Events/Projects
The Chamber sponsors a number of events each year for the enjoyment and enrichment of the community. Among them are the Ethnic Food Festival, Chicken Barbecue, Marshall Arts and Craftfest, Christmas Parade and Christmas Retail Open House.
- Demographic/Community Information
The Chamber provides demographic as well as other information about the community.
- Life Improvement Center Corporate Rate
As a member of the Chamber, you are entitled to the corporate rate when you join the Oaklawn Life Improvement Center.
- Mailing Labels
Labels and mailing lists of the Chamber membership are available to members at a reduced rate.
- Membership Directory/Web Site
As a member of the Chamber, you will be listed in the Membership Directory on our web site. A link to your web site is available. Each member is listed by business classification.
- Member Referrals
The Chamber receives calls on a daily basis requesting information about businesses and services in the Marshall area. The Chamber's policy is to make referrals to those requests to members.
- Networking
The Chamber sponsors a number of events each year for networking with other business people who may be potential customers of your business.
- Newsletter
A bi-monthly publication that highlights issues affecting your business as well as Chamber and community activities. Inserts can be included for a small fee.
- Relocation Packets
The first stop for people new to the area or those interested in moving to the area is the Chamber. We provide a variety of information to promote our area. Along with demographic information we provide a list of Realtors, apartment complexes, schools, shopping, etc. Hundred of relocation packets are distributed through the Chamber office each year.
- Seminars/Workshops
Seminars and workshop are held periodically to address a variety of business issues and assist businesses to become more successful.
- Telephone Warning System
The Chamber uses a "fan out" system to alert businesses of shoplifters, checks written on closed accounts, stolen checks, etc. The system is designed to alert businesses in 15 minutes from the time the information is received.
- Tourism Program
The Chamber has an extensive program to promote tourism in the Marshall area. Brochures, travel shows, publications, billboards, and advertising are among the focus of this program.
- Visitor Information Center
The Chamber operates a Visitor Center both during the week and on weekends. Visitors often make the Chamber office their first stop to learn about places to stay, eat, shop, etc. Additionally, thousands of phone calls are received each year on our toll-free number. Potential visitors are provided answers to their questions, and mailed a visitor information packet. Several thousand visitor information packets are distributed annually. Members are welcome to provide brochures about their business to the Chamber for inclusion in the packets and for display in the center.
