Networking, Publicity & Exposure
The Chamber helps you meet people and gives your organization more exposure by offering numerous professional development programs, excellent networking events and a variety of marketing opportunities. 

Monthly Business After Hours Events
These events are held once each month at different member firms with an average of 250 attendees who enjoy casual friendly networking. New members are introduced and many Chamber members have found these get-togethers a wonderful resource for making contact with both current and prospective clients.

Networking @ Noon Events
This has recently become one of the Chamber's most popular monthly events. Each month, members gather at a local Chamber restaurant, and have the opportunity to give a 30-second pitch, meet new people, and expand their network. Limited to only 25 participants, this intimate networking atmosphere allows each participant to leave with 24 new useful business contacts.

Showcase Tompkins - Our Annual Business Tradeshow
Showcase Tompkins is the BIGGEST Annual Business Tradeshow in Tompkins County!  In June 2008, you will have the opportunity to be one of 90 exhibitors to access over 500 attendees at this special social and networking event. Once again, it will take place at The Farmer's Market at Steamboat Landing. Inexpensive booths provide you the opportunity to market your products and services one-on-one to a captive audience!

Professional Development
We hold regular seminars and workshops designed to keep you informed and competitive. Our Business Briefings series provides presentations on current business issues.  These informative workshops and panel discussions address timely topics of concern to the business community. Recent topics have included Business Succession Planning, A Strengths-based Development Seminar, and the 2008 Economic Outlook for Tompkins County. An intensive community leadership development program, Leadership Tompkins, is also offered annually.

Business Development
For those businesses just starting out or needing some advice, we offer free small business counseling, business plan development, and general assistance. We provide our members with annual updates of area demographics and market information as well as several other helpful resources for small business.

New Member Orientation
A briefing is held every four months to welcome all new Chamber members, allow them to introduce themselves, promote their business, and network extensively. A review of all of the Chamber member benefits will teach and reinforce all in attendance how to utilize their membership to the fullest extent.

Committees
Members may participate in any of our active, dynamic committees, covering a wide range of interests such as Administration & Finance, Ambassador Council, Business Information Network, Community Partnership, Governmental Affairs, Special Events, and Visitor Industry Council.

Special Events and Sponsorships
Enjoy our special events such as the Annual Dinner, the summer Golf Tournament, the Great BIG Chamber Auction, and the Showcase Tompkins Business trade show, featuring over 90 displays from local businesses.  High visibility and advertising value is offered to members who sponsor a Chamber event or program. All event sponsors are prominently displayed and promoted in a variety of media outlets.  Pre-event publicity and mailings afford them broad advertising exposure at no additional cost above their sponsorship fee.

Referrals
Be a part of this business referral web site!  Thousands of people contact us each year by phone and email. If you are a member, you will be referred.   Over 75% of the hits to our web site are redirected to Chamber member web sites.  The Chamber of Commerce is home to Tompkins County’s preferred businesses. When we receive inquires on where to find products and services in our area, which is a daily occurrence, our policy is to only refer Chamber members.

Legislative Affairs
The Chamber will keep you informed on legislative matters affecting your business. We regularly offer forums on key issues and provide opportunities for your voice to be heard by our elected representatives.

Business Representation
The high level of participation in the work of the Chamber by our members enables us to impact the quality of life in our community and make the collective voice of our membership a valuable part of the decision making process at the local, state and federal levels. Through a strong network of committees, we can ensure you an opportunity to get involved in our many activities and programs. Our committees address a variety of topics including city, county and legislative affairs, special events, membership, educational programs, small business concerns and tourism.

Group Insurance
The Tompkins Chamber co-markets health and dental insurance with SSA, which offers insurance products to sole proprietors and to small businesses. SSA also offers payroll processing and other services. SSA waives its annual membership fee for members of the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce. Call us and we will refer you to a local insurance agent.
 

Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce Membership Directory and Relocation Guide
This is the most comprehensive business guide to Tompkins County and is printed annually with a total circulation of 6,000 copies. This publication is also an area resource guide containing a wealth of information such as important phone numbers, media, government data, demographics etc. As a Chamber member, you will receive 2 FREE listings (alphabetical and classified category), providing high visibility to potential customers. This easy to use desktop reference guide is distributed to local business contacts as well as new residents and others wanting to do business in our area. The directory is your guide to the best businesses in Tompkins County. Display advertising is also available to members at very low rates.

Official City and County Maps
ONLY Chamber Member businesses may advertise in the official Tompkins County/ City of Ithaca Road Map.  Over 25,000 copies are distributed through AAA, The Chamber and retail stores including Tops, Wegmans, Eckerds, Borders, Wilson Farms, the Cornell Bookstore and more! Businesses who support the project will also receive a supply for customers, prospects or others.  The map is also available on this website, where people can view the map online.  The next map will be printed in the Spring of 2009
 

The Chambergram Monthly Newsletter
Each month the Chamber's newsletter, called “The Chambergram” is mailed to over 1,300 leading businesses and individuals.  The Chambergram also appears every 1st Wednesday of the month in The Ithaca Journal, which has a circulation of 38,000 readers throughout the county.  This provides exposure of Chamber members to the entire Tompkins County community.

Grand Openings & Ribbon Cuttings
These ceremonies, which increase the visibility of new or expanding businesses, are provided to Chamber members only. Pre-event and post-event publicity include media releases, invitations to a large segment of the business population and city/county officials. A photo of the event is included in the monthly Chambergram, in both the mailed and Ithaca Journal version, as well as on the Chamber's official website.

Here's How YOU Can Reach 700 Chamber Members...and Beyond!

Purchase The Chamber Mailing List
A great way to reach over 700 businesses is through the purchase of our complete mailing list.  For just $100, Chamber members may receive the list via email as either an Excel Spreadsheet or Microsoft Word file.  For $150, members may purchase the list as “peel and stick” labels.  Each charge is a one-time usage fee.  The Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce does not sell this mailing list to any non-members under any circumstances.

Sponsor The Chambergram
For $349, Chamber members may insert their 8 ½ x 11 flyer in the Chambergram, which is mailed to nearly 1300 business representatives each month.  If you are interested in inserting a flyer, a simply provide the Chamber with 1400 copies of your insert and full payment by 5 PM on the 20th of the month prior to the desired newsletter insertion date.  All flyers must be approved by The Chamber before being inserted in The Chambergram.

Buy an advertisement in The Chambergram
Published monthly, The Chambergram is one of the Chamber’s major information sources for the membership. It is printed in The Ithaca Journal as a full-page feature the first Wednesday of every month.  Advertisements are available for purchase in the monthly Chambergram newsletter.  Prices do vary depending on the size of the ad.  Call Tom Herbst at The Ithaca Journal for more information, (607)274-9204.

Submit an article to the monthly CHAMBERGRAM Newsletter
Each month, members are welcome to submit newsworthy items about their business to the Chamber.  Information should be sent to The Chamber by the 20th of each month.  Items will be used on a space available basis.  For more information, call Doug Levine at (607)273-7080. 
 

Sponsor an Event
The Chamber hosts many monthly and annual business/social events intended to increase member contacts and encourage community involvement. Your sponsorship of these events is an excellent way to increase your organization’s visibility and promote your business. Sponsorship opportunities are available for the following: Annual Meeting, Business After Hours, Golf Outing, Annual Auction, Networking@Noon, Business Briefings and more.  Call The Chamber at (607) 273-7080 for more information. 

Advertise in the Membership Directory & Relocation Guide

The Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce’s 2008 Membership Directory & Relocation Guide is a great opportunity to advertise and reach Chamber members, prospective members, and the public. Over 4,000 directories are distributed throughout the community.

Advertise in the official Tompkins County/ City of Ithaca Road Map

Over 22,000 copies are distributed through AAA, The Chamber and retail stores including Tops, Wegmans, Eckerds, Borders, Wilson Farms, the Cornell Bookstore and more! Businesses who support the project will also receive a supply for customers, prospects or others.