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The Chamber of Greater Baton RougeIt's a Great Time to Join the ChamberDo you own a business in town and haven't joined the Chamber of Commerce yet? Now is a great time to become part of this renowned organization that works tirelessly for Baton Rouge business and for our community at large. The Chamber is a one-stop shop for business owners, from the one-man or -woman business to the multimillion-dollar petrochemical industry. Offering innumerable networking and educational opportunities, Chamber participation almost always ensures that your business will grow -- perhaps dramatically.
CHAMBER MISSION: "To provide leadership for the advancement of economic vitality and quality of life for its members and the total community."
If you're intimidated by the Chamber's size, you'll be pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere at the dozens of Chamber luncheons, after-hours, and events held each year is not that of a country club, a clique or a committee. Rather, you'll discover a diverse and friendly group of individuals trying to make the most of doing business in Baton Rouge, and getting to meet great people along the way. Unlike small referral groups, with rigid rules and Raccoon Lodge-like rituals, The Chamber is informal and flexible. Attendance at Chamber functions is encouraged but not compulsory. And while small referral groups often produce appreciable business for only a small fraction of their membership, The Chamber has the depth and breadth to take your business as far as you want to go. Yet the price for an individual to join The Chamber is about the same as membership dues in these small, time-consuming groups. Whether it's a monthly lunch, a business expo, an after-hours at a fine restaurant, or a meeting of the Small Business Council, every Chamber event is a networking opportunity. Bring plenty of business cards, shake some hands, and introduce yourself. "If you meet just one or two prospects each time you attend a Chamber event," says Communications Director Amy Delaney, "you'll see your base grow. The key to getting the most out of the Chamber is to be active in it. The Chamber is a roaming group of referrals, so take advantage of it." Knowledge and information gathering are also vital to business decisions -- and there's no need to rely on gossip to take appropriate action. The Chamber is a bellwether for those who simply ask questions or choose to attend the Chamber's bargain quarterly educational seminars. Just $15 yields the information non-members may spend $250 or more to learn from equivalent daylong seminars. Whether you want to know how to do business with such corporate giants as Exxon or Shaw, or how to retain your employees and make them more productive, these inexpensive seminars will make you a smarter and more effective businessperson.
For more information about the Chamber, call (225) 381-7125, or log on to www.brchamber.org. Did you know? The word "chamber" was used as early as the fourteenth century to refer to groups that met in particular rooms. --Source, June 2004 Atlantic Monthly Special thanks to departing senior vice president Karen Futrell for her assistance with this article. Photos courtesy of the Chamber. YOUR CHAMBER IS WORKING FOR YOU The Chamber has provided over 80 years of service to Baton Rouge, beginning in the early 1920s as a small volunteer grass-roots community service and emerging over the decades as the city's premiere business and community organization. Here are just a few of the Chamber's recent accomplishments.
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Over 85 percent of the 1,500-plus Chamber members are small businesses comprised of 15 employees or fewer. Friendly staff will help you to get started, make important initial contacts, and set your own pace. There are no hoops to jump through, no hassles with paperwork or pressures to adhere to a particular schedule. Newcomers to this organization receive the red-carpet treatment.
The 2004 Chamber Event Calendar has included such events as "B2B in BR" at the Bon Carre Business Center, "Second Home" Reception at the Governor's Mansion, Breakfast on the Run at Our Lady of the Lake College, and Monthly Luncheons at Drusilla Place. A recent addition to the Chamber's activities has been the introduction of the Business Executive Roundtable -- an ideal forum for private exchange among peers. The Roundtable utilizes assigned groups of eight to ten executives from non-competing businesses that meet in confidential settings to discuss professional experiences, human resource and business tax issues, and business strategy and tactics.
