Peoria Chamber of Commerce
The Peoria Chamber of Commerce ...always at your service!
We would like to share information about the Peoria Chamber of Commerce. When you finish this article, you might have a few unanswered questions. If that is the case, please come see us at our Chamber building (8765 West Kelton Lane, C1, Peoria), call the Chamber staff (623-979-3601), or visit our website (www.peoriachamber.com).
The Peoria Chamber of Commerce is the oldest actively operating chamber of commerce in the State of Arizona. We welcomed our first member in 1919 and have continued that focus of inclusion ever since. Today we have well over 750 members that mirror most every type of business in Peoria, as well as representatives from our city government, non-profit organizations, churches, service clubs, and individuals who just want to be involved. One-third of our members have business addresses outside of Peoria.
The purpose of the Peoria Chamber of Commerce is to be a voice for business. As you would imagine, we want to ensure that Peoria has a strong local economy. Through our programs and activities, the Peoria Chamber works diligently at relationship-building and business growth. Quite truthfully, we will help in any way possible to achieve a community goal.
As a community, we know that Peoria must inter-relate with surrounding chambers and cities. Towards that end, we promote business, cultural, educational and governmental activities that will result in the overall business health of nearby communities and the State of Arizona. We know that a strong regional economy is good for everyone.
To meet the challenges of the next 100 years, the Chamber built a new building. It could not have been constructed without the strong financial support of our corporate members and the backing of our overall membership. Two major corporate contributors are honored at the Chamber. The APS conference room and the Arrowhead Community Bank (ACB) lobby within the Peoria Chamber are named for their generous contributions.
Visitors, local residents and Peoria Chamber of Commerce Members are encouraged to use all of our services and features. On the following pages we have outlined just a few dozen of our value-added benefits. There are many more, so please ask us about them.
If you need a map, a community guide, a directory of our Chamber members, or directions, we are your natural resource. We can also supply you with brochures on housing, lists of restaurants and realtors, and schedules of the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres when they come to Peoria for Cactus League Baseball. If you need an electrician, personal chef, retirement community, tickets for the theatre, or some suggestions on a good place to fish with your children, we can be of great assistance, too.
Our hours are Monday-Thursday from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Remember to contact the Peoria Chamber of Commerce as your business and visitor resource.
Membership Comes With Valuable Benefits
At the Peoria Chamber of Commerce we know that it is our job to work for you and to assist you in your achievement of success. Towards that end, we strive to provide you with as many features as possible - with the hope that all of them will benefit you. To become a member of this highly progressive Chamber, please call 1-800-580-2645 or 623-979-3601 or leave us a message at info@peoriachamber.com.
The mission of the Peoria Chamber of Commerce is “to promote and maintain a positive economic environment for business in the community.” To achieve that mission, the Peoria Chamber of Commerce works hard to create a strong local economy, provide opportunities that build relationships, and deliver programs that assist business growth. The Chamber continually promotes the City of Peoria, the northwestern communities, and all of Arizona.
In all cases, the Peoria Chamber of Commerce performs in an ethical, responsive, innovative and professional manner. Each member is immediately welcomed into the Chamber family and provided with all benefits and rights that come with membership.
Marketing The Membership
Powerful Chamber Website: The Peoria Chamber of Commerce has one of the most active chamber websites in all of Arizona. Over three million visitors come to the site and most stay 10 minutes or longer. The website (www.peoriachamber.com) is an excellent resource to obtain information on the products and services of Chamber members, as well as information about the City of Peoria and State of Arizona. Each Peoria Chamber member receives a free website immediately after joining, and because we encourage self-management, the member can make changes at any time of the day. All members are listed in the Chamber’s main site in multiple categories, and some expand their opportunities by advertising throughout the Chamber’s website.
Community Guide and Resource Directory: Each year the Peoria Chamber publishes 15,000 copies of this community resource guide. The Peoria Community Guide and Membership Directory is provided free of charge to visitors at the Chamber’s Visitor Center and the Peoria library and is included in relocation packets that are sent by the Chamber. In addition, the guide is distributed throughout March at the Peoria Sports Complex during Cactus League baseball, given to Seattle Mariner and San Diego Padres FanFest attendees in their respective cities, and provided to visitors at hotels, restaurants and businesses in Peoria. Peoria Chamber members are encouraged to advertise in the guide to increase their visibility to the readers. The guides are available in the ACB lobby at the Peoria Chamber.
Maps: The Peoria Chamber prints and distributes 10,000 maps throughout the City of Peoria, at the Peoria Sports Complex during major league spring baseball, inside of relocation packets, and to visitors at the Visitor Center. The map is highly comprehensive. Only Peoria Chamber members may advertise in the map.
Peoria Progress Newspaper: Monthly, the Peoria Chamber publishes a 12-page newspaper. Copies are sent to about 800 Peoria Chamber members, as well as opinion makers within Arizona. Additionally, 12,000 copies are sent in the mail to subscribers of the Peoria Times newspaper. Others are distributed in the lobby of the main city library, in relocation packs that are sent out of state, and in marketing packets.
Newspapers and Magazines: Every month the overall membership of the Peoria Chamber of Commerce is promoted through large and small articles in the Peoria Progress, The Peoria Republic, Peoria Today, Peoria Times, Independent Newspaper, and Arizona Business Journal. In addition, all Peoria Chamber members receive added recognition via the Chamber’s advertisements in Arizona Avenues, Arizona Official State Visitor’s Guide, Arizona Professional Travel Planner’s Guide, Arizona Drive Guide, Experience Arizona, and Phoenix Magazine. You can pick up most of the publications inside the ACB lobby at the Peoria Chamber.
Lists & Brochures: The Chamber creates many informational lists and brochures of the membership. Most lists are specific to such things like restaurants, hotels, recreational opportunities, relocation services, schools, and such. These lists and brochures are given out in response to a specific request or used at marketing opportunities such as FanFest in Seattle or FanFest in San Diego. Advertising support is always welcomed.
Peoria Marketing Opportunities
Biz-2-Biz Trade Shows: Each year the Peoria Chamber of Commerce holds a trade show and strongly encourages all Chamber members to participate. In addition, a regional trade show is co-sponsored by the Peoria Chamber. The goal of both shows is to have the Chamber members market goods and services to other members and to have all attendees learn about other members.
Free Inserts: Each new member receives a voucher that is good for a complimentary flyer insert into the Peoria Progress (Chamber newspaper). The Chamber will bear all insertion and mailing expenses. Additional flyers may be sent via the newspaper for a moderate investment.
Networking
Monthly Mixers: The Peoria Chamber encourages activities that bring members and their guests together in an atmosphere of outstanding fellowship and business. An average of two mixers are held each month at Chamber member’s businesses. In most cases, there are no fees to attend.
Networking Groups: Make connections to stimulate your business. The chamber offers four networking sessions each month. Networking groups meet the first and third Tuesday, the second Monday and third Wednesday of each month. Each networking group offers various opportunities to spread the word about your business.
Monthly Business Luncheons: Each month, the Chamber holds a large business luncheon that is geared around a great speaker, good food and enthusiastic attendees. The first half-hour prior to the luncheon is reserved for meeting and greeting, exchanging business cards and establishing relationships. This continues throughout the entire meeting.
Monthly Business Breakfast: Each month, the Chamber offers a full networking breakfast. The full hour breakfast features an educational speaker, plus the opportunity for each attendee to share their name and business information. They meet at various chamber restaurants during the year.
Membership Development
Business Referrals: The Peoria Chamber refers only chamber business members. As such, all Chamber members are referred to people seeking products or services that might be provided by our members.
Seminars, Classes and Articles: Throughout the year the Peoria Chamber puts on educational seminars on such topics as safety at the worksite, risk management, sales techniques, creating advertisements, retirement planning, and tax pitfalls. Most classes are free and all articles appear in the Chamber’s Peoria Progress newspaper.
Member Services
Worker Compensation: All Peoria Chamber members are encouraged to join the Chamber’s SCF Arizona Association plan. By joining, the member business may qualify for bonus dividends, which may be substantial, based on experience and annual premium. Enrollment is easy and it doesn’t cost extra premium dollars.
New Member Orientation: Each month all new members are invited to come for a free lunch and beneficial “re-education.” This is an opportunity to create bonds with other new members, gain added information about a service or feature of the Chamber, and eat a tasty meal.
Ambassadors: Every member may join the Ambassadors group and assist with welcoming new businesses to the community. The Ambassadors help with ribbon cuttings, open houses and grand openings. They also greet members at chamber activities, volunteer at events, and contact new members, while providing valuable information to our new members.
Ribbon Cuttings & Groundbreaking Ceremonies: As a Peoria Chamber member you can request a ribbon cutting ceremony. We will bring the crowd, the ribbon, the scissors and the photographer. The service is free. The Chamber will add the picture of your event to the Chamber newspaper and submit the photo to local newspapers.
Conference Facilities: The Chamber provides an APS Conference Room with seating for approximately twenty. If you need to hold a meeting in a business setting, with coffee, water and soda provided, call the Chamber.
Peacock Toastmasters: Every Thursday at 7:30 a.m. the Peacock Toastmasters meet in the Peoria Chamber’s APS Conference Room. All members are invited to come and learn how to give a speech or hone that “elevator speech” for the next presentation.
Committee Membership: All Peoria Chamber members are encouraged to serve on the Military Affairs Committee, Ambassadors’ Committee, Networking Committee or Governmental Affairs Committee.
Event Committees: Throughout the year there are fundraising activities, specific educational opportunities and activities like golf or mixers that need volunteers. You can become more involved and meet new contacts.
Sponsorships: Any Chamber member may become a sponsor for such things as a luncheon or mixer, an advertiser in this guide or on the website, or assist to offset expenses in marketing Peoria to baseball fans in Seattle or San Diego. In all cases, sponsors will receive business recognition with placement in brochures, website, newspapers, handouts and periodicals. Ask the Chamber about opportunities.
The investment to become a Peoria Chamber member varies by business size. To learn more, please call 623-979-3601, or go to www.peoriachamber.com. Membership is cost-effective. Your benefits will begin within minutes of joining.
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