WELCOME PACKET

Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce1204 Park Avenue S • PO Box 249 • Park Rapids, MN 56470

Phone: (218) 732-4111 | Fax: (218) 732-4112 | Toll Free: 800-247-0054

www.parkrapids.com

“A boat on shore issafe, but that’s not what

boats are built for.”

Your commitment and investment in the Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce is deeply appreciated. As a progressive, membership-driven organization we are a successful, influential champion for our members; ensuring individual success and prosperity for the area. Be assured the Chamber will continue to build greater community through our mission of serving, connecting and promoting our members; improving the business climate, offering educational support, and advancing the development of the area.

We are an active chamber that develops members’ growth, providing increased opportunities and value for your membership. We advocate for and unite the business community, convey business interests to policy-makers and advance the region’s economic health.

The Chamber is where business & community connect! With your membership in the Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, you’ve truly done something good for your organization and the greater community. As with anything in life, you get out what you put in, so go ahead; get involved! You will find your efforts to be rewarding and even fun!

WELCOME ABOARD!!

Nicole Lalum, Executive Director

Butch DeLaHunt, President

Why Did I join the Chamber of Commerce? Most importantly, remember that you get out what you put in. Your efforts within the Chamber will directly affect the benefits you reap. And, the benefits of Chamber membership are numerous. Some of them will be more important to you than others, but the main benefits are universal. Chamber membership conveys credibility and stability to your customers. Being a member of the Chamber of Commerce will open the door to many contacts that can help your business grow through the power of referrals and networking.

What does the Chamber of Commerce do? Our Program of Work focuses on our Mission to serve, connect and promote our members. A significant portion of our resources are allocated to tourism marketing, bringing the world to Park Rapids as a top Minnesota Travel Destination. Those visitors are encouraged to patronize our members when they shop, play, eat and stay here. We serve our members through several programs designed to appreciate, educate and advocate for a healthy business climate. Connecting members through our own communication channels, networking events and the Ambassadors is an integral part of our active and engaged membership. Promoting members through tourism marketing, the Love Local campaign, referrals and event sponsorships gives members like you advanced publicity.

Who runs the Chamber of Commerce? The Chamber is operated by a paid staff with the Executive Director reporting to the Board of Directors. Directors are individuals of member businesses elected as representatives of the membership. A legion of engaged members and volunteers ensure the success of the Chamber’s programs.

What do Board members do? Board members set policies and procedures, providing governance, direction and vision for the Chamber of Commerce. They volunteer their time aside from their regular jobs to promote the Chamber’s mission. They attend Chamber and committee meetings and help with Chamber and other community events.

What does the Staff do? The staff handles the day-to-day operations of the Chamber office. This includes most of the tasks necessary to execute our member benefits and Program of Work.

Is the Chamber part of the City, County or a State government office? No. The Chamber of Commerce is a separate entity from government. We are a progressive, membership-driven organization. We work closely with public entities to create an atmosphere where business can thrive.

What is the Chamber’s budget? The budget of the Chamber varies from year to year based on a number of factors. As a non-profit organization, our operating funds come from membership dues, partnerships, sponsorships and fund raisers. The resources invested by members enable the Chamber to develop new customers and clients, new vendors and service providers, business skills, a skilled workforce, a more favorable business climate, peer and professional networks and community presence.

CHAMBER 101

MEMBER BENEFITSChamber members enjoy the credibility that comes from participation in the organization. Consumers and colleagues alike recognize our members’ commitment to collaboration and prosperity in the Park Rapids Lakes Area.

What’s In It For Me? (Top 5 member benefits) • Exposure & Publicity Targeted & affordable advertising and sponsorships are offered to promote your business effectively. Event Sponsorships o Minnesota Bike Opener o 4th of July Parade o Legends & Logging Days o Colordash 5k o Community Tree Lighting Business Directory & Enhanced Listings Website, Blog & Social Media Chamber Connection Newsletter Every Friday News email blast

• Tourism Marketing & Collaboration a) As the official Destination Marketing Organization, we spend a significant amount of our resources to the Park Rapids Lakes Area as a tourist destination. b) The development of recreational amenities attracts visitors. We collaborate with a number of organizations, public entities and private businesses to advance facilities and attractions. o Discovery Guide o Visitor & Tourism Information Center o Happy Pac o Website, Blog & Social Media

• New Business Contacts Networking and engagement in our programs will help your business grow. Networking Events o Ambassador Committee o Morning Buzz o Business After Hours o Cracker Barrels & Roundtables

• Generating Referrals We receive thousands of inquiries and we send them your way! Indirect referrals also happen through our web page, social media, various publications and member-to-member referrals. Website, Blog & Social Media Visitors Center & Chamber Office Lobby Member-to-Member Love Local Campaign o Ca$h Mob o Heart of the Holidays o Marketing Campaign

• Professional Development & Access We offer learning and development opportunities to help you run a smarter, more profitable business. We have resources and experts to call on for business advice. Lunch-N-Learn Series Grow MN! appreciation & retention program Business-to-Business benefits Advocacy for members on local, state & federal levels

Business Listing and Business Page on the Chamber’s Website (www.parkrapids.com): You will have your own landing page containing your information. Video tours of your business, pictures of your staff, and a pinned-Google map to your location are included in the Enhanced Package. Need help setting up your user friendly page? Call the Chamber and we’ll talk you through it, or consider hiring our Chamber Professional for just $25/hr to completely build your Business Page.

Chamber Ribbon Cutting offers a free media opportunity for your business. Celebrate expansions, additions, relocations and more!

Publicity - All new members recognized in a press release to the local media and coverage in our monthly newsletter Chamber Connection.

Networking - New members introduced and given the opportunity to address our membership and share literature about your company, product’s or service through the Morning Buzz.

EVERY FRIDAY NEWS - Weekly E-Newsletter: Jam packed with Chamber & Member News and Press Releases, Events Calendar, Job Postings and articles to help you in business, this communication piece keeps you in the “know.” Members have the opportunity to submit articles about their business via email to be added to the next available edition.

Opportunity to host a Chamber event such as Morning Buzz or Business after Hours (another media opportunity).

Display your Business Information: This is a unique way to promote your business through our Chamber Lobby. You provide the materials, we refer you.

Only Chamber members are listed in our Discovery Guide sent to prospective visitors and new residents. 50,000 are printed and distributed annually.

Our Membership list is only given out to Chamber members, with labels available for only $25.00.

Regular meetings featuring timely topics relative to business today.

Informative workshops and educational seminars.

Chamber Conference Room, available for meeting space.

Referrals: From inquiries received by phone, people relocating to the area, visitors, and by digital & email requests, we send them your way! Indirect referrals also happen through our web page, various publications and member-to-member referrals.

We offer job listings on our website that allows employers to post job openings and potential employees to see what jobs are available.

Discounts - Member-to-Member

MEMBER BENEFITS

CHAMBER STAFF

Nicole LalumExecutive Director Email: nicole@parkrapids.com

Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce1204 Park Avenue South • PO Box 249, Park Rapids, MN 56470

Phone: (218) 732-4111 • Fax: (218) 732-4112Website: www.parkrapids.com

Emma Moore Project Coordinator Email: emma@parkrapids.com

Lynette McFarren Member & Guest Services Agent Email: lynette@parkrapids.com

Teresa Leshovsky Member & Guest Services Agent Email: teresa@parkrapids.com

Shirley PotterBookkeeping Email: accounting@parkrapids.com