CHAMBER INFORMATION

Membership Benefits

Marketing – The Chamber has a myriad of promotional, event and cooperative advertising opportunities for its members. With a variety of price ranges and services to choose from, there is something for every member business. Discover MPCC's Complete Marketing and Advertising Opportunities

• Chamber Publications – All advertising space is limited to member businesses.
• Relocation Packets
• Lobby Literature Display
• Mailing Labels
• Business-to-Business After-Hours Mixers
• Ribbon Cuttings
• Mixers

Networking – The overwhelming response to the question, “Why did you join the Chamber?” is for the networking opportunities. The Monterey Peninsula is definitely a place where people do business with people they know and trust. The Chamber provides frequent opportunities to connect.

• Business-to-Business After-Hours Mixers provide members the opportunity to mix and exchange information. Mixers are held 7-10 times during the year. Generally held mid-week from 5:30 – 7:30 pm, price of admission is $10 for members and $20 for prospective members, which includes food and beverages.
• Quarterly Member Receptions enable new members to network with each other and learn the latest about the Chamber. Primarily for new members but open to all, meet the staff, meet each other and learn how to make chamber membership work for you. Admission is free and includes an opportunity to introduce your business, learn about low and no-cost services and identify marketing opportunities in an intimate setting.
• Committee Participation gives others the opportunity to see your work ethic first hand. Build lasting and productive relationships.
  Semi-Annual Luncheons focus on membership recognition and meeting your public officials.
• Ribbon Cuttings welcome new businesses to the community. Join the celebration and take advantage of focused networking time.
  

Referrals – Your business has products and services that you want others to utilize. The Chamber provides approximately 40,000 referrals annually. Whether your patron is someone visiting the area or someone who lives and works here, the Chamber staff is ready to refer its members.

• www.mpcc.com, the Chamber’s website, is anticipated to reach over 200,000 unique visitors in 2007 and includes a database of all member business listed alphabetically and by category.
• Incoming Requests -The Chamber receives an average of 40,000 requests each year from walk-ins, calls and emails. Only member businesses are referred.
• ChamberWare membership management software allows staff to inform a member business when their business was referred with any information gathered during the request.
• Annual Membership Directory and Business Guide lists member business alphabetically and by category and has a distribution base of 5,000.
  

Legislative Advocacy – The Chamber works hard to serve as the Voice of Monterey Peninsula business at the local, state and federal levels. Business owners, managers, and employees have little time to stay on top of legislation that could severely impede business operations. A major focus of the Chamber is to review proposed legislation, take a position, and communicate that position to the appropriate governing bodies and its membership.

The strength of this Chamber lies within its membership. Both large and small businesses from most every classification are represented. This diversity helps to shape the positions taken by the Chamber on issues that impact Monterey Peninsula business .

Training and Business Assistance – With a constantly changing economy, legislation, taxes, consumer base, world events and technology, continual training is a must. The Chamber will launch an integrated, comprehensive small business curriculum in January 2008 and immediately offers many ways for member businesses to stay current with the latest trends and skills for business.

• Brown Bag Seminars – Free seminars allow attendees to hear qualified member professionals present a variety of practical topics of interest to business owners, managers and front line employees over lunch. The seminars are held during the lunch hour (12:30pm – 1:30pm) on the second Wednesday of each month.
• Adopt a Business – Provides a member business with expert consultation at no charge from MPCC members for one year.
• S.C.O.R.E. Counseling – The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Service Corps of Retired Executives provides free expert consultation in the Chamber’s conference room. Call Jesse at 831-648-5360 to schedule a complimentary consultation.
• Seminars – The Chamber collaborates with the U.S. Small Business Development Center at Cabrillo College to help businesses expand, develop, obtain financing, promote minority and women owned businesses, and create and retain jobs.
• Interns – California State University at Monterey Bay (CSUMB) has strong business and information technology majors, while the Monterey Institute of International Studies offers Masters degree programs in business and public policy. The Chamber works closely with these fine schools to help match the needs of the business community with educational opportunities for these students.
  

Recognition – Everyone enjoys recognition for the things they do. The Chamber has several ways of showcasing member business for their excellence and commitment.

• Leadership Circle recognizes businesses who give above and beyond their annual membership investment to support the Chamber. Their continued financial support has been instrumental in the Chamber’s growth.
• Member Recognition Luncheon installs the Chamber’s new Chair and Board of Directors. The Chamber also honors long-term members who have reached 2, 5, 10, 15, 20 and above years of continuous membership.
• Annual Awards Dinner recognizes Citizen of the Year and Public Official of the Year and presents the Robert C. Littlefield Award (Chamber Member of the Year) as well as one Business Excellence Award winner as Business of the Year:
• Business Excellence Awards recognizes excellence in business in thirteen categories. Companies and non-profit organizations are independently judged on several criteria, including:
• Goals
  Quality of Product/Service
  Employee Satisfaction
  Customer Satisfaction
  Excellence Results
  Community Involvement
  Chamber Involvement
• Volunteer of the Month recognizes one volunteer member each month for their commitment and contributions. The member receives a Certificate of Appreciation and a Volunteer of the Month profile in ChamberLink and is eligible for the annual Volunteer of the Year award.
  

Discounts – Providing discounts and passing along savings is another example of an organization striving to help its members. As a member, you are encouraged to take advantage of discounts offered by other members, as well as to promote your business and encourage trial by providing a discount limited only to other members.

• Member 2 Member Discount Program manages a provides members with discounts on other member products and services. If you are interested in participating, contact the Chamber office at 831-648-5360.