Member Benefits

The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce is a key resource for businesses, offering networking and promotional opportunities, along with development and member services, to businesses both large and small. As the voice of the business community, the Chamber helps to shape the business climate in Champaign County.

Networking Opportunities

Annual Gala
This annual gala truly is the highlight of the Chamber year, an opportunity to celebrate the Chamber’s achievements and volunteers, and present the Champaign County’s Most Valuable Citizen of the Year Award.

ATHENA® Award Luncheon
Every spring, this nation-wide program recognizes and honors an individual who assists women in realizing their full leadership potential.

Brown Bag Workshops

Scheduled at noon on the third Tuesday of each month, the series is meant to provide Chamber members with timely information that is applicable to their everyday lives.

Business After Hours
BAH is held the third Thursday of each month from 5:00-7:00 p.m., and hosted by various Chamber member businesses This popular and lively networking opportunity for Chamber members, their employees, and their guests is an event not to be missed.

Chamber Breakfast Series
Breakfasts are held on the second Thursday of each month from 7:15-8:45 a.m., September through November, and February through April. Featured speakers address topics of concern to the business community.

Chamber Committees
Various committees provide opportunities for Chamber members to work beside others with similar interests, and contribute their energies and expertise on projects that benefit the community.

East Central Illinois Business and Consumer Expo
This very popular business expo showcasing over 120 businesses is held in the spring at the Assembly Hall and is open to the public.

Leadership Institute

Gives members the opportunity to identify their strengths as leaders and provides an understanding of the building blocks of leadership within businesses and organizations.

Summer Swing Golf Outing & Picnic
This is one of the Chamber’s most popular networking activities! Annually over 170 golfers participate in this fun-filled summer outing held in the first week in June. There are two sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, and corporate teams can play in either session to vie for the coveted Corporate Cup. The day is capped off with a picnic and festivities in the evening, open to all Chamber members and their guests.

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Promotional Opportunities

Business After Hours
There’s no better place to promote your business than at your own location! Every third Thursday of the month from 5:00-7:00 p.m. the Chamber’s Business After Hours is hosted by a member business and attendance averages 150-200 members each month. 

Champaign County Magazine
A new four-color magazine is produced annually featuring original photography and professionally written stories that will showcase the people, natural beauty, and progressive business climate of Champaign County.

Advertising sales begin late summer of each year, with a publishing date of February. Twelve thousand copies are printed for distribution to business prospects and new residents.

Commerce Connection Newsletter
This Chamber newsletter is distributed to every member business, individual contacts within member businesses, plus city, county, and state officials – approximately 2,400 per issue. Commerce Connection is also distributed as an insert in the Champaign, Urbana, Savoy, Mahomet, and Rantoul editions of The News-Gazette on the second Tuesday of each month – approximately 23,000 households per issue. Thus, the monthly circulation of the Chamber’s Commerce Connection newsletter is over 25,000.

Each newsletter contains information on Chamber activities, issues of concern to members, committee reports, special events, new member updates, and a calendar of events.

Chamber Web Site
The Web site is designed with the benefit of Chamber members in mind, providing Chamber members more opportunity for exposure. Posting jobs, linking to your Web site, and providing a coupon section where members can offer special discounts to the public are just some of the member benefits offered on the Web site. Other benefits include the Business Connect feature, Community Calendar, and the online business directory. There are also numerous advertising possibilities, including banner ads and listing enhancements.

Community Welcome Service
This is a prime marketing opportunity for Chamber members to introduce their products and services to new community residents within a few weeks of their arrival.

East Central Illinois Business and Consumer Expo
This very popular business expo showcasing over 120 businesses is held in the spring at the Assembly Hall and is open to the public.

List of Potential New Residents
Available for pickup at the Chamber office, this is a monthly list of out-of-town callers who have requested a newcomer’s kit be sent to them.

Member-to-Member Discounts
Members may offer free or discounted products and services exclusively to other Chamber members and their employees.

Mailing Labels
Highly effective for sending out your own mailings, you receive up-to-date self-adhesive mailing labels of all Chamber member businesses. Two lists are available. Click here for list descriptions and pricing information.

Membership Decal
Each year members receive a new decal. This decal is a visual display of community support placed at the entrance of members’ businesses. By becoming a member of the Chamber, you are saying that you do business in a professional, ethical manner and that you  care about your community. A version of the decal is also available to display on your business’ Web site.

Membership Directory
A new membership directory is printed annually. An advertising sales campaign is run in the spring, and the directory is distributed to the membership in June.

Additional Promotional Opportunities for New Members Only

• Newsletter Dissertation - New members have the opportunity to include a brief description/profile of their business in the Chamber’s Commerce Connection newsletter. The Commerce Connection, with a circulation of over 25,000, will feature their business in the next issue produced after they join.

• Introduction at Chamber Breakfast - New members are introduced at the first Chamber breakfast they attend, and given an opportunity to say a few words about their business.

• Advertising Discount  - New members qualify to receive a 50% discount off one ad placed in Commerce Connection within the first six months of their join date.

• New Member Designation - Businesses are promoted as new members on a special page on the Chamber's Web site. Also, a flashing 'New' icon appears next to each business listing in the online business directory for 90 days after joining.

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Member Services

New for 2008 - Complimentary Subscription to Inc. Magazine
New and renewing Chamber members will receive a one-year subscription (12 issues) to Inc. magazine, valued at $10*, as a benefit of membership. Inc. has been called the “small-business bible” by many and the Chamber is excited to offer this great new resource. If you are a current subscriber, your subscription will be extended for another year. Please click here for full details.
*This subscription is refundable for its stated value.

Certificates of Origin
Certification of international shipping documents is provided free of charge to Chamber member businesses.

Computer Lab Use
The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce High Tech Edge program computer lab is available for businesses’ training needs. The 20-workstation lab is available Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Chamber members are eligible for a 15 percent discount on the rental fee.

Conference Rooms
Chamber member businesses needing meeting space have access to the small and large conference rooms in the Champaign County Alliance suite. Use of the conference rooms is based on availability and use by the Champaign County Alliance and its subsidiaries.

Drug-Free Illinois Workplace Program
This program assists small businesses with the cost of drug testing. Eligible Chamber member businesses can receive up to $5,000 worth of free drug testing for their employees.

Information and Assistance
The Chamber staff handles an average of 100 calls a day, providing up-to-date business information and referrals, community data and assistance to people with specific questions.

LCD Projector Use
Chamber members can rent an LCD projector for one day with a refundable security deposit. Late fees are charged only if the renter exceeds the 24-hour rental period.

Notary Public
A Chamber staff person is available to provide notary services free-of-charge to Chamber member businesses.

Referrals
Your products and services will be promoted regularly by the Chamber staff in various ways, including the Chamber’s publications, Web site, and events. Also, the Chamber staff handles an average of 100 calls a day, providing up-to-date business information and referrals, community data, and assistance to people with specific questions.

Ribbon Cuttings
Chamber staff are available to be present at your grand opening, open house, or ground breaking. A photograph of your event will be seen by 25,000 community members through the Chamber publication, Commerce Connection, as well as the Chamber’s Web site.

Small Business Counseling
Because eighty percent of the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce membership is characterized as small business, it is important to the vitality of the Chamber and its membership to provide services specific to them. Two entities are available to do so:

• SCORE - SCORE, one of the Chamber’s affiliated organizations, provides one-on-one consultations for small and growing businesses at no charge.

• Small Business Development Center - SBDC coordinates and delivers management programs, technical assistance, and educational programs to small businesses. Services are tailored to meet the unique needs of the existing business owner or manager and potential business owners.

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Development & Service

For the Future
Through its board of directors and active committees, Chamber members participate in long-range planning for the community and promote business formation, growth and retention.

Leadership Training & Service Opportunities
In addition to the Leadership Institute, service on Chamber committees provides opportunities for leadership development and community involvement.

Legislative Advocacy
The Chamber is a non-partisan organization that advances positions on public policy based on thorough, objective research that is consistent  with its mission and will support the Chamber’s goals and vision. As such, the Chamber encourages business-friendly legislation and engages its membership for input on public policy as often as necessary to properly reflect the business community’s position on an issue.

Workforce Development
Members support workforce development initiatives through targeted programs. 

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