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| The Chamber provides members with free formal ribbon-cutting ceremonies. Photo credit: McDuffie Mirror |
Chamber members are provided with invaluable business opportunities and and numerous benefits.
Member benefits include:
Membership Directory
The Chamber is often the first contact for anyone interested in visiting, relocating to or doing business in Thomson-McDuffie County. Chamber members are listed in the Chamber's Membership Directory by name and by business category. All Chamber members receive a Membership Directory. This directory is an excellent tool for identifying other Chamber members for your own needs or the needs of your clients.
Grand Openings and Ribbon Cuttings
The Chamber provides members with a free formal ribbon-cutting ceremony, which can be featured in local newspapers and the Chamber newsletter.
Build a network by developing relationships with other Chamber members. All Chamber programs are designed to give you an opportunity to make new contacts and strengthen existing relationships. The more events you attend and the more actively you participate, the faster and deeper your network will grow.
The nationally recognized workplace program helps businesses maintain healthy and productive workforces and receive a seven percente discount on Workers Compensation Insurance. Drugs Don’t Work also reduces rates for drug screening and Employee Assistance Programs to make establishing your drug-free workplace easy and cost-effective. Drugs Don't Work is a partnership program of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the Georgia Department of Human Resources and the Thomson-McDuffie County Chamber of Commerce. Discount on Dental Insurance Chamber members are offered a five percent premium discount on dental insurance. This is one example of how we use the collective interest of our members to provide better value. Promotional Literature Display The Chamber displays member promotional literature inside our downtown location. Each year the downtown office/visitor center receives many visitors.
Your business is listed in the Chamber's Online Membership Directory, giving you worldwide exposure. Sponsorships Sponsorships are available for many of the Chamber's events. Packages may include promotional materials with company logos and recognition in the Chamber's newsletter. Newcomer's Information Newcomer names and address are provided to Chamber members for a nominal fee. Members may purchase placement of advertising material in all newcomer packets for nominal yearly fee. City/County Maps Maps are printed annually. They are distributed to numerous tourists, residents and businesses. Members may purchase adverising space. County Magazine Chamber magazines are distributed annually. Members may purchase adverising space.
Our quarterly newletter, The Chamber Depot Dispatch, is mailed to the entire Chamber membership and is widely distributed throughtout the community. Members may place appropriate business articles or news in the "Chamber Business News" section.
Chamber Conference Room
The Chamber's Conference Room is available free to members for meetings during the day. Tourist Information The Chamber office serves as a visitor information center and professional business office. It is open year round.
Referrals
The Chamber receives numerous inquires each week from companies and individuals, both inside and outside of Thomson-McDuffie County, seeking referrals for business products and services. Chamber personnel promote and direct visitors to Chamber members first.
Tax Deductions
You may deduct 90 percent of your membership dues as an ordinary and necessary business expense. In compliance with the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, 10 percent of your membership dues are not deductible as a business expense because they are allocable to lobbying expenditures. Consult your accountant for more detail.
