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Membership Benefits

Networking
Networking is powerful. Making connections in the community can create partnerships that help your business or organization.
 
Expand your business network through the Chamber.

Attend Caffeinate & Connect and Business After Hours
Caffeinate & Connect is a monthly event for Chamber members hosted by a different Chamber member each month. Featuring breakfast treats and coffee, the event is a way for members to share what they have going on and hear from others. It begins at 7:30 a.m. on the first Friday of every month (unless noted otherwise), starting with an open time to socialize, then concludes with each attendee introducing themselves and their happenings.
 
Business After Hours events are scheduled early evenings to give members an opportunity to network or learn more about a specific topic.

Young Professionals
Streator has a vibrant group of young professionals. Known as YoPro, this group is geared to community members younger than 40 years old across many professions. This group gives the next generation of leaders an opportunity to network, gain exposure, learn from peers and become more active members within their community.
Promotion

The Chamber is the community’s biggest cheerleader. We want to gain as much exposure for your business and our community as possible.

Being a Chamber member means you are listed in our online directory and in our printed Chamber guide directory (that is distributed through The Times newspaper and in additional copies handed out at businesses.)

The Chamber has an active social media presence, highlighting its members.

Billboard advertising
The Chamber offers discounted rates for billboard advertising on the electronic display at the corner of Frech and Bloomington streets. This high visibility display runs Monday - Sunday at a minimum of 150 times per day (averaging at least six displays per hour). Reservations are first come, first served and subject to availability. Payment is due within five days of the reservation request: unpaid reservations may be released to another member. Members may use up to six weeks per quarter, individually or consecutively. 

Ribbon cuttings
The Chamber welcomes new businesses or businesses with new locations with ribbon cutting ceremonies. The ribbon cutting ceremony photo is shared on social media, through a Chamber eblast and with local media. This exposure helps new businesses and businesses changing locations get the word out. 


Member of the month
The Chamber celebrates a Member of the Month to highlight achievements or outstanding service from its members. This recognition is celebrated with a photo and award ceremony. The photo is shared on social media, through an eblast and with local media, giving that business or organization recognition.

E-blasts
E-blasts are an important way for members to communicate their happenings to other Chamber members. This network of more than 300 email addresses allows for Chamber members to be engaged with what's happening as well as share their own materials. This is a free service from the Chamber to its members.

Referrals

The Chamber receives phone calls and requests often for information on local restaurants, businesses and events. We respond to these inquiries with referrals to our members and encourage our members to also refer their fellow chamber members when asked similar questions. We are proud to refer our members to first-time visitors or even long-time residents of the area.

Sponsorship opportunities
We are always striving to provide the best resources and opportunities to our members. Events like our annual dinner, annual golf outing, bowling challenge and Casino Night are all available for our members to take advantage of and make new connections, as well as gain business exposure.

Business Development
The Chamber helps prospective businesses if they have any questions about the process or the community. It also helps development with educational programming, such as AI training and grant writing workshops, in order to help them grow. The Chamber partners with the Streator Incubator to promote a space where businesses can grow.
Advocacy
The Chamber interacts with governmental officials on a national, state and local level. The Chamber can connect these local government officials with its members as well as bring issues or questions to them on the members' behalf.
Community
Chamber members have the opportunity to serve on our ambassador or fundraising committees and make their voices heard on things like planning events, membership services and educating our members and our community. All Chamber members, regardless of level, also have the opportunity to serve on our Board of Directors if nominated and elected.
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