Introducing our NEW manual:

Show me the (Chamber) Money!

100+ innovative non-dues income
projects, events, tips and techniques
to help boost your Chamber treasury in
tough times — based on what works!

Dear Chamber Executive,

   Challenging economic times have not stopped Chamber fund raising creativity! Our brand-new 42-page reference manual titled Show Me the (Chamber) Money is packed with more than 100 of the most innovative projects, events, tips and fund-raising techniques we’ve uncovered yet.    We’re talking about Chambers netting $2,000 from a spelling bee for grownups, $5,000 from a low-work wine raffle, $7,000 from historic bar-hopping, $10,000 from a simple dining guide, $17,000 from printing logos on a Proud Member Banner, $20,000 from a 52-week gun drawing, $45,000 from a Wild Game Dinner, $100,000 from an annual phone book project — and we’re just scratching the surface. Chambers are roasting sheriffs, giving out free shoes to women, taking “tasteful” pictures of semi-naked businessmen, dancing with stars, racing horses, throwing pies, riding Harleys, inaugurating honorary mayors — and it all translates into lucrative and much-needed non-dues income!
   Our new manual features the best of the best in Chamber fund raising selected from the pages of our Chamber Executive Network newsletter over recent years. It’s fresh information and it does not repeat material from any of our previous manuals. (See sample page below)    Each article gives you a quick overview of the fund raising project, the basic details and a source which makes it easy for you to determine if the idea can work for your Chamber. A table of contents organizes the entries by category. Hyperlinks in the electronic version take you to websites with just a click. I am personally very proud of this book and think you’ll find it well worth the investment!

Dick Hakes, CEN Editor/Publisher
hakes@southslope.net

   Launch a popular, profitable Work-Life Symposium for women

   

Overview:

This Chamber’s Work-Life Symposium for women is a cutting-edge, popular, growing event which is also very profitable, netting the Chamber $10,000+.
   

Details:

Held at a university academic center, about 150 women pay $89 to $99 each to attend this day-long event which features keynote sessions, breakout workshops, a networking breakfast, buffet lunch and a wine reception. Past keynote speakers have been high-ranking female business executives, authors and wellness experts, often of national stature and all of whom donate their time. Topics center on how women can create a healthy work-life balance, deal with career success, embrace change, manage energy and improve mental and physical fitness. The Chamber secures several sponsors from the medical, banking and publishing industries, plus presents an Exhibitor Showcase of 25 vendors who cater to women’s products. Sponsorships range from $1,000 to $5,000 and vendor booth rates are $275 for members, $475 for non-members. Drawings, giveaways and high-quality goody bags complete the day. “People immediately ask when the next symposium will be,” says Chamber VP Marta Rose. Future plans call for the Chamber to expand vendors to 100, attendee numbers to 250 and to add a Chamber BAH to finish up the day which would allow men to become involved as well.
   

Source:

Panama City Beach (Florida) Chamber, 850-235-1159 www.pcbeach.org

   Sponsor a Ten Days in Tosa-style dining promo

   

Overview:

This new twist on a Chamber-member restaurant promotion was a good deal for people who like good food, plus it netted a tidy $3,000+.
   

Details:

By purchasing a $10 card from the Chamber, you could visit any or all 21 participating local restaurants during a special ten-day period, show the card and get a $10 hot deal. It might be $10 off your favorite entrée or bottle of wine, a two-for-one meal offer or some other perk worth at least $10. Details were at www.10daysintosa.com. Sponsors covered most expenses and the Chamber sold 400 cards. Two restaurant chefs got TV exposure, plus major media food critics blogged about it. Another bonus: Five restaurants joined the Chamber just to take part in this promotion.
   

Source:

Wauwatosa (Wisconsin) Chamber, 414-453-2330 www.tosachamber.org

   Search for ‘different’ leads to Wine, Hawgs & Chocolate

   

Overview:

Board volunteer Teri Kropik (seated far right in this photo) wanted to break from a traditional Chamber fund raiser. No dress clothes, raffles nor silent auctions. So she convinced the local Harley-Davidson dealer to open his showroom for Wine, Hawgs & Chocolate.
   

Details:

For $25, members got a souvenir wine glass to sample the pride of five area wineries, plus the best delicacies of six local restaurants. For an extra dollar donated to two Chamber-member charities, they could dip fruit and pretzels in a chocolate fountain. A Chamber-member photographer also shot photos of members seated on a fancy Harley and printed them on the spot. “We netted $3,800 which we thought was good for a first-time event,” says Kropik.
   

Source:

Community Chamber of East Montgomery (Texas) County, 281-354-0051 www.communitychamberemc.com