WHO WE ARE

 

The Clinton Chamber of Commerce is a business advocate organization serving the retail and professional business sectors.

 

The chamber is the front door to the community.  It is a valuable information center distributing maps, lists, referrals, and area demographics on a year-round basis.  The office assists new business entrepreneurs as well as relocating and already established businesspeople and families.

 

The chamber is a voluntary, private, nonprofit organization formed as a problem-solving vehicle.  Its overall mission is to coordinate the concerns and efforts of the business community in improving the business climate of the area.

 

WHO?

The Board of Directors is made up of 15 volunteers from the business arena.  According to chamber bylaws, executive officers are elected each June at the annual meeting.  Board terms are two years, with eight positions filled one year and seven the next.  The chamber office and day-to-day operations are managed by a paid executive director and an assistant.  Board meetings are held twice monthly, and are open to anyone who would like to attend.

 

ACTIVITIES AND COMMITTEES

On a regular basis, the Clinton Chamber of Commerce holds networking opportunities such as Business After Hours, business breakfasts, informational seminars, prepares and publishes the annual community guide, and publishes a monthly newsletter. (Every business known to exist in town receives the newsletter, regardless of whether or not it is a member of the chamber.)  The chamber holds an Annual Business EXPO to which the public is welcomed.  The chamber co-hosts the annual 5K road race in August. It also hosts a series of free outdoor summer concerts.  Other special functions include an annual free concert by the U.S. Coast Guard Band.  The office posts an on-line calendar of communitywide events.  All chamber functions and activities are open to not-yet-members as well.  Functions are publicized in the chamber newsletter, on the chamber’s website at www.clintonct.com and through the local media.

 

The chamber offers access to group-rate health insurance.  Clinton chamber agents are listed on an accompanying page.  You must be a chamber member to participate.

 

The chamber organizes several business/retail promotions as well as cultural activities throughout the year.  In conjunction with other organizations, the chamber arranges townwide holiday decorations, caroling and other special activities in December.  A Thanksgiving retail promotion is also an annual event.

 

Whenever possible, the chamber works with the education system.  This may mean providing a list of business mentors or something as simple as promoting the education Expo.  The chamber assists in whatever capacity it can. The Clinton Chamber of Commerce Robert DiBona Foundation scholarship committee awards  $3,000 in scholarships annually.

 

ADVERTISING WITH THE CHAMBER

The Clinton Chamber of Commerce offers a variety of low-cost ways to advertise and market your business or service.  If you notify the office, space will be reserved for your 8-1/2” X 11” flyer in the monthly newsletter.  You provide 625 copies by the tenth of the month.  Cost is $50 for members, $80 nonmembers.  Space is limited.  Please advise the office if you would like to reserve a month.

 

Advertising in the annual guide is cost-effective and inexpensive.  The guides are produced in the spring and are distributed to residents, tourists, and those individuals and businesses relocating to the area.  It is an excellent vehicle for advertising.

 

 

In addition, advertising in the newsletter with a business card is available for six months at a time.  Cost is $70.  You can also advertise for a year for $125. The newsletter reaches more than 600 offices a month.

 

Members may purchase mailing labels for a nominal fee of $40.  Nonprofits pay $15 and nonmembers $70. The ready-to-use, self-stick mailing labels are generated in-house and the database is current.  .

 

WHAT DOES THE CHAMBER NEED FROM ME?

Your help will be as welcome on a single committee or activity as it would be on several.  Involvement is determined by individual choice.  The chamber is supported almost entirely by its dues paying members.  In addition to personal time and commitment, continuation of the chamber requires payment of dues.

 

WHAT DO I GET FOR MY $$$ WHEN MY BUSINESS JOINS?

Annual dues are based on the number of full- time employees and begin at $135 annually.  The chamber’s fiscal year begins July 1.  Dues are pro-rated at the fiscal mid-year (January).

 

New members receive three months free advertising in the chamber newsletter reaching 625 potential customers a month.   The complete member and nonmember list is available FREE to chamber members whenever they need it.  It is an essential telemarketing tool.

 

ON THE WEB

The Clinton Chamber of Commerce maintains a website at www.clintonct.com Members are listed by company name along with  address and phone.  Listings in the member directory also sort by category and/or alphabet. Only chamber members are included in the on-line directory and if your business has a website, the Clinton Chamber of Commerce provides a free link from its site to yours at NO CHARGE.  

 

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS

Membership in the Clinton Chamber of Commerce is an investment—not a donation.  Our membership dollars add strength to our numbers and to the chamber’s ability to get the job done right.  Chamber membership unites the business spirit.  Through its many committees (retail, service, education, fund-raising) and on-going projects, the chamber works for each of you.

 

HOW TO JOIN

Please call the executive director if you would like more information.  The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 to 3.  Phone (860) 669-3889, e-mail  chamber@clintonct.com or just click HERE and download an application.