Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center The Nation s Summer Capital Membership Information Established 1940 501 Rehoboth Avenue P.O. Box 216 Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 Member Hotline 302-227-6446 800-441-1329 FAX 302-227-8351 rehoboth@beach-fun.com www.beach-fun.com Follow us on Twitter or Fan us on Facebook
Our Invitation To You Reasons to Join Our Membership Dear Prospective Member, Basic Membership Includes... The State s largest local Chamber is extending a membership invitation to you. Our full time, year round staff in both the visitors center and administrative office works to organize programs that benefit business, the community and visitor. We market the resort through Mid-Atlantic Carol Driving the Chamber s Electric Car destination advertisement, greet thousands of visitors, answer thousands of questions, and act as a referral service for 1,300 businesses. The Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center is a powerful voice responding to issues of legislation at all levels. Chamber legislative representatives act as the voice of business at Legislative Hall. Members meet throughout the year, are provided with newsletters, invited on a regular basis to business after hours networking events and depend on the Chamber for unity. A listing of additional reasons why to choose the area s most talked about Chamber is on the following pages, along with several member comments. You can apply to become a member by completing the form on the back of this booklet or online at Beach-Fun.com. Our members are working together to improve the economic and civic vitality of the community. We hope you join us! Sincerely, Carol Everhart CEO/President Inclusion on website membership directory located on Beach-Fun.com Individual listing in printed membership directory Spotlight feature in Focus On newsletter (included in 4,000 copies of the Cape Gazette newspaper) Rack distribution space for your product in the Visitors Center Referral of our members by staff 7 days a week Use of the Chamber s comprehensive website to post your specials, packages, and promotions plus calendar of events page Use of Chamber s website to post employment opportunities on Beach Job Board Complimentary copy of the Delaware Today Magazine, Morning Star Business Report, and Chamber Focus On Newsletter Member Key Tag that offers nearly 200 Member 2 Member discounts Current demographics, accommodation occupancy counts & visitation statistics Ribbon cutting & special celebration ceremonies Open participation in networking events such as: Business After Hours, General Membership Meetings, Young Professionals & Speed Networking 2 3
Additional Benefits Facts & Figures As a member of the 501c6 non-profit Chamber, your membership fee is tax deductible as a business expense. 24 hour automated phone service & referral. Chamber is the major marketing arm for the Resort Area and offers discount advertising opportunities to members. Utility savings through Members Electric Buying Group. To date this service has saved members over 1 million dollars! Discounted member mailing services. Events & Special Projects involvement include: Business After Hours Candidates Forums Fall & Spring Sidewalk Sales General Membership & Award Meetings Green Force Meetings Holiday Happenings Hospitality & Leadership Seminars Merchant s Attics Ribbon Cuttings Sand Dollar Savings Program Sandcastle Contest Sea Witch Halloween Festival Trade Show What is the official geographic territory serviced by the Chamber? The official service territory includes the 19971 zip code area, which runs from Midway on Route One to Downtown Rehoboth into Dewey and to the Indian River Bridge. The Chamber actively seeks membership with all establishments doing business within this geographic area. Any business is welcome to join both inside and outside this area. For the purpose of business membership location counts, geographic territories are defined as follows: For the purposes of membership counts & demographics, the geographic boundaries of Route One, Downtown, Dewey Beach and Other are defined as follows: Route One: Midway to the Y split at 1 & 1A Downtown: The Y split at 1 & 1A to beach and adjacent blocks Dewey: The split at 1 & 1A to the Indian River Bridge Other: Any location not listed in above categories How do businesses located outside the Chamber s designated service area become members? Many businesses weigh the services offered by various Chambers and choose to submit an application of membership to the Chamber. Numerous businesses select to join several Chambers when the services offered make good advertisement, information distribution and/or business sense. Chuck Snyder Photo Legislative Candidates Forum Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies Internet leads/telephone requests/vacation information requests. An average of 200,000+ requests for area information and member s promotional product are mailed via the Chamber s mailing services annually. Website Statistics -- www.beach-fun.com Web statistics reported in the monthly Focus On newsletter - both in print and online. Additional website features include current calendar of events with member submission form, option to order a Visitors Guide, posting of Chamber publications, photo gallery & videos, specials/promotions page, beach job listings, banners and more! 4 5
Positive Points Resort Area & Chamber Awards Member Comments The Chamber s partnership with Allen Insurance s Guarantee Issue Program Health Coverage provided me with coverage when no one else would. Elona Shaffert Creatable Crafts The Chamber s Electric Buying Group has saved us money to re-invest in our business. Dennis Diehl just COMFORT shoes Our Chamber of Commerce membership is invaluable and provides a partner that we can reinvest with and help promote the community. Scott D. Swingle WSFS Bank Our longtime membership in the Chamber of Commerce has yielded valuable dividends. The Chamber s work to improve our community benefits everyone. Bob Moore The Bellmoor We placed the video from the Chamber s website on You Tube with great results. Kathy Newcomb Coldwell Banker Resort Realty PortraitsInTheSand.com 2012 Chamber Board of Directors Representation American Business Association American Chamber of Commerce Executives Better Business Bureau CIEE - Council on International Educational Exchange DE State Chamber of Commerce DE Tourism Alliance Dewey Beach Business Partnership ISOP-Intl. Student Outreach Program Junior Achievement of Delaware Rehoboth Railroad Station Preservation Society Rehoboth Convention Hall and Special Events Committee Rehoboth Art League Rehoboth Main Street Rehoboth Beach Fire Department Rehoboth Beach Historical Society Reunion Friendly Network Southern Delaware Tourism Sussex Economic Development Advisory Committee (SEDAC) Travel Industry Assoc. of America Tourism Works for America U.S. Chamber of Commerce Resort Area Awards AARP Dream City Readers Digest Americas Favorite Named a 2006 Top Restored Beach by American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (asbpa) Sherman s Travel s Top 10 American Boardwalks National Geographic s Top 10 U.S. Boardwalks Southern Living s Top 10 Budget Getaways Rehoboth & Dewey Beach Receive National Recognition as Five-Star Beaches by the National Resources Defense Council for Superior Water Quality Delmarva Beaches Voted Among Cleanest in the Nation Forbe s Magazine s Traveler No. 4 on Top Boardwalks List Rehoboth Beach Voted Best Beach for the 2010 Express Best Of Contest Rehoboth Beach shares the vote with Bethany Beach for America s Best Boardwalk by the American Profile Magazine Rehoboth Beach selected as one of the Top 10 Best U.S. Beaches for Families in the nation by the Family Vacation Critic Chamber of Commerce Awards Governor s Tourism Award for Quality Service Governor s Tourism Award for Tourism Awareness Governor s Tourism Award for Public Sector Program Governor s Tourism Award Outstanding Special Event Governor s Tourism Award Annual Hall of Fame Event Special Events Directory & Events Business News Top 250 Events Five Time Winner of the American Bus Association s Top 100 Events in 1993, 1996, 2003, 2009 & 2012 Delaware Today s Best Annual Event 2004 (Sea Witch) Delaware Today s Best Business Networking Group 2005 6 7
Invitation to Membership We accept the Chamber s challenge to promote business, tourism and civic responsibility. Business Name (to be shown in print) Contact Person Voting Member Business Address (physical location - to be shown in print) City State Zip Business Mailing Address (if different from above) City State Zip Phone Numbers (please include area code) Business (to be shown in print) Home Number Cell Fax Check to Receive Chamber/Member Notices by Fax or Email Email Address Web Address Business Description (describe the product or service you provide) Business Category (select one) Accommodation Real Estate Restaurant/Eatery Retail Service Attraction Patron Member General Information (used for legislative & demographics) No. of Employees (avg) Sq. Footage Open Year Round? YES NO If no, dates open Services Please mark if you want to be contacted about services. Yes or No Member to Member Discount (optional) SIGNATURE Date Chamber Rep Note: Signature acknowledges ownership of required business license(s). For Chamber Use ONLY GEO LOC Downtown Route 1 Dewey Lewes Other Publication Sub-Category (select from a current option) Check the type of membership and amount: Business ($210.00) Non Profit ($110.00) Patron ($110.00) Check # VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC Cash Date Applications are reviewed by the Board of Directors once a month; notification of approval will be made via mail. If you have any questions or would like assistance in completing the application, please contact the Chamber staff at 302-227-6446. 6/14/2012