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The Gabriola Island Chamber of Commerce: How and Why to Join

The Chamber of Commerce is an excellent way to stay connected to other businesses on the island and around BC. By becoming part of the business environment on Gabriola, businesses can learn from each other and share thoughts and ideas. Lots of members partner their services, helping to broaden their reach and strengthen their business opportunities.

Benefits include not only those listed below, but much more.

Basic membership ($125/year) includes a basic listing which includes your business information, a write up and a hot link to your email address. You'll automatically get our weekly newsletter where you will find articles on business issues, courses available to Chamber members, local news and activities and info on new and renewing members. This option also entitles you to make submissions to the newsletter and each week you will have the newsletter (or notice of) delivered straight to you via email. Your listing also appears under your choice of up to three selected categories found under the "Shops and services" tab.

Referrals are a big part of what we do. At the Visitor Centre, by email and by phone. Local residents, businesses, and visitors often contact us seeking information on everything from where to stay, where to shop, where to eat and recreation opportunities. Also services such a plumbing, shopping, computer services, home maintenance, artisans, real estate, and wedding services such as catering and photography.

Website link ($25/year) gives you a hot link from your membership listing on the Chamber site to your own website.

Racking ($50/year) allows for racking of your brochures at the Info Centre. These brochures are also included when packages are mailed out to prospective visitors or new residents.

Photo option ($50/year) allows you to place the pic of your choice next to your membership listing.

Please call Carol Ramsay, Manager of the Gabriola Island Chamber of Commerce for more information on how to join. Carol can be reached at 250 247 9332 or at her home office at 250 247 9235.

For an explanation of The Chamber''s Group Insurance Plan please visit the BC Chamber of Commerce.

2011 Chamber Member Benefits

VERSAPAY
1.65% on Visa credit receipts $100
1.65% on MasterCard credit receipts $100
$0.07 on Interac Direct Payment receipts.

CEG ENERGY OPTIONS INC.
Unbundling program provides all commercial customers with the option of a guaranteed fixed
gas price for 5 years and savings of 10% to 50% on longer term price options. Not available on
Vancouver Island and in both North Western and North Eastern BC.

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE GROUP INSURANCE PLAN
Covers all industries including one person firms, home businesses and farms. Possible benefits
include life, health, dental and travel care insurance, vision care, short and long term disability,
business overhead benefits and many others. Guaranteed renewable contract and fully pooled
price stability.

ESSO IMPERIAL OIL
3.0 cents per litre discount on fuel, oil, top-up fluids and car wash for each Canadian purchase
at any Esso Service Station, with a minimum purchase of $1500 or 3000 litres per year.

HUSKY/MOHAWK
3.5 cents per litre discount on all fuel purchases at any Husky or Mohawk location, with no
minimum purchase required. Single invoice for all Husky and Mohawk purchases.

PAYWORKS
Basic Run Charge of $10 and a one-time only fee of $25, along with a $1 charge per Direct
Deposit or Cheque. Integration with Chamber Group Insurance Plan and easy entry of payroll
via phone, fax or online.

PRIMUS
3.5 cents per minute for long distance calls anywhere in Canada and the US, 25-75% savings
on Talkbroadband for as low as $27.95 per month and Online Data Backup for as low as
$4.95 per month. DSL Bundles
.
ROGERS WIRELESS
5% and 10% discounts on hardware and other special pricing options.

SHELL
2.5 cents per litre discount on the posted pump price for your gasoline and diesel retail
purchases with the Shell Commercial Card.

PETRO CANADA
2 cents per litre discount on all grades of gasoline and diesel, with a minimum purchase of
200 litres per month, and a 5% discount on vehicle propane purchased at PetroCanada retail
service stations.

TD MERCHANT SERVICES/FIRST DATA INTERNATIONAL
1.69% on Visa credit receipts, 1.79% on MasterCard credit receipts and $0.09 on Interac
Direct Payment receipts--all with electronic deposits. No application fee.
Please contact the Gabriola Chamber of Commerce for information on how to access these benefits.

The Real Value of Chamber Membership

Advocates of Chambers of Commerce have long believed that when a company is active in its local chamber, it is doing the right thing not only for the community but for its own success as well. While there is plenty of evidence to show the impact of chambers of commerce on their communities, it is much harder to find data that quantify the impact of belonging to a chamber.  A recent study commissioned by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives* conducted a survey to determine the real value to companies in terms of consumer outcomes of joining and being active in their local chamber of commerce. Do consumers really support businesses because they are chamber members?

A sampling of some of these results proves this to be the case.

Most consumers (59%) think that being active in the local chamber of commerce is an effective business strategy overall. It is 29% more effective, however, for communicating to consumers that a company uses good business practices and 26% more effective for communicating that a business is reputable.

If a company shows that it is highly involved in its local chamber (e.g., sits on the chamber board), consumers are 12% more likely to think that its products stack up better against its competition.

When a consumer thinks that a company’s products stack up better against the competition because the company is highly involved in its local chamber of commerce, it is because he or she infers that the company is trustworthy, involved in the community, and is an industry leader.

When consumers know that a restaurant franchise is a member of the chamber of commerce, they are 40% more likely to eat at the franchise in the next few months.

When consumers know that an insurance company is a member of the chamber of commerce, they are 43% more likely to consider buying insurance from it.

When consumers know that a small business is a member of the chamber of commerce, they are 44% more likely to think favorably of it and 63% more likely to purchase goods or services from the company in the future.

The conclusion is clear: A membership in the Chamber of Commerce has real value for your business.

* The Real Value of Joining a Local Chamber of Commerce A Research Study –   The Schapiro Group, 2002