Joining the Glastonbury Chamber is the most solid investment a business can make. Membership with the Chamber gives local business owners and managers access to a variety of unique programs designed to help them network, promote and market their services. Benefits include:
1. Networking
2. Education
3. Visibility
4. Health Insurance
1. NETWORKING
Meeting other Chamber members and business leaders can open the door to many new business opportunities. The Glastonbury Chamber offers a variety of top notch networking programs including the following groups:
Business After Hours - Business After Hours is the Chamber's premier networking event, hosted by a different Chamber member each month. This event allows members to meet, exchange ideas, make important bonds in a comfortable setting, while giving the hosting business an opportunity to showcase their workplace and gain valuable exposure.
Leads Exchange Group - Leads Exchange Group is open to Chamber members and those interested in joining the Chamber. All attendees have a thirty-second opportunity to introduce themselves, explain what their business has to offer and what lead they are looking for.
The group meets on the first and third Thursdays from 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. at Sakura Garden Restaurant located at 120 Hebron Avenue in Eric Town Square.
East of the River Chambers of Commerce Association (ERCCA) - The East of the Rivers Chambers of Commerce Association (ERCCA) was established over 25 years ago and is a coalition of six independent Chambers of Commerce: East Hartford, Glastonbury, Manchester, North Central, South Windsor, and Tolland County. Each Chamber recognizes each other as an equal partner. Corporately, ERCCA represents 28 towns in Eastern Connecticut and more than 35,000 business members
2. EDUCATION
The Chamber offers a multitude of different educational programs to its member throughout the year.
WOW (Women of the Workforce) - Women of the Workforce (WOW) is made up of a group of women who gather to address relevant issues that equip, enlighten, empower and bring balance to a professional woman's life. All "women of the workforce" are invited to the monthly educational and networking programs which are held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month from 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. at Piatti's Ristorante, 1001 Hebron Avenue, Glastonbury.
Sales & Business Development Network is for Chamber members that are in direct sales. The format consists of panel discussions, presentations and sharing of best practices featuring a new topic each month. The group meets on the second Thursday of the month, from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m., at the Irish American Home Society, 132 Commerce Street, Glastonbury. This is a members-only network. Cash bar is available.
Health and Wellness Council - The Chamber Health and Wellness Program, launched in 2007, has taken on the goal to make Glastonbury the healthiest Chamber in Connecticut. A healthier, more fit workforce leads to a more efficient and profitable future for companies of any size. The Living Well in Glastonbury© Program will work to lower the enormous costs associated with lost productivity, absenteeism and the rising cost of health insurance premiums and co-pays. This group will offer quarterly educational programs centered on wellness.
Business Education & Training - The Glastonbury Chamber provides quality business education and professional development luncheons and workshops throughout the year. The topical sessions are based on the changing needs of the members and are often taught by local leading business leaders.
3. VISIBILITY
Sponsorships - The Chamber offers sponsorship opportunities for all of their programs and events. You can view sponsorship opportunities by clicking on each of the programs and events below.
Professional Women's Forum
Glastonbury Wellness Expo
Apple Blossom Open Golf Tournament
Living Well in Glastonbury 5K
Riverfront Music Festival (summer concert series)
Apple Harvest Festival (including festival road races)
Program Sponsorships (for cluster groups, Leads Exchange, and Women of the Workforce)
Chamber Directory - The Membership Resource Directory is the Chamber's annual membership resource guide. Chamber members receive a free listing in two sections: alphabetical and by business category. The directory is distributed to all members, area hotels and new residents to Glastonbury. View the current directory online.
Website - The Glastonbury Chamber website includes an events calendar, news bulletins, feature articles, and an employment section. Member businesses are automatically listed in the Chamber's on-line business directory and can post job openings and internships for free. Advertising on the website is also available.
Newsletter - All members of the Chamber receive a complimentary subscription to the Pulse on Business newsletter, a monthly publication designed to keep members abreast of the latest business news. A directory of new members, a listing of those who have renewed membership, Member News, a member profile and a calendar of upcoming events regularly appear in the publication. The Chamber also features business articles written by Chamber members. View past newsletters.
Referral Service - The Chamber receives phone and e-mail inquiries on a regular basis and makes a standard practice of providing the contact names and phone numbers of members to those looking for referrals to local businesses. The Chamber has made it a policy to refer the general public to member businesses only.
Membership Plaques - Plaques are distributed to all members when they join. The Chamber recommends that members display their plaques in a visible place to show their customers that they have ties to this community-based business association.
Advertising & Marketing Opportunities -The Chamber provides members a variety of creative ways in which to promote their businesses. Members have exclusive access to Chamber mailing lists, sponsorship programs, and promotion in the Pulse on Business newsletter and on the Chamber website. Learn more about all advertising options.
Membership Labels - Computer mailing labels containing the names and addresses of Chamber member businesses are available for purchase ($100) to Chamber members only.
Ribbon Cuttings - The Glastonbury Chamber can coordinate a ribbon cutting ceremony for members opening a new business or relocating office or retail space. A contingent from the Board of Directors and Ambassador Committee will be on hand for a photo opportunity. The Glastonbury Chamber will then send the photograph with a press release to the local newspapers on behalf of the member business. Larger scale ceremonies can be coordinated at the request of the member business. View recent ribbon cuttings.
New Resident Program - An affordable way to promote your business. Each month the Chamber mails a packet of information about the Town of Glastonbury to those who have recently purchased a home. Members can include their coupons, flyers and promotional items in this packet for a small fee, based on the number of packets mailed each month.
Opportunity to bid on the Chamber's outsourced products and services. With the high number of events that the Chamber hosts each year, we are conscious to ensure that our Chamber member businesses are used whenever possible. View the current Request for Proposals below:
Annual Meeting & Dinner
Professional Women's Forum
Apple Blossom Open Golf Tournament
Membership Directory and Resource Guide
Apple Harvest Festival T-Shirts