Since 1917, the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce has been the voice for business in the Joplin area. From a completely volunteer organization promoting the interests of business in a mining boomtown, the Chamber has grown to fourteen professional staff people, working with hundreds of volunteers to positively impact the business climate and quality of life in a growing metropolitan area.
Each business day your Chamber assists small businesses and major industries on issues that affect their ability to survive and grow. As the lead marketing organization, in a unique economic development partnership, your Chamber works to bring new companies to the area, to create a stronger economic base and to provide jobs for area citizens.
Your Chamber works hard with our area schools to improve education, particularly in those areas that will help youth become productive and participating members of the community. With all the benefits to be found in our area, we have no greater asset than our children and no higher calling than to make sure they receive the education needed to achieve their dreams.
Through your Chamber's community development division, work goes on to address direct business issues, particularly in working with local and state government. Transportation, workforce legislation, infrastructure development and other issues directly impacting business are among the topics we address. In addition, efforts are being made through our community development activities to improve the overall look of the city.
Every working day, your Chamber receives telephone and walk-in inquiries about where to find goods and services in the area. In every case, staff refers these requests to Chamber members. At least twice a month, and sometimes more often, your Chamber holds networking events to encourage members to meet and do business with each other. There are a number of workshops and other programs conducted each year to help members be more competitive, find new markets or retain their valuable employees.
The Chamber's Small Business Resource Technology Center and multimedia library is stocked with hand picked tools to assist your business, no matter what the size! The library includes a variety of magazines, newsletters, books, cassettes, manufacturing guides, newspapers and the ever popular FISH video all aimed at helping your business compete in today's market. The Technology Center provides access to CD based training for many popular applications. You can produce flyers, brochures, PowerPoint presentations and much more on the state of the art computer system complete with high-speed internet access, color printer and LCD projector. Your productivity is limited only by your imagination!
Your investment in your Chamber membership means that you're putting your support behind efforts to improve the area's business climate, education and quality of life. We encourage you to make the most of this investment.
Attend networking functions such as Business After Hours and First Friday Coffee. Come and introduce a new employee, product or service to nearly 300 other business people at a quarterly Good Morning Joplin. Take the time to attend a seminar or workshop that will help you or your employees be more effective and efficient in today's business world. Volunteer to serve on one of the many committees that are working on a variety of issues important to the future of this community.
When you invest your membership dollars, you support a great organization. When you invest your time, you benefit your community and your business. Make the most of your membership.