Marketing Opportunities
Marketing
your business through Your Chamber is cost-effective and it works.
Direct mail companies charge hundreds of dollars for targeted mailing
lists, but even those can be hit or miss. When you market via the
Chamber, you pay a modest fee to access member organizations and
individuals who are already predisposed to purchase your goods or
services.
And
it's effective. But don't take our word for it--listen to what our
members are saying. "I have built a new business by marketing with the GREATER Chamber," comments Bill Flynn, President of Flynn Video Services. "It’s amazing--minutes after the GREATER Chamber sent out the latest bulletin that I sponsored, I got an inquiry about my service." "Whenever I do anything with the Chamber, I always get a new
client," states Emily Cameron, Personal Coach for Focus Coaching.
Below
is a listing of the marketing opportunities available to you as
a member of the GREATER Chamber. Sponsorships are sold on a first-come,
first-served basis. Prices listed are for sponsorship only and may
or may not include the cost to attend events. Prices are subject
to change.
Sponsorship
Opportunities
Cornerstone
Contributor Program
The pinnacle of sponsorship opportunities is the Chamber's Cornerstone
Contributor Program. Members are recognized for their continued
support of the Chamber and its mission. Limited to six participants,
Cornerstone Contributors are listed as sponsors of the Chamber's
Annual Business Plan with a special logo showcasing all six members.
These logos are included on all printed and electronic communication
including the Calendar of Events,
INPRINT, and the Chamber's website for the year. A poster
featuring all six logos is displayed in the Chamber office and at
all events. A plaque is updated on an annual basis and is displayed
in the Chamber office.
Staff contact:
Chamber
President
Cost:
$6,000 (Limited to 6)
Connections
ETC
The largest trade show in Prince William County, this blockbuster
event highlights our members and the exploding growth of the area. This sellout event is held annually in October
at the Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center at George Mason University,
Prince William Campus. This formal "pipe-and-drape" trade show has become a Chamber
trademark event! Registration is available online at www.pwcgmcc.org.
Staff
contact: Membership
& Sales Director
Cost:
$3500 Main Sponsor (Limited to 4)
Members:
$350 to exhibit; Non-members:
$700 to exhibit
Virtual Bus Tour
An annual breakfast held in June, the Virtual Bus Tour highlights newly constructed commercial properties for sale or lease in Prince William County and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park by means of a slideshow containing spectacular aerial and ground photography. Each attendee also receives a printed "Tour Guide" describing the properties.
Staff contact:
Chamber
President
Cost: Varies annually
Polar
Bear Scramble
The Polar Bear Scramble, held annually, raises money for the Chamber's Scholarship Program. Members and their guests enjoy the kickoff of golfing season at
this event traditionally held in March and consisting of an afternoon
of nine-hole Captain's Choice golf and lunch.
Staff
contact: Chamber
President
Cost:
$1,000 Main Event, other sponsorships range from $150 - $500
"Pat
on the Back"
As part of "March Member Appreciation Month," every member
is given a token of appreciation for their support on or around
St. Patrick's Day. Sponsorship of this event is a great way to get
your name out to the entire membership!
Staff
contact: Membership
& Sales Director
Cost:
Varies annually
Meet the Media
Meet representatives from local media outlets over and learn first-hand how to get publicity for your organization or events, write press releases or place paid advertisements. Each attendee receives continental breakfast and a free up-to-date media guide.
Staff contact:
PR & Events Director
Cost:
$400 (Limited to 6)
Annual Dinner Dance
The Annual Dinner Dance is a formal and festive evening in June
that celebrates the conclusion of the existing Chamber year and
launches the new Chamber year with the installation of officers.
Sponsors' names are included on invitations and programs, in the
Calendar of Events, INPRINT, What's
Happening, on a display board and projected on screen at
the event itself. Sponsors are also featured in all pre- and post-event
publicity and on the Chamber's website.
Staff contact:
Membership &
Sales Director
Cost:
$4,000 for Main Sponsor and other levels range from $500 - $4,000
Business Before Hours and After Hours
As the most popular networking events, attending these hour-long
morning and hour-and-a half-long afternoon functions is an excellent way to make valuable
contacts. Event hosts personally showcase their businesses to attendees.
Hosts/sponsors are listed in the Calendar
of Events, INPRINT, What's Happening, on the Chamber's website
and in all pre- and post-event publicity. Hosts/Sponsors are required
to send out their own invitations and are provided a complimentary
set of mailing labels or the Chamber will create and send an E-invitation
via email and fax to all members three weeks prior to the event
for a nominal fee. Opportunities to host are limited and are routinely
booked six to eight months in advance.
Staff contact:
Membership & Events
Coordinator
Cost to Sponsor:
Responsible for mailing invitations or financing e-invitations and for providing appropriate refreshments at the event.
Cost
for E-Invitation: $200
New
Member Orientation
This quarterly event is an opportunity for both new and veteran
members to learn about the Chamber and how to utilize their membership
for maximum benefit. The sponsor's name appears on invitations,
Calendar of Events, INPRINT, What's
Happening, pre- and post-event publicity and on handouts
distributed at the event. The sponsor is also encouraged to provide
a flyer to be included in the handouts, provided a display table
at the event, included in the agenda to make a 3-5 minute presentation
about their company or organization and hand out brochures.
Staff
contact: Membership
& Sales Director
Cost to Sponsor:
$400
Monthly
Breakfasts and Luncheons
The sponsor is included in the event agenda and has an exclusive
opportunity to speak for three minutes to the attendees and to place
literature at each place setting. The sponsor is also offered a display
table near the Chamber registration table at the event on which
to promote their business or organization. The sponsor is listed
in the Calendar of Events, INPRINT,
What's Happening, the Chamber's Message-on-Hold telephone
system and in all pre- and post-event publicity. Scheduling is on
a first-come, first-served basis and the cost to sponsor may vary.
Some luncheons/breakfasts have an established theme and are held
around the same time each year. Below are listed some examples:
Cost to sponsor most monthly breakfasts/luncheons: $450.00
Industry-Themed Luncheon. The January luncheon is designed to highlight
different segments of the membership such as health and fitness, recreation or technology. Members in related industries are invited
to exhibit and provide information and door prizes.
Staff contact:
Membership &
Sales Director
Legislative
Kick-off or Wrap-up Breakfast. Twice each year, the Chamber
invites local representatives of Virginia's General Assembly to
breakfast. The Kick-off breakfast is held in January to present
the Chamber's joint Legislative Agenda package to elected officials
before the General Assembly convenes in Richmond. The Wrap-up
breakfast is held at the conclusion of the session, typically
in March, to brief members about political issues of interest
to local business. These events are jointly sponsored by the Prince
William Regional Chamber.
Staff contact:
Chamber
President
Community
Showcase Luncheon. The Community Showcase luncheon is held
annually in February to provide member nonprofits the opportunity to
exhibit and inform the membership about their mission and programs.
More than 20 nonprofits eagerly participate each year. The Shelley
Krasnow Community Service Award is also presented at this event.
Staff contact:
Membership
& Sales Director
Education
Honor Roll Breakfast. Honoring the contributions of local
education leaders each April was the inspiration for this event.
Invited representatives from the three school districts include
school superintendents and award-winning teachers. The Chamber
also invites its annual college scholarship awardees.
Staff contact:
Membership &
Sales Director
Annual "Excellence
in Business" Awards Luncheon. The Chamber membership
recognizes the outstanding contributions of its peers each year
in May. With numerous awards presented, including "Business
of the Year," "Member of the Year" and "Rookie
of the Year," many member organizations opt to bring their
entire staff to share the suspense as the winning name is revealed
and the honor of being recognized.
Staff contact:
Membership &
Sales Director
July
Networking Breakfast. "A pure networking opportunity"
at which members and prospective members gather at a "summery"
location to exchange information and leads.
Staff
Contact: Membership
& Sales Director
Arts
Alive! Gala
The Arts Alive! event consists of a semi-formal evening reception and dinner and is designed to provide member
arts organizations the opportunity to showcase their work at a
membership function and to open the fall performance season. Performing
and visual arts members alike are invited to exhibit at this entertaining
event.
Staff contact:
PR & Events Director
Cost to Sponsor: $850
Cuisine
de Commerce Luncheon
An annual "potluck" luncheon held
in November at which member restaurants, caterers and gourmet
and specialty shops contribute their signature entrees, appetizers,
desserts and much more. This tasty event attracts more than 200
attendees each year and proceeds support the Chamber's annual
Shelley Krasnow Community Service Award.
Staff contact:
PR & Events Director
Cost to Sponsor: Varies annually
Silent
Auction Luncheon
Held in December with a holiday shopping
theme, the Silent Auction luncheon has become one of the most
popular of the year with approximately 200 "happy shoppers" in attendance. Donated items ranging from signed lithographs to
golf outings help members get a head start on their holiday shopping.
Members are encouraged to donate items.
Staff contact:
Membership &
Sales Director
Cost to Sponsor: Varies annually
Advertising
Opportunities
Calendar
of Events Insert
The Chamber's events calendar is published six times each year and
includes all scheduled events for a two-month period. Only one advertising
insert is included per issue. The Calendar
of Events is mailed to more than 1,200 members and their
representatives and is included in prospective and new member packets.
Insert:
Member provides 1,300 copies of 8 ½ x 11 flyer on 20 lb.
paper (may be two-sided)
Staff contact:
Membership & Events
Coordinator
Cost:
$500 per issue
Calendar
of Events Display Ad
(See description above.) The Calendar
of Events features only one ad per issue, which is 5"
x 7" and located on the outside back cover for maximum exposure.
Ads must be submitted via email. Of the 1,300 copies
produced, more than 1,200 copies are mailed directly to members
and their representatives and the remainder is included in prospective
and new member packets. The Calendar can also be accessed via the
Chamber's website to further maximize exposure.
Staff contact:
Membership & Events
Coordinator
Cost:
$500 per issue
Business
& Information Directory
One of the benefits of membership is a listing in the Chamber's
annual Business & Information
Directory, our most-requested publication. Advertising opportunities
are available and ad rates are determined yearly. Production on
new directories including ad sales begin in the early spring and
printed directories are distributed around mid-summer.
Staff contact:
Operations Director
Cost:
Advertising rates are determined annually, historically ranging
from $400 to $2,750
INPRINT
INPRINT is the Chamber's
newsletter, published bimonthly as a tabloid supplement to the Manassas
Journal Messenger and distributed to members and newspaper
subscribers. Advertising is limited exclusively to Chamber members.
For information on advertising rates, contact the Manassas Journal
Messenger directly at 703-368-3101. Advertising inserts are sold
through the Chamber office and are limited to 8 per issue.
Staff contact:
PR & Events Director
Inserts:
Member provides 1,500 copies of 8 ½ x 11 flyer on 20 lb.
paper (may be two-sided)
Cost:
$300
Membership
Brochure Wall
Another benefit of membership is the opportunity to display business
cards and promotional materials on the brochure wall located in
the front office of the Chamber. Members of the public, many looking
for relocation information, stop by our convenient Center Street
location every day and Chamber members attending meetings browse
through the materials with interest. To display your company's business
cards and brochures, just drop them off at our front desk.
Staff contact:
Information Coordinator
Cost:
Included in the cost of your annual membership fee
Membership
Brochure Wall Sponsor
This impressive wall, located in the Chamber's foyer, contains 16
premium advertising spots around its perimeter that are available
to lease on an annual basis. In addition to ad space, Brochure Wall
sponsors also receive premium space for their 8 ½" x
11" brochure and a reserved slot for business cards. Sponsorship
runs annually from July 1st through June 30th. Space is limited
and fills up quickly.
Staff contact:
Chamber President
Space Cost:
$595 to reserve
Brown Bag Seminar Series
This program provides Chamber members the opportunity to make a
presentation on a topic that is of general interest to the membership.
These hour-long, informational seminars are intended to help members
improve their businesses or their personal lives. Two sessions are
offered each month and are free to Chamber members and their staff.
This series is a winner for everyone: attendees profit from the
invaluable information derived, while presenters benefit from the
exposure.
Staff contact:
Membership & Events
Coordinator
Cost:
Included in the cost of your annual membership fee
Brown Bag Seminar Series Brochure
The Brown Bag Seminar Series is held twice each month and consists
of free, hour-long seminars on a variety of topics of interest to
businesses and organizations. The programs are arranged six months
in advance and listed in a brochure featuring the sponsor's name
that is distributed to more than 1,100 Chamber members and prospects
and is mentioned on the Chamber's website. The sponsor is also listed
in the Calendar of Events, INPRINT,
What's Happening and all pre- and post-event publicity.
Staff contact:
Membership
& Events Coordinator
Cost:
$750 per six months issue; $375 per three months
Online & Media Opportunities
E-Burst
One of the Chamber's most effective and newest forms of communications
is the E-Burst. This communication simply and succinctly delivers
information regarding upcoming Chamber events, news or other opportunities.
The Chamber emails or faxes at least ten E-Bursts per month to every
member. As E-Burst sponsor, you are entitled to several lines of advertising
copy at the beginning of every E-Burst as well as the opportunity to
include a hyperlink to your website or email address.
Staff contact:
PR & Events Director
Cost:
$400/month
What's Happening
The Chamber's new events bulletin is emailed or faxed every other
Friday to the entire membership. It contains information supplied
by members about their upcoming events. It also serves as a timely
reminder about future Chamber events. As the primary What's
Happening sponsor, you are entitled to several lines of advertising
copy at the beginning of every What's Happening as well as the opportunity to
include a hyperlink to your website or email address. As the secondary What's Happening sponsor, you are entitled to several lines of advertising copy following the primary sponsor. What's
Happening sponsors are also listed in the INPRINT for one
full year.
Staff contact:
PR & Events Director
Cost:
Primary Sponsor: $100/month (two issues); Secondary sponsor: $75/month (two issues)
Other
Promotional Opportunities
Mailing
Labels
Crack-and-peel.
Self-adhesive mailing labels for the entire Chamber membership are
available for purchase.
Staff contact:
Information Coordinator
Cost:
$100 per set
Mailing
Labels on Disk. Mailing labels of the entire Chamber membership
are available on floppy disk. Disk purchasers are entitled to one
full year of unlimited usage with updates as requested for a nominal
fee.
Staff contact:
Information
Coordinator
Cost:
$150 per disk, $25 per update
Networking Connections Sponsor
We offer members the opportunity to network with every member attending a specific event by filling out a self-addressed envelope at the event. We then mail copies of all business cards collected at that event. Your 1/3-page ad is reproduced on our business card mailings.
Staff contact: Information Coordinator
Cost: $300 for three months
Member-To-Member Discount Program
Members can promote their business and help fellow Chamber members save money
by particpating in the Member-To-Members Discount Program. Businesses have the opportunity to advertise their products and services on the GREATER Chamber’s website while fellow Chamber members save by taking advantage of special offers.
Staff contact: PR & Events Director
Cost: $100 for six months; $150 for one year
Searchable
Online Database
Another great benefit of membership is a listing in the Chamber's
searchable online database, the most popular page on our website.
Users can search for your business name or for your company's products
or services, while a list of new members continuously scrolls on
the right side of the page. Your listing provides a free link to
your website and a map directing customers to your door. Additional
keywords can be added to your search protocol, you can link to an
email address and you can insert a business description in the "More
Info" pop-up box for a nominal fee. One sponsor per quarter
can display a company logo, telephone number and address in a banner
ad appearing on every database page.
Staff contact:
Operations Director
Cost:
Basic listing included in the cost of your annual membership fee
25 Additional
keywords: $50; Email address: $25;
Business description: $100
Banner Ad:
$1,500 for three months
Speakers
Bureau List
Members are encouraged to submit their names and areas of expertise
to the Chamber for inclusion on our Speakers Bureau List. This list
is requested by groups and organizations looking for speakers.
Staff contact:
PR & Events Director
Cost:
Included in the cost of your annual membership fee
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