MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS | RECEIVE MEMBER PACKET

• Advertising - Spread your advertising message in Chamber-endorsed pieces, such as the Lake City Street Map and Holiday Coupon Book.  Post a coupon on our website for $100.  ($200 to non-members).  Learn HOW TO POST A COUPON here.   
• FREE Membership List - As a benefit of membership, you can receive a FREE membership listing including participating businesses, representatives, addresses and/or phone numbers. If you would like mailing labels, there is a $10/set fee. This information is NOT PROVIDED TO NON-MEMBERS. 
• FREE Promotional Opportunities - Informational booth space is provided to Chamber Members FREE at Water Ski Days Arts & Crafts Show and the Johnny Appleseed Days Arts & Crafts Show (limited space available, please call for reservations). Parade promotion FREE to all members ($300 fee is charged to non-members). Merchandise, food, raffle tickets, etc are not to be sold at informational booths. 
• E-Newsletter - Over 250 individuals, business and community leaders and receive our monthly newsletter. It includes updates to keep our members informed on the Chamber 's activities, business-related news items and community issues effecting business.  You can include a promotion (for free) if the offer includes a discount for members only.  For $25 you can have a link to your site or to a document.
• Referral Program - Annually, the Chamber answers thousands of calls requesting business and service providers. Shopping Local and driving customers into our member businesses is a priority, we pass on your information to inquirers. In addition, you will be identified on our website.
• FREE Website Promotion & LINK - The Chamber will pass on your name and business information through www.lakecity.org, our community website. If your business/company has a website, we will be happy to link to your site FREE
• FREE INTERNET JOB POSTINGS - Post your job openings on www.lakecity.org. An easy way to entice out-of-town recruits into your business!
• Networking Opportunities - There was a time when everyone in town knew the who and what of everyone else. Today, we need to be more proactive in getting the word out about ourselves and our businesses. Take advantage of Chamber Meetings to pass along your business card, discuss challenges and opportunities with other like businesses, share your ideas and concerns with the business community at large and meet some great people while you're at it!
  Hosting a membership Business After Hours meeting gives you ample opportunity to promote your business or reinforce your presence in the community. Simply agree to take care of the hors d ' oeuvres, and your responsibility is complete! The Chamber will promote your name in association with that meeting by sending postcards or putting you front and center in the newsletter. If you would like, you can also add an additional 15-Minutes of Fame. At the Chamber meeting, we 'll introduce you and your gain, then turn the floor over to you for a brief update on the who, what, when and where 's of your business. It 's fun. It 's easy. And it is one of the most effective ways to promote your business in a small community.
• The Chamber Bucks Program - This program serves as a gift certificate to Lake City. As a member, you will be promoted as a perfect place to spend local money. Now, Chamber Bucks are even easier to use...simply have the presenter sign the back of the voucher , then stamp your For Deposit Only or business stamp right below their name. Deposit the Chamber Bucks at your financial institution the same way you deposit checks written ou to your business. The Chamber Bucks program serves to keep thousands of dollars in our local economy.
• Shop Local Campaign - The Chamber has actively been campaigning for a Shop Local community. In addition to making the Chamber Bucks Program more serious, we have developed several advertising campaigns to drive the message home to our local consumers.
• FREE INCLUSION in Travel/Event Packets - Spread the news about your business to travelers! Include your information in all the travel and group event packets we prepare. Last year, we sent over 1,000 individual travel packets and prepared over 250 group tour packets to event coordinators.
• FREE INCLUSION & PREPARATION of Relocation Packets - Businesses recruiting new employees or individuals looking to relocate to Lake City use the Chamber as their primary resource. We provide packets of information on how to find housing, goods & services and employment opportunities. Use this approach to advertise your business or organization. Or, ask the Chamber to prepare packets for your recruiting needs.
• FREE Event Promotion - Whether you are a business or organization, the Chamber will promote your special event! Simply provide us with the promotional material and we will post it in a highly visible spot. This service is not available to non-members.
• Your Office Assistant - The Chamber Office staff makes copies for 5¢/page (8 1/2 x 11 , one-sided) if we provide the paper and 3¢/page if you provide the paper. Faxing services are available for $1/page to send faxes and FREE receiving of faxes (we receive only for Chamber members).

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  PARTNERSHIPS

Partnerships - Lake City Economic Development Authority, MN Office of Tourism, MN Chamber of Commerce, SE MN Chamber of Commerce, US Chamber of Commerce, Mississippi Valley Partners.

Partnership Programs & Events -  Meet the Candidates (Gov 't/Public Affairs - LC Woman 's Club), Manufacturer 's Week (Chamber - LC Economic Development), 100-Mile Garage Sale (Business Committee - Mississippi Valley Partners), Great River Birding & Nature Festival (Tourism Bureau - National Audubon/MVP), New Resident Welcome Program (Chamber-Welcome Services for You)

  COMMITTEES

Retail Action Committee:  Wake-Up Wednesdays!
Creating powerful cooperative programs is essential for generating enthusiasm, increasing impact, and growing and retaining a strong retail environment. This group develops ideas and executes promotions to achieve the aforementioned result. Additionally, it serves as a round-table to discuss shared challenges and seek retail-oriented educational opportunities. Meetings are held at 8:00 am on the second Wednesday of every month, Call 651-345-4123 for locations.

Tourism Bureau
In an effort to put Lake City "on the map", the City established a lodging tax. The Tourism Bureau oversees the distribution of these funds for advertising, promotion, and encouraging increased tourist traffic. The Bureau consists of three lodgers and two Chamber members at large. The Executive Director serves the Bureau as Secretary/Treasurer. The annual budget for this committee is approximately $30,000/year. (3% tax on overnight stays collected by lodgers--the City keeps 5% of the total collected. The Chamber maintains fiduciary responsibility for the remaining 95%, allowing 5% for administrative costs.)

Board of Directors and Executive Committee
Elected by the membership, the Board of Directors serves as the Chamber 's governing body. The current board and their titles are listed under "About Us." Each year 's Board assumes office at the Annual Meeting in January and meets monthly thereafter from February through the following January. Questions, concerns, ideas and suggestions are welcome. Please help us improve the organization and meet our goals by communicating regularly with your representatives. Board meetings are scheduled for the first Monday of each month, exceptions may be made with prior notification. The Executive Committee includes the four elected officers and the Executive Director. This committee serves to give direction on employee issues, new strategies in organizational policy and issues management.

Finance Committee
This committee ensures all finances are in order, proposed projects meet financial abilities and appropriate budgets are followed. Additionally, this committee provides recommendations to the Board of Directors to establish policy and procedure regarding finances.

Membership Committee
As our membership grows, so do the expectations of our organization. This committee works to ensure our members receive the best return on their investment. Meetings are scheduled quarterly and as needed.

Water Ski Days Committee
Organizing Lake City 's largest festival, this committee is responsible for coordinating entertainment, the carnival, and food and beverage vendors, developing a cohesive and entertaining parade line-up and securing funding for the parade. They also ensure that proper insurance coverage has been acquired, and that utility and sanitation needs are met. This committee will develop promotion and advertising strategies. It partners with other organizations/service providers to create a unique and cohesive Arts & Crafts Fair. The Chamber works with the City of Lake City, as well as the Coast Guard, MNDot, and Goodhue and Wabasha County, to secure necessary permits. Additional agencies include local and county law enforcement to maintain a safe environment for the festival.
WATER SKI DAYS IS HELD ANNUALLY ON THE LAST FULL WEEKEND IN JUNE.

Johnny Appleseed Days Committee
This group of volunteers secures Arts & Crafts and Market participants, coordinates and facilitates the apple pie bake and social, develops advertising, enlists volunteers and prepares the pancake breakfast and ensures ample children 's events. Additionally, this group encourages city-wide activities.
JOHNNY APPLESEED DAYS IS HELD ANNUALLY ON THE FIRST FULL WEEKEND IN OCTOBER.

Thursday Night Street Market Committee
Designed to promote and encourage community fellowship, this group is responsible for securing entertainment and vendors for Thursday Night gatherings from mid-July through the end of August. Held at the marina bathing beach parking lot at Ohuta Park, the Chamber works with the City of Lake City and the Lake City Marina to provide a fun and safe atmosphere.
STREET MARKET RUNS FROM MID-JULY THROUGH THE END OF AUGUST.

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 CONTACT INFO

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Join the Lake City Chamber of Commerce

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