Membership

 The mission of the Chamber is to continually increase the economic strength and quality of life in the region by helping members grow and prosper, by supporting existing businesses, and by assisting in attracting and developing new businesses. We do this providing benefits to our members that save them money, bring them new customers, and help educate and train the local workforce. We are constantly seeking more ways that we can support our growing membership.

The Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber is the only organization in the county that advocates on behalf of the business community locally, in Albany and in Washington. We currently have nearly 1000 members, almost half of all the businesses in the county, and are expanding daily. The Chamber encourages businesses to join so that we can build more strength as a buying consortium, and so that we can fairly represent the views and opinions of the business community in Jefferson County. Here are some facts that will give you a better overall understanding of the Chamber.

• The GWNC Chamber has nearly 1000 members, affecting more than 22,000 employees in the North Country
• The GWNC Chamber is a not-for-profit business association, not a government agency or a charitable organization
• Your investment in the GWNC Chamber is a tax deduction for most businesses
• The GWNC Chamber encompasses Watertown and communities throughout Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Oswego counties, and Canada
• The membership consists of 90% small businesses
• The GWNC Chamber has a 6 member full-time team working on your behalf throughout the year
• The GWNC Chamber provides financial savings, networking opportunities, educational programs and a voice in government policy issues for its members
• We hope that you will consider joining the Greater Watertown-North County Chamber of Commerce.

To discuss joining the chamber, please contact the Membership Director at the Chamber Office (315)788-4400 or membership@watertownny.com

Benefits & Services

Chamber Benefits That SAVE YOU $$$

Save On Electricity & Gas
...with the Energy Alliance

Reduced electric and gas rates for all participating Chamber member businesses AND their employees.  Members can sign up anytime and begin saving now.

Save On Insurance
...with the Chamber’s

Health And Dental Insurance: The Chamber offers literally, hundreds of group health insurance plans for small or large employers as well as sole proprietors.  We carry comprehensive plans, PPO’s, EPO’s, high deductibles as well as a number of Medicare supplement plans.  We are constantly researching options from carriers in NY State (Excellus, Emblem, MVP, etc.) that will provide more choices in affordable health coverage for any size business.  We also offer dental plans and an array of life insurance options.   

Save On Advertising
...with Affordable Advertising

Programs: Members can advertise their products and services on the Chamber’s website at www.watertownny.com, which averages over 40,000 visitors monthly! Advertising can also be purchased in the News & Views, the Chamber’s monthly newsletter (distributed to 1300 businesses monthly), the Business Directory/Buyers Guide (3,000-4,000 distributed to members, people relocating to the county, and incoming soldiers and their families at Fort Drum), The Greater Watertown Visitor’s Guide. Advertising with the Chamber is cost effective because ads reach a specific targeted market-the business community.

Save On Promoting
...with Sponsorship Opportunites

The Chamber’s sponsorship program provides members will ways to associate their business with prestigious Chamber events, with a specific return on their investment (varies with each event). We offer sponsorship opportunities for all levels of business.

...with FREE Website Listings

Every Chamber member has a presence in our online membership directory. The database is updated weekly with membership information changes and new membership additions. FREE links are provided to every member’s website, and email addresses are listed.

...with FREE Membership

Directory Listings: Members receive two FREE listings in the annual publication of the Membership Directory/Buyers Guide: alphabetical, contact name and two classified listings by category. The guide is widely distributed to the North Country business community, relocating individuals, families and incoming Ft. Drum soldiers.

...with FREE New Member Profile

When a new member joins the Chamber, a profile of that business is featured in the monthly newsletter, News & Views, at no cost and is distributed to 1300 businesses.

Save On Business Expenses
...with the Chamber’s Bulk Mailing Permit

Chamber members are able to use the Chamber’s Bulk Mailing Permit for mailings of 200 pieces or more. Postage costs are greatly reduced.  For a processing fee, Chamber staff will put the mailing together for you and deliver it to the post office.

...with our Visitor Relocation Packets

The Chamber promotes Jefferson County as a potential business site and a great place to live by providing information to businesses and individuals considering relocating or expanding here.  Packets are available on a limited basis to members for recruiting purposes.

...with Member Discounts On Events

Registration and admission fees are generally discounted for Chamber members.

 ...with FREE Use of the Chamber Meeting Room

The Conference Room is available at no cost to members.

Chamber Benefits That BRING YOU CUSTOMERS

...with Member Referals

The Chamber refers its member businesses in response to thousands of requests for tourism, relocation, and general business information.

...with the Business After Hours

The Chamber’s monthly Business After Hours is the county’s premiere networking event, averaging 200-300 business leaders attending each event. BAH is held at a different location each month, and features a different theme, host and sponsors.  It is a great way to meet potential customers one-on-one and to develop new business contacts, as well as the chance to bring home great prizes!

...with the Chamber’s Business Fair

The Chamber’s Business Fair hosts local businesses that showcase their products and services to local & regional attendees.

Chamber Benefits That PROVIDE EDUCATION & TRAINING

 ...with Business Seminars And Workshops

The Chamber sponsors a regular, on-going schedule of workshops and seminars throughout the year, designed to educate business owners and their employees on essential and up-to-date business skills, provides workforce development training and addresses local issues.

...with the Jefferson Leadership Institute

This educational program provides attendees with an overview of economic and social issues important to the residents of the region.

 ... with the News & Views Monthly Digital Newsletter

The Chamber’s News & Views features timely articles on business and legislative issues, new member profiles, information on events and activities in the area, and more!

 ...with Community & NYS Partnerships

The Chamber works closely with Jefferson Community College, BOCES, Jefferson County Job Development Corporation, Workforce Investment Board, The WorkPlace, The Capital Corridor and the Downtown Business Association to affect curriculum and training programs deemed as needed by the business community

The Chamber is an active member of the statewide chamber association, the Chamber Alliance of New York State.  The Chamber works together with other chambers from throughout the state to change legislation and regulations negatively impacting businesses and to support business friendly legislation.

Chamber Benefits That IMPACT LEGISLATION    

...with Member Surveys

Members can express their opinions on legislative issues that impact their ability to do business in the North Country through the Chamber’s annual membership survey and personal contact with Chamber Directors and staff.  They can directly influence the positions that the Chamber takes on laws and regulations that effect their bottom line.

...with the Government Affairs Committee

The Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee meets monthly, and ALL Chamber members are invited to participate.  The Committee researches and determines the position that the Chamber will take on important business issues.  This opportunity is unique in its influence over policy and its importance to the future of the Chamber.

...with a Direct Line To Legislators

The Chamber has an on-going positive relationship with local, state and federal legislators.  We communicate frequently on all levels, and lobby regularly for the needs of the business community in Northern New York. 

 ...with Membership on the

Business Council: The Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce is an active member of the Business Council of New York, and together with their legislative lobbying experience and in-roads, have helped to repeal the gross receipts tax and other laws and regulations negatively impacting businesses in the North Country.  The Business Council’s annual agenda is reviewed and specific items are accepted as part of our Chamber legislative agenda.

 ...with Membership with the

US Chamber of Commerce: The GWCC is also a member of the US Chamber of Commerce, the business lobbying association in Washington.  We receive guidance in establishing our federal legislative agenda from them. We are a 4-Star Accredited Chamber of Commerce through the US Chamber of Commerce.

For a DOWNLOADBLE BROCHURE  of chamber benefits and services offered to chamber members, click here.

To discuss any of these benefits, please contact the Membership Director at the Chamber Office (315)788-4400 or membership@watertownny.com

Advertising & Sponsorship Opportunities

ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES:

The Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce offers a wide variety of affordable and highly targeted advertising options for any size business. Whatever size business or budget, the Chamber offers incredible advertising and marketing opportunities – Exclusively for Chamber Members! From print to web-based ads, the Chamber can custom design a marketing program to fit any budget. Choose from a variety of unique advertising products that give your business access to potential new customers and provide you a measurable return on your marketing investment. Reach customers in the North Country, potential customers doing business in area and consumers planning to relocate or visit through the GWNC Chamber of Commerce Advertising options.

Here are few of the exciting programs the Chamber has to offer:

Newsletter Advertising: The News & Views Digital Newsletter features a new and different theme that relates and supports our mission and vision each month. A letter from our Chairman of the Board and President of the Chamber begins each newsletter and follows with a showcase of our newly joined members. The newsletter highlights the many featured Chamber Events, specifically our popular networking event, Business After Hours. Business related articles, a calendar of events, and member milestones are some of what makes the Chamber’s digital newsletter an asset to our Chamber members. The newsletter is sent to our entire membership, distributed for requests, displayed at the Chamber, and given to all new members each month.

Directory Advertising: The Chamber’s Membership Directory & Buyers’ Guide is an invaluable resource for the Greater Watertown business community, organizations and government agencies, as well as for thousands of individuals relocating to the North Country. 3000 Directories are distributed each year! We feature an advertising package that includes a print directory ad AND a 12 month online ad on the Chamber’s website. 

Visitor's Guide Advertising: The chamber features a Jefferson County visitors guide which is distributed to information centers, fellow chambers and in every relocation and visitor's packet. The guide features a summer/winter calendar of events, a full color map with advertising space surrounding it, and a detailed guide to attractions, dining, and accommodations for the area.

Website Advertising: Market your business on the Chamber Website! In the available packages you will find a host of marketing opportunities  that will drive consumers to your business. Enhance your Chamber Membership listing on the directory page by drawing extra attention to your listing. Add your logo, a link to YouTube videos, a rotating photo/ad gallery, and much more...

ENHANCED LISTING
Enhanced Member Listings highlight your business in the Business/Member Directory. Stand out among competitors and bring attention to your business.

Enhanced Listings include:

·         Logo: Placed next to your directory information and also in your personal chamber webpage description

·         Special Placement: Your Directory placement will always be at the top of your categories.

·         Results Summary: A short write-up under your directory listing

·         Keywords: Searchable words used by the consumer to search for your business on the website

·         YouTube Video: Add a YouTube video link to directory page

·         Additional Bulleted Information: Additional bulleted highlights placed in your listing area

·         E-brochure Photo Gallery: Place logos, photos, ads, etc. in an automatic scrolling image gallery

·         Map Link: Make it easy to find your place of business

·         Hours of Operation: Customers can ensure they know when to visit your business

·         Business Description:  Ensure your potential customers understand all the things that you provide or do!

Pricing

Only $10/month or $120 per Calendar Year

Website Banner Advertising:

Get more bang for your buck, place an animated banner ad above both your main category and your primary sub-category. This will always be located at the top of every group listing your business is located.

Banner Requirements: If interested, please send your businesses logo, text, photos, etc to marketing@watertownny.com. If providing your own banner, please send a 480 pixels wide by 60 pixels high and provided in GIF format. Banner creation services are available for the first time and $50 for any additional work. Please email marketing@watertownny.com for more details.

For more information on any of the above advertising programs, please contact the Marketing & Sales Department at marketing@watertownny.com or call 315.788.4400

Check out the new Chamber Advertising Opportunities Brochure

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 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:

Whether your business is small, medium or large, the Chamber provides opportunities for you to increase your visibility with a growing number of business decision makers and opinion leaders by sponsoring an event or program.  With sponsorship of Chamber events and programs comes the opportunity to position yourself front and center within the area’s business community. We can also help you plan a year-round sponsorship program that brings even more awareness of your business, its products and services.

See how you can become involved by downloading a copy of Sponsorship Opportunities brochure.  

From Business After Hours sponsorship to sponsorship of our community powerhouses like the Athena & Annual Dinners …The Chamber has something for every size business.