Top 10 reasons to join the Chamber

Referrals: The Chamber receives hundreds of calls each week from people searching for places with whom to do business. Chamber members are given all of these referrals; make sure you're on this list!

Resources: The Daytona Beach/Halifax Area Chamber of Commerce is a fully accredited Chamber with a full time staff with a combined 150+ years of experience in Chamber work, serving members since 1919. We are the largest Chamber in the Halifax Area with over 1,200 businesses.

Advocacy: Your business interests are priority to us; we have a full-time registered lobbyist on staff, and the Legislative Action Committee and Congressional Action Committee groups were formed to serve the interests of our business community. We are not connected to city or county government, but instead serve as an independent business advocate. We regularly survey our members and act upon those results.

US Chamber Membership: The Daytona Beach/Halifax Area Chamber is a fully accredited Chamber, and our members are automatic members of the US Chamber without an additional fee.

Communication: The Halifax Letter, the Chamber's newsletter, is distributed monthly to over 2,000 businesses, and contains member news and events in and around the Halifax Area. The Community Buyers Guide and Relocation Guide, published annually, provides relocation information and Chamber member information. (Advertising opportunities available.)

Community Development: Leadership Daytona, the Educational Committee and Junior Achievement are all Chamber programs committed to the overall development of the community and its future business leaders.

Emergency Operations: The Chamber has worked with the Center for Business Excellence and Emergency Management to form the Business Operations Center (BOC). The team presented the concept to the 2008 Florida Emergency Preparedness Conference in January 2008, with the intention of creating a one-stop assistance center should distaster strike our area. The BOC was created to use our local Chamber members for supplies to ensure a well stimulated local economy in a time of crisis.

Grand Openings & Ribbon Cuttings: Available for Chamber member businesses which have recently opened. We'll bring the big scissors and ribbon and promote your event!

Networking Opportunities: The Chamber provides for its members numerous networking programs and functions including New Member Receptions, held quarterly; monthly Business After Hours, including the "Speed Networking Program"; Weekly Power Lunch Leads Groups, designed to connect businesses and exchange leads; newly instilled "Eggs & Issues" breakfasts to inform the community about governmental issues, and other business seminars and luncheons.

Organizations within the Chamber: Under the Chamber umbrella, we have the Business Development Partnership (separate membership), Leadership Daytona, Daytona Beach Sports Council, Daytona Beach Young Professionals Group, Economic Services Alliance of Volusia and Flagler Counties, Volusia County Association for Responsible Development (VCARD), and the Better Business Council, which handles complaints and inquiries.

Chamber events this week - February 17 - 20

Tonight, February 17 - Business After Hours at The Arena Sports Cafe in downtown Daytona Beach, co-sponsored by the Impact Invitational! 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., the cost to attend is $10 for Chamber members, $35 for guests and future members. 2 drink tickets and food are included with admission. This is a great networking opportunity - bring plenty of business cards for the Speed Networking program! RSVP to 255-0981, ext. 405.

Wednesday, February 18 - The Economic Domino Effect, presented by Volusia League of Cities and VCARD. Panel speakers include Dr. Glenn W. Harrison, UCF; Mr. Larry McKinney, Chamber president; Mr. Ken Parker, Port Orange City Manager, and Dr. Margaret Smith, Superintendent of Volusia County Schools. Registration begins at 11:00 a.m. and the luncheon begins at 11:30 at LPGA International Banquet Center. The cost is $20 per person. RSVP to Mary Curran, 226-0422, ext. 32.

Thursday, February 19 - Daytona Beach Young Professionals Group (YPG) third Thursday networking social at Mariachi restaurant on Beville Road in Daytona Beach. The social will be held from 6 - 8 p.m. and the cost to attend is $5 for YPG members, $10 for non-members, and appetizers and 2 drink tickets are included with admission. These monthly networking socials are a great opportunity to meet the group and to learn about all the programs YPG has to offer!

Friday, February 20 - Break out of your shell...join us for Eggs & Issues! 7:45 a.m. at Indigo Lakes Banquet Center in Daytona Beach, Rep. Dorothy Hukill and Rep. Dwayne Taylor will be discussing their priority items for the upcoming legislative session which begins on March 3rd. The cost of this breakfast is $20 for Chamber members, $25 for non-members. RSVP to Gail Miller at 255-0981, ext. 229 or gail@daytonachamber.com.

Friday, February 20 - Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting for Daytona Beach Healthcare & Rehab Center, located at 1055 3rd Street, Daytona Beach. 12:00 noon, food & beverages will be served; please RSVP to Jeanette Comerford at 252-3686.