NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

Business After Hours: Held each month at a different Chamber member business from 5:30-7:30 p.m., these casual friendly networking events attract a crowd of 100-200. Attendees have found these get-togethers to be a wonderful resource for making contact with both current and prospective clients.

Quarterly Luncheons: Gather valuable local business information from knowledgeable speakers while enjoying the camaraderie of this gathering of an average of 75 business leaders. Often co-hosted with Rotary-Association of Commerce & Industry, these luncheons focus on legislative issues and providing attendees access to government officials from Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

Good Morning Las Cruces: This continental breakfast is held quarterly each year at various hotels, with upwards of 100 attending. The emphasis is on getting to know one-another through intensive, effective networking.

New Member Socials: The Chamber periodically holds a welcome event for all of the new Chamber members. This gathering allows them to introduce themselves, promote their business, and network extensively. A review of all of The Chamber member benefits will reinforce and teach all in attendance how to utilize their membership to the fullest extent.

Business Showcase: This event normally held at the Mesilla Valley Mall is open to the public from 12:30 - 5:00 p.m., this is a unique opportunity to showcase products and services to a large audience, at a minimal cost. That evening, Chamber members enjoy a networking event, auction and the Taste of Las Cruces.

Ribbon Cutting or Open House: These ceremonies which increase the visibility of Chamber members are provided to Chamber members for FREE. The event also provides FREE advertising articles/photos in the Chamber’s newsletter which is distributed to over 1000 leading area businesses and in the Las Cruces Bulletin with 20,000 circulation.

Committees: Members may participate in any of our active and dynamic divisions with and committees that cover a wide range of interests such member services (events & socials, member benefits, small business council); membership (recruitment, retention, past chairmen council, conquistadores); marketing & communication (marketing & public relations, internet & technology, publications); community development (education, transportation, Leadership Las Cruces); government affairs (issues, candidates & elections, military affairs, golf classic).

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

Marketing Tools: Over 1,000 Las Cruces area business contacts on labels or an electronic list, are available for a nominal fee to Chamber members. This facilitates a members' special mailing or can help to develop a prospect list of other top area businesses. This database is available to members once in their first year of membership.

Business Referral Service: Each month over 200 responses are made to general inquiries asking for referrals and information about products and service available in the Las Cruces area. Members are always referred to these inquiries. An average of 175 relocation packets are sent out, containing community and chamber member information.

Relocation Subscription Service: The Chamber is the front-door to the community and is contacted by thousands of individuals and businesses considering relocation to the Las Cruces area. Chamber members may subscribe to the weekly, monthly or annual database listing of these inquiries. This is a very effective way to access the initial buying habits of newcomers to the area.

Member to Member Discount Program: This program which has no fee for participation, allows current Chamber members the opportunity to promote themselves to fellow chamber members and their employees, by offering a discount on products and services. The 88 participating businesses offering discounts are promoted on the Chamber website and in Chamber publications throughout the year.

Tax Deductible: Membership dues are tax deductible. The total dues goes into the business' Income Tax Return. The amount of income tax that a business can deduct depends on the tax bracket the business is in.

• Support of continued development of Spaceport America and Spaceport Visitor Center in Hatch, Las Cruces Civic Plaza on Main St. Project and New Mexico State University Arts Complex.
• Helped establish the Regional Educational Initiative
• Founding member of the Dona Ana County Legislative Coalition (DACLC) which promotes and supports legislation to benefit area economic development and improve the quality of life with priorities for:

-- NMSU Arts Complex -- NMSU Arrowhead Center -- Las Cruces Public Schools road construction -- Dona Ana County Crisis Triage Center -- Dona Ana County Animal Services Center of Mesilla Valley -- Dona Ana Community College Educational Initiative -- High Wage Jobs Tax Credit Extension -- City of Las Cruces Downtown TIDD -- Interstate Compact on Education Opportunity for Military Children

• Improved the Chamber's financial condition to allow purchase of its facilities and expand its staff and equipment
• Planned and organized one of the most successful Las Cruces Day in Santa Fe with 220+ participants, showcasing Las Cruces' achievements to the New Mexico legislature

Limited Health Insurance Offered to Members: Beginning in June 2008, Chamber member businesses will be able to offer health insurance to their employees through a limited plan. More details to follow from Pat Campbell Insurance.

ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES

Las Cruces On The Move Relocation Guide & Membership Directory: These full color "coffee table quality" magazines are the most comprehensive guides to the area, packed with community information such as housing, education, healthcare, recreation, military, shopping, dining, government, business & industry and much more. The membership directory is the only "buyers" and business guide to the area and includes only Greater Las Cruces Chamber members with two listings (alphabetical by company name and by classified category). A total of 8,000 guides are distributed each year throughout the area and to those looking to relocate to greater Las Cruces.

Internet Exposure: The Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce website, www.lascruces.org, is a highly accessed information source for area business and community information, averaging 8,000 hits per month. It features a vast scope of data including community and chamber programs and calendars, business resources, visitor and relocation information, a member to member discount offer page, and multiple links to a wide range of resources and websites. All Chamber members are listed in the searchable business directory and may increase their visibility by adding a map to their business and hyperlinks to their own website. The Chamber website offer members free worldwide exposure and are an excellent source of referrals.

The Bottom Line: The Chamber's monthly 16 page newsletter is mailed to over 1000 leading area businesses and is included in the full 20,000+ circulation of the Las Cruces Bulletin. It features Chamber and community information and event updates. New Chamber members are profiled, and many members are featured in photos and articles detailing ribbon cuttings and activity participants. Very inexpensive advertising is afforded to members.

E-BIZ: Chamber members have the unique opportunity to participate in this monthly e-mail to over 800 leading Las Cruces area businesspeople, which is also posted online at the Chamber website, www.lascruces.org. E-BIZ is a compilation of member news, announcements, events and/or services, and a limited number of advertisements each issue. Members may participate as often as they wish and the first two announcements are free.

Las Cruces Street Map: Each year the Chamber distributes thousands of Las Cruces street maps. Only Chamber members may advertise on this broad exposure marketing piece.

Member Sponsorships: High visibility and advertising value is offered to members who sponsor a Chamber event or program, such as Business Showcase, Golf Classic, Quarterly Luncheons, etc.

Page information last updated: June 4, 2008