Benefits
Carteret County Chamber of Commerce Benefits of Membership
Networking Opportunities. The Chamber specializes in providing opportunities for networking, and truly, every Chamber function or event brings you face-to-face with others in the community. Just one contact that leads to a business relationship could far exceed the annual membership investment.
Business After Hours is a popular Chamber tradition. This is a series of high-powered networking events, which are designed specifically for Chamber members to combine business and pleasure. The host company is featured prominently. Typically, 14 Business After Hours functions are scheduled each year. Refer to our Business After Hours guidelines and/or request more information.
Business After Hours Expo: In April, the Chamber hosts a Business After Hours Expo at the Crystal Coast Civic Center in Morehead City, which combines the fellowship and fun of a normal Business After Hours event with all the buzz and excitement of a business trade show. Typically, about 65 Chamber members are there as exhibitors and around 500 people attend.
Small Business Roundtables, which are open to all Chamber members, meet regularly in four different locations across Carteret County. Each Roundtable provides business owners with an opportunity to discuss common business concerns and learn from one another.
New Member Receptions are held periodically to help familiarize new members with the full spectrum of Chamber programming. See our calendar for information about upcoming events.
Let the Chamber help you with your celebration with our Grand Opening Services. The Chamber is ready to assist you with grand openings, ribbon cuttings, groundbreakings and milestone anniversary events. Complete the Ribbon Cutting Form.
Membership Directory: The Chamber’s Membership Directory is accessible online. You can search the database by business category or by business name. Members can update their own profiles and include special offers, including discounts, sales, etc.
Communications: The Chamber utilizes traditional and digital media forms of communications to provide instant dissemination of news from the Chamber and our members.
The Business Directory is printed annually, and 1,500 copies are distributed to members, Chamber contacts, second homeowners, seasonal guests and newcomers.
The PULSE is a weekly e-mail newsletter that helps the members keep abreast of upcoming Chamber activities, programs and functions. Whenever there is breaking news, the staff produces a PULSE Extra and transmits it to the membership.
Member Notes is a weekly e-newsletter that includes information from Chamber members in three main categories: things to know, events and job notices. Members can submit a text listing of up to 120 words to run with a small logo or graphic, or a flyer as a pfd, jpeg or png file. A notice can run up to four weeks at a time before being removed. Submissions are due by noon on Monday and should be sent to Taylor McCune.
Advertising/Sponsorships: Chamber publications and the website offer effective and affordable advertising outlets that are targeted to your potential customers. Members can take advantage of advertising/sponsorship packages to include color-enhanced listings in the print Directory to help your business or organization stand out from the pack. Contact Tessa Falcetta for more information.
Business Services. The Chamber makes referrals when someone visits the office or inquires via social media, e-mail, telephone, fax or mail about your specific type of business. As standard policy, we only refer Chamber members. In this way, the Chamber staff works for you every business day.
Sundown Rule. The Chamber staff strives to ensure that “all inquiries from our members and customers will be answered or acknowledged before the end of each business day.”
Identification. A membership decal, for display on your front door or window, identifies you as a member in good standing with the Chamber. It offers assurance to your customers or clients that your business adheres to the highest standards of integrity.
Virtual Decal. You are encouraged to place the Chamber’s logo as a “virtual decal” on your own web site to reinforce your membership in the region’s leading business association. To access the Chamber logo, contact Tessa Falcetta at (252) 726-6350 or tessa@nccoastchamber.com.
90-Day Money Back Guarantee. The Chamber offers new members a 90-day money-back guarantee, if you’re not satisfied. All we ask is that the new member attend at least three Chamber functions during this time period to give us a try.
Bring your promotional literature and business cards to Chamber headquarters for free display in our front lobby.
Chamber members are eligible to enroll in a Workers’ Compensation Insurance Program available to members only. Offered by First Benefits Insurance Mutual Inc., it can lower your Workers’ Compensation expenses. Your existing agent can write the coverage. Or call 1-888-393-2667.
Ways to Get Active
The Chamber serves as the “Voice of Business” in matters of public policy, providing a forum for dialogue on contemporary issues affecting the region. The Chamber advocates a pro-business Legislative Agenda. To participate on the Public & Government Affairs Committee, contact Tom Kies.
The Military Affairs Committee of the Chamber sponsors an ambitious program to honor and pay tribute to the active service personnel associated with the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, the U.S. Coast Guard and their families. Inquire about joining the MAC by contacting Taylor McCune.
Check out the MAC Facebook Page
The Ambassadors Club works to stay in touch with Chamber members year-round. This is the Chamber’s “business retention team.” Ambassadors volunteer to help the Chamber go and grow. For information, contact Julie Naegelen.
Connect Carteret – A Young Professionals Network serves younger business professionals in Carteret County, helping them to expand networking horizons and develop interpersonal skills. Connect Carteret is an informal organization that is closely aligned with the Chamber.
Stay in Touch with Connect Carteret
The Reverse Drawing is the Chamber’s primary non-dues revenue event of the year, held in August, and one lucky winner is guaranteed to take home up to $10,000 in cold, hard cash. It’s the community’s premier social event of the summer season.
Educational & Leadership Development. The Chamber has a strong educational component to promote and advance workforce training initiatives and to prepare the next generation of business leaders. Chamber members are encouraged to attend free business seminars and workshops scheduled by the Carteret Community College Small Business Center.
“We Value Diplomas.” The Chamber partners with Carteret Community College and the Carteret County Public School System to encourage young people to graduate from high school.
Leadership Carteret is a 10-week professional development program that focuses on the places, people and issues that define Carteret County. It’s an ideal way for current and potential community leaders to meet – and learn from – local movers and shakers. For information, contact Taylor McCune.
“Shop Carteret First” is the Chamber’s ongoing education and awareness campaign to encourage citizens and visitors to shop locally, giving area merchants an opportunity to show how they excel in the areas of accessibility, affordability, value and customer service.
The Chamber promotes a “Hand of Hospitality” initiative to promote a tourism friendly environment. Our goal is to be seen as the friendliest community in North Carolina – where visitors and guests are always welcome.
There’s more. Chamber members can also take advantage of other assorted services:
- Mailing Labels. Available to Chamber members only, you can benefit from the best mailing list around. You may purchase a set of labels for $45 (one name per company) or $60 (all business contacts). Contact Tessa Falcetta for more information.
- Meeting Space. Chamber members can reserve the Chamber Conference Room at no charge for important business meetings, workshops or seminars. Contact Tessa Falcetta for more information.
- Tax Deduction. Since the Chamber serves as a business advocate, your Chamber membership investment is deductible as a necessary business expense. Advertising and sponsorships may be tax-deductible as well. Consult your accountant.