The Official Website of the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce and Putnam Development Authority

There are numerous ways for you to maximize the return on your Chamber investment. Below are some of the most common ways for you to become an active member.

Read your Chamber Newsletter: The Chamber informs you of Chamber activities, important business / community issues and “Member to Member” events through our monthly newsletter. The newsletter lists newcomers to the area so that you can use the list to send direct mail about your business to them. As a Chamber member, you have the opportunity to provide inserts promoting your business for a nominal fee. You should receive the newsletter at the beginning of each month through mail or email, depending on the method you selected on your application.

Read your Email Reminders: If you have an email address, you should be receiving the weekly email that is usually sent out on Fridays. The email is to inform you of important issues which may affect your business and upcoming Chamber events or specials. As a member, you are allowed to submit “Member to Member” events. Likewise, we encourage you to attend other’s “Member to Member” events in order to build your contacts and show your support.

Host a Ribbon Cutting / Plaque Presentation / Ground Breaking / Grand Openings / Open House: The Chamber will assist your company in planning and implementing a ribbon cutting, plaque presentation, ground breaking, grand opening or open house for your business. We invite the Board of Directors, Ambassadors, all elected officials and the reporters from The Eatonton Messenger / Lake Oconee News, The Lake Oconee Breeze, The Union Recorder, Dock 103 and Z97 (over 40 invitations). The picture and press release will be published in our monthly newsletter and are sent to the surrounding papers. If you are not eligible for a ribbon cutting ceremony or plaque presentation, we encourage you to host an open house. The Chamber will assist you in notifying the other members through the weekly email and even supply you with mailing labels if you wish to send personal invitations.

Attend or Host a Business After Hours: This monthly event allows you to meet and network with other business people at a fellow member’s business. Dates are announced in a flyer in the newsletter and reminders are emailed in the weekly email and the day before the event. Be sure to bring plenty of business cards to distribute to contacts that you meet. A great way to showcase your business is to host a Business After Hours. The only cost is supplying the food and drinks for attendees.

Attend AM Exchange: You have access to members of the Putnam, Morgan and Greene county chambers at this monthly event. AM Exchange is a structured networking event where you prepare a 90 second commercial (speech) about your business to present to small groups of attendees. By the end of the morning, you have met nearly everyone who attended the event. Be sure to bring plenty of business cards since you will meet so many new people and you’ll want to enter your name for the door prize! AM Exchange is always the last Wednesday of each month and the location rotates between the three counties. Dates and locations are announced in a flyer in the monthly newsletter, and email reminders are sent in the weekly email and the day before the event.

Attend a Better Business Seminar: As a Chamber member you and your employees have the opportunity to attend a variety of programs that provide you with “how to” tips to improve your bottom line. Topics are selected based on membership feedback from an annual survey so be sure to inform the Chamber of what your employees need to learn. Seminar topics are announced in the monthly newsletter, and email reminders are sent in the weekly email and the day before.

Use and verify the Membership Directory: The membership directory is a listing of all Chamber members by category of business type. A searchable directory is available on our Web site and is printed in our office each month to distribute to our members. You may request the directory through email in a format appropriate for your needs, such as set up for mailing labels or in an excel document. The membership directory is updated monthly. We encourage you to do business with other members listed in the directory. Also, be sure to check the membership directory monthly to ensure that your listing is correct. If you purchased the Advanced Package with your investment, be sure to submit your logo, picture, 50 word description and special offer.

Respond to Leads: Requests for relocation and real estate are sent to member real estate companies. Also, the Chamber publishes newcomers to the area in the monthly newsletter. Members can send newcomers direct mail about their businesses. Be sure to respond to any leads you receive, since they are potential customers for your business.

Become a Drugs Don’t Work Employer: Obtain a 7.5 percent discount off of your workers compensation insurance by obtaining a drug-free certified workplace. For more information visit www.gachamber.com/affiliates/drugs/.

Find out if you are eligible for Member / Care Alliance: As a Chamber member, you may be eligible to receive a discount on your Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance from Purchasing Alliance Solutions through the Member / Care Program. For more information visit www.purchasingalliance.com/.

Submit a New Member Discount: You are able to submit coupons for your fellow new members. These coupons are inserted into the new member packets. This is a great way to inform new members of your services.

Submit and use “Member to Member” discounts: You are able to offer “Member to Member” discounts to fellow members which are published on our Web site. This is a great way to encourage fellow members to use your services.

Submit Job Openings: If you are looking for employees, be sure to submit your job openings to the Chamber. We will post the description on the Job Opening section of our Web site where we refer people seeking employment on a daily basis.

Display your Chamber Plaque & Window Decal: Establish creditability for your company or organization as a leading local business by displaying your membership plaque, certificate and a door / window decal. If you have misplaced your plaque, give the Chamber a call today to receive a new one.

Bring your brochures to the Welcome Center: We encourage you to bring your brochures and business cards to display in our welcome center. Visitors search and select from these brochures every day. Each member is allowed to display one business card and one brochure / rack card or magazine in the Chamber’s welcome center. Our display stands only accommodate standard sizes:

Business Card: 2” x 3.5”
Brochure / rack card: no larger than 4” x 9”
Magazine: no larger than 8.5” x 11”.

Bring your promotional items for our Newcomer Bags: The Chamber assembles a “goodie bag” of information for newcomers including the latest telephone book, Community Magazine and the Eatonton-Putnam County map. As a member, you are able to bring your brochures and various advertising “goodies” to add to the newcomer bag. Only Chamber members may insert their promotional material in the newcomer bags. All newcomers who receive the bag provide the Chamber with their new address which is published in the monthly newsletter.

Run a Newsletter Insert: Reach over 450 member contacts directly with the Chamber’s monthly newsletter. Pay $50 and supply the Chamber with copies and an electronic version. Also, be sure to read the newsletter inserts supplied by other members.

Advertise in the Quarterly Newspaper Insert: A newspaper is produced with Chamber updates and is distributed quarterly in The Eatonton Messenger and Lake Oconee News. New Chamber members are listed and members can win a chance to be spotlighted with a feature article. Only Chamber members can advertise in the Quarterly Insert! Advertising in the Quarterly Newspaper Insert shows the community that you are a Chamber member and that you support the business community.

Advertise in the County Map: The Chamber produces the official county map biannually. When notified though the newsletter and weekly email, be sure to reserve your spot on this map which is distributed daily. The map is a great way to reach visitors, newcomers and developers.

Advertise in the Community Magazine: The Chamber produces a full color magazine covering all aspects of business, education, tourism, recreation and quality of life in Eatonton and Putnam County. The magazine is distributed to newcomers, industrial and business prospects, and individuals requesting information for relocating to the area. Only members are eligible to advertise in the magazine. When notified though the newsletter and weekly email, be sure to reserve your spot in this magazine.

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Join a Committee: The Chamber has numerous committees or programs available for members to become more involved. Some of these include the committee for the Taste of Eatonton, the Ambassador Program and the Putnam Leadership Program. If you are interested in taking your Chamber membership to the next level, then committee involvement is a great step to take.

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