It's Time to Re-New or Join Anew!

Have you mailed in your 2017 Dues?

There is no better way to introduce your business, service, and/or expertise to the Amherst community than through membership with the Chamber.

The Amherst County Chamber of Commerce is continuously working to create new ways to promote the region and the advancement of the business community.

   

Our goal at the Chamber is to help business owners network and grow their business. At the Chamber of Commerce we work diligently to help our members achieve their business goals each year. We measure our success by our members' success.

Your business membership with the Chamber makes programs, services, and events possible, and without your partnership we cannot accomplish our shared mission of a thriving, profitable business community. 

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS:

 

ADVERTISING/PROMOTION

Chamber Website:  

All members are listed on our website, www.amherstvachamber.com , in the business directory which is where up to 4,000 people go each month searching for businesses and organizations like yours! With the membership portal you can promote "Hot Deals", job opportunities, upcoming events and more.

Social Media:

With a multitude of subscribers on Facebook and Twitter, you can utilize the Amherst County Chamber of Commerce (ACCC) to promote your business, events, special announcements. "Member Monday" on Facebook and Twitter-each week an individual business is showcased to include an overview of the business with contact information.

 

Weekly e-Blasts:

Our weekly communications highlight our members, Chamber events and events in the county, and important state/legislative information that matters to your business. Currently delivered to the   inbox of hundreds of people and then cross-posted on Facebook and Twitter to reach thousands more . Send us your newsworthy announcements and events and we will get the word out!

 

Amherst County Guidebook:
This annual magazine is distributed throughout Central Virginia and is published in conjunction with ACCC as advertisement for Amherst County. Chamber members are listed in the publication at no cost and also have the opportunity to purchase additional advertising at a discounted rate.

NETWORKING

Amherst County 3rd Thursdays:
Monthly networking opportunities to meet potential customers, clients, and vendors to generate new business leads.

Annual Business Appreciation Awards Dinner:  

A special evening set aside to honor Amherst County businesses for their commitment to serving our residents, visitors, friends and family.

INCREASED CREDIBILITY

Join Today!  

As a Chamber member, you increase positive perception among consumers and business owners:

According to a research study by The Shapiro Group, Inc. and Market Street Services, when consumers know that a business is a member of their local Chamber of Commerce, they are 44% more likely to think favorably of it and 63% more likely to purchase good or services from the company in the future.

GRAND OPENINGS

Ribbon Cuttings:
The best way to quickly bring awareness to your business. This ceremony introduces you and your employees, along with your location, products, and/or services to the community.

Contact the Chamber to reserve a date and time.

 

ADVOCACY

The Chamber works with our members to support local and state policies that create an environment favorable to business, community growth and development.

 

  Click here to download the 2017 Membership form 

When:

3-5 p.m., Thursday, March 2

Where:

Multi-purpose Room, Central VA Community College

 

* Networking * Business Connections * Open to All *

#SupportLocalBusinesses

Is your company or organization interested in hosting a 3rd Thursday event? 

Contact the Chamber office at (434) 946-0990 for more information.

Will Soon be Open !

What began in 1995 at the Amherst County Chamber of Commerce's Annual Awards Dinner with an announcement from community leader Marshall Mays, gifting the Depot to the Chamber of Commerce for future use as their office and a Visitors Center for the County is now a vision come true.

At the September 6, 2016 Amherst County Board of Supervisors meeting, the Amherst County Chamber of Commerce received a unanimous vote to occupy and manage the visitors center. The Train Depot, Amherst County's first-ever Visitors Center will soon open its doors to travelers passing through, visitors, and local residents.

In early 2017, the Amherst County Chamber of Commerce (the "Chamber") will take up residence in the Train Depot located off Route 60 in Amherst. Recognizing the Chamber's recent efforts promoting tourism and the business community, the Board of Supervisors tasked the Chamber with handling tourism on behalf of Amherst County. For years, tourism has been underemphasized in the County. The Board of Supervisors recent decision marks a turning point in the County's history. The Chamber welcomes this new challenge with open arms.

The goal is, without question, to generate tourism growth and development in the County. An influx of tourism dollars will hopefully provide a much needed boost to local businesses. This effort, however, will be limited by the level of funding provided by the Board of Supervisors for tourism projects. One such project would be the development and dissemination of brochures to be placed in visitor's centers across the state. Other projects, particularly larger in scope, will depend on funding.

Funding is largely predicated on the transient occupancy tax, or hotel tax. While tourism will start on a smaller scale due to the amount of revenue generated from the hotel tax, the Chamber remains optimistic that tourism will continue to grow and flourish. By law, the Board of Supervisors is required to spend 60% of the hotel tax on tourism for the County. Successful growth of the hotel tax will, in turn, grow the tourism budget. Naturally, more projects can be undertaken with a larger budget. To avoid relying exclusively on the hotel tax, the Chamber will also seek grants available through the Virginia Tourism Corporation, an organization dedicated to promoting tourism in Virginia.

One significant feature about the Chamber's role in tourism will be the development of a tourism council. In the upcoming months, the Chamber will be soliciting members from different sections the tourism industry to fill council seats. Many businesses are at the heart of tourism, such as wineries, restaurants, and boutique shops. The Chamber seeks to draw upon the experiences of these local business owners to help be the architects of the County's tourism plan.

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