By Jo Mixon – Executive Director
It was brought to my attention last week that we at the Chamber applaud and recognize our members year after year when they renew and continue their support to our Chamber of Commerce. A few of our members never seem to get mentioned on this list. The reason…their membership is FREE! Free you ask, how? These businesses are premium members who have attained Golden Membership status. Any premium member whose monthly payments to the chamber total over $2500.00 per fiscal year becomes a Golden Member and receive extra membership benefits. We do want to take the time to recognize these members and say thank-you for their continued support!
Our Golden Members are:
- Alpine Lumber – member since 1982
- Angel Fire Mini Mart – member since 1982
- Angel Fire Resort – member since 1982
- Lowe’s Valley Market – member since 1997
And a welcome and thank you to Kokopelli Property Management for attaining Golden Member status this fiscal year! They have been premium members since 2011.
Our members are our lifelines at the chamber. In turn, we provide benefits for chamber membership. It’s a win-win situation. As I read an article in the Albuquerque Business First publication June 14-20, 2013, “How I explain to businesses that chamber of commerce matter,” by Hunter Riley, I realized that many of our residents and businesses might not truly understand the positive impact of belonging to the Chamber of Commerce. The author did a great job. He interviewed several chamber executives in the Albuquerque area to get answers to his questions and find out why chambers are so important to the local economy and businesses. Their answers varied. Terri Cole, President and CEO of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce said, “Every business benefits from a chamber that works to make their city a great place for business to grow and prosper and a great place for people to raise their families. When these two goals are realized in any city, businesses can thrive and expand.” Debbi Moore, President and CEO of the Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce added, “There are many positive benefits including more customers; affordable business training; strong legislative impact; and leadership training. The various connections made with local businesses and organizations provide more opportunity for the chamber to connect our membership within our region.”
C. Nick Vuillemot, Executive Director of the Sandoval County Chamber of Commerce said, “Surveys have shown people are more likely to purchase goods and services from a chamber member. Also, chambers lobby for their members. They track voting records of senators and representatives and let them know what they think about how their votes affect business.” They were asked how a chamber benefits from connections with local businesses. Mr. Vuillemot responded, “By knowing ‘who’s who’ in the community…the chamber is able to better inform their members and non-members alike about whom can best meet their needs.”
The advertising we offer chamber members as well as the weekly referrals we provide are also great benefits to our membership. I was told this weekend by two different people at two separate functions that they had taken their business to Mattress Mary at Taos Lifestyle/Sleep Sanctuary and Craig Vanderlei of Angel Fire Flooring after recently reading “I Know Jo” articles about their businesses. In fact many people over the years have told me the same thing about other “I Know Jo” articles I’ve written. The positive direction the Angel Fire Chamber is heading has helped us continue to re-invent ourselves. Two years ago an average Business After Hours attendance might be approximately 30 people. This year that average has jumped to 90+ people per event. Another positive will be several new events we have planned in the coming year to help boost non-membership revenue. Look for exciting things to continue happening at the chamber, which is good for the Village of Angel Fire as well!
I have been and remain a firm believer that, as a business, you can’t afford NOT be to a member of the chamber! Give us a call at 575-377-6353 or stop by the office at 3407 Mountain View Blvd in Centro Plaza. Visit our website www.angelfirechamber.org.
The Chamber Office will be CLOSED July 4th.
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