Your Local Chambers Of Commerce 1. Grapevine Chamber of commerce 200 Vine St., Grapevine www.grapevinechamber.org 3. Southlake Chamber of Commerce 1501 Corporate Circle, Southlake www.southlakechamber.org 2. Colleyville Chamber of Commerce 5601 Colleyville Blvd., Colleyville www.colleyvillechamber.org
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said the board was eager to improve on that. “The chamber’s goal was to be the best,” Hessel said. “My board of direc- tors [was] not happy with only having four [stars]. They wanted ve. So they actually focused ... on the areas that they felt like we were lacking.” Leonard said the board’s desire to receive a ve-star accreditation pushed sta to improve their legisla- tive advocacy. “We worked with our legislators so that they knowus andwhen there’s an issue that comes up on business, then call us and say, ‘What do you think your business community would say about this?’” Leonard said not only improving its advocacy, but also focusing on all of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s requirements has made the chamber stronger, driving up the value of the chamber for business owners. Hessel said the chamber budget relies on fundraising events and membership dues because it does not receive any tax dollars, Hessel said. Annual membership dues are deter- mined by the number of employees the business has with the cost ranging from $280 for 10 or fewer employees to $865 for more than 100 employees.
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chamber has evolved a lot over the last several years. In its earlier days, the chamber’s focus was mostly on connecting businesses to each other, Leonard said. “Now, the chamber advocates for you in a lot of di erent ways.” he said. Howa chamber becomes accredited Since late 2015, the Grapevine chamber has held a ve-star accredi- tation, the highest rating given by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. There are roughly 7,000 chambers of commerce in the United States, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce website. Since the con- ception of the accreditation program in 1964, 900 chambers have partici- pated, and 200 hold the title. “Having that accreditation, that distinction, it makes being a part of the chamber that much more reward- ing,” Hessel said. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce awards the accreditation based on points earned in nine di erent crite- ria, according to its website. Hessel said when the chamber applied for the accreditation, it received a four-star rating in 2013. She
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Chamber Perks Bene ts of becoming a member of your local chamber of commerce include: SOURCE: GRAPEVINE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
Networking opportunities at a variety of events Community directory and referral guide Access to member area of the chamber website
Listings for new businesses in the newsletter Business exposure through event sponsorships Leadership growth and skills development
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