1. Joining Local Business Associations
Briana Yost

2. Introduction
• Thesis Statement
▫ Joining a local business association as a small
business owner can show the way to being
provided with benefits, exclusive
opportunities, and financial help.

3. Benefits
• Networking
• Marketing and Advertising
• Local Chamber of Commerce (COC)

4. Networking
• Online social networking
▫ Presented on a local association’s website
▫ Facebook
▫ Twitter
• Face-to-face social networking
▫ Annual meetings

5. Marketing and Advertising
• Marketing consultant
▫ Ways to promote business
• Advertising through Association
▫ Shared advertising costs

6. Local Chamber of Commerce
• Description
▫ What is a Local Chamber of Commerce?
 Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce
• Benefits
▫ Advertising and marketing
 Business referrals
▫ Discounts
 Electricity, natural gas savings
 Office supplies and furniture
▫ Insurance
 Health, voluntary, and business insurance
▫ Programs
 Merchant/Credit card processing, print-to-digital publishing

7. Opportunities
• Special events
• Volunteer work
• Public relations

8. Special Events
• Participation
▫ Networking
▫ Free advertising
• Sponsorship
▫ Paid advertising throughout entire event

9. Volunteer Work
• Networking
▫ Community association
▫ Meeting potential customers
• Affiliations
▫ Word of mouth promotion

10. Public Relations
• Media outlets
▫ Internet-based advertising
• Public relations consultant
▫ Business promotions
 Individual exposure

11. Finances
• Funding
• Small Business Association
• SCORE

12. Funding
• Loans
▫ Local business association help
 SBA loans
 Starting/expanding loans and special purpose loans
• Grants
▫ SBA
 Funded by tax dollars
 Given to specialized businesses
▫ Both federal and state

13. Small Business Administration
• Description
▫ What is the SBA?
▫ What does it do for small businesses?
• Managing finances
▫ Loans and grants

14. SCORE
• Description
▫ Offered through the SBA
▫ Background information about SCORE
• Mentors
▫ Business resources

15. Works Cited
• Callahan, Sheila. "Joining Local Business Organizations." (2012).
• DBA. Become a Member. 2012. <http://www.downtownbethlehemassociation.com/become-a-member>.
• —. Membership Privileges. 2012. <http://www.downtownbethlehemassociation.com/become-a-
member/membership-privileges>.
• McLoone, Sharon. "Small Business: Are Association Memberships Worth it?" (2009): 1-2.
• SBA. Grants. 2012. 28 March 2012 <http://www.sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/starting-
managing-business/starting-business/loans-grants-funding/grants>.
• —. SBA Loans. 2012. 28 March 2012 <http://www.sba.gov/content/sba-loans>.
• —. What We Do. 2012. 28 March 2012 <http://www.sba.gov/about-sba-services/what-we-do>.
• Schick, Cynthia L. Finances: A Common Danger Among Small Businesses, Says AdviCoach. February
2012. <http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_pwwi/is_201202/ai_n58569765/?tag=content;col1>.
• Schwartz, Samantha. Downtown Bethlehem Association Manager Briana Yost. 19 March 2012.
• Shalini Karnan. "Answers to Common Questions about SCORE." (2012).
• The Chamber. "Exclusive Corporate and Personal Benefits." 2010. The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of
Commerce. 28 March 2012 <http://www.lehighvalleychamber.org/chamber-information/membership-
kit.aspx>.
• —. "Member Marketing Opportunities." 2010. The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. 28
March 2012 <http://www.lehighvalleychamber.org/chamber-information/membership-kit.aspx>.
• —. "Thank you for your interest." 2012. The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. 28 March
2012 <http://www.lehighvalleychamber.org/chamber-information/membership-kit.aspx>.
• Ward, Susan. "Join Business Organizations." (2012).