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Chamber
Directory
The Ottumwa Area Chamber Directory is one of the many
benefits of membership in the Ottumwa Area Chamber
of
Commerce. Its primary purpose is to promote our members
and community! Ottumwa Area Chamber of Commerce members
are placed in the directory by their business classification
and also alphabetically. Directories are located in
our hotels, motels, member businesses and the Ottumwa
Area Chamber of Commerce office. They are mailed to
people moving to and visiting Ottumwa, Iowa and are
available for anyone stopping by the Ottumwa Area Chamber
of
Commerce
office. Between 4000 and 5000 of these directories
are distributed between biennial publications. It
is a valuable
tool and resource for business exposure and networking
opportunities.
Business Referrals
We verbally recommend our members! Priority referrals
are given to members in good standing both in our
directory
and by our verbal and written recommendations. We encourage
all of our members to use other Chamber members for
all
their personal and professional needs. We help accommodate
by selling Chamber Bucks/Gift Certificates that
can only be redeemed at our member businesses. Our
members receive special recognition and referrals
when they
use our front windows for displaying their merchandise
and products FREE for
two weeks at a time.
Special Events
Members of the Ottumwa Area Chamber of Commerce have
the opportunity of participating in Chamber sponsored
events like the Annual Home Expo. The Home Expo is a
great way to showcase our community and all our area
businesses to over 4200 visitors each year. Members
of the Ottumwa Area Chamber of Commerce receive discounted
booth rates when they participate. The Ottumwa Area
Chamber of Commerce arranges and sponsors several seminars
on topics requested by its members throughout the year.
Members are encouraged to participate in our Annual
Golf Classic as either Corporate or Hole sponsors as
well as to put together a foursome for a fun filled
day of golf. The Ottumwa Area Chamber of Commerce also
hosts and encourages all members to attend our Annual
Meeting and Banquet each January. Several volunteers
are recognized as well as a special Community Service
Award is presented to one citizen in our community.
All special events “Promote Our Members”,
and allow for networking and help to put members in
touch with prospective clients and customers.
Relocation/Moving
to Ottumwa Packets
The Ottumwa Area Chamber of Commerce provides Relocation/Moving
to Ottumwa Packets to anyone requesting
information about our city, whether in person, by
phone, mail, fax,
or by e-mail. Many of our member realtors,
businesses and industries provide them to prospective
residents and employees interested in working or
living
in Ottumwa, Iowa. Information includes a Quick Reference
guide with listings of city, county, area churches,
schools,
utility companies, realtors, landlords, plus brochures
on area attractions, maps, and Ottumwa Area Chamber
of Commerce Membership Directory.
Legislation
The Ottumwa Area Chamber of Commerce is a watchdog
for the business community by its involvement with
state,
local and federal government issues. The Ottumwa Area
Chamber of Commerce serves as a civic clearinghouse,
as a legislative representative at the local, state
and national levels for the business point of view,
through legislative forums, letter writing and lobbying.
The Public Affairs committee is active in its pursuit
of ensuring fair legislation for our business community
and in providing a better business climate for the
greater
Ottumwa area.
Ambassador
Ribbon Cuttings
The Ottumwa Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador’s
are the goodwill arm of our organization. The Ambassadors
celebrate the many successes of the businesses in Ottumwa,
Iowa from event kick-offs, to grand openings, ribbon
cutting
ceremonies, open houses, to extending warm, friendly
“welcomes” to new business owners and managers
in the area. They make between 50 and 60 calls each
year helping new, existing or expanded businesses gain
exposure for both their businesses and employees.
Seminars
The Ottumwa Area Chamber of Commerce helps to sponsor
and arrange educational seminars and workshops based
on its members’ business needs and topics. Past
seminars have ranged from Bad Check Writing, to an Employee
Law seminar, to various Leadership subject seminars.
Ottumwa Area Chamber of Commerce members are encouraged
to attend and receive discounted fees to attend these
seminars.
Partners PAK
Our monthly Partners PAK is an excellent direct member-to-member
resource. It offers our Ottumwa Area Chamber of Commerce
members a vehicle to promote their business or organizations
by advertising their products or services at a reduced
rate to the over 600 people on our mailing list. It
includes our monthly “Connections” newsletter,
which includes both the organizational meetings calendar
and the community events calendar.
Website
The Ottumwa Area Chamber of Commerce website www.ottumwaiowa.com
is a valuable membership benefit. It allows us to market
member businesses further with a direct link to their
company’s web site. Members are listed by business
name and by up to three business categories. Members
may also provide a brief description of business products
and services to be included on our site. The Partners
in Progress website includes the Ottumwa Area Chamber
of Commerce, Ottumwa Area Development Corporation, Ottumwa
Progress, Inc., Bridge View Center, Inc., Ottumwa Convention
and Visitors Bureau, and the City of Ottumwa websites
to provide a broad base of information about our community.
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