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January 4, 2010
In This Issue
Zoning Code Rewrite Website for Fitchburg
Upcoming Events/Dates
New Features on Chamber Web Site -Promote your Business
Save the Dates!
Renew Your Dues - It Helps Your Bottom Line
Quick Links
 

Business Before 9 - Tuesday, January 5, 2010!

Tomorrow is the day we draw the winning raffle ticket for the Caribbean Dream Vacation! 

Our first Business Before 9 will be a purely networking event with a special breakfast served before we draw the winning ticket for a dream vacation.  Tickets will be sold until 8:30 a.m and the drawing will be at 8:45 a.m.

This will be a great way to kick off our 2010 Business Before 9 series. 
 

Business Before 9 is held the first Tuesday of each month at the Candlewood Suites from 8:00-9:00 a.m.  These events were very popular in 2009, allowing new members to meet other chamber members and city leaders, providing a forum for information sharing about relevant economic development issues in our community and giving us a chance to reconnect on a regular basis.  This is a free series to chamber members.  We look forward to seeing you at Business Before 9 in 2010.

Thank you Park Bank, MG&E and Candlewood Suites!

Fitchburg's Zoning Code Rewrite 
 
PlaceMakers LLC has launched Fitchburg's website for the Zoning Code Rewrite; the website is www.fitchburgzoning.com  Please visit this site today to get caught up on what has been done thus far. 
 
This is a very critical process that our city is going through.  The zoning code will determine how our community will develop for the next 50 years.  It is crucial that the business community participate in these decisions.
 
In addtion to reading the above website you can talk to your alders to see what their thoughts are on the Fitchburg Zoning Code and you can participate in the February 8-12 charrettes at City Hall.
 
Upcoming Events   

January 5 - Business Before 9 - 8:00 AM
Monthly networking/information series. 8:00 am at the Candlewood Suites in Fitchburg.  See above for detailed information.
 
January 7 - Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting for Dance On Air
Time: 5p.m.
2960 Triverton Pike Drive 
Join us as we celebrate with Dance On Air the opening of their new dance studio. Enjoy refreshments, networking, and your chance to win prizes!

January 21 - South Metropolitan Business Association Annual Expo
DateSouth Metropolitan Business Association
Date: January 21
Time: 4p.m. - 7p.m.
Event Location
Coliseum Bar (upper level) 232 Olin Ave. 
Fees / Admissions
$10 (free to Fitchburg Chamber Members!)
 
Join us for this extreme networking event! Over 50 exhibitors will be present! Incredible door prizes! Food! Beer! Soda! Bring plenty of business cards.  SMBA does a fantastic job with this annual networking event.  If you want to have a booth at this event please contact, email:  smba@SMBA-Madison.org
 
 

New Features on Chamber Website - Help Promote your Business
 
We have several new features on the chamber website that all members can take advantage of.  Here is a list of the new features and some others - we have great traffic to our site especially the "find a business" page so be sure your business is represented well on the Chamber site.
 
Member Login:  over the next couple of weeks Bethany will be emailing you your Chamber login i.d. number this will allow you to login to the chamber site and load information there.
 
Member News:  You can post press releases in this section.
 
Job Postings:  Posts available job openings.
 
Hot Deals:  Do offer a discount to chamber members? Are you running a promotion that is available to everyone? Under the hot deals section you can highlight your promotions and incentives.
 
Logo Upgrade:  Under your business listing, is your logo included?  A nominal fee of $25 allows you to add your logo next to your business listing.  Check out other listings and see how the addition of your logo really stands apart.
 
Banner Sponsorship:  We have moved the position of the Banner sponsorship to a prime location. We only allow 4 sponsors at at time that rotate on all of our pages.  The cost is $1300/year or $750 for 6 months.  This is a great use of your marketing dollars. 
 
Fitchburg Chamber Website
Important Dates to Save 2010!

Fitchburg Zoning Code Rewrite Charrettes February 8-12
 
Fitchburg Chamber Annual Meeting - February 11
 
Fitchburg Chamber Golf Outing - June 3
 Renew Your Dues - It Helps Your Bottom Line! 
 
Consumers are 63% more likely to make future purchases from a company that is a member of the chamber of commerce. (From a nationwide study conducted by the Schapiro Group)
 
  • Consumers who are told that a business is a chamber member are 51% more likely to be highly aware of your business and 57% more likely to think positively of its local reputation.
  • When consumers know that a business is a member of the local chamber, they are 44% more likely to think favorably about that business
  • Consumers are 29% more inclined to trust your reputation
  • When business decision-makers believe that a business is a chamber member, they are 37% more likely to think favorably of the business and 51% more likely to be highly aware of it, 58% more likely to think positively of its local reputation and 59% more likely buy goods/services from it.


What does this mean for Fitchburg Chamber Members? By belonging to the Fitchburg Chamber your business has a higher profile and reputation in the mind of the consumer; consumers believe you are more reputable, customer friendly and a better choice compared to non-members.

Be sure to renew your dues, and display your membership decal, let your customers know you support your community and the Fitchburg Chamber.

For the complete study, please visit:

The Real Value of Joining Your Local Chamber 

 

Win a Trip for 2 to the Caribbean 
(or another exotic destination of your choice) raffle
 
Feel like spending a week somewhere warm this winter?  With odds like this you just might!
 
The Fitchburg Chamber is selling raffle tickets for the chance to win a trip to the Caribbean, or another destination of your choice! The winner will receive a $3,000 travel voucher to work with Burkhalter Travel to plan the trip of your dreams.
 
Tickets will be sold until 8 :30 a.m. on January 5th. They are $20 and we're only selling 500. Tickets may be purchased at Chamber Events, by Ambassadors and Board Members, and at the Chamber office. Anyone is welcome to try their luck! 
 
The winner will be chosen on Janurary 5th at Business Before 9 at the Candlewood Suites and you need not be present to win.
 
Contact Bethany at bklein@fitchburgchamber.com  or 288-8284 for more information.  
 
Good Luck!