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Q & A
What can the Chamber do for a member?
At the Chamber we assist in networking- advocating and educating.
The Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce serves the interests of
member businesses through leadership, advocacy and services. The Chamber
influences and impacts economic, governmental, work force and community
issues for the benefit of Northern Rhode Island.
The Chamber provides a vehicle to forward your pro-business ambitions,
creates initiatives enhance credibility, influence, and clout; and
participate in programs and events with regional business leaders and
elected officials to assist businesses to become prosperous and engaged
in the community.
How old is the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce?
The Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce (NRICC) resulted from
the 1991 merger of the Blackstone Valley and Woonsocket Chambers of
Commerce.
Both Chambers had been in existence since the 1880’s placing them among
the oldest chambers in New England.
In 1969 The Blackstone Valley Chamber, one of the chamber’s predecessor
organizations was among the very first chambers to be accredited by the
US Chamber of Commerce at the inception of the accreditation program
with continuous accreditation for 38 years. In 2004 under the new
accreditation program the Chamber became the first in Rhode Island to
receive a four star accreditation.
Is the Chamber a government entity?
No. The Chamber is not a governmental agency. The Chamber is a
not-for-profit organization and relies on membership dues, grants,
donations and different forms of non-dues income. These public/private
monies are necessary to represent the business community.
Does the Chamber refer only members? Yes
Does a business have to be located in Northern Rhode Island to join
The Chamber?
No. It doesn't matter where the business is located. If you want to
market to Northern Rhode Island, you should consider joining The
Chamber. Companies join a chamber of commerce to increase their
organization’s visibility.
Doesn’t the Chamber primarily serve the needs of big businesses?
No, we server small and big businesses alike. As a matter of fact,
more than 80% of our members are small businesses with 25 or fewer
employees. The Chamber is designed to be of benefit to any size business
and offers varied opportunities to accommodate different needs.
Why is the Chamber involved in legislative issues?
The Chamber is involved in legislative issues because whether we or
our members like it or not, government --be it legislative or
administrative-- can be directly involved with the success or lack of
success of a business. We are there for our members to provide the
research, testimony and on-the ground advocacy work, that are members
most often do not have the time to engage in. Because government has
such power in the regulatory and enforcement arenas, the Chamber must be
sure that the business community always has a seat at the table, and
always has its voice heard, when elected officials are creating and
defining those powers.
I don’t have time to become heavily involved in Chamber events. Does
that decrease the value of my membership?
Not at all. We do more than simply host networking events. In fact,
because our membership is so diverse, we offer a wide range of programs
and services that meet the unique needs of our members.
Some members prefer the networking aspect of Chamber
membership, while others like the advocacy and leadership we bring to
the table through our Public Policy initiatives. All Chamber member
businesses are listed in the Membership Directory and in the Online
Directory on our Web site.
Who is the president of The Chamber?
John C. Gregory, IOM is the president and CEO of the Northern Rhode
Island Chamber of Commerce.
Where is The Chamber located?
The Chamber is located at…
6 Blackstone Valley Place, Suite 301
Lincoln, RI 02865
Phone: 401.334.1000
Fax: 401.334.1009
Website: www.nrichamber.com
Email: general@nrichamber.com
How can I schedule a ribbon cutting for my business?
Contact Paul L. Ouellette, IOM Vice President of Community
Development/Workforce Training at 401.334.1000 x. 117.
How can I be sure I get my money’s worth out of my Chamber
Membership?
Your Chamber membership is similar to a health club membership: The
more you put into it, the more you'll get out of it. The best way to
build your business network is to develop relationships with other
Chamber members. It is always good business, to do business with a
Chamber member.
All Chamber programs are designed to give you an opportunity to make new
contacts and strengthen existing relationships. The more events you
attend and the more actively you participate, the faster and deeper your
network will grow.
How do I submit press releases to the Chamber for publication in the
newsletter or on your website?
We print portions of the press releases in the newsletter on a space-available basis
and we do not guarantee that your release will be included. First
priority releases are business news, followed by individual
accomplishments. We typically do not print event releases. To submit
your information, please send it to Kerrie-Lynn Corcoran, Director of
Marketing & Special Events
kcorcoran@nrichamber.com.
If my organization is a member business, can I as an employee of the
member business, attend the various Chamber events at the member rate?
Yes. If your company/organization is a member of the Chamber, you,
as an employee of that member business, can attend any of The Chamber
events at the member rate. Be sure to get on the mailing list. If you
are not receiving mailing please email
kcorcoran@nrichamber.com
with your contact information.
How many members does the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce
have?
We have just about a thousand.
How do I find out about Chamber events?
The Chamber sends a weekly email communication, ChamberLinks,
announcing upcoming events for the month. In addition, we provide your
business with a monthly newsletter and inserted is that newsletter is a
events flier. You can always view all of our events online on the
homepage of our web site.
If I register for an event and don’t show up, will I still be charged
the registration fee?
Yes. You will be charged unless you provide 24-hour notice of the
cancellation.
Do I need to register for events?
Yes. Most Chamber events such as Egg’s N’ Issues, Business After
Hours, Young Professionals Network, or seminars, require registration in
advance in order to receive the pre-registration rate. All walk-ins will
be charged a higher fee. Pre-registration allows the Chamber the
opportunity to provide attendees with nametags.
How much does it cost to join The Chamber?
Membership dues are on a graduated scale based on number of
employees. For more information, contact our Membership Director, Pat
Martell, at 401.334.1000, ext. 102, or e-mail
pmartell@nrichamber.com.
How can I get my name in the on-line Directory?
All members receive one listing on the Directory at no charge.
Additional categories can be purchased. All contact information is
listed on the information page on our site so that potential customers
can easily contact you. Visitors can quickly click and go directly to
your business site or send you an e-mail.
How can I find out what companies are Chamber members?
View the membership directory on our site; enter a company name or
industry, and all the related members will be listed
Can I use The Chamber’s logo in ads and other promotional items?
Absolutely! We encourage you to show the pride you have in your
Chamber investment by using the Chamber logo. You may incorporate the
phase "member of" or "proud member of" along with the logo. You may NOT
use the phrase "in association with" or "sponsored by" or any other
wording that implies anything other than membership. In our members only
section there is a portion that offers you html codes that you can have
placed on your website stating- active member of the Northern Rhode
Island Chamber. For more
information, contact Kerrie-Lynn Corcoran, Director of Marketing &
Special Events at 401.334.1000, ext. 108, or e-mail
kcorcoran@nrichamber.com.
How can I sponsor a Chamber event?
The Chamber has many high-profile event sponsorship opportunities
throughout the year. There are many levels and types of sponsorship
available at the Chamber. The Chamber staff will work with your company
to find the type of sponsorship that best suits your needs and budget.
For sponsorship opportunities, contact the
President/CEO of the Chamber, John C. Gregory, 401.334.1000 x.105 or
jgregory@nrichamber.com.
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