April 2019
Chamber Connection
Your connection to the greater Hanover business community.
Chamber News Pages 4-6 Workforce Spotlight Page 6 Ambassador Spotlight Page 6 Member Spotlights Page 7 Business Briefs Page 8 Main Street Hanover Page 9 Networking Opportunities Page 10 Upcoming Events Page 11
Chamber Unveils New Business Model for 2019 Dear valued partners of the Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce, On behalf of the board and staff of the Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce, I am excited to announce the launch of a new business model for YOUR chamber of commerce! Since 1923, the Hanover Chamber has operated under a fair share dues model, meaning that members invest in our organization based on employee count. After nearly 100 years of serving the Hanover business community, we have come to understand that businesses and organizations of varying sizes and industries have vastly different needs and expectations from their chamber membership. Thus, the one size fits all membership (or fair share model) is no longer appropriate for our organization. In September 2018, our organization began the transition to a value-based membership model, which we refer to as Tiered Membership. While this model is new to you as our members, it is not a new concept. In 2012, the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives reported that 53% of chambers were already using a tiered membership system; that number has grown significantly in the years since. We are confident that a tiered membership model recognizes and honors the diversity of our membership, providing tangible value, benefits and return on your investment by allowing your business to invest at a level that best suits your needs. By making this change, the Hanover Chamber is positioned to better meet the evolving needs and expectations of our local business community as we enter our next 100 years.
Through a year-long research process, we have developed four, tiered membership packages for you to choose from, with two additional investment levels for Chamber Partners and Community Leaders. All of the benefits you currently enjoy as a chamber member make up our base tier, or Entrepreneur Membership. With a focus on adding greater tangible value to your membership, we’ve crafted three more membership levels that include additional exciting benefits as you move up the tiers. Furthermore, we recognize that businesses today face increasing costs. By keeping your bottom line in mind, our membership packages remain extremely affordable while adding unprecedented value. As we move forward through 2019 and into 2020, you can expect an invitation from our staff to meet one-on-one to discuss the membership package that best suits the needs of your business. We look forward to these meetings as an opportunity to engage all of our 488 members, learning about your business, your needs, and plans for YOUR future in the Hanover area. Thank you for your continued support of the Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce. If you are ready to schedule a meeting with our staff to discuss your membership, please contact Haley Briggs directly to make an appointment. Sincerely,
Gary Laird President
146 Carlisle Street Hanover, PA 17331 717.637.6130 www.hanoverchamber.com