Advertising Opportunities

The chamber produces a wide variety of publications, which allows members to promote their businesses in many ways. Friday Faxes are emailed or faxed each Friday as a weekly update to remind members of current events and activities. The chambers newsletter, Chamber Horizons, is published monthly and mailed or emailed to members and their employees. The Membership Directory is published once a year, and is available only to members of the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. The chamber does not sell or give that proprietary information to non-members. The Member Marketplace Direct Mail piece is a packet of information mailed to all members monthly. It contains flyers or promotions from other members about special events or sales being offered. Other advertising opportunities for members are early morning networking events, trade show participation, donations to a Pot o’ Gold drawn for once a month, and distribution of member brochures at the chamber office.

Alexandria – C.S.I. (Customer Service Institute)

A program for 9th grade students who will be entering the local work force, this focuses on the skills needed to work in the service and retail industries. The class meets after school and involves eight hours of training taught by business leaders.

Chamber Calendar of Events

The Chamber keeps a current calendar of community events and publishes a weekly news sheet for members.

Chamber Bucks

Chamber Bucks can be issued to employees as rewards or used as prizes and other premiums. They spend the same as money at participating Chamber member businesses.

Education Opportunities

Lunch n Learn and focused seminars are held intermittently on current topics pertinent to today’s businesses. Local and area experts share their knowledge in these two-hour Lunch n Learn “brown bag” sessions which are for members and open to the public. Other day long educational opportunities are available throughout the year, and offer important learning about various business topics.

Industrial Tours

The Chamber can arrange for tours of the various manufacturing and service industries located in its membership area.

Leadership Alexandria

The Chamber teams up with Alexandria Technical College to present a six-month, 10-session program that enhances the leadership skills of participants. Community leaders serve as instructors and presenters give participants insights into community history, government, industry and education.

The program begins with a two-day retreat at a local retreat center, and then meets for one day each month to focus on a different aspect of becoming a well-rounded leader. Participants also spend one day at the State Capitol meeting with local legislators to discuss current issues which impact Alexandria.

The West Central Initiative Fund co-sponsors part of this program.

Meeting and Convention Planning

The Chamber acts as the visitor center also and staff members can assist in the planning and preparation of meetings and conventions, large or small, and act as liaison for a variety of services and products in Alexandria.

Members on the Move

This “members thanking members” program provides the opportunity for individuals to help say “Thank You!” to members when they deliver the new edition of the Chamber Directory and the membership plaque for display. It’s a great business to business networking opportunity—and it saves the Chamber a great deal of postage in the process.

Quarterly Luncheon

Orientation of new members is held quarterly prior to a Quarterly Luncheon where guest speakers and exhibits introduce newcomers to the workings of the Chamber. This also provides a networking opportunity for other Chamber members. Luncheons are held at restaurant locations of Chamber members.

Referrals

The Chamber fields hundreds of phone calls monthly with requests for referrals and recommendations for various kinds of services, businesses, and information about the community in general. Chamber members receive first and only mention in specific requests.

Seminars/Workshops

Education opportunities abound through the Chamber and its members. The Chamber or its members sponsor workshops and seminars on any topic to meet specific needs of employees, managers, organizations, and businesses within the organization.

Many sessions are open only to Chamber members, some are open to the public with Chamber members paying a smaller fee where applicable.

Speed Networking

A new concept in meeting and networking with a high number of people in a short amount of time. Speed Networking sessions are held twice each year and are limited to 30 participants to maximize the effectiveness of interaction.

Visitor Guide

The Alexandria Area Visitors Guide integrates marketing and historical background along with spectacular photographs and advertising to create one of the premier informational pieces in the entire upper Midwest. It provides tourists and visitors with comprehensive information about visiting Alexandria and the area.

Wake Up! Alexandria

A social and networking event held in early mornings before the start of the workday. Sponsors of Wake Up! Alexandria provide a place plus breakfast of coffee, juice, rolls or other fare plus get to do a five-minute presentation on their business or organization. Events may be co-sponsored with one providing the space and the other providing the breakfast. Both then make presentations.

For one dollar, attendees may present a one-minute “commercial” about their business or special event.

A drawing from all Chamber member names takes place at the end of the one-hour event to win the items in the Pot o’ Gold which is a bevy of goods and services donated by members.