The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce member portal is a great resource, offering a wide variety of options and enhancements to help you manage your membership. So, what exactly can you do in your member portal?

• Pay your bills. Through the “Pay Open Invoices” tab, view and download invoices or pay them online using a credit or debit card.
• Register for events. Chamber events are added to the portal under the “More Options” tab when registration opens. Register and pay for tickets right on the member portal.
• Submit job openings. Submitting a job opening to our online job board is free for members. Members may enhance job listings for a minimal fee. This highlights the post, pins it to the top of the page, and submits it to the Google Jobs Network. Use “Post a Job Opening” at the very top of the page within your member portal.
• Order Chamber Bucks. Chamber Bucks are one simple way we can all work to keep dollars local and support local businesses. Place an order online by using the “Order Chamber Bucks” link at the very top of the page.
• Submit events. Use the “Add An Event” link at the very top of the page to add events to the online Douglas County Community Calendar. All Chamber member events on the community calendar get added to the weekly Events at a Glance email blast sent out on Thursdays by the Chamber.
• View your available benefits. Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze members receive added benefits with membership. If you have one of these levels of membership, view which benefits have been used and which are still available in the “Benefits” section of the “Member portal home” page.
• Update contact information. Update business contact information including address, email, phone, website, and more from the “Edit this profile” tab.
• Update related profiles. Add new employees, remove former employees, change contact information, and assign roles for employees using the “Relationships” tab.
• Update your amenities. Many businesses have amenities they want customers to know about – a golf course that has a pro shop on-site, a restaurant that offers live music on the weekends, or a resort that has an outdoor pool. There are several amenity options to choose from. Update these in the “Edit this profile” tab and by clicking on “Update Your Preferences”. Some amenities include icons that show up on your listing in the online directory.
• Download the annual Chamber member logo. A Chamber membership can be used as a “stamp of approval”, giving your business a reputable status. This annual logo can be used on your website, social media, and marketing materials to show that you are a Chamber member. Download it from the “More Options” menu.
• Add a logo, photos and/or video. When website visitors are scrolling through the online directory, a full-color logo can help your listing stand out among the rest. Adding photos and a video can showcase your work and help potential clients learn more about you. Add all of this from the “Upload Media” section on the “Member portal home” page.
• Add your social media links. Add social media links such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Youtube, Instagram, and more. It is free to add these links and they can drive more traffic to your pages. Do this from the “Edit this profile” tab and then by going to “Social Media”.
• Update your descriptions. For each category you are listed under, you can add short and long descriptions as well as keywords to help website visitors find you. Your short description is listed under your main directory listing and your long description is listed on your individual directory listing. Use your short description to grab their attention and encourage them to click your link to learn more. Update these descriptions by going to the “Edit this profile” tab and clicking on “Directory Listing”.
• Add a coupon. This allows you to add a coupon that will appear on your listing and can be used by anyone visiting the website. Do this from the “More Options” menu.
• View your referral report. This will show you how well your listing is working for you. The report includes how many people have viewed your listing or clicked on your hyperlink or social media links. View this report under the “More Options” menu.

As you can see, there are many enhancements and options for you to take advantage of in the member portal. If you have questions about your online portal, visit the FAQ page with helpful videos here, view the online Member Portal Guide here, or reach out to the Chamber team at (320) 763-3161 or info@alexandriamn.org.

Jackie Lanoue is the owner of Special Event Boutique and Bridal in Alexandria. It is a family-owned bridal and formal wear store with over 30 years of experience and carries more than 300 dresses to try on and experience. Its mission is to provide superior bridal service and serve its customers, creating lasting relationships and memories. The boutique and bridal store is open 10 am - 5 pm, Monday - Wednesday and Friday; as well as 10 am - 7 pm on Thursday, 9 am - 3 pm on Saturdays, and by appointment on Sundays. 

​The 2022 Chamber theme is “Catch the Passion.” I chose this theme due to the passion many area business owners and residents display when interacting with others from not only our community but far reaching. We all have a passion for Alexandria – it’s why we love to have people come here to work, shop, visit, and live.

Being a native Alexandrian, I have taken this passion for our community for granted. When I completed college and was offered a job in Alexandria, I didn’t hesitate to move back “home” to begin my professional career. That was when I first began to notice the passion our residents have for our community. It was brought to my attention again at a men’s group gathering, at which members shared why they chose to live in Alexandria. Much of this conversation led to how passionate our residents and business owners are.

The Alexandria area is blessed to have a diverse array of businesses, which not only support one another but are also generous in giving back to the community. Many of these acts go unpublicized, but none go unnoticed. Our local education system is outstanding. This draws communities far and wide to come see just how we do it. The non-profit sector here is thriving. Without passion for what we do, this does not happen.

The passion we all bring to our businesses, family, friends, and non-profits is what keeps our community growing and thriving, even through some difficult times over the past few years. We have and will continue to band together in times of need and prosperity. This passion is contagious. It keeps the lights shining brightly on what we have here and continues to attract new people that want a piece of what we have to offer.

I urge each of you to share your passion with others and be the “electricity” that powers the bright lights that shine on our outstanding community.
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I would like to personally thank every one of you for your membership and commitment to the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. While we continue to face challenges, it is important that we all continue to move forward. The Chamber is there to help your business grow and prosper by living out its mission of promoting the area as “the ultimate destination to live, work, play, and prosper.”