Why Be A Part Of The Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber Of Commerce?
Here are a few reasons:
Business:
Influence
Over 550 businesses, large and small, joining forces in the Astoria- Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce (AWACC), have a strong voice within our communities. The Chamber brings businesses together for their common benefit.
Opportunity
People purchase from people they know. The Chamber provides a number of networking events that offer outstanding opportunities to put yourself and your business in people’s minds.
Connections
Due to its far-reaching involvement in the community, the Chamber knows an enormous amount about who’s who and what’s what and can direct and assist people to the proper places and get the answers and solutions they need.
Access to Decision-Makers
Face to face opportunities to meet and have informal conversation with local, state and federal elected and appointed officials. The Chamber maintains a positive working relationship with government at all levels.
Promotions:
Face-to-Face Friendly
The AWACC operates two Welcome Centers, on West Marine Drive (Hwy 30) in Astoria and on Highway 101 in Warrenton, serving more than 125,000 visitors every year. Members have the ability to provide brochures, business cards, menus, and other information in the lobbies of these centers. The Chamber advocates for the many attractions, enticing many travelers to spend more time here while increasing revenues for businesses.
Website
Members get a free listing on the Chamber’s popular website, Oldoregon.com, complete with your provided detailed business description and hyperlink links to your e-mail address and/or website. This site had over a million hits last year.
Chamber Works
Each month you will receive a copy of our newsletter with articles, news about our members, up-coming events and for a small fee, the opportunity to advertise in or provide an insert for this mailing, which will reach over 600 of your fellow member decision-makers!
Public Relations & Advertising
The Chamber, joining with the Lower Columbia Tourism Commission, works with a private public relations and advertising firm to market our area/community using the latest technology and traditional opportunities.
Management Training
Some businesses encourage their managers to work on Chamber committees and volunteer for Chamber events. In the process, these employees make outstanding contacts in the community and add enormously to their leadership and teamwork skills.
Festivals/Events:
Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival
The Chamber produces the annual Crab Fest, which fills local lodging facilities and brings an early-season gush of business to restaurants and retail establishments of all kinds. Paid attendance exceeds 19,500.
4th of July Fireworks
The Chamber provides the annual 4th of July Fireworks display over the Columbia River on Astoria’s waterfront.
Great Columbia Crossing
The Chamber produces this annual run/walk across the Astoria-Megler Bridge, the only time “our” bridge is open to foot traffic. This event brings business and fun to the community during the October shoulder season. In 2010, the event capped at 3000 participants and sold out well before the event. The Chamber’s “Clam Bucks” brought participants in to our member businesses on event weekend.
The Chamber also assists other community organizations such as the Scandinavian Festival, Regatta, Fisher Poets Gathering and many othes and is always looking for new events to bring visitors to our area.
Contact & Membership Application
Executive Director, Skip Hauke
phone: 503-325-6311
email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
mail: PO Box 176, Astoria, OR 97103
Download the Chamber Membership Application: Membership Application 220kb, pdf
Download the Chamber’s bylaws: AWACC By-Laws June 2008.pdf