Why Be A Part Of The Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber Of Commerce?
Here are a few reasons:
Business:
Influence
Over 600 businesses, large and small, joining forces in the Astoria- Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce (AWACC), have a strong voice that cannot be ignored. The Chamber brings businesses together for their common benefit.
Opportunity
People purchase from people they know. The Chamber provides a number of social and 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, inducing 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.
The Chamber has teamed with the Daily Astorian to publish and distribute 240,000 copies of its annual area Visitor Guide magazine. The publication goes directly into the hands of people who are visiting or thinking of visiting the area. It provides vital information for businesses and individuals considering a move here and directs all of these people to local businesses.
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 Tourist Commission works with a private public relations and print advertising firm to market our area/community.
Training:
Quality Customer Service
The Chamber offers Quality Service Training for your employees in a way that’s so much fun it can’t help but be effective.
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 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. Chamber members receive a 10% discount on vending booths for this event.
4th of July Fireworks
The Chamber organizes the annual 4th of July Fireworks celebration 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 2005 there were over 2500 participants.
The Chamber also assists other community organizations such as the Easter Egg Hunt, Scandinavian Festival, Regatta and Fisher Poets Gathering and is always looking for new events to bring visitors to our area.
Helping Hands
The Chamber is active in an initiative called “The Asset Approach” to involve the entire community in attacking problems of alcohol and drug abuse and in supporting our youth. Plus, each year college scholarships are awarded to local high school students.
Members Manual
Members receive a complete guide to Chamber goals, community projects, programs, committees, calendar, leadership, opportunities and member services. (New book for 2007-08 currently in process.)
Contact & Membership Application
Download the Chamber Membership Application pdf file (coming soon). Or contact Executive Director, Skip Hauke, at 503-325-6311 or by email to oldoregon@charterinternet.com.
Download the Chamber’s bylaws: Chamber_Bylaws.pdf [18.56MB]