...A Message from the 2007/2008 President

Fulfilling The Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce’s mission of advancing the general welfare of its members and prosperity of the area is made possible by its membership.  As your 2007/2008 president, I encourage everyone doing business in the area to become a member, and I encourage existing members to become active.  The Chamber staff and board of directors work hard to ensure that the area’s business needs are being met, with that in mind various programs and events are orchestrated every year.  Programs to develop and promote growth and tourism, to create awareness of important factors concerning the business community, and to provide valuable resources for business development, all work as a collective to better serve the community and Chamber members.   So whether you are member or you are considering becoming a member, I am confident the Chamber will benefit you.

Membership has its privileges

• Advertise at no charge in the Chamber’s bi-monthly newsletter
• Market your business by becoming a sponsor of one of the many Chamber events such as the Golf Classic, U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament, Christmas By the Sea, Oak Island Lighthouse 5K & 10K Run.
• Participate in trade shows attended by the Chamber by attending personally or by sending brochures to be displayed.
• Free listing with a live link on the Chamber’s Web site which is viewed by over 149,000 unique visitors a year.
• Free listing in the Chamber’s annual Vacation & Residents Guide distributed to 80,000 people.
• Advertising opportunity in the Vacation & Residents Guide.
• Advertising opportunity in the Chamber’s publication of a Brunswick County map distributed to 10,000.
• Discounted price on the Chamber’s produced Brunswick County map.
• Opportunity to leave business advertising collateral at the Chamber’s Welcome Center which hosts over 7,000 visitors annually.
• Opportunity to participate in the annual Wedding Expo trade show
• Opportunity to attend and receive discounts at Annual Advertising Expo.
• Use of the Chamber’s board room, no charge
• Access to workers compensation insurance
• Marketing opportunity to 5,000+  prospects who have inquired about the area.  A list of names and addresses of these prospects is supplied to enrolling members on a weekly basis.  A small yearly fee applies.
• Marketing opportunity to other Chamber members.  For a small fee of $20 labels of members including the member’s name, address, phone number and fax number can be obtained.  Paper or electronic lists are Free.
• Ability to take part in various seminars conducted or organized by the Chamber such as the annual economic update held in the spring of each year.
• Networking through business after hours and other membership get-togethers such as Business Before Breakfast.
• Eligibility to serve on Chamber committees.
• Opportunity to attend the Chamber’s annual meeting.
• Ribbon-cuttings and grand opening advertising and participation.

Get Involved

• Serve as an Ambassador to the Chamber and assist in visiting local businesses on behalf of the Chamber.
• Serve on the Tourism Committee or Business Development Committee.
• Serve on a special event committee such as the U.S. Open King Mackeral Tournament, Golf Classic, NC 4th of July, Oak Island Lighthouse  5K &10K Run, or the Christmas by the Sea.
• Become a sponsor of one of the many events the Chamber hosts
• Attend business after hours
• Attend the annual meeting and dinner
• Attend free seminars hosted by the Chamber
• Email or write with any comments or ideas you may have

Please contact the Chamber at 457-6964, or email the staff at info@southport-oakisland.com if you wish to take advantage of membership privileges or become active in a committee. 

Warm Regards,

Brenda Bowling
2007/2008 President

Board and Staff

2007-2008 Board of Directors
2007 - 2008 President, Brenda Bowling, BB&T
Senior Vice President , Teresa Bohrer, Beach Road Books

VP Internal Affairs, Wayne Berry, Brock Berry Padgett & Chandler, PLLC, CPA’s
VP Community Development, Dr. Audra Rickman, Four Paws Veterinary Hospital
VP Governmental Affairs, Ken Campbell, Prevatte, Prevatte & Campbell Attorneys At Law
VP Business Development, Howie Franklin, Brunswick County Airport

 Immediate Past President, Don Hughes, Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation

David Hewett, Town of Caswell Beach
Emily Humphreys, Port City Java
John Lawrence, A.G. Edwards
Rick Koch, North Carolina State Ports Authority
Edgar Haywood, III, Dosher Memorial Hospital
Dean Sexton, Security Savings Bank
Frank Smith, ADM
Daniel Williams, Woodlands Bank

Full-Time Staff
Karen Sphar, Executive Vice President
Brad Fisher, Events Coordinator

Part-Time Information Specialists
Bobbie Frazier
Nancy Sphar
Millie Zimmerman
Nancy Kreider  

Download membership application
(Requires the most recent version of Adobe Acrobat Reader - click here to download for free.)

What is a Chamber of Commerce?
The Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary organization of businesses and professional men and women who work together for the purpose of encouraging growth as well as the economic progress of our community. The work of the Chamber is carried out by committees, staffed by interested members willing to donate their time and talents. Membership provides new opportunities for your business.

What the Chamber Can Do for You ...

• IT'S YOUR SPOKESMAN ... your voice on governmental and community issues ... the central organization in which you and your fellow businessmen join hands to support measures and projects that benefit you, your family, your business, and your community.
• IT'S YOUR ADVOCATE ... improves community understanding of the free enterprise system ... face to face, frank exchanges of views between local business people and their political representatives.
• IT'S YOUR TRAINING CENTER ... sponsors seminars and workshops on subjects of concern and interest to business through the Brunswick Community College Small Business Center ... provides small business management assistance through the Small Business Center at BCC and UNC-Wilmington.
• IT'S YOUR INFORMATION BUREAU ... facts on business trends and population ... keeps you posted on new developments affecting your business.
• IT'S YOUR GOODWILL AMBASSADOR ... it tells the nation about commercial and recreational facilities ... helps local businesses obtain maximum benefit from tourism.
• IT MULTIPLIES YOUR EFFECTIVENESS IN THE COMMUNITY ... by providing the structure, volunteer leadership, professional staff and full-time office operation to implement an effective program to meet the needs of a growing community.

Annual Membership Investment Schedule

Member Services / Benefits

Welcome Center
Chamber members may display their business cards and other business literature at the Welcome Center on Long Beach Road. The center has several thousand visitors a year and is a great place for visitors, residents and those relocating to gather information about our area.

Vacation & Residents Guide
80,000 copies of our annual guide are distributed at the Chamber's Welcome Center, Southport Visitor's Center, local businesses, in NC Welcome Centers, other chambers of commerce, at travel shows and other promotional events. They are also distributed as a direct mail piece to every resident in the 28461, 28465 and 28422 zip codes. Every chamber member is listed in the Business Directory.

National Advertising
All members receive a free listing in the Chamber's Business Directory, which appears on this Web site. Members may also link to the Chamber's site under their listing in the directory. If a member links to the site the company must give the Chamber a reciprocal link.

The Chamber is also involved in the Brunswick County Tourism Development Authority. The Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce recommends appointments to this board.

Chamber Meetings
The Chamber holds an annual membership meeting in June, quarterly Business before Breakfast and quarterly Business After Hours. The Chamber also co-sponsors business seminars with organizations like the Brunswick Community College Small Business Center, NC Department of Labor and Small Business Administration. The Business After Hours program is one of our most popular functions. Sponsored by members businesses it affords businessmen and women the opportunity to associate in a more relaxed atmosphere.

Special Events
U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament - first weekend in October, Christmas By The Sea Festival - December, and Oak Island Lighthouse 5k & 10K Run – Spring  and Annual Southport-Oak Island Golf Classic. The Chamber also provides administrative support for the N.C. 4th of July Festival, Inc.

Insurance
Members have the opportunity to participate in a self-insured workers compensation insurance fund.

Chamber Conference Room
The Chamber's conference room is available for use by members for seminars and meetings at no charge.

Grand Openings
The Chamber provides ribbon cutting service and grand opening services to members at no charge.

Publications
Newsletter - Bi-monthly newsletter highlighting information on programs, opportunities and member news. members may submit news about their business free.
Wedding & Meeting Planner - A publication highlighting members who directly benefit from this growing and lucrative market.
Newcomer Guide - A publication which informs new residents about accessing the basic services or the area.
Business Resources Package - designed by the Southport-Oak Island area Committee of 100 and distributed by the Southport-Oak Island chamber of Commerce, this publication gives potential businesses the informational tools to start a new business.
Map - The Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce partnering with the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce and Target Maps have created a regional and county street map which will be published bi-annually for Chamber distribution. Chamber has negotiated a special price for those members wishing to purchase bulk quantities. Only members may advertise.

Chamber E-News
Monthyly email to members with information on upcoming events & fraud alerts.

Leads & Labels
The Chamber will provide any member a listing of businesses on labels for a nominal fee. Chamber members can subscribe to a service which provides a list of names and addresses of those who call the chamber requesting information.

Bulk Mailing to Members
The Chamber has negotiated a special discount for bulk mailings to the Chamber's mailing list.

Awards Program
The Chamber recognizes from its membership a Small Business Person of the Year and Small Business Customer Service of the Year, annually at is Annual Meeting/Dinner. Nominations area solicited from businesses and residents. Nominations are presented to the Small Business & Technology Development Center for award selection.

Mission Statement
The mission of the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce is to advance the general welfare of its members and the prosperity of the area so that all citizens and all areas of its business community shall prosper. Particular attention and emphasis shall be given to the economic, civic, commercial, cultural, industrial and educational interest of the area with all appropriate means of promotion provided.

Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce
4841 Long Beach Rd., SE
Southport, NC 28461
(910) 457-6964    (800) 457-6964
Fax (910) 457-0598
Email: info@southport-oakisland.com

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