...A Message from President

The Southport-Oak Island Area Needs a Strong Chamber of Commerce now more than ever. In times of plenty when consumers are looking for ways to spend and enjoy their disposable income, very little persuasion by the business community is needed to generate sales. When homeowners are able to sell their homes for substantial profits and move to any place and climate they prefer our tranquil harbors need very little promotion to get attention and inquiry. When a market has few “big box” national department stores or national franchise restaurants, small shops and family run restaurants thrive. When products are bought over the counter instead of over the internet, local shops are busy. Even the professional services of dentists, attorneys, doctors, optometrists, insurance agents, and accountants are now offered in national or regional franchised packages and/or by the internet.

You have probably noticed that business is not “business as usual” today. Our community businesses need help to locate customers and to keep sales coming.

The Southport Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce exists and exerts its energy to promote the benefits of doing business locally. Is there another entity that offers unbiased promotion of our communities and businesses? Our Chamber attempts to provide events and activities that bring people to our area and promote our total package. Our Chamber provides administrative support for the NC 4th of July Festival which includes the annual Southport Parade. Our Chamber operates the US Open King Mackerel Tournament. Tens of thousands of people visit our area for these events. There are regular networking events. There is activity in our area every month. The activities range from Christmas Parade to Bridal showcases. There is recognition in our schools for outstanding students and teachers. There is interface with government activities concerning commerce and highway improvement needs. The Chamber publishes and distributes 65,000 Vacation and Resident Guides showing our full range of area communities and businesses. The guides go to NC Welcome Centers, AAA Travel offices and throughout our community for visitors and residents to read and use. The guide is available at the Chamber web site and last year 100,000 people visited the web site.
The benefits of our Chamber are not direct contributions to a store, office, restaurant, employer, educator or service provider. Our Chamber provides indirect benefits to our businesses and service providers by highlighting our area and its businesses.
Our Chamber is strengthened by the input and participation of our business, government, and community leaders. A strong Chamber becomes stronger with each new member.
Consider the benefits provided by your Chamber and invest in your community by remaining a member or joining and participating in its activities.

Sincerely,
Sam Keziah,
2012-13 President

Membership has its privileges

• Advertisein the Chamber’s quarterly 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 65,000 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 to purchase quantities of the Chamber's 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
• 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 Out-Of-The-Box Lunch, 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
• 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. 

Board and Staff

20012-20013 Board of Directors
President, Sam Keziah, NC Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance
Senior Vice President, Seth Robbins, Oak Island Accommodations

VP Internal Affairs, Tasha Helms, Tasha Helms, CPA, PC
VP Community Development, Elva Jess, Jess, Isenberg & Thompson Attorneys At Law
VP Governmental Affairs, Jan Park, Carillon Assisted Living of Southport
VP Business Development, Penny Watkins, Boo & Roos
VP Tourism, Trisha Howarth, Bald Head Island Limited

Immediate Past President, Dennis Coffey, Dosher Memorial Hospital

Tim Bell, Bell’s Supply
Amanda Carbonell, Uncorked by the Sea Wine Shop & Gallery
Gene Faller, Lowe’s Home Improvement of Southport
Steve Isley, Oak Island Golf & Country Club
Paul Keane, Zeetlegoo’s Pet & People Store
Jennifer Moore, First Citizens Bank
Kirk Singer, Dosher Memorial Hospital
Ali Travis, River Road Animal Hospital
Greg White, Peacock, Newnam & White Funeral & Cremation Services

Full-Time Staff
Karen Sphar, Executive Vice President
Vacant, Events Coordinator & Membership Sales

Part-Time Information Specialists
Donna Joyner
Bobbie Frazier
Sandy Krasnow
Nancy Sphar

Download An Invitation to membership application

Download Membership Form
(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

How to get the most for your money

1. Market your product and services.

• A monthly email is sent to Chamber members called Chamber E-News. Chamber E-News is an informational
newsletter focusing on topics such as upcoming events, advertising opportunities, fraud alerts and other time sensitive news.
• Take advantage of the Members to Member E-News. Members can shamelessly plug new products, personnel or services for FREE in this monthly email to the members.
• The Chamber publishes a Vacation & Resident's Guide, Wedding & Meeting Planner, Newcomer Guide, Business
Resource Package and a Brunswick County Map. Ads are available on the map and Vacation and Resident's Guide.
• Targeted marketing opportunities through the many Chamber sponsored events. Display ads, web links, sponsorships and other marketing opportunities available, U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament, Cape Fear Flounder Classic, Southport-Oak Island Golf Classic and Oak Island Lighthouse Run/Walk . The Chamber also provides administrative support for the N.C. 4th of July
Festival, Inc.
• Website listings on the Chamber's Website www.southport-oakisland.com. Potential to reach 187,000 visitors to the site annually. Each member is listed for FREE in the business directory on the website. Links to the member website are FREE.
• Business Directory Listing in Vacation & Residents Guide, 65,000 copies of the guide are distributed. Each member is listed in one category of the Business Directory for FREE. Only members may purchase display ads in the guide.
• 10,000 copies of the Brunswick County Map will be distributed. Only members may purchase a listing on the map.
• Welcome Center greets almost 7,000 potential clients. Do you have a brochure or business cards in the center? This is a member only benefit.
• Only members may participate in the Bridal Showcase held at the Southport Community Building.
• Coastal Consumer Showcase members get a discounted price to participate.
• New Resident Packets– Vacation and Resident's Guide included in the packet. Members can purchase a page in the passport to advertise your business.

2. Enhance your management skills and business services.
 
• Representatives from Brunswick Community College Small Business Center, SBTDC @ UNCW and SCORE will come to the Chamber's office or your business to meet with and suggest ways to increase your business.
• Annual Economic Climate Update held locally. Representative of the Cameron School of
Business, UNC Wilmington share critical economic climate trends and numbers with members annually.
• Attending Chamber's Annual Meeting is a great opportunity to see what your Chamber has
accomplished and what it is going to do in the coming year.
• Seminars on business topics and issues held free for members.
• Out of the Box Lunch– Lively discussions on current business topics.
• Small Business Summit- Annual focus on small business with a resource fair. Business to business networking.

3. Direct Financial Member Benefits.
 
• Use of the Chamber's Board Room is FREE to hold a staff or client meeting.
• Worker's Compensation Insurance. Members can opt into a self-insured workers compensation
insurance program through the NC Retail Merchant's Association - First Benefits Insurance without the added expense of belonging to the NC Retail Merchant's Association.
• Leads List for members only. Small yearly fee will secure you names and addresses of about 5,000 people whom have asked for information on our area. The list is emailed to subscriber members weekly. Annual subscription is $150.00.
• Member listing for members only. Members may receive a list of businesses that belong to the Chamber including name, address, phone number and fax number. By email, the list is FREE. Labels cost $25.
• Customers place value on the Chamber Membership giving your business instant credibility.

4. Opportunities to Network and establish business relationships.
 
• Business After Hours are perfect for creating new business contacts. FREE to the members to attend.
• The Chamber provides ribbon cutting and Grand Opening services to members at no charge.
• Committee meetings offer a more concentrated effort to network in a smaller more intimate group. Committee work
offers the greatest opportunity to get out and work with your fellow business owners and get the name of your business noticed.
• Business Before Breakfast is a great way to network before the business day.
• Coffee with the Girls offers a supportive network for women in business.
 

Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce
4433 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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