To The Editor:

A research study titled “the real value of joining a local Chamber of Commerce” conducted by the Shapiro Group states that “Advocates of chambers of commerce have long believed that when a company is active it its local chamber, it is doing the right thing not only for the community, but for its own success as well.”

The study goes on to advance that “Most consumers (59 percent) think that being active in the local chamber of commerce is an effective business strategy overall.

It is important to keep in mind that this data is the product of objective research conducted by a third-party research firm.

At the same time, I subjectively believe one of the smartest investments you make as a business owner is your membership in your Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce.

I sincerely appreciate your membership and I look forward to an incredible 2010 for our Chamber. The number one benefit you will receive from Chamber membership is the invaluable opportunity to network.

Bottom line: life is about relationships. The chamber affords you, individually, the opportunity to build your network and take personal advantage of the associations you can develop through your chamber.

There are a large number of benefits to Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce (LACC) membership beyond the inherent opportunity to “enlarge your territory” and “built your network.”

To remind you of a few of the more tangible benefits you receive as a Lehigh Chamber member, we have monthly invitations to our networking luncheons and Business After Hours events, weekly information (via email or fax) titled LA Chamber of Commerce Updates, your monthly membership newsletter, and four free listings (alphabetical and categorical) in our two largest LACC publications – our constantly updated website and our annual Chamber guide.

In 2010, we will be offering “members only” discounts/specials to LACC members from our businesses as well as password – protected “members only” access to exclusive pages on our website.

We will also soon finalizing our “LACC Membership Rewards Program” – announcement including the basic tenets of the program will soon be coming your way.

I will be meeting with Board member Elsa Petrick and her Membership Committee to further develop the program.

In short, the program will be utilized to recognize and reward those Chamber members who make direct contributions to our organization (e.g., event attendance, committee participation, member recruitment, etc.).

I enthusiastically look forward to soon announcing our new “LACC Membership Rewards Program.”

If you would like to join our Membership Committee and be a part of developing the program, contact me at 239-369-3322 or online at: Jwhalen@lehighacreschamber.org.

Also after Oct. 12, please stop by for a visit at our new office, which will be shared with our Lehigh Acres Economic Development Board (EDB), located at 25 Homestead Rd., Suite 41 (Lehigh Town Centre between Joe’s Cafe and the former Lehigh Discount Furniture store.

Joseph Whalen

President, CEO

Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce