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Seminars The Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the College of the Albemarle's Small Business Center Dare Campus offers a variety of training courses throughout the year. Topics include customer service, internet marketing, developing a business plan, marketing your products, and more! Call (252)441-8144 for a list of current offerings.
Outer Banks Health & Fitness Expo Sponsored annually since 1996 by the Chamber, Outer Banks Hospital, Dasani Water, Minute Maid Juices, and the Outer Banks Sentinel, the Outer Banks Health & Fitness Expo is a showcase of private medical practices, government agencies, non-profit groups, and health-related businesses on the Outer Banks. (Over 1,200 attended in 2006.) Usually held in February. No admission charge & most screenings are FREE! View our most recent show program produced by the Outer Banks Sentinel
Collection of Economic Data Dating from 1980 to present, economic data is packaged for easy comparisons complete with graphs & charts on everything from cost of living, occupancy tax collections, building permits, land transfer, unemployment rates, traffic counts and more. The Outer Banks Chamber also hosts an annual Economic Forecast Breakfast each year. This year’s event will be 8:30 am, March 22, 2007 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Kitty Hawk. Cost to attend is $25. To register, call (252)441-8144.
Chamber News Our Chamber newsletter includes articles on legislative happenings, economic updates, information about new Chamber services, a community calendar and more (12 issues per year, 1500 copies of each edition). Chamber List Server Alerts help business professionals stay involved in community programs. Chamber members also have the opportunity to advertise in the Chamber newsletter with rates starting as low as $30 for a 20-word listing.
Business After Hours
Business After Hours The Chamber hosts business networking opportunities throughout the year offering professionals a chance to meet new people, showcase their products and services, new employees, etc. in a fun, informal atmosphere. (Approximately 250-300 attend each function).
Outer Banks Chamber Ambassadors The Chamber promotes networking in everything that we do! Key volunteers, called Outer Banks Chamber Ambassadors, serve as the eyes and ears of the chamber board of directors and staff by visiting members, working epxos and events, and volunteering with chamber fundraising events. There is no cost to be an ambassador. Business professionals must be a member of the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce (in good standing), be energetic and want to help the chamber meet its mission.
Outer Banks Citizen of the Year Sponsored by RBC Centura Bank, this program recognizes community leaders in Dare and Currituck Counties that have made an outstanding contribution to this area. Dare County Commissioner and long-time advocate of education Virginia Tillett was named the 2006 Outer Banks Citizen of the Year at the chamber’s annual banquet in October. (130 attended the 2006 awards banquet.)
Virginia Tillett, 2006 Citizen of the Year
Wings Over Water FestivalThe Chamber is one of the sponsoring agencies (working with Roanoke Island Festival Park, Carolina Bird Club, U.S. Fish & Wildlife, Coastal Wildlife Refuge Service, Outer Banks Sentinel, Currituck Wildlife Education Center, and other agencies in the community) to sponsor Wings Over Water, A Celebration of Wildlife & Wildlands held each year in November. The festival highlights birdwatching, pelagic trips, and other items of interest to the ecotourist as well as fun events for the entire family!
Wings Over Water
Outer Banks Business of the Year This annual award luncheon program is sponsored by Hutchins Allen & Company, CPA's, the Chamber, and SCORE. William Claypole, DMD was the 2005 Outer Banks Business of the Year. The Bank of Currick was named the 2006 Outer Banks Business of the Year at Duck Woods Country Club, Southern Shores. You can download the Outer Banks Small Business of the Year Application Form as a Adobe Acrobat Reader file or Microsoft Word document.
The Bank of Currituck
2006 Outer Banks Business of the Year
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SCORE Counseling SCORE offers free business counseling Tuesdays 11:00 am til 2:00 pm in the Chamber Conference Room or other times by appointment.
 In addition to free business counseling, SCORE produces a book, "Operating a Business on North Carolina's Outer Banks", which is available free of charge. Other publications on marketing, choosing a business location, developing a financial plan, and other topics of importance to small businesses are available through the SBA. SCORE is on-line with the U.S. Small Business Administration and able to access SBA publications and information updates on request. Check out SCORE on their homepage or send them an e-mail message at mail@score497.org
Legislative Involvement The Chamber monitors and is active in issues which affect the Outer Banks Community through:
Membership Opinion Poll Co-sponsored by the Virginian Pilot and The East Carolina Bank, surveys are sent to each Chamber member in March/April asking for their input on such issues as transportation, economic development, beach erosion, education, and more. If you have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can review a copy of this year's Viewpoint 2006 Legislative Opinion Poll
Legislative Breakfast Co-sponsored by the Chamber, the Virginian Pilot and The East Carolina Bank, the legislative breakfast is a chance to talk with our state representatives about issues which affect business and the community at large. The 2007 legislative breakfast will be held in May at the Dunes Restaurant in Nags Head. |
Workers Compensation Self-Insurers Fund & IBP 7-24 Integrated Disability Insurance With Discount Workers Compensation Members now have two options for saving on workers compensation coverage. With the Workers Compensation Self-Insurers Fund, members save with upfront discounts which range from 6-15% depending on the premium size. In addition, options such as professional loss control services to assist in preparing loss prevention and control services, 3) an aggressive claims management policy to prevent fraud, and 4) additional savings by not having to pay the Risk Pool Surcharge make the plan a great benefit for the business community. The Chamber IBP 7-24 Plan or Chamber Innovative Business Protection 7 days a week, 24 hours a day integrates disability income with managed care-enhanced workers compensation coverage allowing savings on both policies. Coverage also includes injury prevention education for employees and employers and workplace audits (upon request)to reduce injuries.
Member to Member DiscountsChamber members discounts at many local businesses including. Download a complete list here, or call the chamber office at (252)441-8144.
While the Chamber does not place any paid advertising promoting the area, the Chamber staff answers over 50,000 business referrals per year for relocation, visitor information, or questions about starting a business in the area.
2007 Publications
The Chamber also produces (with the help of Chamber member Vista Graphics) a full-color 96 page Outer Banks Living/Chamber Relocation and Investors Guide.
 The book highlights the special qualities of the Outer Banks including schools, tax rates, employment opportunities, cost-of-living, a business directory, and business start-up statistics. (50,000 printed for 2007.)
Outer Banks Street Map the Chamber publishes a detailed street map including all of Dare & Currituck Counties and Ocracoke Island! Copies of the map were distributed to local emergency personnel including fire & police departments, town halls, county offices, EMS, sheriff's department, and more! Copies of the map can be purchased for $1 each at the Chamber office in Kill Devil Hills or $5 each through the US mail (includes all postage and handling charges).
Outer Banks Credit Cards The Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce WorldPoints® MasterCard Credit Card: The Most Rewarding Card of All. Earn points and get the rewards you want—cash, travel, merchandise, and gift certificates—now with easy online redemption, too! Only the WorldPoints® card gives you the freedom to choose so much, so easily-and with no annual fee. Simply click here to apply online today.
Questions? Call the Chamber office at (252)441-8144.
Other Community Involvement:
The Chamber works hard to support other non-profit groups in the area by displaying posters and brochures in our welcome center, and promoting local events through Chamber News,our list server, and our on-line calendar of events. Outer Banks Chamber Ambassadors often volunteer to work events so that the chamber remains visible in the community.
The Chamber is also happy to allow community groups to utilize the Chamber building for meetings.
Our building is a central meeting place for businesses who want to hold meetings with their branch managers "away from the office". Banks, real estate companies, retail shops, medical centers, and others use the building for that purpose.
Interested in Joining the Chamber? Using Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can view our current rate card or print our Membership Application Form. Questions or prefer a personal visit, call Sara Keener at (252) 441-8144, ext. 222.
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