Member Benefit Program

Seminars The Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the College of the Albemarle's Small Business Center Dare Campus and the local SCORE chapter 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 2008.) 2010 Event will be held March 6, 2010 at the First Flight Middle School in Kill Devil Hills. No admission charge & most screenings are FREE! 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. 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. Lynda Midgett was named the 2009 Outer Banks Citizen of the Year at the chamber’s annual banquet in October. 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 East Carolina Bank, Clarion Hotel, Comfort Inn South, and Surf or Sound Realty, chamber members were asked to submit questions electronically on such issues as transportation, economic development, beach erosion, storm water run-off, education, and more. 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 2008 legislative breakfast was held in May at the Dunes Restaurant in Nags Head. First Benefits Insurance Workers Compensation Insurance Members now have two options for saving on workers compensation coverage. With First Benefits Insurance, members save on top-notch workers compensation coverage for small and medium size businesses. FBI is willing to write a market segment frequently ignored by other commercial carriers including annual premiums of $10,000 or less. Most firms qualify for a monthly payment plan. Under this plan, you may choose to pay your premium a month in arrears and calculate your premium on actual payroll. Reporting actual payroll will eliminate the surprise of large year-end audits and allow you to adjust for seasonal hiring. Call 888-393-2667, ext. 118 for more information on how you can save. 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. 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 2008.) 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 Charge Cards You don´t need another credit card... you need a better one. WorldPoints® rewards is a credit card rewards program that absolutely puts you first. And, it is available with the Outer Banks Platinum Plus® MasterCard® credit card. Choose the rewards that are right for you, including cash, travel, brand name merchandise, and gift certificates. Earn 1 point for every dollar you spend in net retail purchases.  It´s that easy Learn more about exclusive WorldPoints benefits and services from Bank of America. For information about rates, fees, other costs, and benefits associated with the use of this credit card  click here and refer to the disclosures that accompany the online credit card application. This credit card program is issued and administered by FIA Card Services, N.A. 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. Submit your calendar items and newsreleases to angiebd@outer-banks.com 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.