The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce offers many valuable exclusive benefits to its members. As the largest Chamber in Pennsylvania and New Jersey with more than 200,000 employee members, The Chamber is able to negotiate cost-saving programs for services and products that are commonly used by businesses across the Valley.
The Chamber offers several exclusive benefit programs and will continue to add programs that are of a common interest to its membership. In addition to the exclusive benefit programs, there are also several member-to-member discount programs, which all members are encouraged to offer.
For more information about membership, contact Gina Martens.
• Member Benefits
• Additional Benefits
• Marketing Opportunities
• Services
Member Benefits
Health Insurance: Capital BlueCross
The Chamber is the only one in Pennsylvania with a direct plan with Capital BlueCross. For more information about the five different health plans, contact any Capital BlueCross licensed broker or The Chamber’s consultants at Caruso Benefits Group, 610-865-0261. The Chamber also offers life, dental and vision plans. This program is only available to businesses in Northampton and Lehigh Counties.
Visit www.capbluecross.com/glvcc for more information regarding Better Health Works...It's Simple!
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Voluntary Insurance: Capital BlueCross
Several voluntary benefits are offered through this program, including PersonalBlue PPO (for individuals), short-term major medical, group term life, accidental death & dismemberment, long-term disability, Accident-Cancer-Critical Care Elite and long-term care insurance. Call 1-800-451-1181 for more information.
Voluntary Insurance: Aflac
Aflac’s nationwide service and reputation make it natural to offer to our members. Aflac policies are designed to pay cash benefits to employees to help cover expenses associated with serious illness or injury. Because Aflac products are employee owned, group rates apply and premiums are deducted on a “pre-tax” basis. These policies pay in addition to any other insurance policies your employees currently have. Plans include Personal Accident, Sickness & Catastrophic, and Specific Health & Cancer cash benefits. For more information, contact Bob or Maureen Friedman at 610-398-3727, bobfried@ptd.net or maureens@ptd.net.
Business Insurance: Penn National Insurance
This program offers business insurance to qualified, participating member businesses at competitive prices with specialized coverage, claims and loss control services, plus the potential to earn dividends based on group loss experience. For more information, contact Program Administrators: John Yurconic Agency at 610-770-6600.
Prescription Assistance Program: The Valley Rx Card
The Chamber is proud to offer a FREE Prescription Assistance Program - The Valley Rx Card - as a way of responding to the rising costs of prescription drugs. The Valley Rx Card is FREE to all residents of the Greater Lehigh Valley area and provides savings of up to 75% on prescription drugs at most retail pharmacies. This program has no restrictions to membership, no income requirements, no age limitations, and there are no applications to fill out. Click here to download a flier which includes the Rx card at the bottom of the page. Click here to learn more about the program.
Intelligent Energy Solutions: Constellation
The Chamber’s Electricity Procurement Program provides access to competitive pricing for electricity as the Central Pennsylvania region lifted rate caps/deregulated. Constellation helps members like you develop intelligent energy management solutions to stabilize their energy budgets, reduce energy costs, improve facility operations, and advance sustainability goals. Learn more at www.constellation.com/lehigh.
• 2013 Constellation Brochure
Natural Gas Savings: Shipley Energy
This program provides members with savings on mounting natural gas costs. The program provides a discount on Shipley’s already competitive natural gas prices exclusively for Chamber member businesses. Members save on natural gas costs, as well as secure a locked-in rate for ease of budgeting and planning. For more information contact Joe Facchiano at 610-442-9076 or jfacchiano@shipleyenergy.com. This program is only offered in Pennsylvania.
Merchant/Credit Card Processing Program: Embassy Bank
This program offers businesses a true flat rate credit card processing program tailored to the individual merchant based on monthly sales activity. No more trying to decipher multiple rates and unknown fees! For more information, contact Bryan Lobach at blobach@embassybank.com or 484-821-1205.
Office Supplies & Furniture: Jiorle's Office Supplies
This program offers an average of 50-60% savings off manufacturer’s list price on more than 26,000 office supply items and an average of 30- 40% savings on furniture, janitorial supplies and technology products. These items are available for free next-day delivery. Individual price plans are developed for each customer based upon their unique needs. Orders may be placed online at www.jiorles.com, by phone at 908-454-3433 or via fax at 908-454-1748.
Recycling & Toner Cartridges: Recycle Rewards
This program enables businesses to dispose of and recycle toner cartridges and cell phones. Participating members receive free collection boxes, complete with pre-paid UPS return labels. This program does not accept previously recycled toner cartridges, only new cartridges. For information about boxes, shipping labels or the overall process, contact Recycle Rewards at 1-888-336-9181. (Refer to Chamber ID 94800.) Please specify your address.
Office Space: The Office Quarters/Allentown
Chamber members receive discounts on office suites and virtual office suites at The Office Quarters. The Office Quarters offers special packages for Chamber members that provide a range of spaces – both physical and virtual – as well as business services like telephone, internet, receptionist, copying, faxing, etc. For more information, contact Brenda Ptacin/The Office Quarters, Allentown, at 484-224-3000, brenda@theofficequarters.com, www.theofficequarters.com. Also, call The Chamber if you’re looking for lease space in other Lehigh Valley areas, as we work with Ashley Development Corporation/Bethlehem and Unistar Advisors/Easton.
Print-to-Digital Publishing: P2iWebBook
The Chamber has a program that helps maximize your printed marketing investment by transforming printed materials into a fully-functional digital publication, enhanced with a host of interactive features. Convert PDF files into hosted, interactive, web-based publications; create online versions of books, brochures and documents. This is also great for the small business owner that doesn’t have the time our resources to host a website. For more information, contact Tom Butera at 610-332-2884 or email thomasb@p2ionline.com.
Email Template: Constant Contact
Chamber Constant Contact offers e-mail templates as well as survey templates for every occasion to improve customer service and gather customer feedback. Plus, users get a lot of back-end functionality with reporting functions, so you can track who is reading your e-mails and what links they click on, etc. Chamber members get a 20% discount for 6-month contracts and 25% discount for 12-months. There are also discounts for non-profit organizations. To get started, contact chamberprogram@constantcontact.com.
Additional Benefits
Networking
Several free “business after hours” mixers each month provide members with hundreds of contacts in the business community. It's a great way to make new acquaintances and generate business leads.
Professional Development
The Chamber offers numerous workshops and seminars designed with your business in mind. We will keep you informed of the latest “hot topics,” current market trends, cutting-edge technology, cost cutting measures and ways to maximize profits – all at a special “members only” price.
Public Policy
The Chamber is your voice in government. We address issues of concern to your business on the local, state and federal levels. We take proactive measures to ensure that government considers business objectives and viewpoints. We'll keep you informed of relevant issues through our newsletters and committee and council meetings. For more information, email Michelle Griffin Young.
Membership Plaque & Decal
Viewed by many as a source of pride and integrity! Display these prominently in your place of business to ensure that your visitors recognize you as a Chamber member.
Buying Power
Membership in The Chamber does have its privileges. Take advantage of the many discounts and special offers made available to you, as a Chamber member. Many companies tell us that the savings they experience exceeds their annual Chamber membership dues.
Marketing Opportunities
At The Chamber, we continue to find new ways to increase your value of Chamber membership. To learn more about Marketing Solutions offered by The Chamber, please contact Gina Martens at ginam@lehighvalleychamber.org or 610-739-1511. *Many of our Marketing Solutions listed below are FREE or low cost.
FREE Mailing List
As part of your membership, and to enhance your in-house sales and marketing efforts, we will send you an Excel spreadsheet (at your request) of our member mailing list. This list includes the company name and address and is updated monthly. This list does not include email addresses, phone or fax numbers. (Suggested use: Do a direct mail piece to nearly 5,000 members on our mailing list; Sort spreadsheet by zip code and target specific markets.) Contact Brandy Skorupsky at brandys@lehighvalleychamber.org. (Value $400)
FREE Listings
Members automatically receive free listings in the Membership Directory and on The Chamber’s website. New members are listed in the “New Member Spotlight” found in The Chamber’s monthly publication, Connections, as well as on the Chamber’s website, Blog and eConnections email blast.(Value $350)
TRADE Radio Giveaways
TRADE Radio Giveaways – Provide prizes for Chamber President Tony Iannelli to give away on your behalf when he joins Bobby Gunther-Walsh on WAEB AM 790 every Friday morning at 7:40 a.m., (40,000 listeners) for “Chat with the Chamber.” Tony mentions the business or event on the air. Contact Lorie Reinert at lorier@lehighvalleychamber.org or (610) 739-1597 to take advantage of this opportunity. (Value $150)
FREE Member News/Press Releases
Submit about 50 words about new programs, offerings, employee promotions, news, etc. The Chamber’s monthly publication, Connections, regularly includes member news content in a special section called “Member News.” Your material may be included as time and space allows. Full press releases with an educational topic for members may also be submitted for The Chamber’s Blog as time and space allows. Contact Brandy Skorupsky at brandys@lehighvalleychamber.org for Connections and Mike Keller at mikek@lehighvalleychamber.org for The Chamber’s blog. (Value $150)
FREE Radio Spots
A free marketing consultation and ten (10) FREE 60-second commercial ads on one of Nassau Broadcasting’s stations: 107.1 the Bone, 1230/1320 ESPN Radio, or $500 off for new advertisers with 99.9 The Hawk. To redeem this offer, contact Michael Anthony at 610-829-5532 or manthony@999thehawk.com. (Value $500)
FREE Newspaper Advertising: The Morning Call
The Morning Call: Get a free black and white ad, unit 10, full-run advertisement in the Morning Call as a special welcome. Members must inquire within 90 days of joining The Chamber. Some restrictions apply, contact the Morning Call for details. Contact Jim Ottinger at jottinger@mcall.com or 610-778-2261. (Value $1,074)
FREE Coupon Page
Every member and all their employees can take advantage of The Chamber’s Coupon Page, which provides Member-to-Member discounts on almost anything you can think of! Just visit www.LehighValleyChamber.org/Coupons. Place the link on your employee intranet so you and your entire staff have easy access to view and print any of these coupons, any time, and save tons of money! For more information, contact Gina Martens at ginam@lehighvalleychamber.org or 610-739-1511. (Value $1,000)
FREE Coupon Submission
Submit a coupon for your business online via Members Only section of the Chamber’s website. With more than 1,000 hits a month, these coupons are virtually guaranteed to drive new business to your door. Furthermore, through our Coupon of the Day program, your coupon can be featured exclusively on our Facebook, Twitter and Blog. For more information, contact Gina Martens at ginam@lehighvalleychamber.org or 610-739-1511. (Value varies, depending on the value of the offer submitted)
Business Referrals
The Chamber receives hundreds of inquiries from companies and individuals both inside and outside of the Lehigh Valley. Referrals are made, whenever possible, exclusively to Chamber members. Your expanded business description helps us identify the appropriate member to recommend. (Value $100)
FREE Media List
The Chamber will email its Media List upon request. A press release template is also available upon request. Contact Brandy Skorupsky at brandys@lehighvalleychamber.org. (Value $50)
FREE Guest Blog Post
The Chamber’s Blog is read by more than 1,500 people a month and is a great way for a member to gain free exposure and the new business that comes with it. Any Chamber member is entitled to write a guest blog entry on the Friday blog. The topic can be wide-ranging and related to anything in your industry. While not a direct advertisement, these entries give you the chance to talk about something relevant and topical in your industry, demonstrate your expertise and prove your value to Chamber members and blog readers. For more information, contact Mike Keller at mikek@lehighvalleychamber.org. (Value $100)
FREE Member of the Day
If you have a particular event, special, press release or member-to-member discount that you want to promote, we are happy to help you do so! We’ll put a link to your website and special event/press release on the top of our blog and in our Facebook & Twitter status. For more information, contact Mike Keller at mikek@lehighvalleychamber.org. (Value $100)
FREE Link on the Blog
FREE Link on the Blog – Let us know your website URL or Blog address and we will happily add it to the link list on our blog. This can help drive traffic and enhance your website’s Search Engine Optimization. For more information, contact Mike Keller at mikek@lehighvalleychamber.org. (Value $25)
Calendar Listings - Businesses can submit their community event information for posting on The Chamber’s website under Programs/Events by clicking on “Submit an Event.” (Value $100)
The Chamber has a monthly publication (circ. 6,000) called Connections. Ad placements range from eighth- to full-page. All ads are full color. Insertions/flier advertising is also available inside Connections. There are discounts for frequency in advertising for display ads. If you are interested in advertising in Connections, please contact Brandy Skorupsky.
Affordable Website Advertising
Banner and logo advertising are available for your company to gain the greatest exposure through The Chamber’s website, which currently gets between 60,000 -85,000 hits each month. Your advertisement would have a direct click-through to your company’s website or designated URL. Contact Brandy Skorupsky at brandys@lehighvalleychamber.org or 610-739-1000 for more information.
Featured Member / Enhanced Website Listing
Appear in the top of any search for your primary category listing on The Chamber's website directory. Appear with an increased font size, highlighted color and your logo. In addition, you will receive a second business category of your choice for FREE. When your listing is "clicked on,” your logo will appear along with our "Featured Member" logo. You may also include a YouTube video (promoting your business) on this webpage. (No more than 10% of a business category can participate. Available on a first-come, first-served basis. This feature will run one year from date of purchase.) Contact Brandy Skorupsky at brandys@lehighvalleychamber.org or 610-739-1000 for more information.
Cost Effective Email Advertising and Surveys
The Chamber will send your email promotion or survey to its address list as a “paid advertisement” or “paid survey” on selected Mondays (reservation suggested 30 days prior to requested date). The Chamber also has a weekly email newsletter (Thursdays) called eConnections. You can submit special events for the e-Connections Member Spotlight at no charge. Banner advertising is available. For more information, contact Mike Keller at mikek@lehighvalleychamber.org.
Intergrated Marketing Solution / Chamber Member of the Month
This opportunity uses various medias to get your business message to your target audience. Package includes: full page advertorial in Connections, highlighted presence on The Chamber’s website, email blast, highlighted on The Chamber’s social media outlets, radio (business mentioned on Gunther Morning Show), and more! A package for new businesses includes a grand opening/ribbon cutting. Contact Mike Keller at mikek@lehighvalleychamber.org or 484-809-1796 for details.
A Wide Range of Sponsorship Opportunities
Event sponsorships marry traditional advertising and public relations benefits in a unique package available exclusively to Chamber members. Many of our sponsorships include advertising opportunities such as direct mail, print and online advertising. On the PR side, nearly all of our sponsorships include complimentary tickets to the sponsored event. Higher levels of sponsorship may include the opportunity to address the audience on behalf of your organization and a variety of additional event-based visibility. Not to mention, the inherent value present for member businesses which demonstrate their support of The Chamber and its commitment to the community through their sponsorship investment. For more information, contact Frank Facchiano at frankf@lehighvalleychamber.org.
Grand Openings/Ribbon Cuttings Anniversary Celebrations/Mixers
Let The Chamber’s professional event planning services work for you! From planning and media releases to registrations and publicity, The Chamber can help you make your company event shine! For more information, contact Lorie Reinert at lorier@lehighvalleychamber.org or 610-739-1597.
Services
Basic Notary Public Services
FREE basic notary public services are available to members. Please call (610) 841-5800 for more information. *Limit 10 per company.
Certificate of Origin Procedures
The Chamber is able to provide your business a template and endorsement for Certificates of Origin. The Chamber can counsel you on any additional endorsements that may be required. Certificates of Origin ensure that your overseas shipment will be within the parameters of foreign customs regulations and, thus, their delivery expedited. Please call (610) 841-5800 for more information.
Member Rate: $25 / Non-Member Rate: $50
Unlimited Annual Bulk Rate: Members: $500 / Non-Members: Not Available
• Certificate of Origin Procedures
• Certificate of Origin Template - Lehigh County
• Certificate of Origin Template - Northampton County
• US Department of Export