What does the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce do?

• Facilitates communication between our business members and the other facets of our community: municipal officials, the administration of the local educational institutions, the leadership of the other community organizations and the general public
• Staffs and operates a local and regional information center
• Organizes community events and provides a central marketing repository for all our members' events, in addition to myriad events organized by other community groups, churches and local non-profits
• Develops and facilitates marketing projects to promote the Bethel area in all four seasons
• Provides many marketing opportunities for our members (See Marketing Opportunities link for detail on this.)
• Provides a one-call lodging reservation service for our accommodation members and visitors seeking this service
• Organizes networking events for our members including a monthly Community Networking Breakfast and a monthly Business After Hours
• Organizes and coordinates media tours of the Bethel area
• Works with the Maine Film Commission to attract independent and feature movies to the area, as well as commercials and catalog/magazine photo shoots

General business benefits include:

• The opportunity to obtain group rates on medical and dental insurance, electrical purchasing and credit card processing through the Chamber Alliance, a program available to members of local chambers in a relationship with the Maine State Chamber
• Being a part of a central unit to represent the concerns of the Bethel area business community on the local, regional, statewide and national levels
• Free access to the business mailing lists of the chamber
• Business referrals
• Small business training opportunities
• Bulk mailing capabilities for 200+ USPS mailings by using chamber's permit

Marketing benefits of membership:

• As a full member of our chamber, there are myriad ways to promote your business through the www.bethelmaine.com site. This includes a FREE listing, the opportunity to post photos of your business, special events, and promotions.  In addition, banner and tile advertising opportunities are also available.  
• Affordable basic listing in chamber Annual Guidebook, as well as an opportunity to purchase enhanced listings/graph listings/display advertising. 
• Brochure and business card display and distribution in visitor center
• Opportunity to purchase advertising in year-round, full-color map
  
• Opportunity to participate in cooperative advertising projects and special promotions
• Opportunity to obtain direct sales leads generated through the chamber's Website
• Opportunity to advertise in weekly e-notice and bimonthly newsletter
• Opportunity to participate in our one-call lodging reservation service
• Opportunity to participate in "Where to Shop and Eat" Directory that we place in more than 80 strategic locations throughout the Bethel area.
• Opportunity to host a Business After Hours

Networking opportunities of membership:

• Attending networking events such as Business After Hours and monthly Community Networking Breakfasts.
• Opportunity to join chamber committees and/or help out with chamber events.

Membership Affiliations:

By being a member of the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce, you have representation in the following regional, statewide and National organizations:

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• Maine State Chamber of Commerce
• Maine Tourism Association
• Ski Maine Association
• Maine Innkeepers Association
• Western Mountains Alliance
• Maine's Lakes and Mountains Tourism Council
• Maine Mountain Heritage Network
• Mahoosuc Region Resources Council