Amherst County Chamber of Commerce

Join the Chamber!

On behalf of the Amherst County Chamber of Commerce we would like to invite you to become a member. Our mission is to advance commercial, industrial, and professional domestic and global interests in Amherst County and its trade area; to increase your presence; to be of service to you in any way we can for "your business is our business." The Amherst County Chamber of Commerce provides the following services for the benefit of your business:

ACCC on the Web Our members are listed here on the ACCC web site. Members appear in searchable, categorized and alphabetized directories. A link connecting our site to yours is available along with the opportunity to post your news. Changes in your information can be e-mailed to us from your listing.

Amherst County Chamber of Commerce Brochures Available to businesses to use and to display and for Information Requests. Brochures on Amherst County and destinations in Virginia also are available.

Customer Referrals We answer all inquiries about businesses, products, and services of our members.

Information Requests We respond to over 2,000 requests per year about ACCC, business-related, relocation, and tourism questions and send requested information out in professional-looking packets.

Free Consultations Amherst County Chamber of Commerce members qualify for a consultation at the Small Business Development Center, in Lynchburg, to obtain business advice for the new or existing small business interested in growing in Central Virginia and the Region 2000 area. Business-related workshops also are occasionally held, sponsored by ACCC.

Amherst County Guidebook This annual magazine has a distribution list of over 6,600 in Central Virginia. It is published in conjunction with the ACCC as a vehicle to advertise Amherst County. Members receive discounted advertising rates and a listing. The guidebook is published every September.

Membership Plaque Members receive an ACCC membership plaque for display in order to inform customers of your Chamber membership and active support of fair business practices.

"Chamber Business" Our bi-monthly newsletter informs members of current events & news, new members, and more. Business card advertising of your business is available at $10 per issue or $50 for the year (6 issues). Your fliers (need 350 printed copies) may be included in one mailing of the newsletter for $50. Call the Chamber office.

Chamber Half-Page Ad in the Amherst New Era-Progress On the 4th Thursday of each month, ACCC has a half-page ad in the weekly paper on upcoming events, special news, and highlighting 8 Chamber members chosen by random computer selection. The ad is sponsored by members' business card ads through the paper.

County Business Resources A record of business licenses in Amherst County is kept at our office and is available to members as is other vital information about the county, such as economic and demographic statistics.

The Amherst County Chamber of Commerce provides a voice for businesses on local issues through several more opportunities for networking and other social activities. These activities include:

Third Thursdays Business After Hours Business After Hours are held almost every month throughout the year to help businesses network and exchange ideas. A contest has been developed to award a prize to the best judged business hosting a BAH using a special theme through food, decorations, etc.. The contest will run between June 2007 and June 2008.

Third Thursdays Business @ Lunch The ACCC coordinates forum-style luncheons throughout the year on topics relevant to business concerns

Annual Golf Tournament and Annual Car Show & Cruise-In (See About the Chamber)

ACCC Grand Opening Events ACCC helps sponsor current or new members' grand openings or re-openings. ACCC handles promotion, ribbon-cutting, dignitaries and the business takes care of food, prizes.

ACCC Monthly Ad in Local Paper ACCC features 8 members and gives upcoming events in a monthly half-page Chamber page in the Amherst New Era-Progress. Members are chosen by random computer selection. Supported by business card sized ads of Chamber members.

Lobbying The ACCC lobbies on behalf of the membership by supporting actions to promote the pro-business views of the Chamber on legislative and regulatory issues coming before the members of the General Assembly, Congress, and local governments as well as issues which need to be brought to the attention of elected officials.

Annual Business Appreciation Awards The Annual Dinner is a gala event typically held in May during Business Appreciation Week. Members of the community vote for their favorite businesses and the nominees and winners are recognized at this dinner.

Annual Membership Meeting & Holiday Business After Hours
The evening's agenda celebrates the holidays with food and drink in a festive atmosphere and includes a brief meeting to vote in new board members and approve Treasurer's proposed budget for the upcoming year.

Please contact Becky Greco at the Chamber office at 946-0990 with any questions. We look forward to including you as a Chamber member!