What We Do

Visit Merrill!

Membership Benefits

Community Resources

Home

What We Do

Written by Admin

Wednesday, 03 June 2009 17:06

Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce General Activities

We are Merrill’s information resource…we give many customer referrals for Chamber member businesses. Last year over 30,000 inquiries were made by telephone, walk-ins and web hits, also over 150 relocation packets were mailed out. The business referrals the Chamber gives out is a great asset to your products & services.

The Chamber is the official “Tourism Center.” Promoting visitor activities means increased dollars for Merrill’s economy and your business.

Members supporting members. Together we strengthen our economy.

Merrill’s gift certificate program. Free of charge and keeps local dollars in Merrill. Economic impact of $250,000.00 Annually. (Only members are listed on the preferred shopping list given with every certificate sold)

Networking, leadership & volunteer opportunities. One of the best ways to sell your business is by selling yourself to fellow members.

Our Chamber Newsletter, “The Advantage”, Keeps You Up to Date on Local Issues, Chamber and Business News. Advertise your business with a newsletter insert for only $50.

The Merrill Chamber is the Collective Voice for Local Issues.

The Merrill Chamber Ties Local Businesses Together to Work Towards Common Goals…Merrill is a Great Place to Work and Live When We are MEMBERS…WORKING TOGETHER.

CHAMBER COMMITTEES
The Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce meets MONTHLY with the following committees. These committee members are most valuable to the operations and direction of activities that the Chamber focuses on. Please let us know if you would like to help out in any of these following areas. Here is just a sampling of the many things each committee does:

AGRI-BUSINESS COMMITTEE
This committee supports and presents ag-education programs in the Merrill Area Schools. They are responsible for planning and sponsoring the June Dairy Breakfast. The breakfast includes eggs, sausage, pancakes, real maple syrup, strawberry shortcake with whipped cream, cheese, juice, milk or coffee. Entertainment is provided. This well attended event is held annually at Smith Center. The group also sponsors events and activities that promote dairy products. Grocery store taste testing, give-aways and displays are popular. They are members of the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB) and County Dairy Leaders Group.

MERRILL MARKETING GROUP
The group’s mission statement is: “The Merrill Area Marketing Group is a community partnership working to identify and promote the business, social, recreational and cultural opportunities toward expanding the overall prosperity of the Merrill, Wisconsin area.”

MERRILL RETAIL COUNCIL
This Council’s efforts focus on programs, promotions and open discussions pertaining to the retail sector. They sponsor Crazy Daze and various citywide retail promotions, including Spring, Fall and Winter Holiday promotions for Chamber members. Their advertising programs are funded as a ‘group’ to promote shopping in Merrill. The committee works with the business districts on beautification of the downtown area.

LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
This diverse committee has representation from industry, law, finance, church, city, county and legislatures. They meet monthly to discuss various current issues. They also sponsor educational breakfasts or public meetings of important topics.

AMBASSADOR COMMITTEE
This group sponsors ribbon-cuttings for new businesses and new business expansions. They also call on current chamber members and bring back to the group any concerns and comments that our members have. The group also holds membership drives to recruit new members.

TOURISM COMMISSION
Promotes many efforts to enhance our area economy. The Commission members are appointed by the city. In recent years, we have been recipients of 4 JEM (Joint Effort Marketing) Grants awarded by the Wisconsin Department of Tourism to promote Lincoln County Trails, “Fall Color” and Activities, Trek the Northwoods -biking in local areas & Explore Hwy 51- It’s all about the Journey. This is just a start of many great ideas to promote Merrill as an attractive tourism destination. Currently we are working on a Discover Wisconsin episode with Tomahawk.

HUMAN RESOURCE NETWORK
This committee consists of HR directors from local businesses. Their group provides an open dialogue among directors to discuss common employee issues. The HR committee presents a weeklong series of classes to all sophomores instructing tips on job applications, job interviews & soft skills in the work place.

MERRILL CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS
This is a dedicated group of business people who help establish policies and procedures and they oversee the Chamber functions and operations. Board Members also serve on other chamber committees and always watch for issues, concerns or opportunities that will be a benefit to the community.

EVENTS/PROGRAMS
The Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors and co-sponsors a number of business and community events and programs. It is the Chamber’s philosophy that these events provide value to the members and the community, and in many instances provide tourism opportunities. The Merrill Chambers most community used program are Merrill gift certificates; checks that are payable to the recipient and redeemed in Merrill area Camber member businesses. This program is free of charge to the purchaser and business recipient.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 01 July 2009 16:26