Chamber showcases new membership options at First Friday Coffee event

A change is coming to the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce in 2016.

Chamber president John Mehner announced a shift in the organization's membership structure during this month's First Friday Coffee at Isle Casino Cape Girardeau.

"We were challenged by our board of directors," Mehner said, to find a way for more people to get involved with the chamber while also keeping rates down, especially at entry level.

"So we undertook a task to look at how we can start to transition from an individual-based membership, which is what we've always been, to more of a business-based membership, yet still protect our low entry level (cost) to be able to get in to the chamber."

Historically, the chamber has charged an entry-level fee of $260 for a business to become a member with one delegate, a voting member who may serve on committees.

Kim Voelker of the chamber of commerce outlined the new structure.

The first tier will remain basically unchanged -- $260 for one delegate.

For $520, a business can join the chamber with five members, two delegates and three associates. The associates will have the benefits of being a chamber member -- including networking opportunities, events, invitations to chamber events and the monthly newsletter -- but will not be allowed to vote or serve on committees.

The third tier is $780. At that rate, a business gets 10 representatives, three delegates and seven associates.

The change does not affect members of partner programs, banks, hotels or retirees.

Compared with other chambers of commerce in similarly sized Missouri communities, Cape Girardeau's rates are fairly low, Mehner said. While Cape Girardeau's entry-level cost is $260, others' base costs range from $275 to $420.

CPU and rustmedia were this month's First Friday Coffee sponsors.

kwebster@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3646

Pertinent address:

777 N. Main St., Cape Girardeau, MO

1267 N Mt Auburn Rd, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701