Why Join.
It's about people. It's about ideas. It's about influence.
The Power of Connection. Your business thrives on it.
Your future depends on it.

How Do I Use My Membership?

Membership in the Chamber gives you an edge with access to exclusive tools and marketing opportunities that put your business front and center, save you money and provide the information you need to stay a step ahead. In order to help you navigate your way through our many services, programs, events and opportunities for doing business, we have provided answers to some of our members' most frequently asked questions.

Also included is an index of benefits by category, with contact numbers for easy reference, as well as tips for networking, marketing and making your voice heard at City Hall.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

• If my company is a members, does that mean I am a member, too?
• What does the Chamber's board of directors do? How can I get on the board?
• Who are Chamber Members?
• How can the Chamber help me save money?
• How can I use the Chamber to market my business?
• What is the best way to use the Chamber to build my business network?
• What is the Women in Business Roundtable?
• How can the Chamber help me build my professional skills?
• How can I help shape Chamber activities and programs?
• How do I find out about speaking at Chamber events?
• How do I use the Chamber for business leads and referrals?
• How can I help shape and support the Chamber's policy positions and agenda?
• How can I stay informed on legislative and community issues that affect my business?
• How can the Chamber help my company get involved in community issues?
• How can I stay informed on what is happening at the Chamber?
• Does the Chamber have publications that can be of use to my business?

  If my company is a members, does that mean I am a member, too?
  Yes! When a company becomes a Chamber member, all employees of that company's local branch/offices are considered Chamber members and have full access to our programs and benefits.
  
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  What does the Chamber's board of directors do? How can I get on the board?
  The board of directors is a valuable asset. Our directors bring with them a sophisticated level of experience and expertise. They set the strategic direction of the Chamber and oversee the finances of the organization. The board serves as a sounding board for ideas and policies, and reflects the thinking of a broad spectrum of businesses in San Francisco.

  The Board Development Committee first nominates new board members; a recommendation is then made to the full board for final approval. The committee actively seeks people who are successful in their businesses, represent the diversity of San Francisco, have demonstrated leadership skills and have an interest in helping guide the Chamber for a minimum of two years.
  
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  Who are Chamber Members?
  The San Francisco Chamber has a membership of more than 2,000 companies, representing San Francisco and Bay Area businesses of all sizes, from the largest multinational firms to growing mid-size companies and small businesses. Many people are surprised to learn that more than 80 percent of member companies have fewer than 50 employees.
  
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  How can the Chamber help me save money?
  Through professional partnerships, the Chamber is able to offer members several bottom-line benefits. Our membership department will help you learn more about our value-added benefits that can save you money.
  
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  How can I use the Chamber to market my business?
  The Chamber offers comprehensive marketing-benefit packages through our publications, website, programs and special events that can help your company achieve multiple objectives. These include increasing your visibility and exposure within the Chamber membership and the Bay Area business community, standing out from your competition through exclusive sponsorship opportunities, using promotions and merchandising opportunities, entertaining valued clients at prestigious events and driving sales.

  Through the Chamber, you will reach San Francisco businesses of all sizes and from every industry group. Depending on your company's target audience, you can choose those events, programs and publications that reach identified segments, such as small businesses, mid-market firm, women in business, international companies and large corporations. Through out well-established partnerships with the leading business media and other professional organizations, our programs are widely promoted to increase your reach.
  
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  What is the best way to use the Chamber to build my business network?
  The best way to build your business network is to develop relationships with other Chamber members. All Chamber programs are designed to give you an opportunity to make new contacts and strengthen existing relationships. The more events you attend and the more actively you participate, the faster and deeper your network will grow.

  We produce a number of programs that are specifically designed for networking, such as Business After Hours, the Chamber's monthly networking mixer, and the popular Women in Business Roundtable. Another way to build your network is through volunteering for the Chamber by joining a planning committee. This is an opportunity to increase your visibility and demonstrate your professionalism and expertise to a wide audience.
  
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  What is the Women in Business Roundtable?
  The Women in Business Roundtable (WIBR) is the most popular ongoing networking event of its kind in the country. Founded in 1993, the roundtable's mission is to provide high-quality programs and networking opportunities for professional women and women business-owners. Since its inception, the roundtable has grown to an average attendance of 300 women at each event. WIBR attracts dynamic, achievement-oriented women who are interested in expanding their professional and personal horizons.
  
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  How can the Chamber help me build my professional skills?
  The Chamber has a number of programs to help you develop the skills you need to excel in business. Program offerings are updated on an ongoing basis to ensure we are matching what we have to offer to members' needs. We want to hear from you about what you would like to see in the way of new offerings.
  
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  How can I help shape Chamber activities and programs?
  Most of the Chamber's programs have planning committees that help create the content of the programs. You can contribute as a member of the committee or, depending on your level of expertise and experience, as a committee chair. For more information on how to join a committee, call the Chamber staff member who oversees the program series.
  
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  How do I find out about speaking at Chamber events?
  The Chamber is always looking for good speakers and workshop leaders. We book speakers on topics that are relevant to our ongoing series, and we always look to our membership. Contact the staff member who oversees the appropriate program series and send him or her an outline of your proposed presentation, a profile of your target audience and an overview of your speaking experience, including references.
  
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  How do I use the Chamber for business leads and referrals?
  As you attend Chamber events and programs and expand your network, you will have access to people who are in a position to provide you with business leads. As you get to know them and they gain trust in your professionalism, your fellow Chamber members can become an important source of referrals for your business.

  If you are looking for leads, be sure to check out Business Alliance, the Chamber's leads-exchange program. Four leads groups meet twice a month on a five-month semester basis, giving you the structure and the time to develop relationships that will directly result in business leads. We also have International Business Alliance leads-exchange groups for members who operate in the global marketplace.

  In addition, the Chamber publishes a Bay Area International Business Directory.

  Each week, the Chamber receives more than 800 calls from all over the country looking for referrals on businesses or services in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our customer-service representatives will give a caller up to three referrals. Callers also have the option of dialing InfoCenter, the Chamber's 24-hour community and visitor information system.

  Finally, our entire Membership Directory is online. Log on to look up member businesses by name or business category.
  
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  How can I help shape and support the Chamber's policy positions and agenda?
  The Chamber's public-policy agenda is shaped by input from many sources, including the results of regular voter polls that tell us about which issues voting San Franciscans are most concerned.

  The Chamber's position on any given state or local ballot initiative is determined via a multi-step process that starts with a Public Policy ballot analysis forum. At these forums, presentations are made by Chamber staff and guest speakers representative of proponents and opponents of the initiative. These meetings are open to the general public, but only Chamber members may take the advisory vote that is then passed on to the Chamber's board of directors.
  
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  How can I stay informed on legislative and community issues that affect my business?
  The Chamber's Public Policy department provides several communication vehicles to keep members in the know. Most current are the Public Policy pages on the Chamber's website. Regular updates are published on essential issues that affect you and the rest of the business community, as well as the full story behind what is going on in San Francisco business and government.

  Information about our programs, our involvement with various community forums and our presence at City Hall is also regularly disseminated by the Chamber's weekly Monday Report and San Francisco Business, our monthly newsletter.

  Attendance at Public Policy meetings is strongly encouraged for members who wish to keep abreast of the latest issues and the Chamber's activities at City Hall and in the community.

  The Public Policy staff is reachable by phone and e-mail to respond to your specific questions and to help you stay informed.
  
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  How can the Chamber help my company get involved in community issues?
  The Chamber is involved in a number of community-serving initiatives. In addition, Chamber affiliates provide a way to participate in the arts, leadership issues, workforce training and youth-sports programs.

  The Chamber currently has four affiliate organizations - groups for which the Chamber provides support and resources: Bay Area Sport Hall of Fame (BASHOF), which provides sport equipment grants to Bay Area youth sport organizations; Business Art Council, which promotes mutually beneficial partnerships between business and the arts in San Francisco; Leadership San Francisco; which educates and develops leaders to strengthen and transform the community; and SFWorks, an innovative response to the workforce development and staffing needs of Bay Area employers.
  
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  How can I stay informed on what is happening at the Chamber?
  The Chamber has a variety of communication tools designed to keep members informed about what is going on in and around the Chamber and the business community. All members receive the weekly Monday Report via e-mail and the monthly San Francisco Business newsletter. The Chamber's website will tell you everything you want to know about the Chamber and doing business in San Francisco.
  
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  Does the Chamber have publications that can be use to my business?
  The Chamber publishes the San Francisco-Bay Area-Silicon Valley International Business Directory, which lists some 2,600 international businesses with contact information; the Membership Directory and Guide to Living and Doing Business in San Francisco, which is full o useful relocation information and local demographics; Business Meetings & More, your guide to holding successful meetings, conferences and other special events in the Bay Area; and other publications designed to help you do business in the Bay Area.

  All these publications offer advertising opportunities for you to promote your business. In addition, we stock the San Francisco Business Times' Book of Lists and numerous other business publications that can assist you in putting together your marketing and direct-mail lists. You can purchase these and other publications online by visiting our Bookstore Online.
  
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Index of Chamber Numbers
Main Number 415-392-4520
Customer Service/Referrals 415-352-8888

• Membership & Chamber Involvement
  • Membership Information - 415-352-8824
  • Super Saver Benefits - 415-352-8821
• Marketing & Programs
  • Strategy, Research & Development - 415-352-8821
  • Business Alliance - 415-352-8803
  • Business After Hours - 415-352-8840
  • Member-Led Workshops - 415-352-8858
  • Mid-Market Programs - 415-352-8840
  • Women in Business Roundtable - 415-352-8803
• Communications
  • San Francisco Business Newsletter - 415-352-8839
  • The Monday Report - 415-352-8839
  • www.sfchamber.com - 415-392-4520
  • Publications
    • Bookstore - 415-352-8888
    • Advertising - 415-352-8839
• Economic Development
  • Economic Development - 415-352-8819
  • Attraction & Retention - 415-352-8838
• Public Policy & Advocacy
  • Advocacy & Lobbying - 415-352-8852
  • Public Policy Forums - 415-352-8841
  • Housing - 415-352-8852
  • Transportation - 415-352-8852
• Special Events
  • Annual CityBeat Lunch - 415-352-8837
  • Ebbies (Excellence in Business Awards) - 415-352-8839
  • 49ers Kickoff Luncheon - 415-352-8837
  • Golf Tournament - 415-352-8837
  • City Trip - 415-352-8837
• Chamber Affiliates & Community Involvement
  • Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame - 415-352-8835
  • Business Arts Council - 415-352-8832
  • Just for the Kids - 415-352-8184
  • Leadership San Francisco - 415-352-8826
  • SFWorks - 415-217-5198

The Benefits of Membership

To learn how you can profit from Chamber membership, please select one: