On Tuesday, June 13, Crossroads welcomed new members into the chamber with an informal membership meeting with food, networking, and basic information about the benefits and services available to Crossroads members.
This quarter, 23 new members were added to the directory of small businesses in the Crossroads network.
Crossroads offers many opportunities and services to members at all levels. Every member has access to exclusive tools on the website, and members can choose to upgrade their membership to have their business spotlighted on the website and newsletter to boost visibility among other members.
Members can also join any of the eight committees within the chamber to further their involvement. These committees are responsible for many of the functions organized by Crossroads throughout the year, including a golf outing, business expo, and the annual corn roast in Crown Point.
This heavy involvement in both the chamber and the community is a major selling point for many small business owners who want to make their presence known in the community – especially if they are opening up shop for the first time.
“There are so many different companies and businesses that are in the chamber, and it’s a great way to network,” Justin Duty, co-owner of Rare Breed Fitness, said. “This is one of the bigger ones in the area, so they can offer different avenues of opportunities to network and grow.”
Crossroads is the largest chamber of commerce in Northwest Indiana, so members have plenty of options when considering how to best market themselves to other members and the community. Many members take advantage of the monthly meetings that feature informational sessions and networking opportunities.
Crossroads hosts two events every month dedicated to education and networking, with a larger membership meeting on the second Tuesday of each month and a more intimate coffee and conversation meeting on the third Tuesday of each month.
During these events, Crossroads welcomes guest speakers to teach about business-related topics ranging anywhere from social media tips to the process of writing and requesting a grant. The topics are chosen based on what the board feels would be most beneficial to its members.
One of the hidden gems among the many membership benefits is the option to purchase health insurance for small businesses through UnitedHealthcare at a discounted rate. Crossroads also offers services like ribbon cuttings, business expos, and sponsorship opportunities to members at any level.
Crossroads is home to 20,000 members and over 500 businesses. As one of the only chambers in the area to employ a full-time staff, members can count on quick responses and updates despite the large size of the chamber.
“We're here in the office Monday through Friday. If you call, you’ll get an answer right away. Some other chambers may not always be in the office because a lot of them are volunteer-based. That's one of the perks of being a member – we are here to answer any questions as soon as possible,” Director of Membership Nicki Angotti said.
Crossroads offers businesses of all shapes and sizes the opportunity to come together and build strong relationships with fellow business owners to make a stronger economic impact on the Region.
To learn more about Crossroads, visit crossroadschamber.org.
