The Route 66 Chamber of Commerce is not intended to be another typical Route 66 Club, Association or Group. It will function as a non-profit organization with the primary purpose of promoting tourism and the commercial businesses located on, and near Historic Route 66 and it's alternates.
To accomplish this goal, the Chamber will promote the entire length of Route 66 as a place for Family Vacations, Heritage Tourism, Overseas Tours and use any other means necessary to attract more commerce, and will offer referrals and trip-planning assistance upon request. It will also communicate directly with the Chambers of Commerce in communities along Route 66 to encourage their involvement and promotion.
In addition, it will provide support for those businesses regarding matters involving the restoration, preservation and promotion of Route 66.
Membership is open to any individual, business owner, Route 66 Organization, or private sponsor who supports the mission of the Chamber. Because of the diverse financial nature of Route 66 businesses and supporters, there will be no fixed annual membership fee. The Chamber will simply depend on donations to conduct it's mission, and each member will contribute what they feel is a fair amount.
Expenses for the Chamber include the production costs of it's website, an online member newsletter, an annual membership decal and frameable certificate, downloadable promotional materials, research, printing, video production, office expenses, telephone and postage costs, travel and exhibiting expenses, etc..
As the Route 66 Chamber of Commerce is a new organization, and in the final stage of formation, it will likely take until mid-2010 to reach full operating capacity. The monthly Newsletter will provide members with progress updates and promotional efforts taken and planned. Business members will be encouraged to ask each visitor to their business, "What brings you to Route 66, and to our business?", and to log the answers, as this will assist our marketing effectiveness.
If you are interested in joining the Route 66 Chamber of Commerce, please send an e-mail with your contact information and type of membership (business, individual, organization etc.), and you will begin receiving updates and an application via. e-mail.
All membership kits will include the following:
> A membership certificate with your (or your business) name.
> Two (2) 4" X4" vinyl decals.
> Membership cards and business cards.
> Several blank forms for tracking visitor traffic and promotional ideas. (Businesses only).
Note: To cover the cost of the above materials and postage, we request a donation of at least $15..
Additionally, you will receive a standard listing in the online Chamber Membership Directory, a HotLink to your website (and/or your e-mail address), plus the monthly online Chamber Newsletter.
Once you have received all of the above, we ask that you later make a donation to help cover the Chamber's operating and promotional expenses, in any amount you choose, and at a time best for you.
How to become a Route 66 Chamber Sponsor & Member
Who runs the Route 66 Chamber of Commerce?
The Route 66 Chamber of Commerce has a lot of territory to cover, so it will need a lot of Volunteers.
Like most community Chambers of Commerce, ours will have an Executive Committee, consisting of a President, a Vice President, a Director, a Secretary and a Public/Media Relations Director. These individuals will manage the Chamber from their respective locations in the U.S., with most business conducted online.
An eight-member Board of Directors will consist of one designated representative from a Route 66 state's Local Chamber of Commerce, and they will provide input to the Chamber regarding Route 66 related matters in their respective state.
The Chamber will seek additional volunteers to serve as "Ambassadors" in their respective Route 66 communities. Representing the Chamber, they will attend meetings and new Route 66 business openings, forward route-specific news articles, speak at local civic organizations and distribute Route 66 promotional materials. They will be issued some form of identification (perhaps a polo shirt with the Chamber logo and the word "STAFF" or "AMBASSADOR").
Every Chamber member will see a financial report, a marketing effort report, a new member list, a current project list, etc., all published in the Chamber's online Newsletter e-mailed every month. Copies of the Newsletter will also be sent to the United States Chamber of Commerce, and every Route 66 organization we can find, anywhere in the world.
Working in tandem with other Route 66 community Chambers, Alliances, Federations and Organizations, the Route 66 Chamber of Commerce can give a voice to it's members in all Route 66-related political and civic matters. From Main Street to the hallways in Washington, there is "strength in numbers", so join the Chamber and watch good things happen!
