Dear Business Owner: 

You are invited to participate in the oldest and one of the fastest growing Chambers in Texas.  Your business will join over 800 businesses and 1,300 professionals dedicated to creating a stronger and more prosperous Galveston community.   

WHAT IS THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE? 

Your Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary organization of citizens who are investing their time and money in a community development program – working together to improve the economic, civic, and cultural climate in the Galveston community and the region. 

Any citizen who is interested in helping to develop the community is eligible to be a member of the Chamber of Commerce.  The direct benefit is a stronger local economy; more businesses and more jobs.  The indirect benefits are more public programs, better schools, and less crime. 

The work of the Chamber is financed by the investments of its members.  The dues structure is designed to permit even the smallest business to be a member. 

The Chamber is guided by a board of directors; Chamber members who are business leaders in the area serve and direct a professional Chamber staff of three. 

WHAT DOES THE CHAMBER DO? 

The Chamber is a service institution as well as an action institution.  It provides a medium through which people can take effective action for the progress of the community: 

It provides the opportunity for members to network with other business leaders and attend business education seminars. 

It seeks the improvement of community facilities, such as streets, highways, parks, and schools. 

It provides tourist information as well as relocation packages to visitors. 

In all of these functions, the Chamber of Commerce is serving as a partner to every business and professional in the community.

Careful study is made of the community needs and an action blueprint, the Program of Work, is designed.  The goal of the Program of Work is to create more dollars for more people and to improve the economic welfare of the community. 

Every member has a voice in determining the policies and projects that the Chamber undertakes.  And every member is needed on active committees to achieve the Chamber’s goals. 

FOR ALL MEMBERS 

The Chamber carries the opinions of its members to city, state, and nationally elected officials, as well as monitors legislative issues that impact the business community. 

The Chamber offers a new alternative to affordable health care for small business owners.  Visit our website at www.galvestonchamber.com and click on Small Business Affordable Health. 

The Chamber works for business development which brings with it new residents with new money to spend in local stores.  The Chamber serves as a visitor’s center for guests to the Island and provides relocation packages for families and/or individuals interested in moving to the Island.  The Chamber refers their business members to thousands looking to conduct business in Galveston.   

FOR THE HOME AND PROPERTY OWNER 

The Chamber supports an intensive City beautification program, with cleanliness, street lighting, tree planting, drainage, panhandling issues and other projects aimed at making your city a better place to live. 

WHY SHOULD YOU BE A MEMBER OF YOUR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE? 

BECAUSE the Chamber carries the reputation of being a leader of business integrity in your community and your affiliation lends your business credibility.  Chambers are recognized worldwide.  

BECAUSE the Chamber is a close-knit organization in which members support each other’s businesses. 

BECAUSE your Chamber has a voice in the legislation that is passed at our state capitol.  That legislation directly affects how you are able to conduct business in Texas.  You want to have an influence over the legislation that your Chamber of Commerce endorses. 

BECAUSE the Chamber requires financial support in order to perform its job of increasing the economic prosperity of the area which it serves. 

BECAUSE the Chamber unifies the public spirit of your community and directs it into useful and constructive channels that are not limited to business. 

BECAUSE you feel a sense of personal obligation to improve the quality of life in the community in which you live. 

As you can see, the Galveston Chamber of Commerce offers its members numerous opportunities to interact with others in the business community in order to promote their business.   Collectively, we can meet the challenges that will lead us in making Galveston a better place to do business, live and raise a family.  Again, thank you for your investment in the Galveston community.   

Sincerely, 

Gina M. Spagnola
President                               

Bill Clement
Vice Chair, Membership Services