New Member Tips

Beyond the Mixer: Maximizing Your Chamber Membership

Chamber membership is so much more than networking events. Don't let your membership gather dust because you don't enjoy all that socializing! There is significant value hiding in plain sight that you need to maximize. While mixers and ribbon cuttings get the spotlight, your membership includes strategic resources that can solve real business problems, even for members who hate “working a room.”

Your Chamber is Problem-Solving Partner

Before hiring expensive consultants or spending hours researching solutions or attending City Council meetings with time you don’t have, tap into your chamber's institutional knowledge. Most chamber professional staff field dozens of questions weekly from businesses facing similar challenges. Need a reliable commercial insurance broker? Looking for employee benefits providers? Your chamber staff has likely connected ten other businesses with exactly what you need in the past month alone. A simple phone call or visit to the Online Membership Directory can save you days of research and connect you with resources.

Education on Your Schedule

Workshops and training sessions offered by your chamber often rival paid professional development, but at a fraction of the cost. Topics typically span everything from social media strategy and financial management to HR compliance and cybersecurity. Some chambers even have “office hours” in partnership with SBA or help in specific areas such as technology or AI. Review your chamber's upcoming calendar and block time now for relevant sessions. Even attending one quality program quarterly delivers ROI that exceeds most annual membership fees. Plus, chamber benefits are valid for your employees. You could send your whole marketing department or staff to the Chamber’s next session on AI (space permitting).

Strategic Visibility Without the Small Talk

Dislike networking events but still need visibility? There are plenty of alternative exposure

opportunities: member spotlights in newsletters, social media features, directory listings, an article on their website, and community event calendars to utilize. Volunteer for a committee that meets during business hours rather than evening mixers - you'll build deeper relationships with fewer people while contributing your expertise. Economic development, public policy, events, or education committees often need people and meet in formats more comfortable than cocktail parties.

Make Your Voice Count

Chambers actively advocate on behalf of businesses with local and state government. Your

membership gives you a direct channel to influence policies affecting your bottom line from

zoning regulations to tax policies. Most chambers solicit member input on advocacy priorities

but rarely hear from the majority of their membership. When your chamber sends advocacy

surveys or requests feedback, take ten minutes to respond. Your specific challenges and stories

give chamber leaders concrete examples when they're meeting with elected officials.

Your chamber membership is a toolkit, not a ticket to parties. Identify two or three benefits aligned with your current business needs and commit to using them this quarter. The return on

investment is there. You just need to claim it.

Christina Metcalf is a writer/ghostwriter who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loya lcustomer/member base. She loves road trips, hates exclamation points, and is currently reading three books at once.

If you have questions about how you can maximize your Daytona Regional Chamber membership, contact Kelly Amy, Member Engagement & Communications Director, at kelly@daytonachamber.com or 386.229.5759.

Where Fresh Flavors Meet Creative Coastal Cuisine

By Connie Hagston, Director of Sales & Marketing, The Shores Resort & Spa

Discover Oceanfront Dining at Its Finest

Savor the best in oceanfront dining at The Shores Resort & Spa in beautiful Daytona Beach Shores. Enjoy a relaxed and inviting coastal experience at Azure Oceanfront American Kitchen, where fresh flavors meet creative coastal cuisine. Dine indoors or al fresco while taking in panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and our sparkling beachfront pool deck.

Sip, Savor, and Socialize

Casual yet sophisticated, the Oceanview Lounge is Daytona Beach’s quintessential oceanfront bar with an elevated twist. Enjoy handcrafted cocktails, an inviting outdoor patio, and a laid-back atmosphere perfect for mingling and making memories. Join us daily for Happy Hour from 3 pm to 6 pm, featuring signature drinks and light bites.

Kick Back at the Tiki Hut Barefoot Beach Bar

Just steps from the surf, the Tiki Hut Barefoot Beach Bar is your go-to spot for poolside refreshment. From frosty frozen drinks and tropical cocktails to small plates and fresh sandwiches, this lively beach bar captures the true spirit of Daytona Beach—casual, carefree, and full of flavor.

Monthly Member Focus

During the month of November, the Daytona Regional Chamber will focus on shopping local and shopping small.  All small businesses will have the opportunity to submit a business spotlight to be featured in The Edge newsletter, on social media, and on the Chamber website.

Business spotlight submission deadlines are 10/31, 11/7, 11/14, and 10/21.



Direct questions to Kelly Amy, Member Engagement & Communications Director, at 386.229.5759 or kelly@daytonachamber.com.