New Member Checklist

I've joined the BIA. Now what?

Your business just joined the Business & Industry Association, New Hampshire’s statewide chamber of commerce. The question now is how do you use BIA membership to access  opportunities for which you have paid? Here is a check list of items to help you get started:

  1. Join a policy committee:  BIA members are eligible to participate on one or all of the association’s four policy committees. Policy committees meet monthly from September through May and are comprised of, and led by, volunteers from BIA member companies throughout the state. Committee meetings allow members to interact in an informal setting with state legislators and regulators. They are also a great way to network with other business leaders who share similar responsibilities within their companies. Perhaps most importantly, it allows you to help shape BIA positions on public policy matters that affect your company’s profitability and success. Although attendance at these committees is completely voluntary, regular attendance will help maximize your company’s investment in the BIA.
  2. Sign up for electronic communications: As a BIA member, you and key leaders within your company are eligible to receive BIA’s E-Brief and Legislative Review. E-Brief is our weekly electronic newsletter providing regular updates about BIA priority issues and legislation, upcoming BIA member events, and relevant information in the news and from other sources. Legislative Review is a comprehensive, weekly legislative update published every Monday during the legislative session only (January to June). It tracks and reports the status of business-related bills as they move through the House and Senate and allows our members to monitor and react to specific legislation.
  3. Review your membership directory listing on www.BIAofNH.com/membership to make sure all the information is accurate. You may update your directory listing through the members only section. Contact Christine Ducharme at 224-5388 x113 or cducharme@BIAofNH.com for your login credentials.
  4. Attend BIA events: Regular attendance at events creates an atmosphere of trust among members. People like to do business with people they see and know. Also, remember it is not the size of the event but the relationship-building opportunity it represents. Some small events have enormous value.
  5. Review BIA’s list of upcoming events at www.BIAofNH.com/events. Contact Lora McMahon at 224-5388 x101 or lmcmahon@BIAofNH.com for information about exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities to promote your business.
  6. Take advantage of our prescription drug discount card for all of your employees: The New Hampshire Rx Card offers savings of up to 75 percent on prescription drugs purchased at retail pharmacies throughout the state and across the country. Average savings are 30 percent. The New Hampshire Rx Card has no membership restrictions, no income requirements, no age limitations and no applications to fill out. Please contact Nancy Ueda at nueda@nhrxcard.com or 603-767-1552 with any questions.
  7. Check out the BIA Energy Buying Group to determine if you qualify for lower electricity prices: BIA partners with Usource, an independent energy broker that works with commercial, industrial and institutional clients to procure lower cost natural gas and electricity from local and regional suppliers. BIA members that are part of the buying group can benefit from economies of scale when negotiating rates in the extremely competitive and volatile energy market. For more information call 1-888-686-4845 or email MyAdvisor@UsourceEnergy.com.
  8. Attend a membership orientation meeting: Membership orientations are a great way to meet BIA staff and learn more about what we do. Contact Christine Ducharme at 224-5388 x113 for more information.
  9. Get social: BIA is on Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube. Decide what best fits you and participate in the discussions. Better yet, provide information that makes you the expert in your field. These are great places to promote your company without making a sales pitch.
  10. Display your BIA membership cling-on sticker openly at your place of business: Studies have shown that people view chamber membership as a sign of a business’ credibility. The best way to show you are a member is to put this item in a high-traffic area in full view for your customers, vendors, employees and visitors.

Taking these basic steps will make your membership in the BIA one that provides a strong return on your investment.

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