Spread the love

By Cara Beth Lewis

Along with a well-wish for the new year, the Elizabethtown – White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce shares ways that you can take advantage of all the Chamber has to offer Bladen County residents.

When you become a member, you will get monthly updates on opportunities for your business. Be sure to renew by January 31 to be included in the 2022 Guide. While there are benefits to becoming a member, you will also have the opportunity to support other businesses. The Chamber serves to promote businesses and tourism, recruit businesses and employees, advocate for businesses, and support community leadership.

A basic membership has many benefits. Here are the listed benefits from elizabethtownwhitelake.com:

A free listing of your business(es) in the Membership Directory of our website: elizabethtownwhitelake.com. You will have access to the listing and can update it whenever you have news or specials.
Regular updates sent via e-mail containing pertinent information about programs, events, and information to help your business.
Opportunities for exposure through cooperative ads in local, state, and national publications.
A free basic listing of your business in the Activities Guide, which is distributed across North Carolina in Welcome Center, used as a recruiting tool, and placed in relocation packets. Members who select a Membership/ Partnership Package get a free Display Ad in the guide. Download ad form – 2022 Activity Guide and Membership Directory
Display of your brochures at the Chamber office in the Small Business Incubator on E. Broad St, Elizabethtown and events where the Chamber is exhibiting.
Participation in promotion and activities that support and showcase our local businesses.
Membership in a prestigious community-minded organization, dedicated to serving the needs of your business and supporting efforts to shop local.
Referral of your business to inquiring calls and emails.

In addition to membership opportunities, the Chamber also offers sponsorship opportunities. According to the chamber, a sponsorship can “give you the biggest boost for your money.” In addition to the missions listed above, the Elizabethtown – White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce also sponsors several events in Bladen County. These events promote tourism and activities for residents all at once. The chambered-sponsored events are as follows (According to elizabethtownwhitelake.com):

White Lake Water Festival: third full weekend in May (May 20 &21, 2022).
Fourth of July Fireworks: Held at White Lake on the 4th of July.
Bladen County Christmas Celebration: County-wide events starting the weekend after Thanksgiving and lasting through Christmas. (Shop Local promotions, Christmas Parade, Christmas at the Farmers Market, Lighting of the Lake, and Tour of Churches.) There are 5 levels of support for each event. More information is available on the application form.

For more information about sponsorships, click here or call the Chamber of Commerce’s office at (910)862-4368.

On Thursday, March 10, the Annual Meeting and Awards Program has been planned to take place at Lu Mil Vineyard. The Chamber News release states, “Invitations will be mailed and Award winners will be announced shortly. At this meeting, you will learn about the various programs designed to boost the economy and businesses in Bladen County.”

By March of 2022, over 10,000 copies of the 2022 Activity Guide and Membership Directory will be distributed. This all-about-Bladen guide will tell stories and provide information to its readers. All Chamber Members who have paid by January 30 will be listed in the membership directory of the Guide. Additional advertising options are available. For more information, click here.

There are many ways to give to the community, help the area grow, and support local businesses. According to the Chamber News for January, “Right now, two committees are actively meeting: the White Lake Water Festival Committee and the Elizabethtown Downtown Business Committee. We will soon have the first meeting for the Tourism Marketing Committee and an Events Committee. You can learn more about these and other committees at our February Member Meeting –February 8 at 8:30AM at the Farmers Market.” Cape Fear Farmers Market, where the meeting will be held, is located at 106 M.L.K. Drive in Elizabethtown.

Mark your calendar for the upcoming Chamber of Commerce events:

January 27 at 8:30AM: Elizabethtown Downtown Business Meeting

January 31 – Deadline for membership renewal and ad placement to be included in 2022 Activity Guide and Membership Directory. See ad form.

February 8 at 8:30AM- February Member Breakfast Meeting, Farmers Market

March 10 at 5:30pm: Elizabethtown – White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Awards Program, Lu Mil Vineyard

For more information, visit elizabethtownwhitelake.com or call the Elizabethtown – White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Office at (910)862-4368. The Chamber of Commerce Office is located at 207 East Broad Street in Elizabethtown, in front of the library.