Membership 101 Offered periodically for new members, existing members and prospective members providing information on how to get the most out of your Chamber membership. Great place to get started or to be reminded about what is available. There is no charge to attend but reservations are requested.

Ambassadors Member volunteers serve as Ambassadors for the Chamber and work to enhance member relations. Ambassadors meet bimonthly and also attend scheduled networking events and member grand openings/ribbon cuttings. Participants must work for a Chamber member business.

Board of Advisors The Board of Advisors adds value to your membership by providing access, interaction and a high-level of recognition for Advisors’ companies. Board of Advisor investors are top-ranking company executives with a desire to engage in peer-to-peer interaction in a variety of venues to connect with the inner workings of the Mobile-area business community.

Build the Bridge Coalition A coalition of private industry and government advocating for a new I-10 Mobile River bridge and for widening the I-10 Bayway. The coalition seeks to alleviate congestion that negatively impacts travel along I-10 in Mobile and Baldwin counties.

Business Retention & Expansion Business Retention and Expansion studies key business and industry sectors to learn what existing businesses need to maintain and expand. The group holds bimonthly meetings with knowledgeable speakers, and helps companies resolve problems and grow businesses in our area.

Chamber Chase Volunteers drive this “total resource development campaign” by recruiting new members, securing sponsorships for Chamber events, selling ads in Chamber publications and obtaining needed goods and services. The campaign officially runs May through mid-August but volunteers may be involved year round. Any employee of a Chamber company may participate.

Chamber-Sponsored Travel The Chamber periodically presents leisure travel opportunities offering a chance to experience a foreign country with other Chamber members and individuals from the Mobile area.

Governmental Affairs These groups review and research legislative priorities, develop the Chamber’s community legislative agenda and make issue and policy recommendations to the Chamber’s board of directors. Involved members should have responsibility for public policy-making within their organizations. Members may sign-up for either State or Federal Affairs. These sub-committees meet on an as-needed basis.

Growth Alliance Task Force Promotes the growth of minority-owned business through increased community awareness, Chamber membership and participation in Chamber programs. The group meets at noon on the first Tuesday of each month. Task force members serve on active sub-committees including Business Development, Outreach and Finance.

Gulf Coast Technology Council Works to increase the visibility of local technology companies with bimonthly meetings, helps encourage development of a highly-skilled workforce to accommodate growth in the high-tech arena, and markets the area as a center for technology development on the central gulf coast.

Military Affairs Seeks to strengthen the relationship of the Mobile business community and members with military interests by communicating issues important to the military community and raising awareness of the military’s impact on our local economy.

Offshore Alabama Area offshore oil and gas producers, service providers, suppliers, and associated companies work together to sustain and grow the industry through networking events, trade show exhibitions, marketing initiatives, and by formulating appropriate advocacy positions promoting our local region. Prospective members must meet the criteria that more than 50% of the company’s business be offshore and oil & gas related.

Partners for Growth A multi-year initiative to sustain and accelerate Mobile’s economic growth through 2022. Participants invest financially in the program focusing on existing business retention and expansion, new business development/attraction, workforce development, and infrastructure and business climate improvement. Partners for Growth (PFG) Investors pledge to the multi-year initiative and receive recognition, involvement in PFG events, and opportunities to connect with new and expanding companies seeking products and services in the Mobile area.

Port & Energy This group works to educate and advocate for the importance of the Port of Mobile and the energy sector to Mobile’s economy.

Executive Roundtable A forum for small business owners and managers to hear presentations by a featured speaker on important issues that help them to manage or grow their business. Attendees also network to foster business relationships, share information and best practices. The group meets monthly.

Nonprofit Roundtable A forum for nonprofit members to build relationships and network with other nonprofit members. Provides educational and informational opportunities as well as promotes growth and enhances community awareness of area nonprofit organizations. Group meets triannually and is open to Chamber member nonprofit organizations.

Women’s Roundtable A forum exclusively for women business owners and managers. Provides educational and informational opportunities as well as enhancing awareness of women in the business community. Group meets bi-monthly and is open to women who own or work for a Chamber member business.

Trade Briefings Held to promote overseas markets, provide valuable insights into market strategies and a country’s overall economic well-being. Guest speakers are invited to participate in briefings.

Trade Missions, in-bound and out-bound Trade missions are held to promote business relations and increase Alabama exports to expand our economy and create jobs. Companies travel to different countries to develop and diversify their markets globally.

Trade Workshops and Seminars, including the World Trade Conference These events are held to provide export opportunities and discuss pertinent international trade issues to area companies.

Click to see a full list of sponsorships currently available.

Business After Hours An evening event designed to allow members and prospective members a chance to network in a relaxed atmosphere. Held quarterly at various sponsoring locations. $5 for members, $10 for non-members. No reservations are needed.

Business Expo The Chamber’s premier business-to-business trade show featuring more than 200 exhibitors from diverse industries within the Mobile area. Also features a one-stop resource fair for small business owners, managers, key employees and decision makers to meet local, state and federal organizations specializing in management, finances, procurement, marketing and technical assistance specifically for small businesses. Sponsorships and booth space are available for purchase and attendance is free.

Chamber Classic Golf Tournament The Chamber Classic Golf Tournament is held annually in the spring at a Chamber member golf course. The event provides a networking opportunity with over 200 company presidents, CEOs and representatives entertaining clients and customers. Sponsorships, teams of four and individual tickets are available for purchase.

Coffee with the Chamber A morning event designed to allow members and non-members an opportunity to network in a relaxed atmosphere. Held quarterly at various sponsoring locations. No charge to attend and no reservations are needed.

Grand Opening, Open House and Ribbon Cutting Notification List  Receive a monthly email notification about members’ scheduled Grand Opening, Open House and Ribbon Cutting events.

Member Appreciation Day  Held annually in the spring to recognize and thank Chamber members, volunteers, investors and all who support the Chamber. There is no charge to attend and no reservations are needed.

Networking at Noon A lunchtime event held quarterly providing members an opportunity to promote their business to a captive audience and make follow-up contacts in the same meeting. Lunch is provided and registration is required prior to event.

Corporate Community Service Award The Corporate Community Service Award recognizes member businesses who make employee volunteer efforts an important part of their corporate vision, policies and operations. In partnership with the Junior League of Mobile, the Chamber promotes volunteerism and encourages businesses to invest in our community. Each year, member businesses submit applications for consideration in October and the winner is recognized during our Annual Meeting.

Eagle Awards The accomplishments, successes and contributions of minority-owned businesses in the Mobile, Baldwin, or Washington county area are celebrated during the Mobile Area Chamber annual Minority Business awards ceremony featuring the coveted Eagle Award. The competition is open to any minority business that meets the stated criteria.

Innovator of the Year This award is presented in conjunction with the Gulf Coast Technology Council to a company whose progressive actions in the field of technology and/or economic development merit recognition.

Manufacturer of the Year Recipients of this award are recognized for their efforts to grow the manufacturing industry in the Mobile area.

Outstanding Entrepreneur The Chamber’s Outstanding Entrepreneur award recognizes and celebrates an individual who represents the characteristics of successful entrepreneurship including creativity, initiative, dynamic growth and sound management. Must show a substantiated history as an established entrepreneur, the impact of the business on the job market and the innovativeness of a product or service.

Rev. Wesley A. James Minority Business Advocate The Minority Business Advocate Award recognizes a local company or organization that exhibits a commitment to expanding opportunities for minority-owned businesses through its day-to-day operations, including innovative procurement, utilization goals, providing access to financing, community service, and current or future plans for mentoring and/or partnering programs.

Small Business of the Month The Small Business of the Month award is determined by a nomination and selection process.  Nominations can be made by individuals, customers, vendors or a company can just complete the nomination form and submit to the Small Business Development department.

Small Business of the Year Each year the Mobile Area Chamber recognizes and honors the important role small businesses play in the Mobile Area community and economy by presenting the Small Business of the Year award. Candidates may be nominated by individuals, customers or vendors, or may self-nominate. All finalists are nominated to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year competition.

The Business View The Chamber’s monthly business magazine mailed to more than 20,000 business owners and managers in Mobile and Baldwin counties and e-mailed to more than 8,000 addresses.

The Business View Weekly The Chamber’s weekly e-mail news publication highlights Mobile Area Chamber member business news and publishes on Thursdays. It’s the only publication of its type in the Mobile metro area, with more than 8,000 individuals on the distribution list. Subscriptions are open to both member and non-members of the Chamber, but only member events will be included in the e-newsletter.

For a current listing of upcoming events visit the Chamber’s online Calendar of Events at events.mobilechamber.com.