Mission Overview
The Rapid City Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization of businesses and professional leaders dedicated to promoting a strong business climate in the Black Hills. Through partnerships with member businesses and volunteers, we work to provide leadership, promotion, connection, advocacy and action that will help the Rapid City area achieve its potential as a desirable place to live, work and visit.
The Chamber is Rapid City’s oldest and largest business advocacy organization and is one of only a handful of Chambers across the nation that has earned the prestigious 5-Star rating through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce accreditation process. With more than 1,200 members and 132 years under its belt, Chamber membership is a sound investment that makes business strong in Rapid City.
Member Referrals
Each year, thousands of consumers look to the Rapid City Chamber for recommendations of businesses in the area. When they ask, we refer only our members. The membership listings in both this printed and online business directory are only two of the great ways to receive business referrals.
Connect
• Face-to-face networking is a necessity in doing business, and the Chamber brings members together through a variety of events and volunteer opportunities that offer many ways to tap into the business community.
• Monthly Chamber Mixers are one of the best networking tools provided by the Chamber. Typically held on the second Tuesday of every month, the mixers offer professionals the opportunity to meet potential customers, making vital contacts and learning from the knowledge of other successful business professionals in the community.
We have ten committees made up of active volunteers. Joining a committee can help increase your exposure and put you on the right path to becoming a business leader in our community.
Advocate
Collectively, our members represent approximately 30,000 employees throughout the Black Hills. That creates a powerful voice when it comes to advocacy.
The direct access to industry experts gives the Chamber of Commerce a unique opportunity as collaborators to identify and vet issues important to the community. Because of this, elected and government officials recognize Chambers across the nation as resources on issues affecting businesses and the citizens of their respective regions.
Promote
• Advertising:
– Monthly publication: Investment Report.
– Chamber Pak: a monthly direct mailing tool sent to nearly 1,500 businesses and associates.
– Email newsletter.
– Website advertisements.
– Gold card discount: member-to-member discount program.
• Sponsorships: another way to effectively promote your business is to sponsor a Chamber event or host a monthly mixer.
• Host a ribbon cutting.
Have an official Chamber ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate an opening relocation, expansion or big announcement. This is a service for members, coordinated and attended by Chamber staff, members of the Chamber Ambassadors Committee and any other key community members or media that the business would like to invite. All Chamber member ribbon cuttings and ground breakings receive coverage in the Investment Report and on the Chamber’s website, and new members who host a ribbon cutting or ground breaking are given television and media recognition opportunities through local news stations.
Chamber Resources
• RapidCityChamber.com
Our website provides a current business directory, community calendar, news and events, committee information and so much more.