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This week, members of the Ely Chamber of Commerce will recognize its 116 years of history.
Advertisements from Ely businesses noting their affiliation with the organization appear in this week’s edition of the Ely Echo and doubles as a membership drive of sorts.
“The Ely Chamber of Commerce, with a history spanning nearly 116 years, has been a longstanding pillar of support for the Ely area business community,” said Eva Sebesta, executive director of the Ely Chamber. “It has not only functioned as a business association but also as the sole visitor and information center in the area.”
Nationwide, Chambers of Commerce are organizations that connect people to businesses. About one third also serve as visitor centers. Five common areas shared by most active Chambers include:
• Business and community work that creates networking opportunities;
• Business development and education;
• Marketing for businesses; • Representing the business community:
• Promoting the community.
In Ely, the Chamber provides support in those areas through a variety of means.
Over the past year, the Ely Chamber of Commerce has provided networking opportunities through quarterly Business Networking Breakfasts, the annual Celebrate Ely Business Networking Dinner, and training seminars.
Ely Chamber business development opportunities included the Northwoods Business Incubator sessions, a monthly business newsletter filled with resources from area and regional partners, job fairs, an online job board, and an information packet filled with valuable resources for new business owners.
Several marketing efforts include the Ely.org website, Ely Business and Visitor Guide, a city map with storefront business listings and points of interest, business events and advertising, and year-round operation of the Chamber Office and Visitor Center.
The Chamber also works to represent the business community through the visitor center, events, work with strategic partners, advertising, press releases, and interviews.
Promoting the community is an easy one, according to Chamber officials. The Ely Chamber of Commerce staff and members love to Live.Work.Play. here and promoting it shines through in all their actions and work.
Ely Chamber operations are sustained through membership dues and the revenue generated from its three major events: the Blueberry Art and Harvest Moon Festivals and the WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race.
Chamber membership is a gateway to a host of exclusive benefits. For instance, twelve businesses had the opportunity to participate in a business video promotion last year. Running this promotion now for the third year, 36 businesses have had the opportunity to create a high-quality, professional marketing video. The cost to produce these videos was approximately $700 each, but Chamber Member businesses only had to contribute $250.
Members enjoy a premier business listing on the Ely. org website with a photo gallery, logo, social media and website links, and a full business description. Each active member receives a free basic listing in the annual Business and Visitor Guide, with expanded listings and display ads options. About 25,000 copies were distributed in 2023, and the online e-edition received over 8,000 hits. Guides are distributed to visitor centers throughout the state and are prominently displayed at the Mall of America and the Minneapolis Airport.
A survey by American Business Magazine identified two valuable points. Consumers are 63 percent more likely to purchase goods and services from a Chamber of Commerce business. Secondly, 44 percent of those surveyed felt businesses that were chamber members were more reputable.
To find out more about Chamber membership, contact Eva at 218-365-6123 or [email protected].
“The Ely Chamber of Commerce has a long history of serving Ely area businesses and the community,” she said. “We welcome you to consider joining this vital business support network.”
