Join the San Rafael Chamber

Chamber Benefits

The San Rafael Chamber of Commerce provides many valuable services and benefits for its membership.

We’re making our community more competitive through economic development, protecting your interests with elected officials, supporting your need for better-educated employees, and speaking out for you on issues crucial to your success.

As a member of the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce, you’re part of a select group of community leaders working to preserve and enhance San Rafael’s economy.

To join the Chamber, complete our Membership Application.

Here are some key reasons to join:

Business Development

Business After 5 gatherings provide opportunities to make new business contacts in an informal setting. These business-socials are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. Hosting Business After 5 is an excellent opportunity for you to promote your goods and services to the business community. Our monthly lunch meetings combine networking opportunities with valuable business information. Promote your business immediately at our New Member Briefings.

Economic Development

You're part of a dedicated team actively working to boost economic development in San Rafael. The Chamber maintains programs to improve the local business climate, encourage convention business and tourism, and promote affordable housing and beneficial business legislation.

Political Clout

The Chamber's presence is persuasively felt at city and county levels. The Chamber holds monthly meetings with San Rafael's mayor and city staff, and our Governmental Affairs Committee tracks local, state, and federal issues affecting business—from taxation to workers’ compensation and growth management. Our close contacts with city, county and state legislators encourages beneficial business legislation and discourages detrimental ordinances. The Chamber keeps its membership informed of important legislative issues.

Professional Development

Expand your professional expertise and improve your business with low-cost, high-quality seminars and workshops. Led by experts, the seminars focus on a variety of business topics including sales, marketing, and more. The Leadership Institute is the Chamber’s annual program to develop well-informed, motivated community leaders. This series is also a great way to increase your contact base and boost your own professional development. Chamber members receive a tuition discount.

Join the New Chamber Toastmasters Club and learn how to conquer your fear of speaking. Chamber members attend at a reduced rate.

Business Referral

The Chamber receives hundreds of calls each year for referrals of local products and services. Only Chamber members are referred.

Publicity and Exposure

Members may advertise in exclusive Chamber publications. Our audience is a highly-specialized market of business owners, employers, and business leaders. Each member receives free listings in the annual San Rafael City Guide, membership directory and our Website. A membership directory is available only to Chamber members. The Chamber’s mailing list is available on labels and disk to members only to promote business among members. The Chamber staff also offers assistance to members in a variety of areas, including special events, grand openings and ribbon-cuttings.

San Rafael Business

Members receive the Chamber’s monthly newspaper that covers the local business scene and keeps members up-to-date on legislation, programs, events, and opportunities for involvement.

Business Showcase

Exclusively for members, this popular trade show attracts 2,000 visitors each year. Marin’s biggest business event is a great way to generate hundreds of leads.

Business Advice

Experts from the Service Corps of Retired Executives and the Small Business Development Center offer free consultations in our office to business owners. Our Business Start-Up Kits have all the forms you need to meet government requirements throughout the year, so red tape and due dates won’t tie you down.

Impact on Education

The Chamber helps create public-private partnerships with local educators and business leaders. The Chamber was a founder of the countywide school-to-career internship program.

Making a Contribution

Committee involvement is an opportunity to expand your business contacts while finding solutions to community issues.

For more information on joining the Chamber, please send e-mail to jkramers@sanrafaelchamber.com or contact us through our Web form.