MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

The benefits of being a member of the Bloemfontein Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

There are countless good reasons to join the BCCI and direct benefits include:

BCCI can assist small businesses with the following services at a nominal cost:

          •  Sending emails
          •  Help with business related internet queries. These include online enquiries like finding addresses, contact persons and numbers for businesses, online registration for
             workshops, etc.
          •  Sending and receiving of faxes
          •  Typing
          •  Photocopying
          •  Scanning

Phone us today to find out more about this Administration Support desk.

The BCCI offers the following advertising opportunities. Please contact our office for further details regarding any of the following marketing options:

          •  BCCI monthly electronic newsletter circulated to ± 700 email addresses and the distribution of ± 200 hard copies.
          •  Advertising on the BCCI website
             Chamber members can get a WEB PAGE hosted on the Chamber’ official website for R70 per month. This page can be used for member-to-member information and specials.
             This page can also be linked to members own website.
          •  New Members’ Induction Page
             On this page new members are introduced and get the opportunity to advertise for free for 3 months.   
          •  In our new annual publication, information regarding this will be distributed soon.

New advertising opportunities:

          •  Brochure display:
     Members can display their brochures in the BCCI foyer at a nominal fee. Those who sponsor a service to the chamber, can put up banners and advertising material in the foyer
     at no cost.  
  •  Mini Expos:
     BCCI will give our members an opportunity to display products or market services at our networking events. This will take on the form of a mini expo with a maximum of 10 tables
     - depending on the venue. This will be an excellent opportunity to introduce your business to the people while having refreshments in the foyer.        

          •   The BCCI is in a unique position to facilitate business relationships. Its contacts are widespread and numerous and with the new twinning agreements, these relationships will
              be extended between local businesses and others elsewhere.
          •  The network of BCCI members offers extensive expertise which may be accesses directly, or through our office which is able to provide initial guidance and advice and  
              subsequent linkage with expert members.
          •  To further the facilitation of business relations, BCCI is in the process of signing Twinning Agreements with other chambers in South Africa so that facilitation can be
              achieved with BCCI businesses and businesses in other cities.

          •  The database of members contains a categorised listing of member companies providing details of their businesses and contact details.
          •  Members of the Chamber are included in the Gaffney’s Business Contacts in SA directory.

The BCCI is part of a worldwide network of chambers and as such offers an unrivalled gateway to international markets. To assist our members in this regard, the BCCI will supply our members with:

          •  Hosting meetings with ambassadors and consulate generals from different countries.
          •  Hosting Foreign Trade Missions
             Incoming Trade missions and visiting business executives from overseas seeking buying  or selling opportunities use the Chamber as their point of contact with local
             businesses.  
          •  Outgoing Missions
             Chamber led trade missions will be organised later this year. Notice will be given as soon as information becomes available.
          •  Certificates of Origin - The BCCI certifies export documents as required by foreign Customs departments.
          •  Carnet de Commerce -  A letter of introduction to foreign chambers of commerce.
          •  Offering Import and Export seminars. See Seminar and Workshop Schedule
          •  Direct linking with members and organisations who can assist a member who wants to import or export.

There is no denying that we prefer to do business with people that we know or those that come highly recommended. The BCCI offers you a large and accessible network, which will result in business linkage opportunities.

          •  Through our networking opportunities, BCCI can save you time and money by introducing you to potential partners, suppliers and of course, customers. Who you know does
             make a difference.
          •  The networking events are in the form of business breakfasts, luncheons and dinners
          •  Where in the past only speakers from the sponsoring company took the floor, any business can apply for a 15 minute time slot to introduce their company to the people at the
              event.  Contact the Operations Manager if you want to make use of this opportunity.

TO IMPROVE ON OUR ALREADY VERY SUCCESSFUL NETWORKING EVENTS, BCCI HAS ADDED THE FOLLOWING:

          •  Lucky draws:  At each networking session lucky draws will be done and it will not just be gifts or vouchers that can be won like in the past. Lucky draws will also be the
             bucket of business cards which can be used for networking purposes. A second lucky draw will give the company whose name has been drawn an opportunity to take the
             floor and promote your company on that day, or if so requested, at a following networking event.
          •  Mini Expo’s:  BCCI will give our members an opportunity to display products or market services at our networking events. This will take on the form of a mini expo with a
              maximum of 10 tables - depending on the venue. This will be an excellent opportunity to introduce your business to the people having refreshments in the foyer.

The chamber lobbies the various levels of government and protect as well as promote the interests of business. Members support this endeavour through their membership fees and they will be involved and asked for input through various interest-group commissions.

As part of the Memorandum of Understanding with MLM, BCCI will initiate a quarterly business breakfast with a Mayoral / City Manager delegation to give our members the opportunity to discuss issues and propose solutions to create a forum that can contribute to solving problems in our area.

Workshops and seminars covering a wide range of subjects sharpen your skills and keep you up-to-date on the latest developments in business.  The training will be done by experts and it will be practical to provide information and skills to take back to the workplace.

BCCI members attend the workshops for free when applicable and at a 50% reduced rate when costs are involved.

To be added soon

          •  Membership Certificate
             On becoming a member you will receive a personalised membership certificate which can be given to you either at the end of a Networking event or be collected at the BCCI’s
             office.
          •  SMME & Entrepreneurial support.
             This is currently in the form of a list of stakeholders, with contacts persons and numbers, that the SMMEs can contact for financial and other support.  The aim of the chamber is
             to set up a SMME Help Desk at our offices for this very important function.
          •  BEE Verification Service
             The Chamber will provide a list of BEE Verification Agencies who are members of the chamber. We will also keep members informed on latest BEE information through
             networking sessions, workshops and a monthly BEE information letter to BCCI members.
          •  Development of Business Plans
             Due to the great demand for customised/unique business plans, the Chamber has called on the services of experts to assist members in the development of their Business
             Plans. If required feasibility studies will also be done. The rate for these business plans will be very affordable and negotiated beforehand.