Invest in Your Business and Our Mission!
The River Falls Chamber of Commerce & Tourism welcomes you to invest in our organization to grow your business and our community. Since 1955, the Chamber has followed our mission: We promote, support, and advocate for our member businesses and the economic vitality of the River Falls area.
We carry out this mission with the following strategic goals:
- Drive Membership Growth Through Innovative Programming, Member Driven Benefits, and A Service-Oriented Culture
- Effectively Communicate the Chamber’s Value Proposition
- Be the Voice of Business and A Leader of Local Economic Development Strategies
- Be Responsible Stewards of Member Investments to Build Organizational Excellence
- Be the Recognized Leader of Tourism Development for River Falls
Click Here for A Copy of Most Recent Strategic Plan
to has designed membership tiers to meet the needs of all business types. From the smallest micro-businesses to the largest manufacturers, there is a tier for you.
Below you will find our membership guide that describes the the benefits of each tier.
When you are ready to invest, go to our member application page to begin making a difference in your business and community.
If you would like to meet with Russ Korpela, CEO to learn more about the Chamber please feel free to use the scheduling link below to set an appointment.
Schedule A Meeting to Learn More About the Value of Investing in Your Business and the Chamber!
Connect
Business Breakfast: The Business Breakfast is a great way to meet local business people and Chamber members from throughout the community! These breakfasts are held multiple times a year and the speakers provide useful information on a variety of topics. With just over an hour out of your morning from 7:30 - 9 a.m., attendees have the opportunity to make long lasting business connections. For a $15 fee, a delicious hot breakfast is served and you can see for yourself what a great opportunity education and networking can be.
Chamber Coffee: Chamber Coffee is held from 8:00– 9:00 a.m. at the Chamber office or virtually the first Friday of each month, excluding the summer months, June, July and August. This is a time for casual networking over a steamy hot cup of coffee, while attendees have the opportunity to provide a brief update on who they are and what is going on within each other’s business. This event is free for Chamber members.
Annual Chamber Golf Outing: This annual event is the perfect out-of-office outing for Members to enjoy a day of golf while doing business on the green. Attendees enjoy lunch, 18 hole scramble golf, opportunity to win great raffle prizes and more!
Annual Awards and Recognition Banquet: With over 240 Members in attendance, this event is the premiere networking event of the year. Each year highlights a theme with fun ways for attendees to interact, enjoy a delicious dinner, celebrate various Members’ success during an awards ceremony, and the passing of the gavel for our Board of Directors. Click here to learn more.
Committees & Task Forces: Work side by side with other Chamber volunteers on a special committee or task force. Each event, program, and board relies on a passionate and energetic group of volunteer individuals across various sectors of Membership. Contact Megan Hausch to learn more.
Work River Falls: Work River Falls is an initiative developed by several representatives of the River Falls professional community to address a growing need to invest in the future of the local economy. Work River Falls is focused on raising awareness to existing opportunities within our community that provide support to growing workforce concerns. As a premiere Wisconsin city, River Falls is home to a variety of companies and organizations seeking talented employees situated in the area. By choosing to pursue your career in the River Falls area, you support regional economic development and, by extension, the growth of the community. Both Leader and Partner tier members are included/featured in this program as a part of membership dues.
Promote
Business/Visitor Referral Service: Members are always referred first and foremost. Each year the Chamber receives thousands of calls and e-mails. Referrals of Chamber members are given to tourists, inquiring businesses, outdoor enthusiasts, those interested in relocating to the River Falls area, the business community and the general population (all potential customers).
Website: The Chamber website is the number one source of information about doing business in or visiting River Falls. Members are automatically included in a web-based database that can be searched several ways. This site also contains comprehensive community and tourism information, as well as searchable event guide. Listing business and community events on our calendar is a great way to provide enhanced visibility.
Membership Directory: Our online membership directory is used widely by local residents to contact and learn more about local businesses. Members have the ability to customize their online web listing.
Membership Mailing Labels: Advertise special events or promotions to your fellow Chamber members by having access to over 250 Chamber businesses with ready to use mailing labels for a low fee of $50.
Email Communications: Each month email communications including the Chamber Connection, Member to Member, and Chamber Check-In are distributed to the Chamber membership, reaching over 900 readers. These communications cover various topics and upcoming events in the River Falls area. Members are featured in the Member to Member publication and have the opportunity to take advantage of low to no cost advertising and promotional spaces including graphics, Community Events, and Business Briefs. Click here for a description of each email communication, deadlines, and requirements.
Event Sponsorships: High visibility and advertising value is offered to Members who sponsor Chamber activities; Business Breakfast, Chamber Coffee, River Falls Days, Bacon Bash are just to name a few. As an event sponsor, the member’s business name is prominently displayed and promoted. Contact us today at info@rfchamber.com to learn more about available sponsorship opportunities.
Ribbon Cuttings and Ground Breaking: These ceremonies increase the visibility of new businesses. Provided for free to Members, these events also provide extra business exposure and Chamber media coverage.
Visitor “Experience River Falls” Brochure: Members focusing on tourism are featured in this brochure and distributed both electronically and in print as a welcome guide to our community. This brochure highlights many of the great things to do, see, stay and visit while in River Falls.
Support
Membership: For simply being a Chamber member, your return on investment will astonish you. As a River Falls Chamber member, you automatically receive all of the following benefits, no effort required.
- Business directory listings, brochures displayed in Chamber office display racks, membership decal, email communications, use of equipment, and opportunity to promote your business through testimonials.
Remember, these benefits are just the beginning! Imagine what your business can achieve by being active.
Leadership River Falls: This nine-month community leadership training program brings emerging and established leaders together for a comprehensive learning experience that cultivates leadership while participants explore community issues and avenues of involvement. Click here to learn more.
Chamber Checks: Available to members, community, individuals and businesses. This resource is in the form of a check (to be seen same as cash or personal check) and can be spent at any Chamber member location. They are often used as a bonus/incentive by companies, as a gift, or for prize drawings and contests. Each year over $14,000 flows through River Falls businesses and organizations in the form of Chamber Checks and keeps spending local.
Greater St. Croix Valley Legislative Day: Legislative conversations are held each February in Madison at Wisconsin’s State Capital. This event is a collaboration of business, industry, civic, education, and government leaders from Dunn, Pierce, Polk, and St. Croix Counties.
Government Relations: The Chamber works to strengthen the local economy and create jobs, as well as inform and educate Members about issues impacting the River Falls business community. Staff also assists members in bridging the gap on local, regional, state and federal regulatory levels.
Maximize Your Membership Orientations: Held by request, these fast-paced, informal, FREE workshops are open to all current and potential Members. Topics include: website opportunities, sponsorships, networking options, marketing ideas, and more. The Chamber is committed to making sure you are getting the most of your membership dollars.
Additional Benefits
Resource Center: Information resources are available at the Chamber – examples include a community calendar, local and area phone directories, clubs and organization brochures, local and state maps, regional visitor information, educational opportunities, etc.
Equipment Use: Chamber members have access to use of coolers, tents, cooking roasters, tables, etc.
Certificates of Origin: Certificate of Origin's are international trade documents used to determine the origin of goods for official, commercial and financial reasons.
Bulk Mail Permit: Through our partnership with the United States Post Office, your business or organization may utilize the Chamber’s Bulk Mail Permit to access a savings of approximately .20 per piece of mail with a minimum of 200.