 Ocean City Guide......First published in 1953, the Guide has consistently been the most asked for piece of literature among visitors to Ocean City. The 100 page resource is a collection of advertisements featuring hotels, motels, realtors, campgrounds, restaurants, amusements, golf and shopping. Most prized by tourists is the Guide's pull out map of Ocean City. Over 225,000 Guides are printed annually and mailed to tourists around the world.
24-Hour Tourist Information/Voice Mail......The Chamber's phone system allows tourists 24-hour access to information critical to planning a visit. After an initial greeting which may highlight an upcoming event, the caller is presented with a list of choices to aid his/her vacation planning.
Inquiry List.....One of the many options on the Voice Mail system allows callers to receive vacation literature in the mail. The phone system performs an interview to gather important information about the vacationer. Additional names and addresses are received via the Chamber's web site. These "inquiries" are made available in label, disk, or paper format to subscribers for their own marketing purposes. The lists, each composed of approximately 600 names, is published weekly from January to September.
Direct Connect......The lobby based self-service reservation system allows visitors to the Route 50 office to call hotels/motels, realtors and campgrounds directly at no charge. In the comfort of an air-conditioned lobby, visitors can shop around via "Direct Connect" for accommodations at their leisure. "Direct Connect" is a popular service among visitors, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights when finding a vacancy can be difficult.
Monthly Newsletter.....The Chamber Newsletter is the medium by which the Chamber staff and Board of Directors communicate with the membership, keeping you current on Chamber events, community activities, business issues and opportunities. The newsletter provides new member listings and member profiles while striving to recognize the accomplishments of Chamber members. Member input is encouraged and Chamber members have the option of advertising in the newsletter at modest rates.
Business Referral Service ..... The Chamber of Commerce is often the first point of contact for visitors and persons relocating to the county, as well as a resource for existing businesses and residents. The Chamber office receives calls every day requesting information on local products and services. Callers and visitors are referred to Chamber members who fit their needs.
Brochure Display in Chamber's Visitor Center ... Chamber members are able to display their promotional brochures in the Chamber's lobby. The Chamber is open seven days a week and receives thousands of visitors each year.
Monitor Legislative Affairs.....It is the responsibility of Chamber staff and Board members to keep you abreast of legislation which could impact the economic stability of Ocean City. In order to effectively do so, the Chamber has retained the services of a professional lobbyist to represent the Chamber membership in Annapolis. The Chamber receives frequent inquiries from local government, politicians and organizations on the business community's perspective on specific issues. Chamber membership provides you with the means to make your voice heard. Please let us know your needs and opinions so that we can pass them along.
Chamber Seminars ..... The Chamber offers members training and education opportunities through seminars. These sessions assist our members in addressing current business and community issues. Let the Chamber educate you on the trends and changes taking place in Ocean City. If you have a particular area of interest or expertise, please do not hesitate to share this information or your needs with the Chamber.
Business Resource Center.....The Chamber, as an official SBA resource center, can provide members with literature covering the full range of owning and operating a business. If requested, the Chamber can also locate retired business persons in the greater Ocean City area who might be available for consulting work free of charge. The Chamber also works closely with the Small Business Development Center in assisting business owners and entrepreneurs with all available resources for a successful venture.
Business and Community Services Directory..... New to the Chamber in 1999, we will be publishing an annual directory of Chamber members. This project was brought about by the many requests received throughout the year for information to assist individuals in becoming familiar with the Ocean City business and community environment. The directory will contain demographic information, community organizations and services, and other types of local information in addition to the categorical listing of all Chamber members in good standing. It is anticipated that over 10,000 directories will be published and distributed locally and by mail.
Member to Member Discounts ..... Another new program to the Chamber - members in good standing can
take advantage of discounts offered by member businesses to other members. By working together, we can make doing business in Ocean City more profitable for all of us.
New Member Receptions .... Hosted by the Ambassadors Committee, the Chamber will be holding new member receptions twice a year to welcome new members to the Chamber and the community, familiarize them with Chamber services and staff, and provide them an opportunity to get to know one another.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies .... The Chamber's Ambassadors Committee holds ribbon cutting ceremonies for new businesses in the area. Ambassadors Committee members come to the business with ribbon, scissors, and the trimmings with Chamber staff taking photos. Ribbon cuttings can also be arranged for relocations of existing businesses, changes of ownership, or other significant happenings in the life of a business.
Chamber Fax Alert System......The Chamber has the ability to alert and poll members in a fraction of the time it used to take. This fax alert service is also available to Chamber members at a very reasonable cost.
Chamber Home Pages on the Internet & E-Mail Information Services.....The Chamber has established an extremely informative home page found at http://www.oceancity.org. Visitors from around the globe are able to obtain vacation information, business services, events, weather forecasts, and a long list of other information with the click of a button. The Chamber's e-mail also allows members and visitors alike the option of contacting the Chamber with specific requests for service or information. In addition, every member of the Chamber has a listing with address and telephone number in a searchable format. The Chamber also provides links from our home page to yours, free of charge.
Installation Banquet.....Held annually during the month of September, the Installation Banquet is the forum for officially installing the new Board of Directors (10) and Executive Officers (5). It is also a time to give thanks to the retiring Board of Directors (5) and the retiring President. Typically, the Mayor is on hand to honor the retiring President with a "Key to the City."
Outstanding Citizen Award......The Chamber established the Outstanding Citizen Award to recognize individuals for superior service to the Ocean City community. Winners are determined from nominations received on official forms only. Forms can be obtained at numerous locations throughout Ocean City. The winner of the award is announced at an annual March banquet.
Luncheons/Community Updates.....Staged primarily during the non-summer months, Chamber luncheons feature a diverse selection of speakers from our community. They also provide an opportunity to conduct official Chamber business.
Business After Hours.....Held on the first Thursday of each month (not including July, August and September), "BAH" is among the most popular of Chamber programs. Hosted by a different Chamber member each month, "Business After Hours" is ideal for mixing with fellow business persons in an informal and relaxed setting. Attendees are encouraged to bring business cards for exchange. Hors d'oeuvres, compliments of the host, are served throughout the evening. The "BAH" program has proven to be an invaluable membership recruitment tool.
Ocean City Job Fair.....The Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the Department of Economic and Employment Development, conducts an annual Job Fair. Over 95 employers are on hand to interview and hire prospective workers. The Job Fair has proven to be a valuable recruiting tool for area businesses, with over 1,000 job seekers attending. In addition to employers, representatives for seasonal housing opportunities and youth health clinics are usually in attendance.
Charity Golf Tournament.....The April Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament has become a fixture on the charity golf circuit. Over 100 golfers participate in this popular event which features fabulous prizes and an awards ceremony at the conclusion of play. The winning team also displays the "Chamber Cup" for the year.
Hospitality Training Seminar.....Co-sponsored with the Economic Development Commission, the training seminar is designed to give area employees, managers and owners exposure to skills that please our visitors which, in turn, builds profit. The seminars are generally slated for early June to coincide with the influx of seasonal workers.
Christmas Open House & Decoration Contest.....The Chamber's Christmas Open House has become a popular holiday tradition among members and friends. Usually held on the third Thursday in December, the Open House is known for its tasty assortment of foods and Ed Whitman's famous "Egg Nog". The winners of the holiday decoration contest are announced during the affair. Designed to motivate businesses and home owners to decorate their properties festively, the contest is divided into seven categories including Residential, Condominium, Hotel, Motel, Restaurant, Retail and Commercial.
WeXL Honor Card/Youth Programs......Area Chambers, in cooperation with the Worcester County Board of Education, have initiated a county-wide Honor Card program intended to motivate area students to excel in the classroom. As a reward for maintaining good grades/attendance students receive a card entitling them to discounts and promotions at various participating businesses. Over 140 Worcester County merchants participate in the program annually. Also supported by the Chamber of Commerce is the "After Prom Party" program administered by the students, faculty and parents of Stephen Decatur High School.
Ocean City Visitor Relations Board.....In order to streamline the processing of visitor's complaints and improve the quality of hospitality in our resort, the Ocean City Visitor Relations Board was formed. The Board's primary goal will be to assist area businesses and tourists when a dispute arises between the two parties. By combining the efforts of the five organizations, it is believed that the Visitor Relations Board will more effectively be able to resolve disputes. A recently developed standardized Satisfaction Report will insure the proper information is obtained by Board Members when reviewing complaints.
Surf Fishing Tournament.....Co-sponsored by the Chamber and the Ocean City Surf Anglers Club, the tournament attracts over 450 fishermen from throughout the East Coast. Held on the first weekend in October, 75 six-person teams vie over the two days of fishing for a multitude of prizes and the distinction of being champion of one of the East Coast's most prestigious events.
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