There’s never been a better time to join the island’s biggest business network.

That’s the view of Rebecca George, chief operating officer of Isleof Man Chamber of Commerce.

She was speaking after the Chamber recently added a number of new benefits which are hoped to provide additional value for members.

The launch of an e-newsletter gives members the opportunity to raise their profile and promote their business by advertising products, services, events, training courses or special offers at discounted rates.

It will also feature a free one-page article about new members, and a free one page article about all sustaining members as an additional reward for their commitment to Chamber.

For the remainder of 2018, and during 2019, Chamber will also be creating more sponsorship opportunities at the many briefings, workshops and seminars it organises every year.

A new scheme has also been recently introduced which allows Chamber members to offer discounts to other members on the cost of products and services.

Rebecca George, chief operating Officer, Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce, says that all of these initiatives are designed to offer even more value to current members, and to attract new members.

She said: ’We are always looking for ways to provide even more advantages, and with these additional benefits there has never been a better time to join the island’s biggest business network.

’Of course, these new initiatives are in addition to our work organising events, conducting surveys, responding to Government consultations, and providing a powerful voice for the island’s business community by commenting via the news media on issues of concern.’

Since 1991 the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce has also been authorised by the British Chambers of Commerce to provide Certificates of Origin for exporters.

The service is available to anyone exporting goods, and Isle of Man Chamber members benefit from significant discounts on fees.

Here are a few statistics about Chamber’s work during the past 12 months:

l24 events held for members

l 367 Certificates of Origin issued

lFive surveys covering the topics of work permits, skills shortages, air links, living wage and member feedback

l15 responses to Isle of Man Government consultations

l76 separate meetings among Chamber’s seven sector Committees, FUEL and Council

lFour sector forums organised in conjunction with Wirral Chamber of Commerce (and sponsored by Manx Telecom) to promote collaboration between the Isle of Man and North West of England.

Chamber is also supporting Barclays Eagle Lab at Queen Victoria House, Victoria Street, Douglas.

The Chamber of Commerce is moving its headquarters to Queen Victoria House, Victoria Street, Douglas, the home of the Barclays Eagle Lab, featured in this week’s Business News in the Examiner. The lab, which is also being supported by the Department for Enterprise, will work with entrepreneurs, business angels, education partners and local professionals to provide a mentoring and coaching network to facilitate the growth of the businesses involved in the Eagle Lab.

The Chamber of Commerce has organised a workshop called ’Getting your employees to agree to mediation’ at the Eagle Lab on June 26.

For more information about the Chamber of Commerce go to www.iomchamber.org.im