Advantages to Membership
By being a member, you are contributing to the purpose of the Alden Chamber of Commerce. Membership provides the opportunity to participate in the activities related to the objectives of the Chamber. It also entitles a member to subscribe to group health insurance at reduced rates. Members may be represented by designated employees at any Chamber function.
New Sports and Theme Park Ticket Offers
America’s favorite pastime is back so take the family out to the ballpark. The Chamber is delighted to announce that new this year Buffalo Bisons Baseball tickets are now available through the Chamber office at a reduced price. Reserved seat tickets can be purchased for $8 for members and $9 for non-members. These tickets normally cost $10. An order form for tickets can be obtained by calling the Chamber office at 937-6177. These tickets are for any game you choose. Special events and concerts not included.
Back by popular demand the Chamber is also selling all-day-any-day tickets for both Darien Lake and Fantasy Island. Darien Lake tickets prices are $23 for members and $24 for non-members. Fantasy Island tickets are $17 for members and $18 for non-members.
Reduced rate season passes for Darien Lake Theme Park and Resort are available at the Chamber office. All passes are $48 for Chamber members and $49 for non-members. Reduced parking passes are also available at $20 for members and $21 for non-members.
Also new this year: Anyone purchasing new season tickets through the Chamber offer will be invited to a behind the scenes tour of Ralph Wilson Stadium including the locker room, field and press box (date and time to be determined). Contact the Chamber office for the promo code before purchasing your ticket at the Bills ticket outlets.
Regular Chamber office hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm only. Closed on Wednesday. No weekend sales. Call the office at 716 937-6177 before you come to check on availability or for further information.
Alden Chamber Partners with Staples
The Alden Chamber is proud to announce a new opportunity for members to realize significant savings of up to 35% on office supplies, office equipment, janitorial supplies, custom printing and technology purchases. Our program, designed by Staples, allows members to place orders by phone, fax, mail, or online.
For information, please contact the Chamber office at 937-6177. Catalogs are available
If you are ready to register your business and take advantage of the savings, click here
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Suburban Solutions Center Available
As a member of the Alden Chamber of Commerce, you will be eligible to participate in the exciting new benefit being offered through Suburban Solutions Center located at 350 Essjay Road in Amherst.
The Suburban Solutions Center is an ‘Incuvator’ which is a combination of the concept of innovation and incubator. The site will offer state of the art technology, meeting and training space, business advice and support, and professional resources.
Business start ups and existing businesses will be able to access funding sources, training agencies, legal aid, financial and accounting support, mentoring and governmental service assistance through existing agencies. Suburban Solutions Center will liaison between the agency and you.
Each member may utilize up to 20 hours per year in the resource library free of charge, with additional hours assessed at a $20 per hour fee, with a minimum of four hours.
The meeting space is available to each member on a first come-first serve basis and is free of charge for the first 2 hours a year. A fee is assessed for additional hours, with a minimum of four hours.
Seminar and training programs will be offered at little or no cost. Funding is acquired through grants and other foundations. A schedule of topics will be announced by the Chamber.
Networking opportunities will also be hosted at the site to further your business growth and development.
For more information, please call the Chamber office at 937-6177.
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Dues
Membership dues support the community activities of the Alden Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber fiscal year begins May 1 and annual dues are as follows:
Individual $50
Business (including Sole Propreitors) with 1 - 10 employees $75
Business with 11 - 30 employees $100
Business with 31 or more employees $150
To Join
Obtain a membership application from the office of the secretary.
Phone: (716) 937-6177
E-mail: secretary@aldenny.org
Website
Chamber businesses with Websites and/or E-mail accounts can be linked to the Chamber site – free of charge.
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Gift Certificate Program
Our Gift Certificate program is designed to attract consumers into local businesses & services. Only Chamber businesses can participate.
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Member 2 Member Discount Savings Program
Chamber members have a unique opportunity to offer fellow Chamber members a discount on their service or merchandise as an incentive to attract new customers and increase their business visibility. Each Chamber newsletter will advertise your business and your exclusive Chamber members discount. You decide what you wish to offer and how your offer will be presented. You may also want to include employees in the offer. It’s easy to enroll in the Member 2 Member Savings Program by calling the Chamber office at 716-937-6177. More information and the form for describing your offer/discount will be mailed or faxed to you to complete and return. It’s a simple, positive and effective way to draw attention to your business.
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Networking Opportunities
Chamber meetings are open to all members and offer a forum to share concerns and needs, as well as to meet other local business people. Board meetings are held at 4:00 pm the third Thursday of every month.
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Advertising
Chamber member businesses are regularly featured in the Alden Chamber’s monthly Newsletter. We also sponsor ads in the Alden Advertiser and run inserts for the Gift Certificate program. Special Events and Annual Awards also increase visibility of Chamber members.
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A Voice in Community Affairs
The Chamber answers calls from elected officials, media and service providers. We also represent members at Village, Town and School Board meetings. We participate in the WNY Chamber Alliance regarding issues of broader interest.
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Group Insurance
Our group health insurance policies are offered at group rates to all active business members. We can accept applications only from persons whose primary residence is in one of the eight area counties of Western New York (Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Allegheny, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua). Note: Applications must be submitted at least six weeks prior to the effective date you have chosen. Failure to meet this requirement will result in coverage beginning one month later.
We offer eight plans through Univera Healthcare.
Insurance regulations and options are constantly changing. Through the Western New York Chamber Alliance, we are working to ensure regulators are developing cost-effective plans. With so many options, call the office (937-6177) to see which plans might be best for you.
Please stop by or call the office at 937-6177 to request an application and rate information.
E-mail: secretary@aldenny.org
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Alden Chamber of Commerce Partners with Liazon
Introducing real innovation in employee benefits
More Bright Choices® for 2010
 It’s time for you to enroll in benefits for the coming plan year, starting September 1st.
For 2010, the Bright Choices® program has been enhanced with more options to control your benefits costs and give you the best value available anywhere for benefits. Please review our Benefits Marketplace at a Glance, which shows all the plans and rates for this year. You will see that the program includes:
- More and improved medical plan choices – you may choose from among 8 plans
- Extremely competitive rates with a wide range of price points so everyone can find the best, most affordable coverage that works for them
- New products, including health discount, wellness, and pet insurance programs
For current Bright Choices members:
Just like last year, you should use the online portal to enroll, and the Bright Choices technology has been enhanced to make it even easier for you to build the benefits package that’s exactly right for you.
If you do nothing, you will be enrolled into the plan that is most similar to the plan you have now.
- If you currently have the Copay plan, you will be enrolled in Copay 2.
- If you currently have the Hybrid plan, you will be enrolled in Hybrid 1.
- No change to HSA plans (HSA 2 now called HSA 3).
IMPORTANT: For current Blue Cross Blue Shield members:
Blue Cross Blue Shield is canceling the HMO 104 and HMO 203 plans. These plans are no longer available beginning September 1, 2010. If you do nothing, you will automatically be enrolled in the Blue Cross Blue Shield POS 150D plan, which has reduced coverage.
We suggest you look into the Bright Choices Univera plans to retain coverage most similar to what you have now: The Univera Copay #1 plan will be the most similar substitute for the Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO 104 and HMO 203 plans. If you have any questions, please call Scott Michaels at 716-507-8646 or the Liazon Consumer Advocacy Team at 1-866-542-9661.
Paper enrollment forms and information are available from the Alden Chamber office or on the website at aldenny.org.
If you’d like to change plans or add coverages, your enrollment decisions are due by August 6 and take effect on September 1, 2010. If we don’t hear from you by then, you will be enrolled in your existing plan at the new rate.
Still have questions? Liazon’s Consumer Advocacy Team is standing by at 1-866-LIAZON1 (1-866-542-9661).
The Alden Chamber of Commerce is the best place for you to buy benefits. We are excited about the enhancements to this year’s program and believe you will be too.
Link to Bright Choices Marketplace: http://content.liazonpartners.com/alden/alden-bright-choices.pdf
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Events
The Chamber also sponsors many events, including:
- Taste of Alden – showcase for restaurants during the summer Firemen’s Carnival
- Art Show Award
- College scholarships
- Christmas in the Park, tree-lighting and home decoration contests
- Fall luncheon and “Business of the Year” award
- Annual dinner and “Distinguished Citizen” award
- Community beautification & development programs
- Alden Farmers' Market
- Business Bingo - Winterfest game played at participating merchants
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Resources
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