Pam Sawyer and Clint Eastwood have a driving philosophy in common.

They believe you get out of something what you put into it.

For Eastwood, the comment was about life.

For Sawyer, it was about UBCC membership.

“Chamber membership requires engagement. You get out of it what you put into it… It’s also a great way to promote your business,” Sawyer said. 

An account executive for Comcast Spotlight in North Wales, Sawyer is active on the membership committee and recognizes the long-term value of engagement in her business dealings partnered with chamber membership.
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While Eastwood (sadly!!) isn’t a UBCC member, his career is an example of going the distance, being invested and fully engaged. After all, his is a household name.

The same philosophy carries over to every facet of life: Work, education, hobbies and special interests, family and business relationships, friendships and community involvement – whether that’s on a ball field, inside a boardroom or as a member of a professional organization.

Imagine being on a ball team where both competitors sit on the sidelines, sadly staring at each other. It wouldn’t be much of a game.

Same holds true for leadership: A board that isn’t engaged and working together toward a common purpose isn’t getting much done.

Think of membership as your passport to engagement. We set the table, provide the feast, and set up the seats. You come to the table.

Looking for your way in?

Maybe you enjoy networking - we’ve got both evening and early morning card exchanges where different members host a cocktail and refreshment time at the end of the work day or coffee and light faire before starting, usually at their business location or an area eatery.

“This Chamber [provides]…opportunities to meet and network with new people,” Sawyer said. What’s more, you can promote your business in a friendly relaxed, environment.

Networking events are free with your membership. At the non-member price of $25, count the cost. Go to eight events: that’s $200 of value, for a few evenings to network, enjoy a drink and meet new people.

“The chamber is a place to get to know the Who’s Who of local business leaders on a more personal level, and that is what helps bring about a sense of community," said John M. Olson, vice president of wealth management for Janney Montgomery Scott in Allentown.

What about education? The chamber offers both virtual and face-to-face training opportunities. In fact, up to 10 sessions of web-based education is included with membership.

Anyone in your company can take advantage of that training. That’s right, anyone. From HR to safety, business management or social media, there are thousands of titles from which to choose.

What’s more, web-based learning is compatible with most devices and it’s self-paced, so you choose the time the bell rings and class begins.

Do you prefer a more tangible setting, with a live presenter and peers at the table? Attend a breakfast or lunch workshop or seminar at the chamber’s Quakertown office - Not only will you learn something new or grow existing skills, breakfast (or lunch) is on us.

Think about it: How much would professional development cost, if you hired an expert, took time out of the workday to organize the event and hosted it yourself? Probably more than the cost of your annual membership.
What about help with marketing your business?

“The first decision we made was to join the chamber and it turns out to be our best decision. Any questions or issues…are usually answered by the statement 'call Tara or Tracy, they'll know,’” said Mike McGrory, co-owner of SERVPRO Upper Bucks in Perkasie.
How much would you pay for a professional mentor or coach? Probably thousands.

Who couldn’t use some help along the way- either to grow existing skills or tackle new business frontiers.

UBCC helps make that connection. The chamber’s partnership with SCORE, a nationwide organization dedicated to the advancement of small business, is staffed with executives who want to share what they’ve learned along the way and help guide your success.

Don’t forget to pay it forward-

Volunteer!! The chamber’s various committees are the organization’s lifeblood. From the golf outing in June to our wildly popular Foodie event in October, we bring the community together in fun ways.

It’s also a great service opportunity, too. “Join a committee, go to events and get involved, that’s when you will really see the benefits of your chamber membership,” Sawyer said.

Some groups meet monthly throughout the year, while others need a burst of organizational activity for a brief period to get the job done. Many hands make light work.

Vicky McClatchy, a mortgage loan originator with Supreme Lending is a membership committee member. When McClatchy joined, her excitement was contagious and she embraced committee work with zest.

“I’d been to other chambers, but I had no idea before coming to (and joining) UBCC, what a chamber could be like,” McClatchy said.

Do you need a plumber, painter or special occasion photographer? Home improvement supplies, a doctor, dentist, financial advisor, a mortgage or business start-up loan maker, breakfast, lunch, dinner or seasonal outdoor dining?

How about seasonal produce, festivals and farmers markets?

A place to celebrate your 25th wedding anniversary, or your 1st, or 50th?
Realtors who have your back, a stunning wedding cake or personal advice and a proper tuxedo rental fitting?
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Look for the sailboat on a field of dappled blue water.
It’s ambling across the page and toward the unseen horizon. It leads you to the title of this year’s focused Upper Bucks County, the chamber’s 2018 community profile and membership directory, and a treasure trove packed inside.

Directories are in the house and this year’s cover, beautifully rendered by Quakertown Artist Jim Lukens, is an open invitation to sit by the fire and take a closer look at the place we all love and call home.

The 2018 focused Upper Bucks County community profile and membership directory is one of a kind – you cannot and will not find a reference source like it anywhere else in Bucks County.

What’s more, there is no better place to look for professional services, goods, education, entertainment, local government, trends and all things Upper Bucks County, as our advertisers are some of the best names in their businesses.

With the entire region at your fingertips turn the pages, browse and get to know where home is.

Providing a complete resource and reference tool for residents, visitors, business members and consumers, we need your help – ALL of your help – to share it with Upper Bucks County and beyond.

Take pride in your history and culture, and learn something new.

Whether you’re a newcomer or the fourth generation to call Quakertown, Perkasie, Dublin, Riegelsville or Ottsville home, this year’s directory is packed with places, people, things and resources, some down the street, others a short drive away.

Better understand our growing markets from health care and manufacturing to transportation and education, shopping, dining and recreation. Learn a little bit about Bridgeton’s history, Tinicum’s river mystique or West Rockhill Township’s scenic landscape.

Highlighting something unique about all 21 Upper Bucks municipalities the directory offers an armchair pass to take a moment and visit these places without setting foot beyond your front door.

Make a plan and explore Upper Bucks.
Spring is coming and the perfect excuse to pack a picnic, scout out a new shopping destination, visit a winery or brewpub or enjoy a lazy Sunday drive as the grass greens up and the maple sap and temperatures rise.

Stop by. If you’ve advertised, please help us out by taking a case or two of the books with you to share with customers, clients, friends and colleagues.

And if you haven’t advertised this year, consider getting your word out to the region and beyond, with an ad in next year’s 2019 focused Upper Bucks County directory.

You’ll be glad you did! 

If you’re a business currently hiring or expect to be hiring soon, don’t miss the upcoming Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce redesigned business EXPO.

This year’s Growing Upper Bucks EXPOtential Career Fair and Biz Expo is different. We’ve added a job and career component to our annual business showcase with the intention of reaching a broader audience, and helping match-up a variety of Upper Bucks employers with prospective job seekers.

“We’re also frequently looking for skilled employees, and the career fair provides another important avenue to connect directly with prospective new hires,” said Carol Obando-Derstine, regional affairs director for PPL Electric Utilities in Allentown.

Mark your calendar now and plan to stop at the region’s premiere business event. Or if you haven’t reserved a booth yet, stop by or give the Chamber a call at 215.536.3211.

A series of seminars tailored to address 21st century job search skills, like effective resume writing and how to use LinkedIn, are part of the event.

“We’ve responded to what our members have asked for, with a career fair to bring in candidates and talent looking for jobs,” said Tara King, executive director for Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce.

Rodney Altemose, executive director of Bucks County Community College Upper Bucks Campus in Perkasie, said adding a job fair to this year’s EXPO was a smart, timely move.

“It now affords the community an opportunity to not only network and know the businesses in the area, but it’s also an opportunity to explore career options in their backyard,” Altemose said.

Altemose added the slightly later new time - from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. “seems to make better sense for all those who want to take part in the event.”

EXPO benefits our exhibitors by providing space that can be customized to best meet your needs. And if you’re looking to hire, nothing beats on the spot face time with applicants. See first-hand the person behind the resume. Private interview spaces will be available.

“The UBCC Career Fair & Business EXPO gives us a valuable opportunity to connect with residents and other businesses in the Upper Bucks area,” Obando-Derstine said.

Brian Schaffer, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for EXPO sponsor QNB said “awareness” was one of the top benefits the event provides.

Creating a job fair component – something the region has lacked for many years – is a timely move.
Schaffer said while QNB is always looking to fill front line positions in its locations, the process typically comes from a regular stream of job applications.

“It’s great they are adding the job career component. Bringing everyone together in one place,” EXPO has the potential to become a hub, Schaffer said. 
 
If you go:
What: Growing Upper Bucks EXPOtential Career Fair & Biz Expo
When: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 14
Where: Bucks County Community College Upper Bucks Campus, One Hillendale Road, Perkasie
Visit www.ubcc.org/expo.