About the Chamber

Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce Benefits

Networking Opportunities

New Member Mentoring Program:  Our Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors are trained to teach you how to utilize, understand, and implement all the Chamber of Commerce benefits. Every new member is assigned an Ambassador to help you get acquainted, answer questions, and show you how being involved in the Chamber will increase your business and exposure to the community. The Ambassadors are available for both new and existing members. 
Member Mixers:  Member mixers are a great opportunity to meet other business members and potential clients in an informal atmosphere. Getting to know other Chamber of Commerce members is one of the most successful tools for your business to obtain new clients and to develop business relationships and referrals as well. New members have the extra benefit of being introduced and having an opportunity to speak briefly about their business.  Chamber membership mixers attract 50-100 Chamber of Commerce members and are held the fourth Thursday of each month from 5 – 7 p.m. Mixers are free to members if you RSVP at: rsvp@svcoc.org.

5th Tuesday Joint Mixers: The Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce allows you to expand your networking community by attending our joint membership mixers with the Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce. These mixers give you a venue to meet other business owners and develop relationships with clients in our neighboring cities. These unique mixers are held four times a year from 5:30-7:30pm, falling on those months with a fifth Tuesday. Joint mixers attract 75-150 business members. 5th Tuesday Mixers are free to members if you RSVP at: rsvp@svcoc.org
S3 Tri-Chamber Mixers: If you are really looking to expand your business outside of Sunnyvale, this semi-annual Mega-mixeris a must event. This three-chamber mixer - Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, and San Jose - is an opportunity for your business to gain triples the networking exposure and increases your visibility throughout the county. Attendance is between 450-600 business members. A limited number of table top display exhibits are available to members. This Mixer is free to members if you RSVP at 408-736-4971 or email: rsvp@svcoc.org.

STAR Groups: S.T.A.R. stands for Sharing Tips and Referrals. The STAR Groups at the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce meet regularly to develop best business practices through referrals, business strategies, peer coaching, networking, growing business, mentoring, and motivation. S.T.A.R. groups are closely knit networking groups that give you an opportunity to form deeper and more personal relationships with other businesses. These groups are smaller in size and highly effective in developing business skills. The meetings are held at the Chamber of Commerce Board Room.  The frequency of the meetings is determined by the members of each S.T.A.R. group and participation is by Chamber membership only with no direct competitors involved in the same group. To join a STAR group, call 408-736-4971.
Wake Up! Sunnyvale:  This Chamber of Commerce morning breakfast meeting is another opportunity for members to develop business relationships for generating referrals, as well as finding new customers and clients. Wake Up! Sunnyvale also features informative speakers on topics of vital concern to the business community. Join this group of business leaders that meet three times a year at a member business. Get to Wake Up! Sunnyvale early (7:29am) and you will be entered into the drawing for our "30-Day Focus", a display area highlighted in the Chamber of Commerce office.  The Wake Up! Networking breakfast is $20 if you RSVP at 408-736-4971 or on-line. Members only.
Networking at Noon:  This Chamber of Commerce luncheon meeting is a similar opportunity as the Wake Up! Sunnyvale breakfast only held later in the day. Networking Luncheons are held on alternate month than the Wake Up! Breakfast. Each attendee will be given an opportunity to talk about their business for two to three minutes. This format makes sure that everyone in the room knows about you and your business and can send you referrals.  The Networking at Noon is $20 if you RSVP at 408-736-4971 or on-line. Members only.

Advertising & Sponsorship Opportunities

Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce Online Business Directory and business web page: Free to members. Chamber of Commerce members receive listings in up to six categories in our online Business Directory and one free web page. You pick the categories that will help your customers locate your services. If you do not see your specific category we will create a new category for you at no additional charge. Members are also hyper-linked to their business website. This user friendly Chamber website provides your business with a free web page containing your logo, a company description, seven photographs, and seven captions under the photographs. Send your logo, your company description, your photos, and your captions to Don Eagleston or call us at 408-736-4971 for help.

Event Sponsorships:  Sponsorships provide maximum business and corporate exposure. High visibility and advertising value is available to those members who sponsor major Chamber of Commerce events, such as the Art & Wine Festival, Mixers, the Murphy Awards, Earth Day, Networking at Noon, and Wake Up! Sunnyvale.  As a major event sponsor, your name is prominently displayed and promoted at the event and in our advertising posters and publications.  Sponsorships are available in a variety of price ranges and event venues. Call us at 408-736-4971 for sponsorships that are the best choice and value for your company.

Business Expos:  These are summer and autumn events, held at Lockheed Martin, Yahoo, Juniper, and NetApp. Limited table display space may be purchased at these four events. The expos last approximately three hours and take place during the busy lunch hours. Our Business Expos take your business to the corporations. Table space at these events sell out and have proven to be an effective marketing tool for Chamber members that display their brochures, products, and services.  Participants gain exposure to over 3,000 attentive employees at each location. Call us at 408-736-4971 to reserve your spot.

Grand Openings - Ribbon Cuttings: These ceremonies increase the visibility of new or expanding businesses and are provided free of charge to new Chamber members. We publicize your grand opening to all the Chamber of Commerce members. These events are often attended by city officials, Chamber Ambassadors, Board of Director members, and the Chamber of Commerce staff.

Free e-News Weekly Business Promotions: Chamber membership also includes two promotional opportunities annually in the e-News weekly for you to advertise a business promotion or event. We will advertise your business promotions or event to our entire Constant Contact list. Your promotion or event may not be in conjunction with non Chamber members in order to be included in this benefit.

Newsletter Advertising:  Advertising in the electronic Chamber newsletter “Business Progress” gives you added exposure by being emailed to our entire businesses database. New members will receive a free ¼ page business profile in the newsletter. Full page flyers are now printed directly into the Business Progress Newsletter as a full page advertisement. A limited number of full page advertisers are allowed in each publication, so get your ads to us in advance.  Full page advertisements are $100. Please supply us with a PDF file 7 ½” x 10”. A ½ page ad is $60 and a ¼ page ad is $45. This publication is the most widely-read business publication with information on Chamber activities and programs, legislation impacting business, new benefits for members, and community events.

Business Resource Center:  Only Chamber of Commerce members may prominently display their business card, flyers, and brochures in the Chamber of Commerce lobby. Come by with your promotional material and display your business to hundreds of visitors every month.

Big Office Depot Discounts:  Go to our home page and sign up for big Office Depot discounts. There is no cost to sign up and the saving can be as much as 80%. You can also ask Office Depot for discounts about items you use that are not on the list. Although other Chambers may offer this discount, the Sunnyvale Chamber does not take any percentage of the sales. All the savings go to you.

Lunch and Learn Sponsor:  You make the business presentation and we get you into the businesses. Starting in 2012 we will be offering all our businesses and corporations a menu of free information seminars put on by you, our members. The presentation must be 30-40 minutes, must be professional, well developed, and approved by our presentation steering committee. Once you are approved and ready to go, we put you on the menu to be distributed to all our member businesses. The businesses select their topics of interest. Allow 10 minutes for questions.

Business Benefits

Political Action - Advocate for Business:  The Chamber is the voice of the business community in local, county, state, and federal issues with regard to problem solving, promoting economic development, and legislation.  Contact us regarding your position on business ballot measures, government restrictions, high tech initiatives, patent regulations, and FDA impediments. We can provide letters of support and interaction with our legislators and other elected officials.

Business Referrals:  When someone is looking for a local business, they call the Chamber of Commerce. As an added benefit to your business, we only refer businesses that are members of the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce. Each year more than 4,000 referrals of Chamber business members are given to potential customers in response to inquiries from visitors, the business community, and the general population. 

Group Health Insurance:Omnis Risk Insurance Solutions offers a group health insurance plan to Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce members. Under a group health insurance policy there are no physical exams to complete making it easier to get health insurance especially for people with pre-existing conditions. A group medical policy covers our individual members regardless of their age or present state of health. Separately, Omnis Risk also offers a unique insurance plan for management carve-out groups of five or more. Call 888-878-2965 for more information.

Credit Union Membership:  Chamber members are provided the opportunity to join the following credit unions: Exceed Credit Union, KeyPoint Credit Union, Provident Credit Union, Star One Federal Credit Union, and Technology Credit Union.

Membership Mailing Labels/List:  Only members can obtain mailing information on hundreds of Chamber of Commerce members, allowing you to develop a database of dedicated business prospects.  This information is available as an electronic database or on mailing labels.  The cost for this list is $15 in electronic format and $35 for printed labels.

Certificates of Origin: The Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce will certify Certificates of Origin for our members at no cost. Non-members are required to pay a fee of $25.

S.C.O.R.E. Counseling:  Let us arrange a meeting for you with professional business counselors. SCORE is a FREE mentoring organization that gives counseling and advice to people who are in business or want to start a business. SCORE provides free and confidential business counseling tailored to meet the needs of your small business. Whether you are just starting a business or expanding an established business, SCORE’s experienced counselors are here to help you succeed. Appointments take place at the Chamber of Commerce conference room. To make an appointment, call 408-736-4971.

Chamber Newsletter and e-News Weekly Subscription: A continuous subscription to the Chamber of Commerce e-newsletter is included with your membership. The newsletter will keep you informed of upcoming mixers, luncheons, and Chamber of Commerce events. The e-News Weekly is distributed every Monday through email and will keep you updated on all our current events, announcements, and business promotions.

Tax Deductibility:  Membership in the Chamber is deductible as a business expense.

Member-to-Member Discounts: This program offers discounts to Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce members and employees when buying products or services from other Chamber members.  Your discount will be posted on the Chamber of Commerce website. As a result, you will increase your customer base and promote patronage from other Chamber members. Participating businesses that offer discounts will be listed for free in the Business Progress Newsletter.  This is a great way to increase your visibility and customer traffic. All Chamber members will be provided a Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce Discount Card with a QR code directing you to our discount page. Larger corporations with employees will need to show their I.D. badges for discount at businesses and restaurants. Our corporate participants range into the thousands of new customers.

Nova Employee Service:  (North Valley Job Training Consortium) Looking for employees? Use the free services of NOVA conveniently located in Sunnyvale to access their extensive list of employees.