FAQs

About the Chamber
What does the Columbus Chamber do?
Where are your offices located?
What level of involvement does the Chamber have in the electoral process?

Marketing and Sponsorship
I have a new business; what can the Chamber do to help me market my company?
How do I sponsor an event?

Membership
How do I join the Chamber?
How much is membership?
Will my dues be prorated if I join after January?
What are the benefits of Chamber membership?
How can I get involved in the Columbus Chamber?
What type of events does the Columbus Chamber host?
What does it cost to attend Chamber events?
Do I have to be a member of the Columbus Chamber to attend events?
Do you offer a health insurance plan to your members?
Since I am a member of a local Chamber of Commerce should I join the Columbus Chamber?
What is the difference between Premier and Standard membership?

Site Selection
Who can I contact for more information about the Columbus MSA?
In what county is Columbus proper located?
What are the Columbus Region assets?
Where can I get statistics and analysis on the Columbus Region?
I'm looking to expand my business or relocate my business within the Columbus Region. What programs do you have to assist me?

Workforce
My company recruits employees from outside of Columbus. Do you have any resources to help "sell" the Columbus Region?
Do I qualify as a young professional (YP)?
Is there a fee to join a young professionals' organization (YPO)?
What are my opportunities to get involved?
How do I get my YPO listed in the directory?
How can I get young professionals at my organization involved?
How do I know which YPO is right for me?
I am moving to Columbus soon and looking for a job. How can the Chamber help me?
How do I start my own young professionals’ organization?
What is the Create Columbus Commission (Columbus’s Young Professional Commission)?
How can I join the Commission?

About the Chamber

What does the Columbus Chamber do?
The Columbus Chamber leads and supports economic development in the Columbus Chamber as well as provides opportunities through membership for networking, savings and professional development. The Chamber also works to ensure assets like workforce or a minority-friendly business environment are developed to help existing businesses and attract new ones to our region.

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Where are your offices located?
The Columbus Chamber is located at 150 South Front Street, Suite 200, Columbus, Ohio 43215. See a map and get directions here.

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What level of involvement does the Chamber have in the electoral process?
The Chamber will review ballot issues that are relevant to our economic development policies and will often issue a position. Routinely we will meet with city officials, legislators and public office holders to update them on our economic development policies; however, the Chamber does not endorse, support or oppose any candidates.

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Marketing and Sponsorship

I have a new business; what can the Chamber do to help me market my company?
The Chamber provides a variety of networking events and marketing opportunities to get your organization's name in front of your next client the broader business community. Visit our networking pages and market your company page to learn more about how to leverage your membership and increase your chances of success in the Columbus Region.

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How do I sponsor an event?
We'd be happy to help you select the opportunity that is right for you. Please contact our membership team or visit our sponsorship page for more information.

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Membership

How do I join the Chamber?
Visit our online application form to join the Chamber or email someone on our membership staff at membership@columbus.org to set up a personal meeting.

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How much is membership?
Member dues depend on the number of full-time or full-time equivalency employees that you company employs. Download a breakdown of dues by employee number here.

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Will my dues be prorated if I join after January?
Our dues cycle is a 12 months from the time you join the Chamber, so if you become a member in October, your membership for that year continues through the next October.

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What are the benefits of Chamber membership?

• Visibility for your business through the Columbus Chamber web site, membership directory, and referral program
• Marketing opportunities
• Networking events to connect you with other business professionals
• Discount savings programs that affect your bottom line
• Professional development programs
• Economic development services that range from helping businesses relocate to providing statistical data on the labor market
• Workforce development programs that are designed to help the higher-education and business communities

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How can I get involved in the Columbus Chamber?
Just let us know what your interests are, and we'll look for ways to get you involved. We currently have a small number of councils/committees that work on issues affecting the business community.

In addition, we have a team of Ambassadors who have the responsibility of helping to welcome new members into the Chamber. Or visit the Councils and Committees page to see where you’d like to get involved.

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What type of events does the Columbus Chamber host?
If you're looking to showcase your company, find your next client or just grow your network in Columbus – we have an event for you! Visit our events page for more information on our more than 40 business events the Chamber hosts each year.

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What does it cost to attend Chamber events?
All of the Columbus Chamber events are posted on our web site, www.columbus.org, with a description of the event, as well as the cost. Some events are free to attend!

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Do I have to be a member of the Columbus Chamber to attend events?
Many of the events do not require membership, however, members attend Chamber events at a lower cost than non-members.

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Do you offer a health insurance plan to your members?
Yes, the Columbus Chamber's ChamberPlan through Anthem offers health care options and financial programs for small and mid-size businesses that mirror the benefits large corporations offer. You stay competitive in the marketplace and save on the bottom line.

Chamber members receive a three percent discount and have access to over 100 plan designs, including health savings accounts (HSAs), health reimbursement accounts (HRAs) and traditional PPOs. Visit our savings page for more information on Chamber savings.

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Since I am a member of a local Chamber of Commerce should I join the Columbus Chamber?
Yes, the Columbus Chamber is a regional chamber; our reach touches each of the eight counties that are considered the Columbus Metropolitan Statistical Area. The Columbus Chamber also focuses on issues of workforce, economic development, business advocacy and networking.

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What is the difference between Premier and Standard membership?
Premier members have opportunities for additional ways to market their company, they also are invited to premier-only events. For more information download our Premier Membership fact sheet.

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Site Selection

Who can I contact for more information about the Columbus MSA?
Contact our economic development team at 614.225.6067.

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In what county is Columbus proper located?
Franklin County. See our maps of the Columbus area.

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What are the Columbus Region assets?
We're incredibly well-connected. Located within a one-day drive or a one-hour flight of nearly half the population of the U.S. and Canada, the Columbus Region is perfectly situated to connect your business to its most important resources. We're already home to 15 Fortune 1,000 companies, six of which are Fortune 500, 20 colleges and universities, and 1.7 million people, and since we're one of the fastest-growing major metropolitan area in the Midwest, we're in a great position to help you grow, too. And that's just the beginning; for more information on our region, visit www.columbusregion.com or contact our economic development team.

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Where can I get statistics and analysis on the Columbus Region?
Information on our economic indicators and economic health can be found on our site. For more information, contact our economic development team.

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I'm looking to expand my business or relocate my business within the Columbus Region. What programs do you have to assist me?
The Chamber provides several services including: confidential site selection services & assistance; available real estate; incentives & business tax information; key contacts & introductions; demographic, wage & economic data; regulatory navigation assistance; access to workforce training & recruitment resources; and community tours/site visits. The Chamber also surveys its members to help identify trends that are important to relocating or expanding businesses so we can continue to offer the most relevant services.

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Workforce

My company recruits employees from outside of Columbus. Do you have any resources to help "sell" the Columbus Region?
The Chamber provides several resources for human resources professionals and recruiters to sell Columbus, including www.liveworkplaycolumbus.com. For more information on printed materials and a personalized e-mail for recruiters, contact our Director of Workforce Development, Andrea Applegate.

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Do I qualify as a young professional (YP)?
To take part in young professional programming, we let you self-select if you are a young professionals or feel like a young professional. For research purposes, a young professional is often defined as 24-35 year olds. Although individual young professionals organizations (YPOs) may have age requirements, the age range is generally pretty wide and ranges from 21 to 45.

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Is there a fee to join a young professionals' organization (YPO)?
Annual dues can range from $0 to $125. Each YPO determines their individual membership fees. Events and activities can also range from $0 to about $25 each to attend. You can view a list of YPOs here.

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What are my opportunities to get involved?
Attend an event or activity hosted by YPOs which are often open to the public, not just members. 

The Chamber also convenes events specifically for YPs. Learn more about how you can get involved.

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How do I get my YPO listed in the directory?
Contact the Columbus Chamber’s young professionals manager, Robbie Banks, to get listed.

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How can I get young professionals at my organization involved?
The Columbus Chamber would love to discuss your needs as an employer to engage your young professionals. The Chamber provides several resources and programs to help employers connect their young professionals with the Columbus community. For more information contact young professionals manager, Robbie Banks.

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How do I know which YPO is right for me?
There are many young professionals organizations to choose from, depending on your interests, preferences or industry. We help you shop around for the organization(s) that best suit you.

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I am moving to Columbus soon and looking for a job. How can the Chamber help me?
For job opportunities, visit Careerboard.com or Columbusjobs.com. If you're looking for an internship in Columbus, visit the Chamber’s internship portal at www.columbusinternships.com.

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How do I start my own young professionals' organization?
Next Generation Consulting is an awesome resource for starting or growing a YPO.

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What is the Create Columbus Commission (Columbus's Young Professional Commission)?
The Create Columbus Commission is a working group consisting of 35 members, appointed by Mayor Coleman in May 2007. The Commission responds to and elevates issues of importance to the younger demographic; and represents its peer young professionals regarding issues that will make the Columbus Region a more appealing place for young and talented artists, entrepreneurs and professionals to live and work. Visit our Create Columbus Commission page or contact our young professionals' manager, Robbie Banks.

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How can I join the Commission?
Members are appointed by agreement of the president and CEO of the Columbus Chamber, the Mayor of the City and a representative of Columbus City Council at the recommendation of the Commission Co-Chairs. To show your interest in the commission please contact Robbie Banks, the Chamber's young professionals manager.

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