Odessa Chamber of Commerce Membership Campaign Chairs from left to right: Pat Canty, Austin Keith, Stacey Brown, Mara Hobbs and Sondra Eoff with Jimmy Cusano, event leader.

1. Show up. You need to raise your visibility. Business won't simply come to you. Start with the new member orientation. The Chamber needs to make the case how membership leads to business.

What the city did: Approved a three-year membership agreement with the Glendale Chamber of Commerce. What it cost: Glendale will pay $20,000 per year for three years or a total of $60,000.

Joining a chamber of commerce can help you build your professional network and market your business.

The theme of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce's annual membership drive -- going on this month -- is "you are worth it." "(Becoming a Chamber member) is reinvesting in your business, it's ...