Dear Chamber members,
At its April meeting the Board of Directors of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and Civic Association, at my recommendation, voted to increase our membership investment costs. Base costs will rise for every membership level.
The Board recognizes that the Chamber, like every company, organization and individual, is facing increasing operational and material costs. Since our most recent dues increase in 2014, inflation has topped 28%, with a 6.5% increase so far in 2023 alone.
The pandemic forced the Chamber to trim our expenses. We cut expenditures for anything that does not immediately and directly support member services and essential Chamber operations.
The only way to maintain the high level of service we provide requires an increase in our membership investment (dues). The dues increase is spread equitably across all membership categories.
In considering the increase, the Board looked at similar Chambers in the surrounding area. They found that the current membership investment levels for the Pasadena Chamber are significantly lower than those of similar chambers in the region. The increase will bring Pasadena closer to parity with some of the similar Chambers in our region.
The Board also considered the responses to the survey of members conducted in March. In that survey, more than half of the respondents were comfortable with an increase of 15% or 25 %. Overwhelmingly, respondents did not favor a reduction in operating hours or staff levels to offset increased costs.
The Pasadena Chamber will maintain the many added benefits to membership that are complimentary. We intend to continue free additional categories for website directory listings, free listings on our mobile applications, one-on-one email introductions linking members with potential customers, access to our cost-saving multiple employer retirement plan, no-cost ribbon cutting ceremonies and more. (Many of these are offered with added costs at other chambers.)
It is the intention of the Board to maintain the membership investment rates at this level for at least the next five years.
Here is the revised membership investment schedule:
Employees Annual Investment
1-3 $330.00
4-9 $410.00
10-14 $475.00
15-20 $555.00
21-30 $625.00
31-40 $700.00
41-50 $755.00
51-100 $830.00
Major employers are asked to invest a minimum of $830 base plus $1 per employee over 100.
The Base Rate for Hotels will be $2200. For Motels the base rate will be $775. The per room rate remains the same.
The base cost for Condos and Apartments will be $500. Churches will pay $425 per year.
Community based non-profits (10 0r fewer employees) will pay $230. Home based businesses will cost $280 and Individual memberships will cost $150. A second business will cost $165.
We are maintaining the $100 rate for locally owned minority small businesses at $100. That membership cost is subsidized by a grant from Essence/Green Thumb Industries. This rate applies to new memberships only.
Anyone wanting to maintain the current membership investment rate but have memberships that renew after July 1, 2023, can contact Kelly at the Chamber offices at 626-795-3355 to renew and maintain your current costs for the renewal. You can also renew online here: http://www.pasadena-chamber.org/forms/renew-your-chamber-membership
Thank you for your continued membership and support.
Paul Little
President and Chief Executive Officer