DG CHAMBER - The local voice campaigning for the Business Community in Dumfries and Galloway

Who Are We?

Chambers of Commerce makes up the world's largest business support organisation. Dumfries and Galloway Chamber of Commerce is part of a Scottish wide network of Chambers affiliated to the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and to the British Chamber of Commerce. We are working to create a region wide network to represent and service the business community in Dumfries and Galloway. Details of your local contact can be found on this website.

WHY JOIN DG CHAMBER?

We want to promote our region and see the growth of our existing businesses as well as the establishment of new enterprise - small, medium and large. Membership is open to any business that is based or has business interests in Dumfries and Galloway, regardless of size, including sole traders, partnerships, private companies, limited companies, local branches of multi national corporations, voluntary groups or charities. Membership is relevant to any organisation that wants to get out there and promote itself, meet up with other business people, attend business seminars and other networking opportunities and make use of the British Chamber of Commerce services available with membership.

We offer members regular opportunities to meet and network through seminars and events. We also offer British Chamber of Commerce services as part of your subscription fee and a quarterly magazine (currently electronic) which will keep you up to date on what is happening around the region and within your Chamber. We lobby on behalf of the business community and are represented on the following groups:

• Local Economic Forum
• The Crichton Development Company
• The Crichton Trust/The Crichton Foundation
• Dumfries Town Centre Regeneration Committee
• Dumfries & Galloway Area Tourism Partnership/Destination Dumfries & Galloway
• Fairer Scotland Fund

DG Chamber has agreements in place with Business Gateway and PSYBT in Dumfries that current clients of either that are in their first year of trading or are just starting out, can join Chamber for £50 for their first year's membership and have access to the same benefits that a regular Chamber member gets access to.

What Are The Benefits of Joining?

As part of your subscription you gain access to the following British Chamber of Commerce services:

• Chamber HR - Worth a minimum of £350 this is a complete employment and human resource solution which includes compliant documentation, telephone advice and downloadable policies, forms, documents, letters, templates and fact sheets.
• Chamber Legal Expenses Insurance & Helpline - Worth a minimum of £125 this provides your business with essential and immediate legal expenses protection and advice. The helpline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• Chamber Healthcare -  Available from as little as £1.10 per week. Up to 30% savings on various healthcare packages. The Plan provides access to the latest diagnostic scanning technologies, an Employee Assistance Programme and Personal Accident Cover as standard.
• Chamber Merchant Services - Worth £150. Waived joining fee for Chamber members and 24% savings on terminal hire. Discounted transaction charges.
• Chamber Fleet Assist -  Up to 50% savings on like-for-like services from the AA.

We also offer:

• Certificate of Origin - Export Documentation. A web-based service - completed online and returned with the appropriate electronic certification. A fast and efficient service with substantial discounts for Chamber members.
• Business Mentoring Scheme - In association with Business Mentoring Scotland. Free service to businesses that trade over the VAT threshhold. 1-2-1 mentoring or group mentoring.
• D&G Chamber Quarterly Magazine - Website based magazine packed with articles and information about what is going on in the business world locally. Find it at www.dgbusiness.co.uk 

What Networking Opportunities Are There To Develop Your Business?

• Monthly informal business networking evenings. No agenda - just a chance to meet and talk
• Annual Lunch - High profile speaker and networking
• Monthly business development seminars and training
• Annual Business to Business Networking Exhibition  - Formal exhibition to showcase your business
• Member to members discount scheme in place

We are always open to suggestions as to what training/events you would find useful for the efficient running and development of your business. If you have any ideas, please contact Amanda at the Chamber office.

What Social Events Do We Offer?

• Annual Chamber Lunch

What Benefits Can Be Found On The Website For Members?

• News and information
• Access to the members area of the website
• Ability to email other Chamber members with information
• Ability to post on to the member discussion area(currently being developed)
• Opportunity to appear in the D&G Chamber membership directory
• Details of forthcoming seminars and events

Unless you specify otherwise, you will also automatically have a business listing in the annual Scottish Chambers of Commerce National Directory which is widely circulated throughout Scotland and has information on members of all the Scottish Chambers of Commerce.

For further information please contact:

Dumfries and Galloway Chamber of Commerce
Hillhead House
The Crichton
Bankend Road 
Dumfries
DG1 4UQ

Tel: 01387 270866 
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.dgchamber.co.uk