Staying Connected
The Greater Lawrence Chamber Champions Local Businesses and Community Members
Writer / Julie Yates
Photographer / Robby Berry
The Greater Lawrence Chamber of Commerce (GLC) exists to further the interests of local businesses and organizations while supporting the community. Originally tied to the City of Lawrence, it has expanded as Lawrence Township has grown. Its members are located throughout the northeast corner of Marion County and Indianapolis, which includes not only traditional Lawrence, but also the areas of Binford, Castleton, Geist and Oaklandon.
Members enjoy the perks of belonging to the GLC in an area that is continuing to expand and thrive. They find making contacts becomes much easier with increased opportunities for interaction. Membership also enhances credibility. Since February of 2020, the GLC has been enthusiastically led by President Brad Klopfenstein.
Businesses or organizations benefit by joining the chamber, he says. It gives members the chance to network and be exposed to potential clients and customers. Belonging shows employees that their employer cares about the community. The chamber supports various festivals and many organizations such as the Lawrence Advisory Council on Disabilities. The chamber also attends mayors meetings, council meetings and city committee meetings. We stay up to date on issues affecting the community and we are a conduit of information to our members. Plus, we are here to help members negotiate the bureaucracy of government.
The GLC offers five levels of membership and corresponding benefits. Nonprofit organizations receive 20% off the price of any tier. Membership begins at $275 for the Copper level, and includes base amenities. These include job postings, coupons and press releases on the GLC website, as well as a ribbon-cutting ceremony and host duties for an after-hours business mixer.
Each level adds increasing support. The midpoint membership stage is $1,600 for Silver, and this is the level where brand exposure kicks in. Logo placement and the opportunity to create a mini web page on the GLC website are some of the perks. The highest level is Platinum, for $5,500. At this point advertising is increased, and tables of eight are reserved for important city occasions such as State of the City and State of the School addresses.
The organization is structured in a way that promotes and advances both its members and the community. It is led and governed by a volunteer board of directors who serve two-year terms. Day-to-day operations are executed by a professional staff of Klopfenstein and Rebecca McVay, marketing and events coordinator. A dedicated group serves as ambassadors, and works to recruit and maintain members.
What is so great about the Greater Lawrence community is the diversity of people that you dont find anywhere else in Indiana, Klopfenstein says. We have such a broad range from the whole City of Lawrence, Castleton, north Shadeland and Binford. There is still a bit of military presence and the hub has shifted to the revitalized historic Fort Harrison campus, where you can walk to restaurants and businesses. Its even got a 1,700-acre Fort Harrison State Park.
Klopfenstein says the organization has room to grow.
Our goal is to give our members a feeling of belonging and a sense of place, with a leg up on everything Lawrence has to offer – and its got a lot, he says.
The Greater Lawrence Chamber is located at 6501 Sunnyside Road in Indianapolis. For more info, call 317-541-9876, email info@greaterlawrencechamber.org, or visit greaterlawrencechamber.org.
