Frequently Asked Questions

How do I login?

If you haven't logged in previously, you need to get a password. Go to the login screen and under "Get Password", enter your personal Representative number (it will begin with a Capital letter followed by 5 digits). A password will be e-mailed directly to the e-mail address you have listed in our database under your account.

Copy the password from the e-mail and go back to the login screen and paste it in the password field being careful not to have any extra spaces before or after the password.

You should then be able to login and have complete access to change, add or delete information on your account, add a member to member discount or register online for events.

What Doesn't The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce Do?

There isn't much the Hamilton Chamber doesn't do in regards to helping you and your Business succeed, but what we do not cover is Tourism in the area. We have a separate Tourism Board here in our city and can be accessed at www.tourismhamilton.com.

The Ministry of Economic Development & Trade have information pertaining to Import/Export and the Economic Development Department have information pertaining to Provincial Manufacturers and Industrial Listings.

Who can participate in Chamber events and activities?

Participation in almost all Chamber events and activities (such as Committee /Division meetings, etc.) is normally restricted to Chamber members, and/or their guests; however:

• We will generally allow non-Hamilton Chamber members to attend up to 2 events or activities to 'sample our product" so to speak, as the Chamber's guest. However, unless the guest of a member, by the third event or activity, they would be normally expected to have at least filed a valid application for membership
• It should be noted that, normally, Chamber membership is in the name of a "company" (including sole proprietorships, etc.) or "organization" (e.g. a "not for profit" or government agency). So which ever employee or officer whom that member company/organization feels may benefit from participation would be most welcome; I.e. they need not necessarily be an "appointed representative" of the firm with the Chamber to participate"

What benefits then are there for the company to "Appoint Representatives"?

"An appointed Rep." at the Chamber is entitled to:

• Their contact information appearing on the Chamber's published and on-line Business Directories/Buyers Guides
• Receive personally and directly all Chamber communications, including mailings and e-mails, and to be thus personally invited to participate in any and all Chamber events and activates
• Receive a Chamber account to which they can "charge" any of their Chamber purchases, including event attendance, etc.
• Invite co-workers & any others, at their complete discretion, to attend Chamber events and activities as their guests
• Sign up for any of our "Affinity Programmes" (such as discounted retail gasoline purchase from ESSO, etc.); as well as use their Chamber account at organizations whereby we have established reciprocal privileges (e.g. McMaster University Club and/or the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club, etc. etc.)
• Only "Appointed Reps." are entitled to voting privileges (e.g. in Committee work and/or at the AGM)

How is it determined how many "appointed reps." that a member can have at the Chamber?

The number of "appointed reps." that a member is entitled to is dependent on their membership class. A larger membership class is automatically entitled to more reps.; e.g. either a SOHO ("Small Operation/Home Operation") or Class "A" is entitled to just one appointed rep. each, a Class "B" is entitled to 2, Class "C", 3, etc. etc. But, a member can purchase more than their automatic entitlement if they so desire."

How then is a member's "Class" determined?

A member's "Class" is determined by the number of full time permanent employees that they has working in (or serving, if "Out of District"), all of our registered Districts (i.e. the previous municipalities of Hamilton, Ancaster & Dundas); e.g. a "SOHO" would have 1-3 F/T employees, a Class "A" 1-6, a Class "B" 7-9, etc. The Class, of course, also determines the Annual and Initiation (If applicable) Fees at the Chamber as well. Note: As a special concession to "not for profit" organizations, we will generally price them at one Class "below" that to which their employee count would indicate, with appropriate reduction in "appointed rep." entitlement; e.g. a "NFP" member with 6 F/T employees in Hamilton would be classified as a Class "A" etc."

Can I apply to join the Chamber if my business is based outside any of the Chamber's Districts?

Yes, you can operate a business anywhere and still join our Chamber if you are willing to commit to the terms and conditions outlined in our "Membership Application Form", subject to, as with any membership application, the approval of acceptance as a member by our Board of Directors. However, we do strongly encourage any "out of town" applicant to look into perhaps joining as well the Chamber of their own local District. A company can be a member of as many Chambers as may suit their own interests and needs.