Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Benefits

Welcome to the South Sioux City Chamber of Commerce. Being a chamber member is an important step in growing your business. It helps increase positive perception with consumers, increases your visibility, and also gives you opportunities to meet other business leaders. By choosing to be a chamber member, you are not only investing in your business but also the community as well. Join the other 280-member companies and become a member of the Greater Sioux land community!

Members of the South Sioux City Chamber of Commerce work together to reinforce a strong local economy. They work on important issues that build community and strengthen business environment as well as host different community events for all to enjoy. We support the business community through a variety of member benefits. Some benefits include an array of programs and services to choose from and include:

1. Make Money - Generate sales by utilizing the Chamber to market to a targeted audience and develop new relationships. By joining the Chamber, you will get to promote your business, network with others, and increase your visibility.
2. Reduce Costs - Gain access to members and programs that will help in reducing costs necessary to operate your business. You will receive exclusive member savings!
3. Save Time - Work smarter, not harder! Reach out to more people in less time by getting connected with our members, get access to information, gain expertise from other business owners, and enjoy a Chamber orientation to introduce you to all the members.
4. Get Involved - When you join, you’ll discover that meeting others in business who can refer you to key contacts you’re trying to reach, is a huge benefit of a membership.
5. Face to Face Connections - Get out there and shake some hands. Meet new people and re-establish old relationships. You can't do it from behind your desk. Pick one of our networking events, Friday Coffee Hours, Promotions Committee, Ambassadors, Legislative Committee, Lunch & Learns, and make connections that count!

Being connected to business professionals, elected officials, and community leaders is important to the success of any business. The Chamber hosts a variety of events throughout the year that provide networking opportunities, education, and exposure. Connecting face to face builds your professional network, will help you generate leads, and give you the exposure your company needs.

Every member of the South Sioux Chamber of Commerce enjoys a comprehensive and cost-effective package of benefits and privileges designed to get your business noticed. If you are ready to join the Chamber, contact us today or visit our website to sign up! 

Technology Overload

Wake up; check Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and turn on the news (maybe even in that order). For some people, being glued to technology is no problem at all. For others, hours of technology can turn into an addiction. According to Global WebIndex, the average American spends a little over six hours per day online and 1.72 hours a day using social media alone.

Let that sink in. Now, try and remember the last time you went more than six hours without some sort of device that beeps or vibrates letting you know the latest in news from around the world. It’s no question that technology has taken over our lives. Just about everything we do involves some degree of technology. Whether you are an avid email checker or social media butterfly, technology is always creeping over our shoulder.

The question circling is… When does the use of technology become too much? When technology starts to alter your life, work and those nights out on the town. If you can’t go 24 hours without it or are more comfortable communicating via text, STOP what you are doing and check back into reality.

Here are some simple ways to let go of technology:

• Don’t let technology control you. YOU control your technology.
• Learn when to say no. If someone is blowing up your phone, simply respond one time and tell them you will get back to them soon. If there’s no emergency, don’t be available 24/7.
• For those nights out to dinner or meeting up with friends; keep your phone in your purse or pocket and turn it on silent. Whatever it is, it can probably wait a couple hours.

While technology has taken over our everyday lives, it has also changed the world for the better. Technology has evolved and given us the knowledge to answer questions nobody thought was possible. There just comes a moment in time when you realize there are technology boundaries that need to be set.

At South Sioux City Chamber of Commerce, we are a local association looking to advance the business community of the South Sioux area. So, whether you are a technology guru or a little old fashioned, visit our website or give us a call at 402-494-1626 and learn how your input and involvement can advance Dakota County.

Generation X & Y: What’s the difference?

The term “Millennial” is thrown around a lot these days. But what does it mean, exactly? Naming generations is not a new concept. First there were the post-WWII baby boomers, then the children of the boomers born in the early 1960’s through the early 1980’s known as Generation X. The current young adult generation is Generation Y, born in the 1980’s through the early 2000’s, hence the nickname “Millennials”. Right now, Generations Xers are aged in their mid-30’s to early 50’s, and Millennials are their early 20’s through early 30’s.

So what’s the difference between Generations X and Y? According to Wikipedia, Gen Xers are often called the MTV Generation because they came of age during the emergence of music videos, new wave music, electronic music, heavy metal, punk rock, alternative rock, and hip hop. Compared with previous generations, Generation X embraces social diversity with open arms. Unlike their Boomer parents who challenged leaders with an intent to replace them, Gen Xers are less likely to idolize leaders and are more inclined to work toward long-term institutional and systematic change through economic, media, and consumer actions. Gen Xers are notoriously cynical, but considering this is a large generation, blanket statements like these do not cover all subcultures and eras within it.

Millennials are sometimes referred to as “Generation Me” due to the characteristics of confidence and tolerance, along with a sense of entitlement and narcissism. This generation is largely shaped by technology. They are comfortable sharing their entire life with the world online. While a Gen Xer might hold one job for their entire working career, Millennials switch jobs frequently due to higher expectations and entitlement. Generation Y is also unfortunately plagued with high student loan debt and unemployment rates. It is said that Generation X lives to work, while Generation Y works to live.

It is important to note that these are sweeping generalizations about the two generations, and although these are traits and characteristics of the generations as a whole, it does not apply to many individuals within the groups. Just as individuals are a product of their upbringing and environment, so too are generations a product of the social and economic landscape in which they are born.

At South Sioux City Chamber of Commerce, we are dedicated to increasing business opportunities and quality of life for all generations.  If you’re interested in learning more about how we serve the local community, browse our website or give us a call!

Negotiating Your Next Job – Vacation or More Pay?

When it comes to job negotiation, what matters more to you... vacation or a higher salary? Americans are taking less vacation time and looking for more money than ever. While vacation and sick leave are not mandated benefits, it's still important to decide what benefits are a make or break for your career. In this blog, we will examine that benefits of asking for more vacation time versus settling for less pay.

Perks of More Vacation Time
According to a survey done by the U.S. Travel Associations, approximately 4 out of 10 Americans don't take all of their vacation days. Why? because they are frightened of taking time off work. They are not excited about the inbox of emails they will find when they return. In other cases, they are worried that taking time off will send a negative message to employers. However, vacation time is great for an individual and company for many reasons:

-Better physical health
-More productivity
-Closer family relationships
-Newer perspectives
-Increased mental power
-Lower chance of burn out

When a Lower Salary is Acceptable
While vacation time is important for your sanity, earning an adequate salary should always take priority. The recovering economy and tough job market makes financial incentive more important than ever. When evaluating a job or job offer, decide whether or not taking a pay cut is worth it for other compensations and benefits. Here are some of the few times to accept a lower salary:

-Making a career change
-If you need a work/life balance
-The new opportunity is better
-When costs and priorities all even out
-You've hit the salary ceiling

At South Sioux City Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, we are a local association looking to advance the business community in the Tri-State Area. We are always looking for input and involvement from local professionals. If you are interested in advancing Dakota County, contact South Sioux City Chamber of Commerce today! Browse our website or call 402-494-1626 for more details.