Joining Organizations in Omaha, NE 2017
As business professionals, we are on a constant quest to improve ourselves in order to be successful at what we do – to meet our goals, to grow our personal spheres of influence, to sharpen our skills, to develop our talents, to expand upon our expertise, to build a strong network within the business community, to contribute to our chosen career field, and to play a part in making our businesses more successful as a result of those efforts.
If you think that there’s no single way to accomplish all of those goals, the good news is you’re mistaken (not usually two things that go together, that’s for sure). By simply joining a professional organization, you now have the support of an industry-focused ally, which in turn, affords you access to specialized training, targeted networking opportunities and the chance to make valuable connections within your industry locally and nationwide, relevant continuing education events, and so much more. Essentially you’ll be at the pulse of what’s going on in your industry. Many of these organizations are also very involved in the communities in which they have an established presence, so you’ll also be contributing to the greater good of the place you live and work. You may then opt to dedicate as much time as you have available to take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves, that’s all there is to it.
Above all, what you can expect from any organization is a relationship that’s symbiotic in nature. Even for those who don’t have free time to devote to participation in an organization’s offerings, many welcome members who are only interested in contributing monetarily as a gesture of their ongoing support. Altogether it’s a way we can actively back organizations that align with our values or that are critical to the advancement of our respective industries, in order to ensure they are able to exist and carry on with the enrichment of our community.
It’s also well worth mentioning that besides the support, camaraderie, and visibility, belonging to business organizations can increase your business’s credibility in your respective marketplace. Many potential clients or customers view membership in relevant business groups as a sign that you’re representing an established business that’s accepted by your industry peers and places importance on continuous learning and community involvement.
Now that we’ve convinced you that joining organizations is a great way to grow both professionally and personally, while also making you more of an asset to your employer and an ally who is interested in the success of the business you represent, the next step is to find those that would be a good fit. The Strictly Business team has compiled a list of suggestions that while not exhaustive, are widely considered to be the very best in the area. We encourage you to take a look through these wonderful local organizations that would love to have you as a member!
“We build leadership, strengthen organizations, and elevate Greater Omaha through positive, practical, business ethics.” Along with our mission, the Business Ethics Alliance (www.businessethicsalliance.org) is committed to illuminating Greater Omaha as a beacon for business ethics by furthering the level of ethics dialogue, education, and research within our community. As a non-membership, non-profit organization, we invite individuals of all ranks from small to large employers and associations to align with us. Attend our signature events, hire us to enhance your business, become involved in our ethics research–no matter what industry. Learn more at www.businessethicsalliance.org.
The Metro Omaha Builders Association (MOBA) (www.moba.com) was chartered in 1946 and is a not-for-profit organization that was established to promote and protect various aspects of the home building industry. MOBA is an organization of individuals and firms involved in residential and light commercial building and development and related industries. The organization is also known for the Omaha Home Show, Remodel Omaha Tour and Street of Dreams. Experience the benefits of MOBA, join now!
For more information, visit www.moba.com.
The Nebraska Restaurant Association (www.nebraska-dining.org) acts as the principal advocate for Nebraska’s hospitality industry and promotes the qualities of strength, unity, and excellence in and of its membership. The association is dedicated to serving Nebraska’s restaurant and retail beverage industries by providing comprehensive industry education, proactive representation, aggressive industry promotion and the highest quality member benefits.
Membership is a small investment with big rewards in the health of your business and the entire food service industry. It’s a big world out there and we will do all we can to make it a bit smaller! For membership information and the Nebraska Restaurant Association contact Brandy Nielson at bnielson@nebraska-dining.org or (402) 488-3999.
Nebraska Restaurant Association is on the web at www.nebraska-dining.org or facebook.com/NebraskaRestaurantAssociation.
The Omaha Jaycees (www.omahajaycees.org), as the oldest young professional organization in Omaha, has been building leaders since 1921. This is accomplished through individual development, community involvement, management opportunities, and networking events.
Through training and volunteering, the Jaycees can help you grow both personally and professionally. Members can learn management skills by running projects both large and small. Personal and professional growth is achieved by networking with professionals from around the world in a variety of fields including: banking, law, military, psychology, education, and many more.
What separates the Jaycees from other groups is our commitment to the community. Plus, as an Omaha Jaycee you are part of the national and international Jaycees. Join the Omaha Jaycees and learn how you can make a difference at www.omahajaycees.org!
The Apartment Association of Nebraska (www.aaneb.org) is the local affiliate of the National Apartment Association (NAA). The NAA currently has over 170 affiliate, and boasts over 8.7 million apartment homes globally.
Founded in 2002, Apartment Association of Nebraska (AAN) was created by a group of property manager and owners with a vision to help create and maintain a high level of professionalism in the multi-family rental housing industry in the greater Nebraska area. On October 5, 2002 the AAGOL received it’s charter from the National Apartment Association (NAA). In 2014, the name was changed to the Apartment Association of Nebraska to better represent our membership. Our members include multi-family owners and management companies, apartment communities, and the supplier members who service this industry.
The mission of the Apartment Association of Nebraska is to support, inform, and connect the multi-family community through education, legislation, and professional networking.
For more information about the Apartment Association of Nebraska and our upcoming events, be sure to visit www.aaneb.org.
The Cornhusker Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors continually strives to be the leading voice promoting free enterprise within the construction industry in Nebraska. The organization’s main goal is to provide member companies and their employees with an opportunity to succeed winning work and delivering that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which they work.
Whether a large or small company, joining ABC provides value. ABC offers training, continuing education courses and opportunities for networking and showcasing project successes. Our mission affords us the opportunity to share the industry through student event to help build workforce for Nebraska.
For more information or to discuss joining ABC Cornhusker Chapter, contact Anne Klute at (402) 477-4451 or annek@abcnebraska.org. You can also visit www.abcnebraska.org to find out more.
Business4Business Professional Society (www.b4bsociety.com) is an engaged and effective community of leaders and professionals who are committed to empower, serve, and develop one another.
B4B focuses on bringing motivated people together at dozens of events throughout the year and providing resources that create lasting relationships, insights, and experiences. At our events, we aim to offer ideas, facilitate connections, and inspire our attendees to strive for greater and more meaningful accomplishments. We tap into the potential of our community and its people, creating experiences throughout the year that are unique, impactful, empowering, and exciting.
The various events we host include keynote speakers, non-profit tours, happy hours, coffee and connections, as well as large quarterly networking events at unique venues throughout the Greater Omaha area. Our events are always open to the public, and we also offer an All Access Pass for members who would like to attend multiple events throughout the year. For more information, please visit www.b4bsociety.com.
Passionate about where we are from – and where we are going.
We do more than live in this community, we imagine what it could be and push it to greater harnessing vision, expertise and the power of ‘we’ to raise our quality of life.
We know community and business needs are ever-changing. Nothing is permanent. Nothing is guaranteed. Except for this – we’ll be here to connect and catalyze, advocate and lead, creating new opportunities, shouting up our region, strengthening it by helping others succeed.
We won’t let up – and we won’t let down – because our work is too important, our pride is too deep and our community is counting on us.
We are the Greater Omaha Chamber. Be part of it. OmahaChamber.org/Belong | membership@OmahaChamber.org | (402) 346-5000
Sarpy County is the fastest growing county in Nebraska and The Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce (www.sarpychamber.org) wants your business to grow with this unique and prosperous business community.
Joining the Sarpy Chamber opens doors to a wide range of networking events, fundraisers, workshops, and other activities, all with the aim of connecting business owners, professionals and entrepreneurs in creating an environment of success for businesses of all size and industry.
Our mission is to partner with businesses and organizations to educate, advocate, and lead in fostering business and economic prosperity in Sarpy County. Become our latest partner and we’ll work together to make your business a part of what makes this community so strong.
Contact us at grow@sarpychamber.org or call (402) 339-3050 to learn more about becoming a member and find out what networking opportunities are available to you right now!
The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) (www.nawicomaha.com) is an organization of women that are employed in the construction industry. Our core purpose is to enhance the success of women in the construction industry. Our goal is to be the association that empowers women to influence the direction of the construction industry.
We provide educational opportunities at the local, regional, and national levels. We have multiple leadership opportunities and work within the community to promote the construction trades. We offer many personal and professional networking opportunities. We have been chosen to work with the City Planning Department to assist in the rollout of a new inspection system.
The Greater Omaha Chapter meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month at varied locations in the Omaha, Nebraska area. We welcome visitors to join us. Find current information about our upcoming meeting locations, topics, and times on our website at www.nawicomaha.com.
The Midwest International Trade Association (MITA) is an organization that was established to encourage the expansion of trade between the Midwest and foreign markets by sponsoring: meetings and networking events, international trade conferences, and educational seminars. These events are designed to offer ideas and present current information to help businesses succeed in importing and exporting.
Both newcomers as well as seasoned veterans of international trade benefit from the diverse membership and combined experience of MITA members that helps you address your international trade concerns and create new ideas for business development.
MITA also hosts the annual World Trade Conference scheduled for Wednesday, May 17, 2017 in Omaha. The 2017 Monthly Calendar of Events can be found on MITA’s website. Information on these events, as well as membership information or how to become a sponsor of the World Trade Conference, can be found at www.mitaonline.org or by contacting MITA at (402) 596-1210 or mita@mitaonline.org.
BNI Heartland (www.bniheartland.com) (Nebraska, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Western Iowa) offers members the opportunity to build a firm networking foundation, to nurture referral partner(s). Last year alone BNI, with over 211,000 members, in more than 7,500 chapters throughout every populated continent of the world – 73 countries, generated more than 8.8 million referrals which resulted in over $11.17 billion dollars of tracked business for our members. Cumulatively, since 1985, BNI has generated over $70 Billion dollars in tracked business for our membership!
Belonging to BNI is like having dozens of salespeople working for you who carry your information with them, and when they meet someone who could use your products or services, they recommend you.
BNI provides a structured, supportive system of giving and receiving business. It does so by providing an environment during breakfast, lunch, and happy hour meetings in which you develop personal relationships with other qualified business professionals. By establishing this “formal” relationship with other people, you will have the opportunity to substantially increase your business.
For more information about BNI Heartland please contact our regional office at (402) 880-6311, email info@bniheartland.com, or visit our website, www.bniheartland.com.
At the Greater Bellevue Area Chamber of Commerce (www.bellevuenebraska.com), our goal is to make doing business in Bellevue, Nebraska the very best it can be. We provide advocacy for your business and opportunities to help you grow. It’s important that we ensure every member business thrives. Our members are the best and brightest companies in the region who are investing in Bellevue’s future. We can accomplish so much more together.
For more information on how to get your business engaged call Faith Morrison, VP of Membership at (402) 506-6610 or e-mail at membership@bellevuenebraska.com For more information please visit the Greater Bellevue Area Chamber of Commerce website at www.bellevuenebraska.com.
Today, the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce (www.councilbluffsiowa.com) celebrates 101 years of providing services to our members and working with our community partners to develop Council Bluffs into the thriving community we live in today. Over the past 101 years, this Chamber has always been focused on you –the Council Bluffs/Omaha Metro community.
Over the past 101 years, the Chamber has continued to implement strategies that better our community in terms of economic development, workforce, small business, public policy, leadership, membership services, and the promotion of our area.
Exciting developments on the Riverfront, West Broadway, Metro Crossing, the 100 Block of Broadway, and the Mid-America Center area promise an energetic future for Council Bluffs, a place unlike anywhere else. On purpose.
“We invite you to dream with us,” Mundt said. “We never coast, and we accomplish a lot more when we work together.”
For more information, please visit www.councilbluffsiowa.com.
The Rotary Club of Omaha (Downtown Rotary) (www.omaharotary.org) is a place where new and emerging leaders meet and interact one-on-one with established leaders in our community. Our mission has always been the same: Leaders in our community working together to put service above self and the eradication of Polio. We do this by:
- Weekly Speakers – dynamic, relevant and informative
- Operation Hippocrates – we arrange for Omaha cardiac surgeons and hospitals to provide heart surgery and follow-up medical care for children in Belize
- Eradication of Polio – in 1985, Rotary boldly launched the first global campaign to immunize the world’s children against polio.
- Outland Trophy – we co-sponsor the annual Outland Trophy award dinner for college football’s outstanding lineman
- Community Service – we offer numerous opportunities for community service
- People with Disabilities – we support projects for the disabled and we sponsor J.P. Lord School in the “Adopt a School Program”
For more information about Downtown Rotary visit our website, www.omaharotary.org, email info@omaharotary.org or call (402) 342-0281.