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Benefits include:
* Advertise your events & sales in Chicago Happenings newsletters; Currently with over 21,000 subscribers!
* Promote your B2B deals on our website and in our Chicago Business Monthly newsletter; Currently with over 12,000 subscribers!
* Network with our 3,000+ participating business owners!
* Participate in Local First Chicago awareness campaigns & events.
* Local First Chicago door decal & use of logo.
* Free/reduced admission to Local First Chicago events.
* Opportunity for deals including reduced cost advertising.

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Join Local First Chicago


Our Members are independent, locally owned businesses and individuals who are committed to the Chicago region and its quality of life.

Businesses located in the Chicago region can join Local First Chicago if:
  • More than 50% of the business' ownership lives within 25 miles of the main place of business.
  • The business is privately owned rather than publicly traded (and therefore not owned by distant stockholders).
  • The business owners are autonomous to make decisions about the business at all levels, including the name, look, and feel of the business, menus and products sold, where inventory is purchased, marketing and advertising, accounting and legal services, and distribution of profits.
If your business does not fit our criteria, we encourage you to join as a Friend of Local First Chicago to receive all of the benefits of membership with the exception of marketing and promotional support.
Prospective members must meet ethical standards and their business model must be in line with the "spirit" of Local Living Economies. 


Membership Categories


Sponsorship

All the benefits of Premium Business Membership with additional promotional opportunities.


Premium Business Member – $100 - $500 Based on Annual Revenue
  • FREE use of Local First Chicago branding (window decal, logo, etc.)
  • FREE premium listing in the online Local First Chicago Business Directory
  • FREE advertising to consumers in the monthly Chicago Happenings newsletter
  • FREE promotions to other businesses on our website and in the Chicago Business Monthly newsletter
  • FREE listings of events in our on-line event calendar
  • FREE admission to our monthly Mingle and Meet the Experts networking events
  • Annual promotional opportunities through our Buy Local First campaigns
  • Exclusive member discounts including reduced cost advertising


Free Business Member – Free

Any locally owned business can join as a free member
  • Standard listing in the online Local First Chicago Business Directory
  • Subscription to Chicago Happenings and Chicago Business Monthly newsletters
  • Monthly Mingle and Meet the Experts networking events


Friend of Local First Chicago – Any amount

If you do not own a locally owned business, but would like to support our work
  • Subscription to Chicago Happenings and Chicago Business Monthly newsletters
  • Monthly Mingle and Meet the Experts networking events