The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce has long recognized the significant presence of the military in San Diego County, and in particular that of the neighboring Camp Pendleton community.
It is a sad fact that the pay rates for the military are so low that the lowest three levels of enlisted personnel usually qualify for food stamps. In appreciation of the personal sacrifices and the contribution to our national security that these fine volunteers and their families make, the chamber's Armed Services Committee has initiated a program called Carlsbad Salutes.
Based on the chamber's already successful Member to Member Discount Program, Carlsbad Salutes will offer discounts at participating businesses to all active and retired U.S. military personnel and their families. We estimate there are more than 90,000 active and retired military personnel and dependents, including reservists and members of the National Guard, eligible to participate by showing their military ID card. That is a lot of potential business your company may be missing out on.
The program is free to any chamber member wishing to participate. Members can design their own incentives or discounts, but these must equate to a minimum 10 percent discount on the actual value of products or services; no free consultations please.
Participation must be on an ongoing basis, not just certain days or one-time deals. In return for participation and in addition to new business, members will receive free advertising and recognition, both within the general community and on the local military bases.
Perhaps more importantly, you will get a good feeling from knowing that you have helped make life a bit easier for our service personnel and shown them that we care.
For more details on the requirements and benefits, as well as a program involvement form, go to www.carlsbad.org and click on “Committees” then on “Armed Services Committee” and then on “Member to Military Discount Program.” Or, call Michael Babowal, the chamber's director of government affairs, at (760) 931-8400.
It is a sad fact that the pay rates for the military are so low that the lowest three levels of enlisted personnel usually qualify for food stamps. In appreciation of the personal sacrifices and the contribution to our national security that these fine volunteers and their families make, the chamber's Armed Services Committee has initiated a program called Carlsbad Salutes.
Based on the chamber's already successful Member to Member Discount Program, Carlsbad Salutes will offer discounts at participating businesses to all active and retired U.S. military personnel and their families. We estimate there are more than 90,000 active and retired military personnel and dependents, including reservists and members of the National Guard, eligible to participate by showing their military ID card. That is a lot of potential business your company may be missing out on.
The program is free to any chamber member wishing to participate. Members can design their own incentives or discounts, but these must equate to a minimum 10 percent discount on the actual value of products or services; no free consultations please.
Participation must be on an ongoing basis, not just certain days or one-time deals. In return for participation and in addition to new business, members will receive free advertising and recognition, both within the general community and on the local military bases.
Perhaps more importantly, you will get a good feeling from knowing that you have helped make life a bit easier for our service personnel and shown them that we care.
For more details on the requirements and benefits, as well as a program involvement form, go to www.carlsbad.org and click on “Committees” then on “Armed Services Committee” and then on “Member to Military Discount Program.” Or, call Michael Babowal, the chamber's director of government affairs, at (760) 931-8400.