The Wilmington Chamber's current strategic plan calls for our chamber to be collaborative, innovative, and inclusive, among other priorities. With those overarching goals in mind, we are thrilled to be the first local chamber in our country to welcome individual remote workers to our membership. Attracting and retaining people to live and work in our community, regardless of the location of their employers' headquarters, will increase the talent pool in southeastern North Carolina and our community's overall tax base. We're ready to help establish Wilmington as the destination for those looking to leave congested cities for a better quality of life.
 
Wilmington has historically been a welcome home to remote workers, especially those with jobs in the triangle looking for the quality of life we can provide. While it is still unclear whether the shift to remote work we saw during the height of COVID restrictions will be sustainable in the long term, we're committed to engaging with remote workers in our community who are seeking deep and meaningful connections to their peers and with our community. Now, regardless of whether you work for a local company or a company based on the west coast, remote workers can have access to special events and information that will help them connect to other members of the business community in Wilmington. 
 
The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce team has developed a reputation for regularly delivering high-quality programming that includes educational content, inspirational keynote speakers, and leadership development training throughout the year. As members of the chamber, remote workers will also be invited to our members-only events, including our Elected Officials Appreciation BBQ and Oyster Roast. 
 
Between work and personal obligations, it can feel impossible for people to sort through all of the news to distill the information that matters most to today's local economy. The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce's weekly newsletter saves our members time, effort, and energy to deliver this mission-critical information clearly and concisely, week after week. Plus, members get details on local events, business spotlights, special notices, legislative updates, timely articles, and special discounts. The newsletter is a must-read resource that helps to keep our membership up to date on local issues. 
 
Advocating for our members' best interests is also an integral part of the Wilmington Chamber's mission. Government bodies and agencies enact rules and legislation week after week that can positively or negatively impact our local economy. Members of the chamber always get information "hot off the press," giving our investors the greatest advance notice of upcoming changes possible, putting member businesses in line for even greater success in the future. 
 
Remote workers who choose to invest in our chamber can expect to receive an ever-evolving "Membership Toolkit" that includes valuable resources and information, and opportunities to connect and continue developing as a professional. We look forward to you joining our chamber and working together to make Wilmington a more attractive place to work remotely in the future.