Membership in the Portland International Business District offers many benefits and ensures that your business is up-to-date with what is happening in the local business community.

Membership Benefits Include

1) Networking with other Business Professionals - providing social opportunities for businesses to increase their customer-base, meet their neighbors, identify common concerns, develop partnerships, make friends and have fun. Common networking events include after hours mixers, business roundtables, ice cream socials, etc. The monthly general membership meeting itself can and should provide a valuable networking platform.

2) General Membership Meetings - Monthly meetings provide a great opportunity to share ideas and concerns about the future and our businesses.

3) Representation - An opportunity to be involved as a representative with the local, community and state entities as well as involvement with other community and governmental current issues.

4) Ability to Attend Local Business Development Seminars - providing both technical training in operating a successful business and organizational training for a healthy and productive business association. This area is a good opportunity to involve consultants and business service providers like APNBA, CNN and ONI.

5) Advertising and Promotion - Special advertising and promotional opportunities will be available before and during local special events and activities.

6) Marketing & Business Development “a broad category that refers to any effort to increase the customer base and revenues of individual member businesses. Activities include district identity-building and branding, collective marketing, street fairs and exposition events, business-to-business discount programs, marketing to neighborhood associations, the International Day Festival is a chance to advertise, etc.

7) Exposure on the Website and Walking Map - As a member, your annual business name and description will be listed on the International Business District Website and Walking Map. If your business has a website, direct links will be available.

8) Involvement in Community Activities and After Hours Socials - These fun and casual “get-togethers” provide members the opportunity to promote and network with other local business members in a casual environment.* Neighborhood Night Out - Last year over 200 neighbors and several local businesses joined us in the park blocks on 72nd for networking, food, and educational activities. This year will be even bigger!* International Day Festival will take place at the park blocks in the Roseway neighborhood on NE 72nd Avenue.

9) Community Development & Advocacy  refers to the opportunity for businesses to participate in the overall betterment of their community. This may include aspects of main street program implementation, streetscape improvements, transportation and land use forums, etc. Community development may also take the form of youth, ethnic or diversity-based programs and events. The advocacy component references conveying the voice of neighborhood business to local, county and state governments. Emphasis is placed on developing critical partnerships with the APNBA, SBAC, ethnic chambers of commerce, etc.

Thank you for your interest and support. If you have any questions regarding the above list of benefits please contact Thomas J. Wright, Ph.D., 503.249.3926, Portland International Business District President.