RCGA members support the St. Louis region’s growth as well as receive exclusive services, programs and discounts.
By Ralph Clermont
Supporting the growth and prosperity of our St. Louis region is of utmost importance to all of the RCGA’s nearly 4,000 members. All of us subscribe to the RCGA’s mission of developing and sustaining a world-class economy and community. The St. Louis RCGA’s “Shaping A Greater St. Louis” eight initiatives will help lead our bi-state region and all of our businesses to a new level of accomplishment in the 21st century global economy. These initiatives offer the direction, strategy and vision to get us there. The success we can all achieve depends on the participation and financial commitment of all members. At the same time, the Membership Department works to provide value-added benefits to RCGA members, which directly assist their companies.
Firms can offer competitive employee benefits thanks to RCGAEDGE programs in which the RCGA partners with suppliers to provide substantial discounts. Simply by being RCGA members, businesses can receive discounts on essentials, such as medical, dental, life and disability insurance; telecommunications equipment and service; or Internet access. These programs can bring significant bottom-line savings to large and small businesses alike.
In addition to receiving discounts, members may have the opportunity to be featured in the RCGA’s, St. Louis Commerce Magazine, a high-profile monthly member publication that is a valuable source of local business information. Each issue explores the 12-county region’s economic development opportunities and highlights the area’s growing companies and business successes. St. Louis Commerce also includes RCGAction, a monthly newsletter that highlights RCGA news, all the programs available to members, lists new members and features a monthly calendar of events. All members receive these publications free of charge.
Distinctive benefits are available through the Leadership Circle level of RCGA membership. Leadership Circle members are small-, medium- and large-size companies and organizations, which desire to be connected to the inner workings of the St. Louis business community. These members support the RCGA as it carries out its critical mission of actively promoting the region’s economic growth. They also participate in exclusive events and receive priority invitations to key RCGA activities such as the St. Louis RCGA’s Annual Community Leadership Exchange Trip and Regional Summit (see sidebar below).
The monthly Leadership Circle President’s Breakfast, hosted by the Hyatt Regency–St. Louis, provides an opportunity for members to interact and discuss issues affecting their companies and industries. Exclusive activities include the “New Business Realities Dialogue Series,” which features prominent national and local speakers. During this past year, presenters included Joel Kotkin, who is an author, journalist, and public policy expert and a foremost authority on American cities and regions; Sam Williams, president of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, who addressed regional transportation initiatives; and author Curt Weeden, former vice president for corporate affairs at Johnson & Johnson, who discussed corporate social investing.
Leadership Circle members as well as the RCGA board, Regional Business Council, and key investors in the Campaign for a Greater St. Louis receive a weekly fax, MondayMemo, which highlights the most important regional business news of the week.
Another membership highlight is the Annual Membership Meeting and Dinner, an occasion to review the accomplishments of the past year, to look forward to the upcoming year, to salute the RCGA Board and other volunteers and provide an entertaining evening for members and guests, and St. Louis regional business, civic and elected leaders. The 1999 meeting, which marked the 163rd, was held at America’s Center and featured CNBC’s Chris Matthews.
In addition to the entertainment, Peter Raven, director of the world-renowned Missouri Botanical Garden, was saluted as the recipient of the 24th Right Arm of St. Louis Award.
The Right Arm of St. Louis is the RCGA’s most prestigious award, and is presented annually to a person or persons who have made outstanding contributions to the St. Louis region.
These membership programs, publications and discounts are just some of the reasons why membership in the St. Louis RCGA is a worthwhile investment.
