Meet Your Lobbyists


Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.

-Margaret Mead, anthropologist

Meet your team of experienced, savvy lobbyists who provide pertinent information to elected officials so they can make sound decisions about matters that affect businesses in Central Indiana.



Roland Dorson, President
rdorson@indylink.com, 317.464.2210

Experience: Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce; Indiana Retail Council; United Way Board of Directors; Asian American Alliance Board of Directors; Gubernatorial Campaign Press Secretary; Congressional Campaign Media Director; Fostering Commercial Urban Strategies Steering Committee

Areas of Concentration: Business Regulation, Fiscal Policy


Tammie Jones , Senior Vice President, Public & Strategic Affairs
tjones@indylink.com, 317.464.2291

Experience: Former Midwest Manager of Supplier Diversity for Cincinnati-based Duke Energy (formerly Cinergy Corp.), the second largest gas & electric utility in the United States. In her 16 years at Duke, she developed an extensive background in the fields of economic inclusion, economic growth and retention strategy, public and community affairs and issues advocacy.

Areas of Concentration: Education and the Chamber's overall public policy direction


Jean Farison, Business Advocacy Manager
jfarison@indylink.com, 317.464.2243

Experience: Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce; St. Vincent Health government relations; Office of Gov. Frank O'Bannon

Areas of Concentration:Transportation, Infrastructure, Economic Growth, Energy, Environment


Office Depot Discount Program

Office Depot Discount Program

Stretch your office-supply dollars farther than ever before by joining our Office Depot discount program, exclusive to chamber members and your employees.

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9Upcoming Events, Indianapolis

Date: Sep 30th 2010

Lunch with the Chamber President-September

more info  Indy Chamber Event


Date: Oct 07th 2010

Conexion 2010

more info  Indy Chamber Event


Date: Oct 14th 2010

Business After Hours

more info  Indy Chamber Event


Date: Oct 28th 2010

IPL Power Networking Breakfast-October 2010

more info  Indy Chamber Event


Date: Nov 11th 2010

Green Business Networking 2010

more info  Indy Chamber Event


Date: Dec 02nd 2010

Breakfast with the Chamber President-December

more info  Indy Chamber Event


Date: Dec 09th 2010

IPL Power Networking Lunch-December

more info  Indy Chamber Event


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Why Join The Chamber

The Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce is the leader in making Indianapolis the best place to live and do business. We are creating a thriving business environment with growth opportunities for our members.

Join Now!

Why should you become a member?
Simply stated – we have a strong CASE for membership.
We assist you by:

  • Connecting members to improve your business opportunities
  • Advocating with a common voice to improve the business climate
  • Saving you money through select programs
  • Educating members to increase your ability to grow successful businesses

Become a member. Grow your business, expand your network and enhance our community. When you join, 90 percent of your dues are deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense. Further information on this law should be obtained from your tax advisor.
Click on the subheadings below to read more on that topic.

Connecting Members

Networking is key to growing your business. Many sales professionals earn 80-90 percent of their business through networking. Last year, the Indianapolis Chamber held a networking or educational event every three business days.

Networking Events

Most people you meet have at least 250 contacts. Last year, over 5,700 people attended our events. Attend one of our many events to connect with peers and others in our community to grow your business.

Hispanic Business Council (HBC)

Help build business and relationships with the Hispanic business community. We also pair developing Hispanic businesses with larger, established mentor companies.

Connect with Local Officials

As part of the Chamber’s responsibility to advocate for our members and the community, we offer unique access to events and educational programs to connect you with our elected officials. Our annual HobNob event is engaging, timely and informative. We also have “Pancakes and Politics,” events that educate members on key issues impacting our community.

Advocating with a Common Voice

Our advocacy efforts seek to improve Central Indiana’s future workforce, the business climate, the environment and our community. On your behalf, we take practical positions on issues such as education, local government, mass transportation and green business. We also find that having a voice in state and local government can save our members money. For instance, Indianapolis Chamber led efforts eliminated Marion County township assessors, saving taxpayers more than $2.6 million annually.

Other key initiatives:

Business Advocacy

Giving you a voice in state and local government decision making.

Green Business Initiative

Promotes its members that have adopted green practices and educates other businesses and the community on green operations.

Common Goal

A set of initiatives and interventions aimed at increasing the Marion County high school graduation rate from 70 percent to 80 percent.

Mass Transportation

The Central Indiana Transit Task Force released the results of its year-long mass transit study with a request that the public spend an equal amount of time in 2010 looking at the proposal before anything is taken to elected officials. The study was funded by the private sector, including the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership and the Central Indiana Community Foundation. Become involved in 2010. Visit IndyConnect.org to learn more.

Saving You Money

The Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce saves you money. We know how tough it is to cut costs and hold down overhead so you can realize higher profit. Last year, the Indianapolis Chamber saved members an average of $325 per employee on health insurance. We also saved all Chamber members over $1 million in office and printing supplies.

Office Depot Discount

Save up to 85% on office supplies for your business and school and home office supplies for your employees.

Anthem's ChamberCare Health Insurance

The same health care benefits available to larger companies at a price trimmed to fit your budget.

Member-to-Member Discounts

Approximately 500 opportunities to save through discounts offered by your Chamber peers. Whether you use these to lower the costs of your business or your personal purchases, you – and your employees—can save money.

Educating Members to Grow Your Business

Want to increase productivity? Invest in your employees! A study by the National Association of Manufacturers found that an investment in employee education yields a 5.2% increase in productivity compared to the same investment in machines and capital. Indianapolis Chamber educational programs focus on training that you and your employees need most.

Education

Our research shows that our members value professional development opportunities and programs on how to grow their businesses most.

Business Growth Series

A company’s biggest asset is its well-trained workforce. The smartest executives spend time making sure new hires have the proper education and training and ensuring that incumbent employees are offered the opportunity to advance their skills.

Green Street Institute

Presented by Baker & Daniels LLP, Green Street Institute teaches sustainable, money-saving practices to owners and employees of small and medium-sized businesses, so that you may implement them in your place of business.

Stanley K. Lace Executive Leadership Series

Exceptional young professionals have the opportunity to develop their potential to be business and community leaders through the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series. Offered by the Indianapolis Chamber, the SKL Executive Leadership series is a program offered at 2 ½ times less than what other cities charge for an executive leadership development series.