Beginning Monday, April 24, members of the Greater Austin Chamber Board will take to the phones as they seek to recruit 450 new members during the Greater Austin Chamber’s “Accelerate the Momentum” 2006 Membership Campaign Drive. More than 50 teams will be lead by Chamber Board members and community leaders during the four week campaign. Chamber members hope to recruit new businesses by providing testimonials on the benefits of being a member, and emphasizing the successes of the Chamber’s initiatives.

“Based on the Chamber’s accomplishments, ‘Accelerate the Momentum’ is the perfect slogan for this campaign,” said 2006 Campaign Chair and Chair Elect Roger Mitchell, President of Texas Gas Service. “Our Area Council Business Program has expanded to include South Austin, small business employers now have the opportunity to join the Chamber’s Health Coalition Program and receive lower healthcare costs, and Opportunity Austin is ahead of schedule on its five-year plan to add 72,000 new jobs and $14 billion in positive economic impact in Central Texas. There has never been a better time to be part of the momentum underway at the Chamber.”

Mitchell and Bill Wilson, Vice Chair of Membership and President of Wachovia Bank, have challenged businesses to realize the economic development potential in Austin, and contribute to its growth. The tandem will be leading the groups to achieve their goal, and team volunteers will compete for team and individual prizes that will include gift certificates, golf outings, travel certificates, and more.

Membership campaigns have proven to be a successful process for increasing membership. In 2004, the “Get on Board” campaign added more than 300 new members, and last year’s “Get in the Game” campaign recruited more than 400 new members.

The campaign runs through May 19.