Marina Alta Business Club Frequently Asked Questions
Please Click on a Question (or scroll down) to see the Answer - This information is also available in our downloadable leaflet
Our attention! - Plus.....
Two evening meetings a month, held at 7pm, so as not to interfere too much with your working day (or leisure time). From January 10th 2008 these will be on the second and fourth Thursday every month at the Inn on the Green, Javea (on the way to Benitachell) . At each two hour meeting there will be:
An annual hard copy Membership Directory (with your advert in it) With an electronic version, updated monthly, on the website, available for downloading and distribution. Includes a regularly updated list of Members and supporting Businesses (offering exclusive discounted services to members)
Your own customised Web Page on the Club Website here at www.mabusinessclub.com that links to your business
Access to a password protected ‘members only’ area at www.mabc.biz giving an opportunity to post special offers or requests in either the public or private areas of the site
After three months’ continuous membership:
Access to all new services and special events, as we bring them on board, gradually through 2008 and beyond. We hope that additional services will include membership discount schemes and telephone help-lines as well as Special Events such as the Art Exhibition (free to visit) on 10th January 2008. Members are also able to suggest other optional "special events" for us to organise
No - The Club is NOT a Franchise
Marina Alta Business Club is completely independent, so:
- We are not bound by rules that were constructed for a different business environment, in another country
- We do not have to meet high franchising fees – so we can keep our membership costs low
- We have no limits on business size so no business is too small or too large
- We can concentrate on promoting our members’ businesses in Marina Alta.
No – But it is easy to qualify and most people will be able to join...
so why is the answer No?
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- All meetings are conducted in English, so members need to be comfortable communicating in English. However, we welcome membership from all nationalities as we recognise that the Marina Alta region is one of the most cosmopolitan in Spain, with more expatriate communities and businesses than almost anywhere else in Europe.
- As a Business Networking Club, our purpose is to promote and support businesses in Marina Alta and its surrounding areas. You will gain more from the Club if you are based near other members.
- Many members will run small businesses, be self-employed, be franchisees or will work as contractors or freelance consultants. Small businesses, like these, are extremely vulnerable to fraud so, to try and protect our existing members, we like to check that each person joining is genuinely in a business, or is about to start one. If you own a CIF registered company, your number is all we need, otherwise, new members need either sponsorship from an existing member or two independent client, supplier or professional references.
- Whilst the Club, obviously, cannot take responsibility for the conduct of its individual members, any member proven to have acted unethically or fraudulently will have their membership suspended, immediately, and all rights and privileges removed.
Yes - please try the Club first - if we know you are coming, we would be delighted to see you.
The easiest way is to come with a member. If you already know one, why not ask them to bring you for an evening and if you like the club, to sponsor you for membership ( if you later decide to join, members can earn membership credits in the process, so most members will be happy for you to approach them).
If you don't already have a contact in the Club - just get in touch (details on the bottom bar) with us and arrange to try either a normal meeting or our next open event.
Yes - Of course - every member is entitled to bring a Guest to our meetings.
If the guest is part of your business then they are always welcome to attend with you - but, of course, we would not expect them to speak for the business at the meeting, unless you give your spot to them, or they are attending on your behalf.
If the guest is a representative from another business (that you are introducing to the club, as a sponsor, on a one meeting trial basis) - please let us know - if they later join, for a minimum of three months, then our thank you, to you, is a free month's membership - if you introduce ten members who join for a minimum period of three months - you are entitled to a year's free membership...
If your guest is social (eg a spouse waiting to go on to dinner after a meeting) - then they are welcome to join in the pre- meeting social element, but we would ask them to wait for you in the bar during the meeting and the speaker's presentation.
No, it isn't a secret...
...and you don't have to wait until after your 'guest visit' before you find out!...
We have no qualms telling you that, after a one-off joining fee of €50 setting you up as a member, all you pay is €25 a month.
In return, our job is to ensure we offer members all the networking and marketing benefits possible by being a proactive Business Group, meeting regularly and continuously promoting our members' businesses in the Marina Alta Area. See What do I get as a member? for details.
Covered costs include
Membership can be cancelled at any time, subject to 28 days notice and settlement (either way) of outstanding monthly fees - so no-one is trapped in a relationship they can’t get out of! Membership fees are payable in advance, but can be paid monthly, quarterly or annually by direct debit, bank transfer, PayPal or cheque.
- two meetings a month,
- the annual printed directory (with your advert), plus a regularly updated, online version of the directory,
- a printed newsletter,
- the design (and maintenance) of your own web page which gives links to your business
- and, after three months’ continuous membership, the right to use our ‘Member Logo’ on your business ads, stationery, displays etc, for as long as you stay a current member.
It is easy to start the membership application process - For example...
- Talk to us, after you have been to a meeting as the guest of a sponsoring member, and we will help you with the forms
- Contact us direct (details on the bottom bar) and we can post the form to you or arrange an interview with you (ideally, before one of our meetings so you can stay and try one of our events)
- Print out and fill in our downloadable Application Form and post it to the address below
Nothing complicated...
Sponsorship by an existing member is enough - otherwise we need two references - a couple of "one liners" is fine if it includes your name and is from your suppliers, or clients or professionals