2009 has been a challenging year for AIC. Costs are up for the room and meeting fees are no longer always covering these costs. Your Board of Directors was faced with a dilemma. Raise meeting fees or raise membership fees. Which was it to be?

We came up with a third option, one which gives our members'' more value while allowing AIC to remain solvent.

Beginning January, 2010, membership in AIC will now include:

1. All regular networking meetings FREE for Full 2010 members.  
2. One special event per year FREE to Full 2010 members ($200–$300 registration for non-members). The first such special event is a 5-hour intensive workshop on sales and marketing. (Date to be arranged, likely March or April.)
3. A substantial fee reduction for Full 2010 members on other special events hosted by AIC. More announcements to come about special events.

Additional benefits include:

• Shorter registration line-ups at all events
• You no longer need to register and/or pay in advance

By adding bigger, more intensive events to the AIC calendar you get greater learning opportunities and a wider scope for networking - both designed to increase your effectiveness as an independent consultant.

Joining AIC is easy. Simply fill in the following form and either pay securely online (PayPal) or send in a cheque or credit card information to the address provided.

Remote Membership gives you all of the same rights and privileges, however you get no discount on AIC or Partner meetings. Remote Membership is meant for those consultants who do not reside near Toronto. The fee for Remote Membership is $55.

The Benefits of AIC Membership

At AIC we hold monthly meetings, we have opportunities for you to promote your business, you can get a discount on hosting your website, plus we have regular speakers at our meetings, and we hold professional development workshops to enable you to improve your business. You can buy communication software at discount.

In addition, all members with e-mail addresses can receive Capstone's e-mail Marketing Tip.

AIC members also receive the benefit of the following
SPECIAL EXTRAS:

• Monthly Meetings
• Promote Your Business
• Education
• Marketing Tip Sheet
  
• AIC Preferred Suppliers
• Discounted Group Insurance
• Web Hosting & Access
  
• Metcom Voice Services
• Nesbit Burns
  
• Small Business Big Savings
• Member to Member Discounts
• Other Discounts