The fee brings basic benefits, including access to the chamber's popular Business After Five networking events, and discounts with local businesses, access to data, mentoring and other support, and members usually pay a range of additional fees for the various training and other events.
When Mr Burnett took up the role of chief executive earlier in the year, he found that while membership had been growing steadily, the chamber still captured less than 10 per cent of the estimated 12,000 businesses registered in the Tauranga/Western Bay of Plenty. The aim was to attract new members, he said.
"You wouldn't say the current membership model is broke," he said. "But it's not entirely working well."
The new model, which was at this point still at the concept stage, would be based more around the needs of members rather than their size, he said.
Mr Burnett likened the concept to the Sky TV model, where a range of packages could be accessed, from basic upwards through various tiers to more premium categories, which could provide a range of options. For example, some members might prefer to pay a larger annual fee, but enjoy greater discounts on training events.
The chamber was also exploring setting up an online networking site, he said.
"At this stage we're still fleshing the proposed new membership concept out," said Mr Burnett. "We will be saying this is what we think it could look like and asking would it work for your business."
The chamber is inviting members to attend an initial three focus group sessions this Monday, at 7.30am, midday and 5.30pm, where they will be be given a presentation on the concept.
Mr Burnett said that the Tauranga Chamber was in regular communication with other chambers round the country.
"Potentially, if this concept stacks up, then there could be other chambers that could pick it up," he said.
