Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bensalem Business Association?
We are an organization made up of business owners, managers of businesses in Bensalem and businesses outside of Bensalem who do business in Bensalem.
What is the purpose of the Bensalem Business Association?
The association was started to help owners in our community keep their businesses open through these tough economic times by promoting the local businesses and to start an open dialog between businesses and our local political representatives.
How is the BBA different from the chamber of commerce or networking groups?
The chamber in our area represents all of Lower Bucks County. The Bensalem Business Association only represents Bensalem businesses. As far as the networking groups, many of them only allow one business per category to join and it is mandatory to refer a certain amount of business to other members of that specific networking group. Most business owners like to refer business to other owners but it should be at your own discretion. In most cases a referral is something you only give based on the quality of work and character of the person doing it.
What does it cost to be a member of the BBA?
$120 for the calendar year (January through December)
Why is the cost so affordable in comparison to other organizations?
We wanted to make it affordable and available to every business who wanted to join.
Is the BBA only for small businesses?
No, we have small single operation businesses in our organization and we also have large ones like Parx Casino and Holy Family University, and everything in between.
Who can join?
Managers and owners of a Bensalem business(Full member). The same applies for businesses outside of Bensalem that do business within the township of Bensalem(Associate member). An example of a business located outside of Bensalem who was able to join is Sam’s Club, at Franklin Mills Mall. Many of us in Bensalem do business with them. Sam’s Club has hosted meetings at its location and is a very active member of the BBA.
What are the requirements to host a Bensalem Business Association meeting?
The business must be a current BBA member in good standing, have enough space and seats for all attending the meeting, and must supply the food and refreshments for all attending the meeting. The BBA Board Of Directors must also approve the guest speaker and his or her topic.
What are the requirements to be a guest speaker?
The representative of the business must be a current BBA member in good standing or person of interest that has been asked to be a guest speaker by the BBA Board Of Directors.
I own a new business in Bensalem. Would you recommend the BBA to me?
Yes. This is a come as you are organization. And as fellow business owners we understand how hard the first year can be. To help new businesses, The BBA will give free membership for the first calendar year.
Can I come to a meeting to check out the Association before joining?
Absolutely. The first meeting you attend is free. Just RSVP with an email so we can have a seat for you. After you see what we do, we are confident you will want to become a part of it.
Where are the BBA meetings?
The meetings are held all over Bensalem. You can find out about the next meeting by checking the web site.
When are the BBA meetings?
They are always on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 PM.
Can I have a meeting at my place and be a guest speaker?
Yes. As long as you meet the requirements.
Is the BBA run by Bensalem Township?
No it is not. It is only set up for business owners and managers. Mayor DiGirolamo has been a guest speaker every year for the BBA and he has been very supportive. The BBA is run by its members and elected Board Of Directors, all of whom are either business owners or representatives of their companies.
Does the BBA have contact with the leaders of Bensalem Township?
We have had many different guest speakers who are affiliated with the township and state leadership. The BBA has had State Representative Gene DiGirolamo and Senator Tommy Tomlinson as guest speakers. We have an open dialog with the mayors office. Senator Tomlinson is a member of the BBA himself. He owns Tomlinson Funeral Home. The BBA had direct involvement in having Turnpike exit 352 changed from “Philadelphia” to “Bensalem”.
What do you do with the money you get for memberships?
The association uses the money to pay the expenses to keep the association running. A Treasurer’s Report is provided at every meeting.
Can I join the BBA if you already have someone in my line of work?
Yes you can. The BBA is not a networking organization, but rather an Association of Business Owners.
I need to be available to communicate with my customers at any moment. What is the protocol on cell phone use during the meetings?
We understand the importance of keeping connected to your business. You can excuse yourself from the meeting to take or make a call.
Can I arrive a bit late to the meeting?
Yes, just let us know you will be late to the meeting. The BBA has no set requirement on how many meetings you attend a year.
How can I find out what I missed if I run late?
If you have any questions during the meeting please write them down and you can ask them when we have an open forum at the end of the meeting. You can also talk to any of our board members after the meeting. Remember after each meeting we have a business card exchange with food and refreshments.
If you have a question you would like to ask us please feel free to email us at [email protected] and we will do our best to answer in a timely manner.
We are an organization made up of business owners, managers of businesses in Bensalem and businesses outside of Bensalem who do business in Bensalem.
What is the purpose of the Bensalem Business Association?
The association was started to help owners in our community keep their businesses open through these tough economic times by promoting the local businesses and to start an open dialog between businesses and our local political representatives.
How is the BBA different from the chamber of commerce or networking groups?
The chamber in our area represents all of Lower Bucks County. The Bensalem Business Association only represents Bensalem businesses. As far as the networking groups, many of them only allow one business per category to join and it is mandatory to refer a certain amount of business to other members of that specific networking group. Most business owners like to refer business to other owners but it should be at your own discretion. In most cases a referral is something you only give based on the quality of work and character of the person doing it.
What does it cost to be a member of the BBA?
$120 for the calendar year (January through December)
Why is the cost so affordable in comparison to other organizations?
We wanted to make it affordable and available to every business who wanted to join.
Is the BBA only for small businesses?
No, we have small single operation businesses in our organization and we also have large ones like Parx Casino and Holy Family University, and everything in between.
Who can join?
Managers and owners of a Bensalem business(Full member). The same applies for businesses outside of Bensalem that do business within the township of Bensalem(Associate member). An example of a business located outside of Bensalem who was able to join is Sam’s Club, at Franklin Mills Mall. Many of us in Bensalem do business with them. Sam’s Club has hosted meetings at its location and is a very active member of the BBA.
What are the requirements to host a Bensalem Business Association meeting?
The business must be a current BBA member in good standing, have enough space and seats for all attending the meeting, and must supply the food and refreshments for all attending the meeting. The BBA Board Of Directors must also approve the guest speaker and his or her topic.
What are the requirements to be a guest speaker?
The representative of the business must be a current BBA member in good standing or person of interest that has been asked to be a guest speaker by the BBA Board Of Directors.
I own a new business in Bensalem. Would you recommend the BBA to me?
Yes. This is a come as you are organization. And as fellow business owners we understand how hard the first year can be. To help new businesses, The BBA will give free membership for the first calendar year.
Can I come to a meeting to check out the Association before joining?
Absolutely. The first meeting you attend is free. Just RSVP with an email so we can have a seat for you. After you see what we do, we are confident you will want to become a part of it.
Where are the BBA meetings?
The meetings are held all over Bensalem. You can find out about the next meeting by checking the web site.
When are the BBA meetings?
They are always on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 PM.
Can I have a meeting at my place and be a guest speaker?
Yes. As long as you meet the requirements.
Is the BBA run by Bensalem Township?
No it is not. It is only set up for business owners and managers. Mayor DiGirolamo has been a guest speaker every year for the BBA and he has been very supportive. The BBA is run by its members and elected Board Of Directors, all of whom are either business owners or representatives of their companies.
Does the BBA have contact with the leaders of Bensalem Township?
We have had many different guest speakers who are affiliated with the township and state leadership. The BBA has had State Representative Gene DiGirolamo and Senator Tommy Tomlinson as guest speakers. We have an open dialog with the mayors office. Senator Tomlinson is a member of the BBA himself. He owns Tomlinson Funeral Home. The BBA had direct involvement in having Turnpike exit 352 changed from “Philadelphia” to “Bensalem”.
What do you do with the money you get for memberships?
The association uses the money to pay the expenses to keep the association running. A Treasurer’s Report is provided at every meeting.
Can I join the BBA if you already have someone in my line of work?
Yes you can. The BBA is not a networking organization, but rather an Association of Business Owners.
I need to be available to communicate with my customers at any moment. What is the protocol on cell phone use during the meetings?
We understand the importance of keeping connected to your business. You can excuse yourself from the meeting to take or make a call.
Can I arrive a bit late to the meeting?
Yes, just let us know you will be late to the meeting. The BBA has no set requirement on how many meetings you attend a year.
How can I find out what I missed if I run late?
If you have any questions during the meeting please write them down and you can ask them when we have an open forum at the end of the meeting. You can also talk to any of our board members after the meeting. Remember after each meeting we have a business card exchange with food and refreshments.
If you have a question you would like to ask us please feel free to email us at [email protected] and we will do our best to answer in a timely manner.