Who We Are & Why Join?

Benefits for Restaurant Members

Membership Basics:

• The ability to accept Madison Originals' large volume gift card program, both gift cards and gift certificates that we sell on your behalf each year
• A membership dues structure designed to drive traffic in your doors that requires no out-of-pocket money
• A Destination Madison (aka Visit Madison) Membership Valued at $400

Marketing/Advertising:

• A variety of Madison Originals sponsored or subsidized advertising opportunities with partners like the Isthmus, Madison Essentials Magazine, City Tins, etc.
• The opportunity to appear in local news features as available
• Madison Originals email marketing (10k+ customer base) and social media promotion
• Additional promotional, advertising and event opportunities

Networking/Social Events:

• Immediate connections to independent restaurant owners and associate members
• Access to our Madison Originals Facebook Members Only Forum
• Participation in quarterly meetings and casual events (like members only happy hours)
• The ability to serve on our Board of Directors and participate in our committees

Educational/Business Development:

• Occasional free or discounted educational events, organized and sponsored by Madison Originals. Recent examples include a photo foodie lab, providing tips & tricks on how to take great food photography to use on social media; a sexual harassment seminar with a speaker from Boardman & Clark law firm; and a panel discussion on strategic planning for restaurants, led by Ian's Pizza and others.
• Access to Destination Madison's educational events and e-newsletters that your membership provides

Community Involvement:

• Opportunities to participate in charitable tasting events and sit-down dinners like Feed the Need in support of The River Food Pantry.
• Teaching and mentorship opportunities with Madison College's Culinary & Hospitality program
• Coordinated community volunteer activities

Benefits for Associate Members

Membership Basics:

• A low yearly membership fee of $400.
• Madison Originals is also open to trade arrangements for Associate Memberships.

Marketing + Advertising:

• Social media and newsletter promotion
• Opportunity to be featured in our new Associate Members newsletter

Networking + Social Events:

• The opportunity to briefly present to our membership at the first quarterly meeting following joining our group
• Connections to all our other great restaurant and associate members
• Access to our Madison Originals Facebook Members Only Forum
• Participation in quarterly meetings and casual events (like members' only happy hours)
• The ability to serve on our Board of Directors and participate in our committees

Educational/Business Development:

• Occasional free or discounted educational events, organized and sponsored by Madison Originals. Recent examples include a photo foodie lab, providing tips & tricks on how to take great food photography to use on social media; a sexual harassment seminar with a speaker from Boardman & Clark law firm; and a panel discussion on strategic planning for restaurants, led by Ian's Pizza and others.

Community Involvement:

• Coordinated community volunteer activities