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Strengthen Member Benefits
Offer another resource for members seeking payment acceptance, processing cost reviews, or business technology.
Association Referral Partnerships
Referral Partnerships for Trade Associations & Chambers of Commerce
Association referral partnerships with Valued Merchant Services help qualifying trade associations, chambers of commerce, and membership organizations connect business members with merchant services, payment technology, and practical business solutions.
Add useful resources to your member benefits offering while exploring eligible referral revenue and non-dues income opportunities through a defined partnership.
For qualifying membership organizations. Participation, promotions, and compensation require appropriate approval and agreement.
Since 2006
VMS business experience
50 States
Nationwide business reach
Member Value
Practical business resources
Flexible Scope
Discuss an approved model
Understanding the opportunity
What Are Association Referral Partnerships?
Association referral partnerships allow membership-based organizations to introduce eligible member businesses to outside service providers. Under a VMS partnership, business members may explore payment processing and other applicable solutions. Meanwhile, the organization and VMS establish the referral process, responsibilities, permitted marketing, and any eligible compensation through a written agreement.
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Explore Non-Dues Revenue
Discuss eligible referral fees, recurring revenue sharing, or another approved arrangement. Actual earnings are not guaranteed.
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Maintain Organizational Focus
Your staff continues serving members through its established mission. VMS handles agreed merchant service activities.
Who this is designed for
Partnership Opportunities for Associations and Business Networks.
A local chamber, statewide trade group, and national professional association may have very different member needs. Therefore, VMS discusses each organization's audience, goals, and governance requirements before proposing a program.
Chambers of Commerce
Local and regional chambers often serve small businesses, retailers, restaurants, contractors, and professional firms. A referral program may complement existing member resource offerings.
Trade Associations
Industry associations can explore payment and operational tools relevant to members in hospitality, retail, healthcare-adjacent services, construction, and other sectors.
Professional & Membership Groups
Statewide and national membership organizations, buying groups, and business networks may explore member benefit arrangements appropriate for their audience.
Practical value for your members
Business Solutions That Can Support Different Member Needs.
A restaurant member may need modern point-of-sale technology. Meanwhile, a retail business might want an assessment of payment processing costs. Another member may be exploring ecommerce or mobile payments.
Because businesses vary, VMS offers or facilitates multiple solutions instead of treating every referral the same way. The organization can discuss which services best fit its member benefits program.
Merchant Processing
Payment Cost Reviews
Point-of-Sale Systems
Ecommerce Payments
Mobile Payments
ACH & Check Services
Gift & Loyalty Programs
Business Technology
Websites & Apps
Other Approved Solutions
How members might learn about the program
A Member Benefit Should Be Easy to Explain and Easy to Access.
Once an association approves a partnership, the parties can choose suitable ways to introduce the offering. For example, a member resource page may work better for one organization, while a newsletter or business education event fits another.
Member Resource Pages
Provide a clear description of available VMS services, eligibility, who provides the services, and how members can request more information.
Newsletters & Communications
Share approved educational content about payment costs, POS technology, or business tools, with appropriate relationship disclosures.
Workshops & Events
Explore educational webinars, business resource sessions, or relevant event participation, subject to organizational approval.
Partnership implementation
How Association Referral Partnerships Work.
Before announcing any member benefit, the organization and VMS should agree on the audience, eligible services, referral workflow, communications, and responsibilities.
01
Explore the Fit
Discuss membership demographics, business needs, current benefits, and the organization's goals.
02
Approve the Program
Review governing policies, disclosures, referral procedures, contractual terms, and compensation.
03
Introduce the Benefit
Communicate through approved member channels. Interested businesses can request more information.
04
Serve & Evaluate
VMS handles agreed solution activities. Reporting, performance reviews, and compensation follow the agreement.
Transparency and member trust
Association Referral Partnerships Should Respect Member Trust, Governance, and Disclosure Rules.
Associations are trusted to act in their members' interests. For that reason, an effective business referral program should clearly identify the outside service provider, applicable financial relationships, and the limits of the organization's responsibilities.
Board & Organizational Approval
Review bylaws, member benefit policies, vendor selection standards, conflicts, and any approval processes that apply to the organization.
Clear Financial Disclosures
Where the association earns compensation and promotes VMS, assess whether the financial connection should be disclosed in member communications.
Member Privacy & Choice
Use an agreed process for obtaining member interest or consent. Avoid sharing membership lists or sensitive information without proper authority.
Marketing & Endorsement Scope
Decide whether the arrangement is a simple referral option, an approved benefit, or a separately authorized endorsement. Do not imply exclusivity without agreement.
Disclosure guidance:
The Federal Trade Commission discusses
material financial connections
in endorsements and recommendations
in its
Endorsement Guides FAQs
.
These independent resources do not
imply FTC approval of VMS or
any particular partnership.
Organizations should evaluate
applicable requirements with
their own advisers.
An established potential partner
Your Members' Trust Deserves a Thoughtful Introduction.
Founded in Idaho in 2006, Valued Merchant Services serves businesses nationwide with payment technology and related business solutions.
The company is led by co-founders Sean Ruppel, CEO, and Chris Del Grande, President. VMS emphasizes consultative conversations, practical services, and long-term merchant relationships.
When an association introduces a provider to its membership, that relationship reflects on the organization. Therefore, we believe clear communication, appropriate expectations, and agreed responsibilities matter from the start.
Learn more about Valued Merchant Services or explore our broader Business Referral Partnerships .
Illustrative image, not a photograph of an actual trade association partnership.
Questions association leaders ask
Association Referral Partnerships: Frequently Asked Questions.
Explore common questions about chamber of commerce partnerships, trade association member benefits, revenue opportunities, and referral program responsibilities.
What are association referral partnerships?
Association referral partnerships allow qualifying membership organizations to introduce members to an outside service provider. With VMS, eligible businesses can explore merchant services and related solutions. Approved terms define responsibilities and compensation.
Can a chamber of commerce offer merchant services as a member benefit?
Potentially. A chamber can explore an arrangement in which members receive access to a merchant services provider. The chamber must evaluate its own policies, governing procedures, program terms, and disclosure obligations.
How can a trade association benefit from a merchant referral relationship?
A program may complement member resources by helping eligible businesses evaluate payment services. Where approved, the organization can also explore potential non-dues referral revenue. Neither participation nor earnings are guaranteed.
Can associations earn recurring revenue from merchant referrals?
Eligible agreements may include ongoing revenue sharing, a one-time referral fee, or another approved structure. Actual terms depend on the organization, qualifying activity, applicable law, and the written agreement.
Do associations need to sell or support payment services?
Not necessarily. An association can discuss a referral-oriented arrangement in which interested members are introduced to VMS and VMS handles agreed merchant service activities.
Can a small local chamber work with VMS?
VMS considers inquiries from organizations of different sizes. A local chamber with a limited staff or member base may still explore a practical referral relationship. Fit is evaluated individually.
Can statewide or national membership groups participate?
Yes, VMS considers multi-region and national organizations as well. Any approved program should account for the organization's membership distribution, communication channels, and operational requirements.
What merchant services can association members explore?
Options may include processing cost reviews, card processing, POS systems, ecommerce payments, mobile payment acceptance, ACH services, and other eligible VMS business tools.
Do members have to switch payment processors?
Not always. Some solutions require a change of processor or equipment, while certain reviews and business services may be available without replacing an existing provider.
Does a referral arrangement mean VMS is automatically endorsed by the association?
No. A referral relationship, preferred provider designation, endorsement, and exclusive arrangement are different concepts. The parties should define any authorized representations in writing.
Must a chamber or association disclose referral compensation?
Depending on the arrangement and promotional communications, a material financial connection may need to be disclosed. Organizations should evaluate applicable FTC guidance, state requirements, and their own governance policies.
How should members learn about the opportunity?
Possible channels include an approved member benefits page, newsletter, webinar, event, or member-requested introduction. The organization and VMS should agree on appropriate communications beforehand.
Will VMS need access to our membership database?
Not necessarily. An organization can use an opt-in referral approach in which interested members contact VMS or authorize an introduction. Member data should only be handled under approved procedures and applicable privacy requirements.
Can associations choose which VMS services are promoted?
VMS can discuss the services most relevant to an organization's membership. The approved agreement should establish program scope, permitted communications, and relevant responsibilities.
Is this different from an individual affiliate program?
Yes. An association relationship involves organization-level approval, member communications, governance, and contractual terms. Individual affiliate participation is a separate VMS opportunity.
How can our organization explore a partnership?
Complete the form below or call 208-243-0818. Tell us about your member businesses, organization size, current member benefits, and partnership goals. An initial discussion does not create an obligation.
Explore a membership organization partnership
Let's Discuss a Referral Partnership for Your Organization.
Whether you lead a local chamber, statewide trade association, national membership group, or professional business network, we'd welcome a conversation about your members, goals, and potential partnership fit.
Form not displaying? Open the partnership inquiry form directly.
Submitting an inquiry does not establish a partnership, authorize an endorsement, or guarantee referral compensation. Programs are subject to approval and written agreement.
Valued Merchant Services provides or facilitates business solutions subject to eligibility, approval, provider availability, and contractual terms. Processing savings and referral earnings are not guaranteed. Membership organizations are responsible for their own governance policies, member privacy, advertising, disclosure, and contractual requirements. An association referral arrangement does not imply exclusive provider status, endorsement, or any current partnership with a particular organization. This page is informational and does not constitute legal or compliance advice. Images are illustrative.