Join AIBA and declare yourself a proud independent!
Join with other locally owned businesses to promote 
shopping locally and protect the diversity of culture in Austin. It is through our collective voice that we can maintain and grow the eclectic nature of our city and impact the economic health of our community. Consider lending your voice to this growing chorus.
To be eligible for membership in AIBA, at least 51% of the ownership of your business must reside in Austin and surrounding areas (Round Rock, Pflugerville, Lakeway, etc). Your business need not have a storefront but must be independent and not a franchise. AIBA reserves the right to decline membership to any business it deems not appropriate.
To pay by check, click here to download
a printable membership form for mailing
Top Six Benefits of Membership
1. Advocacy for Local Business
3. Discount Prescription Cards
4. Discounts from Other Members
6. Educating and Engaging the Public in Local Business
1. Advocacy for Local Business
AIBA works to further the priorities of local business at City Hall and beyond. Before AIBA, local business did not have a seat at the table. Big business has always been represented by teams of lawyers and lobbyists but local business had no voice at all. Our members are our strength. Join our ranks and make your voice heard.
• In 2011, AIBA formed the first Leadership Circle comprised of 10 of our member business owners. This Leadership circle produced the Local Business Manifesto presented to the city of Austin in April 2012. Two resolutions have been passed adopting initiatives from the Manifesto. Read More.
• AIBA held the first Local Business Conference in October 2013. This conference of AIBA members identified 11 specific goals for the City of Austin, AIBA and our members. The second Leadership circle was formed to oversee the accomplishment of these goals by the second conference in October 2014. Read more.
• AIBA represented local business by serving on the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan for more than two years. If not for our participation, local business would not even be mentioned in these plans for Austin for the next 30 years.
• We’re at City Hall regularly, looking out for your interests in policy and enforcement.
• AIBA has taken a leadership role, both in Texas and nationally, in the issue of the Internet Sales Tax Fairness Act. This issue effects everyone and puts local businesses at a disadvantage. Read more.
2. Marketing Your Business
We promote our members online, in print, through broadcast, through social media and in our newsletters for both business and consumers
• We list your events and announcements on www.ibuyaustin.com in Latest From Your Locals (for customers) and Biz to Biz (for businesses). The AIBA website now receives more than 600,000 hits per month.
• We promote your business in our e-newsletters. IndieAustin goes out every other week to thousands of customers who request it and includes news, events and announcements from members plus a lead story. The Independent is distributed on opposite weeks to thousands of business owners and focuses on opportunities for businesses, AIBA activities and announcements from members. Read more.
• AIBA pushes your messages for customers through all our social media where we have thousands of followers. See Facebook and Twitter.
• As a member, your listing is included on www.ibuyaustin.com and in our popular print magazine, IndieAustin. IndieAustin is printed in May and November and is distributed to more than 250 locations throughout Austin. 30,000 copies are distributed annually. In addition to your free listing, you have the opportunity to showcase your business through an inexpensive ad. Contact Donna Nelson for rates and specials.
• We produce marketing campaigns throughout the year that you can participate in at no cost including Love Your Locals, Summer of Independents and Shop Local for the Holidays. See our calender for these campaigns.
• We market local business with Buy Local campaigns through print, broadcast, online and with billboards. This promotes your business as a proud independent.
• We organize co-op media buys from time to time for the benefit of our members.
3. Discount Prescription Cards
AIBA offers free discount prescription cards to our members for your employees, contractors or volunteers. Just ask for them!
• The free discount prescription cards are a huge benefit to your employees, contractors or volunteers.
• They are a benefit offered by ETMG Insurance Management Solutions, a longtime AIBA member.
• The cards are honored at major pharmacies (HEB, Target, Walgreens, CVS) and locally owned pharmacies alike (Peoples RX, Nau’s Pharmacy and more).• You can have as many cards as you like— just ask!
4. Discounts from Other Members
AIBA members like to do business with other AIBA members. Receive $2,000 in coupons from other members when you join or renew. This is in addition to special member to member offers throughout the year.
• Receive $2,000 worth of coupons for your business immediately when you join. You probably won’t use all the coupons but even one or two will save you the cost of joining. These include things every business uses such as toner, office supplies, insurance, and more.
• AIBA members offer special promotions to other members throughout the year on a wide variety of goods and services for you and your business. Read more.
5. Monthly Networking Events
AIBA hosts breakfasts, luncheons and mixers throughout the year with engaging speakers and great mixing with other members to maximize your business resources.
• AIBA is one of the top ten business networking groups in Austin, according to the Austin Business Journal.
• AIBA events are designed to give you a place to meet your peers, talk freely about your concerns and have fun. Yes, it’s terrific networking. But if you’re networking-phobic, it’s a friendly group of business owners just like you. And they’re waiting to meet you!
• AIBA is committed to our members. All of our events are held at members’ locations. This introduces you to other members!• Breakfasts are free and held every other month. Hosted by AIBA board member David Lauterstein (Lauterstein Conway Massage School), the guest speakers discuss topics geared to you as a business owner and putting back in some of the things running a business takes out of you every day such as stress, a balanced life, keeping you passion for business ignited and more. It’s all about you! Complimentary breakfast tacos are provided by Tacodeli and coffee provided by Texas Coffee Traders, both AIBA members.
• Luncheons are held throughout the year at various locations. Luncheon speakers address issues of interest to your business. We cover the nuts and bolts of running a business with topics such as marketing, healthcare, legal issues and more. Luncheons generally cost $20 for members and $30 for nonmenbers to cover the cost of lunch.
• Mixers are just for fun. AIBA mixers are a great place to unwind a bit and cavort with fellow indies. There’s no agenda or presentation but a delightful time on a river cruse with Capital Cruises or grabbing a brew at a locally owned pub.
6. Educating and Engaging the Public in Local Business
AIBA works to bring more customers in your door by spreading the word about the cultural and economic benefits of locally owned businesses. Support the only nonprofit organization in Austin that promotes the importance of buying from locally owned businesses.
• AIBA conducts studies to show the impact of shopping at locally owned businesses. If fact, AIBA commissioned the landmark study in 2002 showing that three times the money stays in our local community when shopping at a locally owned business rather than a chain store. This is quoted nationally as a standard.
• We work to empower the customer with the knowledge that their choices do make a difference in the health of our local business community and Austin’s local economy as well.
• We market this information through print, online, email, social media, newsletters, broadcast and with billboards.
• We send you materials throughout the year to let customers know about buying locally including posters, table tents and stickers.
• These efforts have raised the awareness of the public to the importance of local business.
