What Can Your Chamber of Commerce Do For You?

By Theresa, on September 10th, 2009

I thought about joining my local Chamber of Commerce for quite some time before I actually did it. After all, it’s $230 and finances are a little snug for struggling small businesses these days. Fortunately for me, I had a Chamber Ambassador in the adjacent building at work (yes, I also work a part time job to make ends meet), and he pretty much talked me into it. Guess he’s good at this ambassador stuff!

After I joined, I received a phone call the very next day from a potential client that was referred to me by the Chamber! No one was more surprised than I was. While that potential client has yet to actually become a client, it made me feel very optimistic about my decision to join.

Local Chambers offer businesses of all sizes a wide array of networking opportunities along with many other benefits. Most will have a monthly mixer that you can attend. These are the greatest networking events, in that you can unabashedly promote yourself and hand out business cards to everyone you come in contact with. In fact, if you don’t have a stack of cards in your hand ready to hand out, you will be the odd man out in this venue.

These mixers are a great way to connect with other business owners in a very casual, friendly environment. Everyone is there for the same reason, so the pressure is off.

New residents and businesses in the area will often contact their local Chamber of Commerce for referrals on everything from dentists to insurance companies and accountants to web designers. If you’re not among the list of businesses that the Chamber employees have to choose from when giving out these referrals, you’re missing out on a great source for possible increased business.

Supporting the Chamber also shows that you care about your community and your local economy. Most local Chambers plan events year round that not only benefit their members, but the community as well. For example, my local Chamber is putting on a promotion from now through the Holidays, to encourage people to shop locally instead of shopping out of town. Business owners can register their business with the Chamber (whether they are a member or not) and they will receive a drop box in which their customers can enter to win a prize at that very business. The prize is paid for by the Chamber, and the customers that win can shop for free!

This month they are organizing a Business Showcase Trade Show, in which local businesses can set up a booth with display materials to promote their business. This is well attended in town and it provides businesses with an opportunity to promote themselves to hundreds of potential customers. This event will also host a “Taste of Porterville” Restaurant Sampling. Local restaurants bring a sampling of their menu for all try…..essentially a free dinner…..and this brings in attendees that otherwise might not have taken the time.

Here are just a few more benefits your local Chamber of Commerce will more than likely provide -

Business listing on their website
Business listing in the printed directory which is delivered in every newsletter
Inexpensive advertising in their monthly newsletter
Ribbon cuttings for new members at your place of business with a photo and write up in one of their monthly publications (ours is the Business News)
A wide network of people that you can contact for information and answers on a wide variety of topics.
Free and/or low-cost business seminars and education

While benefits and programs will most certainly vary from city to city, it is definitely worth your time to pay your local Chamber of Commerce a visit and see how they can help you with your business needs!