Connections

• Members you meet through the Chamber can be your clients and open doors to other companies to help grow your business.
• Serving on a committee provides numerous networking opportunities as well as professional leadership development. You will build your business while promoting developments of keen interest to local businesses and the community at large.

Business advocates

• Your ability to influence public policy on common business problems becomes greater as more voices are added to advocate on behalf of businesses like yours.
• We take on the tough issues and oppose new regulations, taxes, fees, assessments and costs directed at small businesses.
• We protect the principles of free enterprise and aids businesses in being treated fairly.

Credibility

• Membership in a Chamber of Commerce is considered a must by the public and other businesses for your business to be taken seriously and be considered a viable player in your industry.
• Being a chamber of commerce member makes your business more desirable to customers. When a small business is a chamber of commerce member, consumers are 80% more likely to purchase goods or services from the business in the future (The Schapiro Group, 2012).
• Consumers and business owners and operators want to do business with someone who is vested in their community.

Discounts

• Chamber members offer discounts to one another. Group savings add up—sometimes to thousands or more—and chamber members and vendor partners are always adding and improving benefits.

Resources

• The problems you face in business are likely shared by your fellow men and women in the business community. What better way to talk through difficulties or problems in your business than discussing with those who are walking on the same path as you.

Intelligence

• You don’t have time to stay on top of all the local, regional, and state issues which could impact your business, but that’s at the heart of what we do. We keep you informed so that you can concentrate on growing your business.
• Whether you are looking to keep an eye on the competition or find other businesses to market to, joining a Chamber will help.

Training

• The Chamber hosts countless programs to help you increase your skills in all aspects of your business.

Increase your visibility in the community 

• We promote your business, especially when you first become a member. With many marketing venues -website, social media, community events, and print advertising, we likely have a larger following than your business, so any exposure the chamber gives to your business can be beneficial.
• What better way to introduce your business to potential clients than through chamber-sponsored events that attract other businesses and the public.
• Take advantage of free positive brand recognition and exposure on the chamber’s website and larger social networks, and the many cost-effective advertising and sponsorship opportunities offered by chamber newsletters, digital marketing campaigns, and events to reach more of your market for less.
• A membership with us is a little like placing several small advertisements for your business all over town. We send out emails, newsletters, and press releases welcoming their newest members. These are distributed around the community, putting your business in front of people who may be looking for a business like yours

Take deductions

• You might be able to deduct membership fees as allowable business expenses. This helps counteract the cost of the membership. To learn more, see “Club dues and membership fees” under “Miscellaneous Expenses” in IRS Publication 535.

Chamber events and programs

• Chamber events and programs provide members with great opportunities to get to know new people and expand their prospect base.
• Chamber events are innovative and fun ways to help members meet potential customers, clients and vendors— and generate new business leads.

Receive chamber newsletters

• Newsletters provide new member information, interesting information about operating a local business, articles about the local community, a community calendar and details about up-and-coming chamber events, among other things.

Standing

• When you sit on business committees and eventually advance into leadership positions, you are seen by the public and other business owners and operators as an expert in your field.

Giving back

• When you give back to your community, you’re helping others, and that helps the business community become stronger.
• When the business community is vibrant and strong, the local economy is stronger, and that is good for all businesses that depend on consumers’ ability to spend in the local marketplace.

Your takeaway

• Chambers provide you with opportunities to get involved in your community and to better your business. And, there are ways to make the membership cost more manageable for your small business budget. In addition to the direct savings and growth benefits, membership also supports community and non-profit projects that keep the local market strong and growing (and able to buy!), and supports efforts that provide a top-of-the-line workforce.

If you’ve been considering joining your local Chamber of Commerce in order to advertise your business, you should know that it is still a great, relevant way to introduce your business to your community.

It takes time to make your presence known in your community. This is true whether you join a Chamber of Commerce or not. But, if you join one AND you actively participate, network, and make an effort to get your business seen, you will see faster results than someone who doesn’t do these things.