Chambers of Commerce
Why Does Your Entrepreneurial Venture Need a Chamber Membership?
A basic run-down of the Chamber of Commerce system, why it is important for entrepreneurs, and where to get more information.
Many long-term business owners and entrepreneurs have a Chamber membership, but when it comes down to it, they cannot explain just why they have one, or what being a member of the Chamber of Commerce really entails.
If asked, most people remember the last time they witnessed the Chamber of Commerce at a ribbon cutting event for a new business opening, and many new self employed entrepreneurs use their highly informative statistical information for basic business planning. But these aren't features that one needs to be a member to receive. So why do so many long-standing business owners belong to these groups?
For starters, it's because of their mandate. Officially,
"A Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary organization established to promote civic, commercial, industrial and agricultural progress of the community and district for which it serves and to work for sound legislation and efficient administration of the community and all of the government levels."
If this sounds a bit like lobbyism, that's because it is. Chambers are basically a meeting place for all established businesses in a given area to lobby the government for better, more or specific business legislation. Therefore, by joining, entrepreneurs can fight larger causes that affect them financially as a group, rather than one-on-one.
Additionally, Chambers are usually coupled with Visitor Centers (more so in smaller areas), so newcomers to the region will have in-your-face access to your, and every other Chamber-represented business quickly and easily. As long as you have a flyer, map, brochure or magalog, your local Chamber of Commerce will essentially 'sell' your business to anyone who walks in the door, just by virtue of having your information available. Plus if your business has a website, they will link to your services on their highly-advertised website.
To determine whether or not a Chamber membership (or any business organization) will benefit you and your company, read our Associations and Memberships section for more information.
Links:
International Chamber of Commerce
