Are You a Member of Your Local Chamber of Commerce?
No matter if you are an entrepreneur, small business owner or an executive of a large corporation, you should be a member of your local chamber of commerce. Chambers of commerce are advocates for business in a community, they partner with local and state government to promote economic growth and job creation and they create opportunities for businesses to network, learn and benefit from being a member of a larger group of individuals with common interests and needs.
All businesses need to be cognizant of what is going on in their community that may effect the way they do business and the cost of doing business. Their chamber is their eyes and ears to events that may impact them. Most chambers do not take political stands on issues, but serve to educate their members on issues that impact business so that their members will make informed decisions on those issues.
Chambers work with local economic development officials to encourage prosperity within their community. Local governments look to chambers to act as advocates of their community when companies are looking for places to locate or in the event of new community sponsored development or infrastructure projects. Membership in your chamber adds clout to a chamber’s support of growth and job creation.
Start-ups and early stage businesses in your community benefit from chamber events givings them opportunities to meet people that can assist and guide them through the difficult early years. Networking events can also provide them with the opportunity to make their business and its products and services known to a larger audience bringing important referrals to them.
If you are not a member of your local chamber, give it some thought. In addition to all of the benefits it brings to you and your business, it is a wonderful way to participate in public policy and invest your own time giving back to the community in which you live and/or work.
Richard Gabel
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