Chamber of Commerce?

What's your experience -- are chambers of commerce really about "commerce"?

Locally, many business, especially small business owners, become members of our city's chamber to be seen as viable businesses; to be on the "list"; and to be seen as "contributing to the community". Is that really about commerce? I'm the first to step forward to be a good corporate citizen yet to me "commerce" needs to be about connecting and trading and getting business done.

Your thoughts?

5 Bizniks have posted replies

Posted by Garrick Wall, Redmond, Washington | Aug 29, 2007

I am a member of the redmond chamber. It has its moments, providing a good business environment that allows everyone to share what they do. For example, every other friday we meet in the morning, have coffee and network before the meeting. In the meeting, we each have a minute or so to give our elevator speech. Then, after that one person or business gives a 30 minute presentation about them. Another aspect to chamber meetings is the after hours events. We meet at a local restaraunt or business (usually a members venue) in the evening and network in a more relaxed setting. I personaly have made deals with fellow chamber members to the point that it paid for itself.
Posted by Maria Duron, Midland, Texas | Aug 29, 2007

Thanks, Garrick! Your chamber sounds like it's really doing something. We are supposed to have monthly networking meetings (weekly would be wonderful - at least to have the opportunity to connect) yet some months they "forget" to email the members the info (time, location, topic). My pet peeve is "how do you forget" what is a core of your business.

I love the commitment and focus of your chamber. I'm curious to know if there are more chambers like yours or more like the one I belong to?
Posted by Dwyane Faux, Seattle, Washington | Aug 29, 2007

I am a member of the Federal Way Chamber. It is a very active Chamber with a wide variety of events. Just like any business group there are those that will be involved and others that will just want to be a member. A good chamber will have a lot more from the first group.
Posted by Calvin Lee, Los Angeles, California | Aug 29, 2007

It really depends on the chapter you join. Some people get a lot business from the chamber members, while other chapters are useless and waste of money.
Posted by Chris Tomlinson, Churubusco, Indiana | Aug 31, 2007

I'm a very active member as a board of director in our Chamber, but we're also in a VERY small town, so "networking" is limited. Be that as it may, the word of mouth from one business person to another outside of the chamber you belong is also invaluable.

[hijack] Hi Cal. LOL