What is a chamber of commerce?
A chamber of commerce is a voluntary partnership of businesses and professionals working together to build a healthy economy and improve the quality of life in a community. A chamber of commerce is a network designed to promote the interests of its members and help the local economy prosper.
The first chamber of commerce was founded in France in 1599, with the first chamber in the United States starting in New York in 1768. The United States Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1912 and promotes pro-business issues through lobbying efforts at the national level. At the state, city, regional and local levels, chambers focus on issues and advocacy relevant to their individual membership.
What do chambers of commerce do?
Chambers of commerce play an important role in local municipalities in promoting business activity and representing chamber members. At least at the local level, chamber of commerce members often meet to discuss and attempt to shape policy that relates to the business and overall economic environment.
Chamber members are typically made up of a community of local businesses, organizations who share a common interest in supporting the socioeconomic climate of their community. Chambers of commerce exist all over the world and although they do not have a direct role in creating laws or regulations, they can be effective at advocating community issues.
Where do your chamber’s funds come from and how are they allocated?
The Chamber in Norwood receives its funding from two sources member dues (15%) and lodging taxes (85%) from properties in the R2 school district. These taxes are collected by the State and then dispersed through the County. There is a Lodging Tax board which oversees the spending of the tax dollars by the Chamber. Per the original ordinance granting these funds to the Norwood Chamber, the money is to be spent on advertising and marketing only. This is why you see the brunt of our budget being spent on marketing efforts. Greater monies from membership dues would allow us to diversify the operations of the Chamber, volunteer capacity allowing.
What are the benefits of becoming a chamber member?
One particularly common and valuable resource is a chamber’s business directory. A business directory listing is a valuable resource for helping customers find you online. Norwood Chamber business members are showcased in a continuously updated online directory within the chamber’s website. The benefits here are twofold. First, customers and other chamber members are likely to reach out to you for your products or services before contacting non-member businesses in your area. And second, the chamber’s business directory is a wonderful source of leads for growing your clientele as well as your customer base.
Local residents and visitors alike look to the Norwood Chamber of Commerce when searching for businesses in Norwood and Wright’s Mesa. Whether your business has a website, Facebook page or little to no online presence, your business directory listing will appear in search results when customers search for your business online. By becoming a member, the Norwood Chamber can help promote your business by extending your audience and helping you reach more customers while showcasing your business at a local level.
Another perk of becoming a chamber member is gaining additional exposure for your business by being featured in various locations throughout the chamber’s website, as well as in blog posts and across the chamber’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter social media accounts.
Chamber events are also terrific networking opportunities for those looking to connect and share ideas with fellow small business owners. The Norwood Chamber’s regularly scheduled quarterly Business After-Hours gatherings are a great opportunity to network as well as learn how the chamber is working support the community of Norwood and promote your business.
Think a chamber membership is right for you?
Your online business directory listing includes a full length business description and bio, business address, contact information and hours, your logo and photos of your business as well as links to your business website and social media accounts. Click here to learn more about how to become a chamber member today!
Resources:
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/chamber-of-commerce.asp
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/why-you-should-join-the-chamber-of-commerce-2917082