Good afternoon!
As a Chamber of Commerce follower, how well do you know us? What does the Chamber do that you may be surprised by, or not have taken advantage of in the past? For many, the answer to this first question is unclear. Today I want to take a moment to share a few of our main goals and why it is critical to the development of our community.
What exactly does a Chamber of Commerce do?
1. Networking
A Chamber of Commerce is many things, but most notably it is a network for local business. Our goal is to support our Member network as much as possible by making connections – whether between businesses, between a business and a new customer, or between a business and the community as a whole. We are not an advertising or marketing agency, but we do support your individual marketing efforts through our services and business network. We are not an event planner, but we do organize events specifically to give businesses the opportunity to support and give back to the community.
2. Credibility
Belonging to a Chamber of Commerce is one of the oldest, most traditional ways to lend credibility to your business. It shows the community that you are here not just to make sales, but to give back and help other businesses navigate business management alongside you. In an age of pop-up entrepreneurship, belonging to a Chamber definitively shows a business’s stability and permanence. Membership with the Chamber of Commerce allows your business to be listed in its Member Directory, the go-to location for finding credible business of all types in the area.
3. Education
In addition to networking and credibility, Chambers seek to educate. Successfully starting a business is only the beginning – from that point on it is the business owner’s and employees’ responsibility to continue learning and growing to adapt your operations and strategy to an ever-changing world. The Chamber is here to provide education opportunities for those who never stop learning, from those that have something to teach.
4. Involvement
Chambers are unique in that they act as a liaison between the businesses and the residents of the community. One of the primary ways this is facilitated is through involvement opportunities – Member businesses can volunteer to be part of a Chamber committee, sponsor events, and serve on the Chamber’s Board of Directors.
5. Protection
Finally, a Chamber of Commerce is a way through which businesses can protect their interests by banding together. Think of the last obstacle your business faced – wouldn’t it be helpful to find a group of other business owners that have already successfully navigated that obstacle, or that are willing to team up to defeat it? Whether it is a logistic issue, a legislative one, or some other threat to a business’s interests, a Chamber can help bring people together to grow stronger and benefit the business community as a whole.
Your Chamber Membership is more than simply a listing on our website – it’s a commitment to Sturgis! We thank each and every one of our business and affiliate Members for this reason.
Sincerely,
Veronica Grosek
Executive Director
Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau