the Cost of Chamber of Commerce Membership

The services included in our chamber of commerce membership were event planning and general group organization. The chamber provided us the opportunity to place our business in front of several other business with the intention of networking to increase business referrals. The $200 was used for direct mailings, group meetings, and to publish a group directory. There are weekly meetings at which you have the chance to stand in front of a group of between 15-45 people and tell them about yourself or your business. Business after hours would occur monthly at varying members facilities and would include appetizers and assorted beverages (alcoholic and otherwise). These after hours meetings are a much better opportunity to get to know some of the members.

The chamber provides you the opportunity to meet and share business with other like-minded businesses. It is not an exclusive group, meaning there will be lots of competition there which may hinder the amount of referrals you may receive. The chamber is generally a good place to make contacts, but does not guarantee any results or increase in business by joining. Other networking groups do a much better job of ensuring you will see a return on your investment.

Before joining your local chamber, or even once you are in the chamber, start asking about other outside referral groups. If you can find one of these groups and save yourself and your business the expense of joining the chamber, I would do so.