What does a chamber of commerce do?

As president and CEO of the Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce, I’m often asked, “What does a chamber of commerce do?”

Not every chamber is the same, nor are their mission statements. You might know chambers from their activities – ribbon cuttings, the annual golf outing or business directory – or that they hold lots of meetings and some fun events. But what does a chamber really do beyond those basics, and why is your annual investment so important?

The Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce offers its members PEACE of mind.

P is for PROBLEM SOLVING. The chamber is a resource for solving challenges and needs of our members and a hub for discussion on key issues affecting the business community.

E is for ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. The chamber is an engine for economic development through work in business retention and expansion, helping solve workforce issues and members grow.

A is for ADVOCACY. Simply put, the chamber fights for the interests of our members at the local, state and even federal levels and provides forums for you to voice your concerns and ideas to leaders at all levels of government. Sign up, join in, and engage when we host these events. Adding your voice makes every business in the community stronger.

C is for CONNECTION. Whether it’s networking events, business referrals, cost savings programs and advertising, tools on our websites to connect our members with the public, business expos, or connecting members to new customers through our social media platforms, the chamber can connect companies to those they need to do business with every day.

E is for EDUCATION. Whether it’s candidate forums, business education series, information-packed bi-monthly newsletters or other events, the chamber provides the information you need to succeed. Our goal is to provide educational opportunities that keep our businesses informed and prepared to address the challenges of the day.

PEACE of mind doesn’t come easy; it takes a full team committed to core values of serving you. Together, our staff and board help create PEACE of mind to the members of the business community.

If you want PEACE of mind for your business, get involved in the Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce.