Joining Your Local Chamber of Commerce as an Independent Consultant

[thechefofnorthbend]

I cannot seem to find any information or policy on this. Are we, as Independent Consultants, allowed to join out local Chamber of Commerce? After all we are small business owners? If any one knows the ins and outs on this, please let me know. Thanks a million you all!!!

 

[DebbieJ]

Of course we are!

I am a member of mine.

 

[thechefofnorthbend]

Very cool. I know our fee is kind of expensive, but if it helps getting my info out there, I think it will be worth it!

 

[Momma23boys]

I looked into it in my area too... but it was too much money to put out considering the tables at expos I did and not getting a ton of parties out of the leads...
DebbieJ, have you had much luck with the members?

 

[Sk8Mom209]

The money I spend on membership in my local chamber is saved more than double in registration discounts at the two local events I participate in. Which does not include the bookings and leads I obtain at each event.

I believe chamber membership is an excellent business opportunity.

 

[klsnyder]

Do you typically get a lot of bookings from being part of this?

 

[DebbieJ]

Yes, it is expensive. But as Shari pointed out, you get reduced rates for their events and expos. One of my recruits came from the Chamber Expo last year.

I think overall you get out of it what you put into it. You *really* have to do the networking and attend the chamber events! I just went to our monthly luncheon for the first time on Monday. I had 15 holiday mini catalogs ready to hand out and only gave out about 5. Totally my fault.

But then I got home and typed up an email promoting gifts for employees and customers and sent it to the chamber office and she forwarded it to the entire membership! YAY!!!

And all chambers are different and have different events--you just have to decide if it will work for you.