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South Valley Riverton Journal

Chamber Membership Is Effective Business Strategy

Aug 04, 2015 11:31AM ● By Bryan Scott

Chamber Membership

South Valley - Ever wonder why we have chambers of commerce and why a business would join one? The 2012 Shapiro Study sheds some light on this as they have found the following: chamber membership is effective business strategy. A national survey* of 2,000 adults reveals that being active in a local chamber of commerce is an effective business strategy because two-thirds of consumers believe that such companies use good business practices, are reputable, care about their customers, and are involved in the community. 

If a company shows that it is highly involved in its local chamber (e.g., is a chamber board member), consumers are 10% more likely to think that its products stack up better against its competition. Chambers have a major impact on small businesses. Small businesses represent the largest segment of most local chamber membership rolls, and the study indicates that chamber membership has consistent and powerful benefits for small business members. If respondents know that a small business is a member of its local chamber, the business enjoys:

• a 49% increase in its consumer favorability rating

• a 73% increase in consumer awareness

• a 68% increase in its local reputation

• an 80% increase in the likelihood that consumers will patronize the business in the future.

Check out the Southwest Valley Chamber and patronize its members. Support those who support your businesses and community.   λ


* The study was conducted by The Schapiro Group, an Atlanta-based strategic consulting firm. It was commissioned by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), in cooperation with the Western Association of Chamber Executives. The study was sponsored by Insperity, a Houston-based company that provides human resources and other business services to more than 100,000 businesses nationwide.