It’s actually quite simple– a chamber of commerce is a group that’s dedicated to protecting and promoting the local business community. Our primary goal? To help business owners network and grow, and to advocate on behalf of the business community at a regional and state level.
Being a member of the Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce can be an invaluable asset to your business growth. The networking and visibility opportunities membership offers, combined with an increased voice in local, provincial, and federal issues make joining the Chamber good business sense.
At the Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce, we believe that every business is integral to the success of the North Coast as a whole. As such, our membership levels are structured to accommodate large and small businesses, emerging enterprises, and nonprofit organizations. We are confident that however you decide to engage with us, you will enjoy and benefit from membership in the Chamber.
RESEARCH SHOWS MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS BENEFITS:
A national survey of 2,000 adults, conducted by The Schapiro Group, an Atlanta-based strategic consulting firm, 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.
The study found consumer perceptions of chamber members to be positive in many ways:
When consumers know that a small business is a member of the chamber of commerce, they are 49% more likely to think favorably of it and 80% more likely to purchase goods or services from the company in the future.
MEMBERSHIP HAS MAJOR IMPACTS ON SMALL BUSINESSES:
Small businesses represent the vast majority of locally operating businesses, and the Schapiro study indicates that chamber membership has consistent and powerful benefits for small business members.
For example, 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, and an 80% increase in the likelihood that consumers will patronize the business in the future.
Most people know fairly well what their local chambers do; the study assessed the effect of this knowledge on the perceptions of chamber members. The researchers said:
“Any belief about the chamber of commerce—whether that belief was true or not—could have a significant positive impact on how someone views a member… he or she is more likely to think that the member company’s products stack up well and have a favorable opinion toward the company.”
