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Sometimes known as a board of trade, a chamber of commerce is a business network. The purpose of the Chamber of Commerce is to advocate on behalf of the local business community and to connect members through organized networking opportunities.
Why Network?
Networking is a form of marketing that's especially critical for business-to-business. Getting to know other businesses directly can be more cost-effective than advertising or public relations. When you’re building your business – whether you’re business-to-consumer or business-to-business – connecting with other people to talk about your business, refine your sales pitch, and get the word out is a great opportunity to develop and grow.
How Can Membership Work for You?
- Be active: Attend events and seminars to get known and gain referrals. Use your chance to work the room. (Your business isn’t going to grow itself. At least not in the early stages.)
- Have fun: Many events involve sports activities or social gatherings. Once you break the ice, you’ll make contact with countless others who want to do business. And remember that a lot of the people you’re meeting are eager to learn about your business and grateful when you break the ice.
- Learn: Seminars, lectures, and workshops are opportunities to increase knowledge and improve your business savvy.
Raise Your Profile:
Some chambers of commerce in Canada report helping their members make more than 10,000 referrals each year. Talk to your chamber to learn about profiling opportunities. Will they help you get profiled on their website? Will they distribute discounts or offers to their members on your behalf? Work with your chamber to see how best you can leverage what they’ve got to offer their members.
Membership privileges are available in chambers in Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver and Winnipeg – cities where you might like to promote your services and potentially expand.
Other Benefits:
- As a member, you can make your voice heard. The elected board of your chamber works with municipal government to represent, protect, and promote local business interests.
- Take advantage of discounted credit card rates, phone plans, insurance packages and member-to-member deals.
Membership Cost and Application:
Depending on the size of your firm and level of membership, costs range from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand per year. Applications and rates are usually available online.
What About Provincial or Federal Membership?
Provincial and federal chambers of commerce connect businesses to government and influence business and economic policy. Though most members are corporate, any sized business can join. Visit the federal site here to learn more
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