The Value of
Joining the Chamber
THE VALUE OF JOINING THE CHAMBER: The Schapiro Group has provided data-driven strategic consulting services since 1984 to provide clients with the critical data they need to be competitive. Market Street is an independent firm that focuses solely on community and economic development issues, bringing original insights and clarity to the evaluation and revitalization of the places where people live, work, and grow.
The study, commissioned by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) with support from Small Business Network, Inc., is designed to determine the real value to companies in terms of consumer outcomes of joining and being active in their local Chamber of Commerce.
Do Consumers Really Support Businesses because they are Chamber Members?
THE RESULTS:
- Being active in the local Chamber of Commerce is 29% more effective in communicating to consumers that a company uses good business practices, and 26% more effective for communicating that a business is reputable. If a company shows that it is highly involved in its local Chamber, consumers are 12% more likely to think that its products stack up better against its competition.
- When a company is highly involved in its local Chamber of Commerce, the consumers think that the company’s products stack up better against the competition because they infer that the company is trustworthy, involved in the community, and is an industry leader.
- When consumers know that a restaurant franchise is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, they are 40% more likely to eat at the franchise.
- When consumers know that an insurance company is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, they are 43% more likely to consider buying insurance from it.
- When consumers know that a small business is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, they are 44% more likely to think favorably of it and 63% more likely to purchase goods or services from the company in the future.
Chamber membership is an effective way to convey to consumers that a company uses good business practices, is involved in the community, cares about customers and is reputable!
A national study recently revealed important findings how consumers and business owners perceive the local Chamber of Commerce and the businesses that are their members.
When business decision makers believe a business is a local Chamber member, they are:
- 59% more likely to buy goods and services from them
- 58% more likely to think positively of their local reputation
- 51% more likely to be highly aware of the business
- 37% more likely to think favorably of the business
When consumers believe a business is a local Chamber member, they are:
- 63% more likely to buy services from them in the future
- 57% more likely to think positively of their local reputation
- 51% more likely to be highly aware of their business
- 44% more likely to think favorably of the business
Over all, 82% of respondents believe that the local Chamber of Commerce helps create jobs and promotes local economic development.
The best places to work tend to belong to their local Chamber of Commerce, according to a recent study by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. Of Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” in the United States and Canada this year, 94 are members of their local Chamber, including all of the top 24.
Local Chambers of Commerce are associations of businesses that come together to improve the economic climate and help members network and find new business. Strong employers link with and learn from like-minded peer companies through business-led civic organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce.
CONSUMERS EXPECTATIONS: Consumers seem to expect Chamber members to be better-than-average companies.
THE STUDY RESULTS ARE CLEAR…Positive perception increases among consumers and business owners when a business is identified as a member of the local Chamber of Commerce.
Give us a call at (785) 632-5674 so we can help you become a part of a winning team!
