I recently joined the ambassador program for my local chamber of commerce. The chamber has had a slow 2020, like many businesses. Not many networking events and seminars, and the ones that were held via zoom had a low turn out. Many businesses didn’t renew membership. When we try to recruit new businesses, the young business owners (age 40>) aren’t interested because ‘they can do what the chamber does themselves.’

Our strength is that the directors and president are well connected in our city. whatever you need done such as getting permits, advice on commercial property, applying for grants, hiring workforce, connecting with a mentor, the chamber can help. However, business owners are being entrepreneurial and feel like they can do all these themselves.

That being said, what good can come from a chamber of commerce in 2021?