Let’s be honest. When someone mentions the “Chamber of Commerce,” most people picture a room full of middle-aged men holding lukewarm tea, politely clapping for someone giving a PowerPoint on ‘synergy’. And yes, there is probably a bacon butty involved. But are Chambers just glorified breakfast clubs and awards nights with a few free pens thrown in?
It’s been a while since I was a member of a Chamber of Commerce; but I understand that they’re doing a bit more behind the scenes than I recall, although chambers do vary from region to region, so it’s worth asking around from company owners you know are there to do business.
Joining the right local Chamber is like getting the VIP wristband to the local business scene. Whether you’re a one-man band selling artisan chutney or a growing tech firm trying to look cool in a co-working space, the Chamber throws you into the mix with other businesses who are also just trying to figure it all out alongside a few stalworts who have made it.
There are over 50,000 businesses across the UK linked into their local Chambers, employing around 6 million people. That’s a lot of people who might need your product, service, or at the very least, know someone who does. And no, you don’t need to wear a suit and tie, unless you want to; smart casual does it.
Yes, they run workshops. And no, they’re not all soul-destroying PowerPoint lectures. Many Chambers offer genuinely helpful training on stuff like marketing, exporting, HR, and how not to be terrified of spreadsheets. For example, the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber (runs a Leadership Development Series, aka “how to be the boss without crying into your rainbow salad over lunch.”
One of the biggest unsung perks of being in a Chamber is having someone to moan to, who’ll actually do something about it.
They don’t just host cheese-and-wine evenings – they take your business beef straight to the powers that be. Whether it’s dodgy local infrastructure, mental business rates, or national red tape, the Chambers make noise in Westminster so you don’t have to. They’ve actually helped shape national policy in areas like energy costs and Brexit support. So yes, they do more than chase caterers for the Christmas party.
Look at the example of One+All, a Greater Manchester Chamber member, who scooped the “Winner of Winners” award (yes, that’s a real title) and used the Chamber network to build partnerships, raise their profile, and basically showcase what they do in a good, profitable way.
Plenty of other SMEs have tapped into Chamber connections to grow faster, get funding, or even find international clients. One Birmingham-based exporter even landed a deal in Japan through a Chamber trade mission, which is a bit more impressive than a “Best New Business” certificate stuck in reception gathering dust…
Sure, there’s still the early morning speaker sessions (with butties), the handshakes, the raffle tickets, and the annual awards where everyone pretends not to care who wins. But find the right Chamber and you’ll get real support, influence, and opportunity.
So if you’re a business owner wondering whether joining your local Chamber is worth it, why not contact them and ask to attend a couple of sessions and make your own mind up.
Photo by Austin Distel
