Chamber Gears Up to Gain Members

This week marks Join Your Local Chamber week at the Burlingame Chamber of Commerce and throughout San Mateo County. Organizers of the five-day event anticipate its high point coming Wednesday night at the San Mateo County Business Expo.

The goal of the week, lasting Sept. 20 through Sept. 24, is to make people aware of what chambers of commerce do and the benefits business people enjoy by joining their local chambers.

"This whole thing…is to create a higher visibility," said Georgette Naylor, Burlingame Chamber of Commerce president. "[And] to make everybody aware of what chambers contribute."

The idea for the event came about in a monthly meeting attended by chamber executives from each San Mateo County city. Naylor said she was brainstorming ways to increase chamber exposure and suggested Join Your Local Chamber week.

A proclamation was presented at the Sept. 7 city council meeting announcing the event. Similar proclamations were issued throughout the county. Naylor said chamber members have also been using email blasts to get the word out about the week.

"I think some people think that they're too busy and maybe won't use the membership," Naylor said. "But the fact of the matter is that the information is there, and whether they show up at an event or not, it is immaterial…they will benefit from joining."

The Burlingame chamber boasts a host of membership benefits. Networking opportunities, directory listings, referrals and mixers are enjoyed by members. Naylor said business owners look for different things when joining a chamber, so chamber staff make sure a variety of programs are available.

In a tough economic climate, Naylor said there is added benefit to joining a chamber.

"The benefit is that you get more opportunities in the investment in the chamber than any other single thing you could do," she said.

The chamber currently has 375 members. While there is no set goal of new members for the week, chamber officials would like to see as many new businesses join as possible.

Join Your Local Chamber week coincides with the San Mateo County Business Expo Wednesday, Sept. 22. Chamber officials expect the expo will be a good place to network and further spread the word about the benefits of chamber membership.

"We typically have about 9oo to 100 attendees...mostly small businesses," said Ed Banayat, San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce chief administrative officer. Small business owners are a key group from which chambers can hope to find members.

He said this event is about outreach to the Peninsula, and subsequently, outreach of chambers to their local business owners.