Here at the CHQ Chamber our mission is to build vital connections, provide professional resources, and champion our local businesses in Chautauqua County. So, what does that mean for your local business? Plenty!
Study after study over the years has demonstrated the business benefits of joining a local Chamber of Commerce. Chamber membership will help you build business contacts and increase your visibility, increase your credibility, and provide you with some key business resources and professional support. Here in Chautauqua County, all those benefits are baked into everything we do, and proudly proclaimed in our mission statement – which drives our work on behalf of all local businesses.
Building connections with other local businesspeople becomes much easier when you join the CHQ Chamber. We offer regular Business After Hours networking events that provide a simple, comfortable, and accessible way for you to meet others. These events are held right after the traditional workday, making it simple for you to pop in, spend a little time with colleagues, meet some new people, and then get on with your evening. Each Business After Hours is free for two people from any member business or organization to attend. If you’re the owner or CEO and can’t come yourself, send some employees instead. Participation is key to getting your business noticed within the business community, and it will help you build contacts with potential clients and vendors.
For small businesses, credibility is key to success. One recent study found that 63% of customers have a higher opinion of businesses that are members of a Chamber of Commerce. As perceptions of your business improve, so will your brand recognition and customer base. Referrals through our website, www.chqchamber.org, are vital for local businesses. Not only will our online business directory help customers find your business, but it literally puts you on the map through our integrated Google maps.
The CHQ Chamber also offers professional resources including opportunities for cost-competitive health insurance plans for groups or individuals, human resources assistance, and Business Builder Workshops throughout the year that help build skills and knowledge so you can focus on what matters.
This past week was Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day, but what it really pointed out to us is that our work is meaningful for our more than 900 member businesses throughout the region. The connections we help to make – in person and online – make a difference for businesses. If you’re not a member yet, give us a call or send us an email. We will be happy to talk with you about how we can help support your business.
Business After Hours at Downtown Brew is October 24
Join us for Business After Hours at Downtown Brew, 13 Water Street, Fredonia, on Thursday, October 24 from 5-6:30pm. Business After Hours is a great way to get to know a wide variety of local businesspeople from all over Chautauqua County. Enjoy complimentary appetizers and a cash bar, while getting to know Who’s Who in the Room. It’s an engaging experience for all! We always encourage attendees to bring business cards for networking.
Each Chamber member business may send two people for free to each Business After Hours. The cost is just $10 per person for non-members or for anyone over the two-person limit. We appreciate advanced registration for planning purposes. Register now through our web calendar at www.chqchamber.org.
After the October event we’ll have one final Business After Hours for the calendar year with the always popular event at Southern Tier Brewing Company. This event will be held Wednesday, November 13. Please book early as the Southern Tier Brewing location tends to fill quickly.
The CHQ Chamber looks forward to seeing many local businesspeople at our Business After Hours events. Please bring business cards for networking.
Stay Tuned for a New Business Resource
The CHQ Chamber will have some great news to share soon! We are poised to deliver some exciting new technology that will help us be even better at championing our local businesses. We had hoped to roll out these plans during a Business Builder Workshop this month but have had to postpone that event due to some timing constraints. It will be rescheduled soon as a webinar so we can unveil this great resource. Watch our CHQ Chamber Connections weekly email newsletter for more. If you’re not signed up, it’s easy to do so through our website at www.chqchamber.org/stay-up-to-date.
Business After Hours at Southern Tier Brewing is November 13
Enjoy some great CHQ Chamber networking during one of our most popular Business After Hours events! We will hold Business After Hours at Southern Tier Brewing Company, 2072 Stoneman Drive, Lakewood, on Wednesday, November 13.
At this Business After Hours event you’ll enjoy complimentary appetizers, a cash bar, and a chance to mingle with a wide variety of local businesspeople in a tremendous setting.
Chamber member businesses may send two people for free to each Business After Hours. After that the cost is just $10 per person, or it’s $10 if you’re a non-member. We always enjoy visiting with our friends at Southern Tier Brewing Company! This event fills up quickly, so registration is strongly encouraged. Visit our web calendar at www.chqchamber.org.
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