Why Join the Chamber?
- The BASTROP CHAMBER OF COMMERCE is focused on creating a strong local economy.
- The BASTROP CHAMBER OF COMMERCE continuously promotes the community and your business.
- The BASTROP CHAMBER OF COMMERCE is the clear voice of business communicating to all levels of government to hold the line on taxes and government regulations/interference.
- The BASTROP CHAMBER OF COMMERCE provides an extraordinary array of effective business networking opportunities to help you get connected.
- The BASTROP CHAMBER OF COMMERCE aggressively advocates for business through effective political action, ensuring that government offices are business sensitive.
- The BASTROP CHAMBER OF COMMERCE keeps you informed on important issues impacting your business, keeping you in front of the curve.
- The BASTROP CHAMBER OF COMMERCE provides meaningful business education and timely skill building workshops to improve your business effectiveness.
- The BASTROP CHAMBER OF COMMERCE has assembled a unique array of member discounts and benefits to save you time and money.
- The BASTROP CHAMBER OF COMMERCE is uniquely positioned to represent your business to relocating residents, new business and visitors to our community.
- The BASTROP CHAMBER OF COMMERCE is an exciting organization of energetic, vibrant members joining together to help make Bastrop an even Better place to live, work and thrive.
In a study commissioned by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives with support from Small Business Network Inc., Market Street (A part of The Shapiro Group Inc.) was able 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?
- Most consumers (59%) think that being active in the local chamber of commerce is an effective business strategy overall. It is 29% more effective, however, for 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 (e.g., sits on the board), consumers are 12% more likely to think that its products stack up better than its competition.
- When a consumer thinks that a company's products stack up better against the competition because the company is highly involved in its local chamber of commerce, it is because he or she infers 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 in the next few months.
- 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.
What a Local Chamber of Commerce Membership Shows Consumers:
- 59% of consumers say that you're showing people about your company
- 63% of consumers say that you're showing you are involved in the community
- 64% of consumers say that you're showing that you care about consumers
- 69% of consumers say that you're showing that you have a good reputation
- 70% of consumers say that you're showing that you use good business practices
Impact on Small Businesses
Small businesses represent the largest segment by number of most chamber membership rolls, so it is important to quantify the impact that a chamber membership has on them. The following are the study results of respondents from small businesses when asked the impact of being a chamber member:
- 70% of consumers say that you're showing that you use good business practices
- Overall 44% said it increases Consumer Favorability
- Overall 51% said it increases Consumer Awareness
- Overall 57% say it increases the Local Reputation
- Overall 63% say it increases the Likelihood of Future Patronage