Our Promise to Businesses

The Columbia Chamber of Commerce is the voice of the business community. When you join, we not only make an effort to learn about what you do well, but we also learn about what you need help with. Chamber staff has expertise in many different areas and can advise or get you in contact with the people to help solve your problems. We may not be the one to solve your issues, but we know who can and get you in contact with them. Chamber staff will always be here to listen to what you need or want and we can shape the business community for you.

New Business Contacts

The Chamber can put you in touch with hundreds of people who may become new clients or customers. Some ways to make contacts and network include:

• Quarterly Membership Breakfasts feature a local business and provide information about what’s happening at the Chamber.
• Chamber Committees offer members opportunities to work on projects with other business people who have similar interests.
• New Member Welcome Orientations give new members the opportunity to talk about their businesses, meet Chamber leaders and other new members.
• Special Events and Mixers are held throughout the year to bring members together for both business and pleasure.
• The Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet is held in June to honor leaders and recognize accomplishments.

Publicity and exposure

The Chamber promotes your organization to the public and business community in several ways:

• The Chamber’s web site, which receives over 7,000 visitors per month, contains valuable information about Columbia and the business community. All Chamber members are listed in our easy to use Online Membership Directory complete with a free hotlink to your business web site.
• The Chamber’s monthly e-newsletter highlights member information and keeps you up to date on Chamber activities and committees. Each member is welcome to share company news and promotions at no charge in the Member News section.
• The Chamber Membership Directory lists your business by name, by business classification and by your designated representative. This publication is not only distributed to every Chamber member, but is also sent with our relocation packets to any potential resident who inquires about Columbia over the phone or in person. The Chamber distributes several hundred of these packets each year.

• Showcase CoMo gives local businesses an opportunity to show off their outstanding products and services they have to offer. This event not only allows businesses to interact with each other, but directly with the consumers because Showcase CoMo is open to the public.
• Event Sponsorships such as the Quarterly Membership Breakfast and other special events give members an opportunity to highlight their businesses and products to other members.
• Ribbon Cutting & Ground Breaking Ceremonies are conducted by the Chamber Ambassadors for new or expanding member businesses. There is never a charge to host a Ribbon Cutting.

Professional Development

The Chamber is dedicated to improving your ability to achieve success in your business or professional life. Programs include:

• Leadership Columbia motivates emerging leaders and develops their potential for community leadership by acquainting them with the realities, opportunities and challenges of Columbia.
• Women’s Network is a division of the Chamber which works to connect, empower and engage members through leadership development, educational opportunities and innovative outreach.
• EPIC – Emerging Professionals In Columbia is the Chamber’s Young Professionals group targeted toward business people ages 22-40 offering networking events and programming.

Referrals

The Chamber receives thousands of requests each year for goods & services to be purchased in our area. We send out about 250,000 referrals each year for Chamber members to visitors, newcomers, businesses and area residents by using our Community Guide & Chamber Membership Directory. By displaying Chamber member plaques and window/door decals, our members enhance their credibility and recognition.

Influence

The Chamber is the voice of the business community. We are a unified voice to represent your business interest at the local, state, and national levels of government. The Government Affairs committee researches candidates and issues and provides recommendations for positions that will benefit the business community to the Board of Directors. Beyond the legislative realm, we get businesses together to create, grow and strengthen the business community with access to become stronger leaders with more quality products. This leads to more competition on a regional, state and national level that ultimately improves the quality of where we live, learn, work and play.