

As a chamber pro, you know small businesses are the backbone of our communities.
They provide jobs, support local initiatives, and create a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere. Sadly, recent years have brought unprecedented challenges to small businesses, from the pandemic to supply chain issues and rising costs. Now more than ever, it's crucial to rally together and support our neighbors.
That's where Small Business Season comes in, and here's why your chamber should get involved.
Small Business Season is a global movement to raise awareness about the importance of supporting local businesses. Small business enterprises often lack substantial reserves. According to the Small Business Administration (SBA) a significant portion of these businesses wouldn't last more than a month on their existing cash buffers. The employee shortage, supply chain disruptions, and skyrocketing costs have created a perfect storm for many small businesses going into this holiday season. They are on the brink of extinction, and they need our help, not just for one day but for an entire season. For many small businesses, the holiday season is where they make most of their revenue for the entire year.
The beauty of Small Business Season is that it's open to everyone who wants to champion local small businesses. We encourage chambers of commerce and their members to actively participate. The more individuals and organizations we can mobilize to share and reinforce this message, the stronger the impact will be. By joining forces, we can make a real difference in the livelihood of local businesses.
Participating in Small Business Season is not only straightforward but also completely free at the Basic Level. By signing up, your chamber of commerce won't miss out on any of the resources or campaign announcements for Small Business Season 2023.
Here's what you can expect at the Basic Level (The Professional Level has even more):
Small Business Season is a chance to foster community resilience, engage local businesses, and strengthen the economy during a critical holiday season. By joining this campaign, your chamber can play a pivotal role in supporting the small businesses that make your community thrive.
But participating in Small Business Season does more than just help the small businesses. Sure, you’re making a significant difference in the lives of your neighbors and friends but there are also a lot of benefits for your chamber.
Small Business Season isn't just about helping local businesses (although we love to do that!). It's also a strategic move that can help your chamber of commerce shine in multiple ways. Here are a few additional reasons (beyond helping small business) why your chamber should get involved and how you can benefit:
By actively participating in Small Business Season, your chamber demonstrates a commitment to the local business community. This dedication can be a powerful recruiting tool, attracting new members who want to align themselves with an organization that cares about the success of their businesses. It also gives you an opportunity to walk in their doors and provide them with resources before you ask anything of them in return. The Law of Reciprocity can work in your favor as a recruitment tool.
Young entrepreneurs and professionals are increasingly seeking ways to get involved in their communities. Small Business Season presents an opportunity to engage with the younger demographic, showing them that your chamber is attuned to the issues that matter most to them. Many young people want to own a business someday. If they see the chamber supporting businesses in a very visible way, they will remember this, and it will make an impression on them. You’re building a path for future members.
Shopping small and buying local are more than just marketing campaigns; they’re popular causes that resonate with people. Accoridng to NerdWallet 27% of shoppers plan on buying more local gifts this year. By supporting this movement, your chamber aligns itself with a well-received and highly relevant cause, enhancing your public image.
Engaging in initiatives like Small Business Season is an effective strategy for retaining current members. It showcases your chamber's commitment to their interests and offers tangible benefits and value, making membership even more appealing.
Small Business Season provides an opportunity to strengthen your chamber's ties with the local community. Chambers that actively support small businesses and drive initiatives like this are seen as integral parts of the community, bolstering your influence and reputation. Many chambers have launched Small Business Season in conjunction with their City to create an even bigger program and shore up those relationships.
A strong local economy is in the best interest of all businesses, including your chamber's members. Supporting small businesses through Small Business Season enhances the overall economic resilience of your region, creating a more favorable environment for business growth.
Being part of a campaign like Small Business Season can result in positive media coverage, showcasing your chamber as a dynamic and community-driven organization. This can attract attention from businesses and individuals alike, furthering your public relations efforts. It is also a natural fit for the chamber’s current reputation as an advocate for business.
Engaging in Small Business Season can lead to valuable networking opportunities. Collaboration with other chambers, local organizations, and businesses can open doors to new partnerships and mutually beneficial projects.
By helping small businesses thrive, your chamber is contributing to the long-term development and sustainability of your community. A vibrant local business scene can attract investment, promote innovation, and enhance the quality of life for all residents. You’re keeping more money in town and less driving (to nearby towns to purchase items) is better for the environment.
Small Business Season is not just a campaign; it's a multifaceted opportunity for your chamber of commerce to shine in various ways. Beyond supporting small businesses, it can help you recruit new members, appeal to younger generations, get behind a popular cause, retain existing members, foster community ties, enhance public relations, create networking opportunities, and contribute to the long-term development of your community.
Make a big impact on small businesses and your chamber's success by participating in Small Business Season. If your chamber is not already signed up, go to https://bit.ly/sbs-2023. You can come in at the Basic Level or the Professional Level.

Small Business Season is not just a campaign; it's a movement to support the backbone of our communities. Together, let's make this year's holiday the most prosperous yet for our local communities! Join us for Small Business Season!







Are board members constantly upending your day? Do they give you tasks that aren't under their purview? This can help.

To get and retain your sponsorships, you need to learn how to be a better partner.

Do you want members involved immediately? Then you need to rework your onboarding new member packet.

You're doing the advocacy work. Now you need to make sure your community know.

Build a smarter sponsorship engine that increases revenue while reducing burnout and chase.

Do you want to save money and make money on chamber events? We have a few tips for you.

Do your members complain that they don't know what's going on? It's time to create a communication plan.

Your board is only effective if it works as a team but how do you build an effective team? Here are a few exercises.

Make your message a compelling one by using this copy writing technique.

Do people love your annual gala? What about you? Is it still paying off for the chamber?

Do you feel like Imposter Syndrome is hurting your career? It might be helping more than you think. Use these reframes.

Are all of your events pulling their weight on your roster? Or do some of them need to do more?

Do you feel guilty every time you take a moment for yourself? Here's how to right that ship.

Don't have time for a workforce initiative, you can still be a workforce hero through strategic micro actions

These simple ideas will help you get more structure in your day so you can accomplish even more.

AI is changing the world. How can your chamber help guide that in your community?

Do you need to update your chamber's policies and SOPs? If so, here's a comprehensive list of what you should think about including.

Do you visit your members but want to make a more memorable impression? Try these ideas.

Is your member growth stagnating? It might be because you have a leak in your funnel.

Is it time to revamp your About Us page? It's one of the most visited outside of the homepage. Make it work for you.

How do you turn fundraisers into funraisers? Try these suggestions.

Chambers can learn a lot from retail going into the holiday season. Marketing is about to get hot!

Do you want to surprise and delight your members? Of course you do. Here are a few ideas.

Get practical tips to prioritize professional growth through small, consistent actions, enhancing personal development and community engagement.

Boost engagement by embracing the concept of "third places," creating informal, accessible, and community-driven spaces that feel more like belonging than networking.

Are members and sponsors ghosting you? Here's how you can help.

Struggling with flat events or silent posts? Discover the 7 biggest engagement pitfalls chambers face—and the simple fixes that turn members into fans.

Boring member spotlights don't help anyone. Here's how to revamp them to benefit everyone.

Ribbon cuttings are lots of fun, but they can also be lucrative for chambers.

Everyone claims their sponsorships provide visibility. It's time to offer additional benefits.

Having trouble selling sponsorships? It might be in the planning.

Social capital is the real currency of chamber leadership. Strong, diverse relationships open doors and strengthen a chamber’s influence.

Turn a last-minute speaker cancellation into a successful chamber event with these ideas.

Your Chamber 101 session is a critical part of helping members see the value in membership. Here's how to make it effective.

Things have changed and your employment contract should've too. Is yours keeping up with the times?

Carteret Chamber’s Reverse Raffle Is Rocking the Boat of non-dues revenue (In All the Right Ways)

Are your ribbon cuttings fun events or snooze fests? These ideas will help transform them into community events.

Halfway through the year and what have you accomplished? Learn how to assess and get back on track, if needed.

Is your golf tournament growing old? Want some new excitement? See what other chambers are doing.

How can you lead when you spend your time explaining what it is you do? This article has a few tips to combat the lack of knowledge.
Home
Frank Kenny
Norma Davey
Contact Us
Discover chamber tips, strategies, and best practices...
We value your privacy and will never sell your info

Legal Agreements, Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions
Copyright 2023 Chamber Pros Community and Frank J. Kenny, LLC