by RAY HERNANDEZ
The Kyle Area Chamber has led many initiatives in our community throughout the last few years. The chamber was the first organization to pass a resolution to support the expansion of educational offerings by having the Austin Community College District become a reality within the Hays CISD boundaries. The first building is currently under construction as part of a 96-acre ACC development at the corner of 1626 and Kohler’s Crossing here in Kyle. The Kyle Area Chamber is the voice of the business community, and here is an excerpt from a study executed by the Schapiro Group, Inc. on why businesses have real value in chamber membership.
Advocates of chambers of commerce have long believed that when a company is active in its local chamber, it is doing the right thing not only for the community but for its own success. While there is plenty of evidence to show the impact of chambers of commerce on their communities, it is much harder to find data that quantifies the impact of belonging to a chamber. This study, commissioned by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives with support from Small Business Network, Inc., is designed to do just that: Determine the real value to companies in terms of consumer outcomes of joining and being active in a local chamber of commerce. Do consumers really support businesses because they are chamber members?
The impact of chamber membership on large restaurant chains:
Patronage Frequency When consumers know that a restaurant franchise is a member of the chamber of commerce, they are 50 percent more likely to eat at the franchise more often.
The impact of chamber membership on insurance companies:
Purchase Intent When consumers know that an insurance company is a member of the chamber of commerce, they are 43 percent more likely to consider buying insurance from it.
Impact on small businesses:
The table on impact on small business in the report indicates that if respondents know that a small business is a member of its local chamber, the business enjoys a 44 percent increase in its consumer favorability rating, a 51 percent increase in consumer awareness, a 57 percent increase in its local reputation, and a 63 percent increase in the likelihood that consumers will patronize the business in the future.
Read the full report and learn more about the value of becoming a Kyle Area Chamber member at www.KyleChamber.org or email me at [email protected] Please join us and support the work of the Kyle Area Chamber as we move into 2013.
Reserve your spot online today to the following events, which are open to the public:
Jan. 22, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: “A Moment of Clarity – Maneuvering through The Aftermath of the Fiscal Cliff, ” at the monthly luncheon at Plum Creek Golf Course
Jan. 26, 6 p.m. Annual Awards Gala at Texas Old Town – Stone Hall
