Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Use My Membership?

Membership in the Chamber gives you an edge with access to exclusive tools and marketing opportunities that put your business front and center, save you money and provide the information you need to stay a step ahead. In order to help you navigate your way through our many services, programs, events and opportunities for doing business, we have provided answers to some of our members' most frequently asked questions.


Frequently Asked Questions:

 If my company is a member, does that mean I am a member, too?
 What does the Chamber's board of directors do? How can I get on the board?
 Who are Chamber Members?
 How can I use the Chamber to market my business?
 What is the best way to use the Chamber to build my business network?
 What is the Small Business Success Division?
 How can the Chamber help me build my professional skills?
 How can I help shape Chamber activities and programs?
 How do I find out about speaking at Chamber events?
 How do I use the Chamber for business leads and referrals?
 How can I help shape and support the Chamber's Legislative Agenda?
 How can I stay informed on legislative and community issues that affect my business?
 How can I stay informed on what is happening at the Chamber?
 Does the Chamber have publications that can be of use to my business?
 What is an Ambassador?

If my company is a member, does that mean I am a member, too?
Yes! When a company becomes a Chamber member, all employees of that company's local branch/offices are considered Chamber members and have full access to our programs and benefits.


What does the Chamber's Board of Directors do? How can I get on the Board?
The board of directors is a valuable asset. Our directors bring with them a sophisticated level of experience and expertise. They set the strategic direction of the Chamber and oversee the finances of the organization. The board serves as a sounding board for ideas and policies, and reflects the thinking of a broad spectrum of businesses in the Boise-Nampa Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).

The Board Nomination/Development Committee first nominates new board members; a recommendation is then made to the full board for final approval. The committee actively seeks people who are successful in their businesses, represent the diversity of the Boise-Nampa MSA, have demonstrated leadership skills and have an interest in helping guide the Chamber for a minimum of two years.


Who are Chamber Members?
The Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce has a membership of almost 2,000 companies, representing the Boise-Nampa MSA. Businesses of all sizes, from the largest multinational firms to growing mid-size companies and small businesses. Many people are surprised to learn that more than 80 percent of member companies have fewer than 100 employees.


How can I use the Chamber to market my business?
The Chamber offers comprehensive marketing-benefit packages through our publications, website, programs and special events that can help your company achieve multiple objectives. These include increasing your visibility and exposure within the Chamber membership and the business community, standing out from your competition through exclusive sponsorship opportunities, using promotions and merchandising opportunities, and entertaining valued clients at prestigious events and driving sales.

Through the Chamber, you will reach businesses of all sizes and from every industry group. Depending on your company's target audience, you can choose those events, programs and publications that reach identified segments, such as small businesses, mid-market firms and large corporations. Through our well-established partnerships with other professional organizations, our programs are widely promoted to increase your reach.


What is the best way to use the Chamber to build my business network?
The best way to build your business network is to develop relationships with other Chamber members. All Chamber programs are designed to give you an opportunity to make new contacts and strengthen existing relationships. The more events you attend and the more actively you participate, the faster and deeper your network will grow.

We produce a number of programs that are specifically designed for networking, such as Business After Hours, the Chamber's monthly networking mixer, T.I.P.S. Leads Groups, and the popular What’s Up Boise Metro and Member Orientation. Another way to build your network is through volunteering for the Chamber by joining the Ambassador Committee. This is an opportunity to increase your visibility and demonstrate your professionalism and expertise to a wide audience.


What is the Small Business Success Division?
The Small Business Success Division is a program of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce committed to champion the growth of local small businesses by providing opportunities for education and training, business coaching and mentoring, critical market research, and networking.


How can the Chamber help me build my professional skills?
The Chamber has monthly professional trainings to help you develop the skills you need to excel in business. The educational and professional development offerings are updated annually to ensure we are matching what we have to offer to members' needs.


How can I help shape Chamber activities and programs?
Most of the Chamber's programs have planning committees that help create the content of the programs. You can contribute as a member of the committee or, depending on your level of expertise and experience, as a committee chair. For more information, check out the Chamber’s committees and task forces.


How do I find out about speaking at Chamber events?
The Chamber is always looking for good speakers and workshop leaders. We book speakers on topics that are relevant to our ongoing series, and we always look to our membership. A call for speakers is announced in the fourth quarter of each calendar year for the upcoming educational and professional development series.


How do I use the Chamber for business leads and referrals?
As you attend Chamber events and programs and expand your network, you will have access to people who are in a position to provide you with business leads. As you get to know them and they gain trust in your professionalism, your fellow Chamber members can become an important source of referrals for your business.

If you are looking for leads, be sure to check out T.I.P.S. (Tops in Professional Sales), the Chamber's leads program. Multiple leads groups meet at various times weekly and bi-weekly, giving you the structure and the time to develop relationships that will directly result in business leads. Each group consists of one participant per industry and ranges from 15-25 people in attendance per meeting.

In addition, the Chamber publishes a Member Business Directory annually, as well as having the online directory. Log on to look up member businesses by name or business category. Each week, the Chamber receives more than 200 calls from all over the country looking for referrals on businesses or services in the Boise-Nampa MSA. Our customer-service representatives continuously promote our member businesses in answer to these inquiries.


How can I help shape and support the Chamber's Legislative Agenda?
The Chamber's Legislative Agenda is shaped by input from many sources that tell us about which issues the business community is most concerned.

The Chamber's positions on upcoming Legislative issues starts with State and Federal Committee meetings. At these meetings, presentations are made by Chamber staff and guest speakers representing pro and con positions on issues. These meetings are open to the general public, but only Chamber members and the committee develops a recommendation to the Chamber's board of directors.


How can I stay informed on legislative and community issues that affect my business?
The Chamber's Governmental Affairs department provides several communication vehicles to keep members in the know. Most current are the Governmental Affairs pages on the Chamber's website. Regular updates are published on essential issues that affect you and the rest of the business community, as well as the full story behind what’s happening in Idaho business and government.

Information about our programs and our involvement with various community issues are also presented in the monthly Boise Metro Business Today newsletter.

Attendance at the State and Federal, Transportation, Local Government and Education/Workforce Committee meetings is strongly encouraged for members who wish to keep abreast of the latest issues and the Chamber's activities at the federal, state, and local level.


How can I stay informed on what is happening at the Chamber?
The Chamber has a variety of communication tools designed to keep members informed about what is happening in and around the Chamber and the business community. All members receive the weekly electronic “eNews” email and the monthly Boise Metro Business Today newsletter. Also, the Chamber's website will have the latest information on the Chamber and what is going on in the business community.


Does the Chamber have publications that can be of use to my business?
The Chamber publishes the Membership Business Directory, which lists almost 2,000 businesses with contact information. We also produce the relocation magazine, Profile, which contains useful relocation information and local demographics. An area map and relocation packets are also available. You can get more information about these and other publications by visiting the Products & Publications page of our website.


What is an Ambassador?
An Ambassador of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce strengthens member involvement by educating members about the benefits and services of their Membership. The Committee offers extended business contacts to volunteers and provides support for Business After Hours, Trade Shows, business ribbon cuttings and grand openings.


Have a question that hasn’t been answered here? Contact the Chamber at 208.472.5200 or info@boisechamber.org to get the answer you need.