BOISE, Idaho – The Boise Metro Chamber is excited to announce its Annual Chamber Day  the number one ranked ski resort in the United States, Bogus Basin. This 2025 event will take place on February 6, 2025, from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

The inaugural event began in 2013 when the mountain recreation area faced challenges due to low snowfall. The tradition has since continued, supporting the community’s local ski resort and promoting new activities on the mountain. Boise Metro Chamber members can purchase discounted tickets, which include lunch, happy hour appetizers and drinks at the Pioneer Lodge, lift tickets, and equipment rentals. Proceeds from ticket sales are donated to Bogus Basin.
 
The Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area has operated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization since 1942. The Boise Metro Chamber, Visit Boise and The Boise Valley Economic Partnership recognize Bogus Basin as the region’s premier recreation destination that drives tourism and creates a positive economic impact in our valley.
 
The event is presented by Alliance Title and Escrow and sponsored by Ascend Physical Therapy, Intermountain Gas Company and U.S. Air Force.
 
Tickets to this event are available on the Boise Metro Chamber’s website at boisechamber.org. 

BOISE, Idaho –  The Boise Metro Chamber proudly announces the launch of the 2025 National Civics Bee®, an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Hosted in partnership with The Civic Trust® of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the competition in Idaho will inspire middle schoolers to become better informed about American democracy, to engage respectfully and constructively in the community, and to build greater trust in others and institutions. 

Middle school students in 6, 7, and 8 grade from public, private, charter, and home schools are invited to take part in the first-round civics essay competition. After a distinguished panel of judges review the essays, the top 20 students will be selected to advance to their local competition: an in-person live event featuring two rounds of civics questions followed by a Q&A round to test their civics knowledge. The Boise Metro Chamber will host its local competition in the spring of 2025. The local finalists and top winners will receive various prizes, including prizes worth at least $500 for the first-place student.

“The Boise Metro Chamber is excited to help coordinate and play a part in this year’s National Civic Bee,” said Bobbi-Jo Meuleman, President and CEO of the Boise Metro Chamber. “This opportunity will give students the chance to represent their communities and potentially the state of Idaho on a national level about issues important to them.”  

Participants in the National Civics Bee® will have the chance to gain recognition for their civics knowledge and skills and compete for prestigious prizes throughout the competition. The competition enables students to explore issues that matter to their communities, furthering their understanding of civic engagement and fostering responsible citizenship. Winners from each of the local competitions across Idaho will be invited to take part in the state finals. The first-place winner of the state finals will receive a trip to Washington, D.C. to compete for prizes worth at least $50,000 during the national championship in the Fall of 2025.

“Fostering a deep understanding of civics and government among our young students is critical to the vibrancy of democracy and civic life in America. The National Civics Bee® provides a unique platform for them to not only showcase their knowledge but also become active and engaged citizens of the future,” said Hilary Crow, Vice President of Civics at the U.S. Chamber Foundation.

For more information on entering the National Civics Bee® in Idaho visit: BoiseChamber.org or nationalcivicsbee.org.

U.S. adults recognize the wide-sweeping impact of their local chamber, ACCE/Harris Poll survey finds
 
[Boise, Idaho] — Results from a nationwide public opinion poll indicate chambers of commerce are vital to the prosperity of their communities. The Harris Poll survey, conducted on behalf of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), finds 81% of U.S. adults agree that their local chamber of commerce is a trusted resource and partner for businesses. Around nine in 10 feel that their local chamber has an impact on growing the local economy (90%) and addressing challenges within their community (88%).
 
“The poll’s findings assert the crucial role chambers of commerce play for businesses, economies and communities,” said Sheree Anne Kelly, ACCE president & CEO. “Chambers are trusted and innovative organizations. As a result, we are seeing tremendous momentum to bring even more bold leadership and lasting impact on the communities we serve.”
 
Key findings of the poll include:

• Chambers are Trusted: 81% of U.S. adults agree that their local chamber is a trusted resource and partner for businesses. 90% feel that their local chamber has an impact on growing the local economy.
• Chamber Membership Strengthens a Business’s Reputation: 64% of adults who are familiar with their local chamber are more likely to purchase goods and services from a business that they know is a member of their local chamber. 63% of these adults are more likely to recommend that business to someone else.
• Chambers Serve Businesses and Communities: 76% of U.S. adults agree that local chambers are stewards of a strong local economy. 74% believe local chambers create jobs and promote local community development. 72% believe local chambers play a key role in addressing community challenges.  
• Business Owners See the Value: 65% of business owners see their local chamber as an advocate for initiatives and policies that are in the best interest of their business. 62% believe the chamber supports the growth and prosperity of their business.
• People Want to Learn More About Their Local Chamber: 70% of U.S. adults wished they knew more about the work their local chamber does in the community. Specifically, they are most commonly interested in learning more about the type of impact local chambers have in their community (49%), more general information about chambers of commerce (43%), and which local businesses are members (42%). 

METHODOLOGY
This survey was conducted online within the United States between September 5-9, 2024 among 2,075 adults (aged 18 and over) including 141 respondents who are business owners (i.e., employed with a title of CEO, partner or owner) by The Harris Poll on behalf of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) via its Harris On Demand omnibus product.

Data were weighted where necessary by age, gender, race/ethnicity, region, education, marital status, household size, household income, [employment], and political party affiliation, to bring them in line with their actual proportions in the population.

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in our surveys.   The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval.  For this study, the sample data is accurate to within + 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level.  This credible interval will be wider among subsets of the surveyed population of interest. 

All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to other multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including, but not limited to coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments.

Additional insights can be found at acce.org/poll. Questions about the study may be directed to Jen Pruden ([email protected]), communications manager, resources and benchmarking, at ACCE.
 
ABOUT BOISE METRO CHAMBER
Established in 1883, the Boise Metro Chamber is the only five-star accredited Chamber of Commerce in Idaho and strives to be the leading business advocacy organization in the Boise Valley. The Boise Metro Chamber is a private, nonprofit, membership-driven organization comprised of approximately 2,000 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions, and individuals. Its mission is to provide leadership that will help create regional economic prosperity and success for its members. For more information about the Boise Metro Chamber, visit: boisechamber.org
 
ABOUT ACCE
ACCE is the professional society supporting the individuals who lead local, regional, statewide and international chambers of commerce and related business and economic development organizations. Its membership includes more than 1,600 business/civic organizations worldwide, representing more than 9,000 professionals. The association provides members with information resources, thought leadership, education programs, original research, benchmarking and access to a network of peers.