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.          

BOISE, ID –The Boise Metro Chamber is excited to announce its 2024 Executive Committee and Board of Directors. The Boise Metro Chamber is the only five-star accredited Chamber in Idaho.
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"We are proud to say that our board is made up of influential leaders in our community who represent the business sector in the Treasure Valley. With their collective expertise and dedication, we are confident that their invaluable contributions will significantly enhance our goal of ensuring the continued success of the business community in the Treasure Valley,” stated Bobbi-Jo Meuleman, Boise Metro Chamber’s President and CEO.  
 
“We look forward to another year of engaging our members through programs, events, and advocacy efforts, and are grateful for the guidance and support of our board members,” Meuleman added.
 
Dan Price, Community Banking President of Mountain West Bank, will serve as the 2024 Boise Metro Chamber Executive Committee Chair. Price will begin his sixth year of service on Boise Metro Chamber’s Executive Committee. 
Garrett Lofto, President & CEO of J.R. Simplot Company, is new to the Executive Committee and will serve as Committee Chair in 2025. Lofto previously served on the Board of Directors for four years.
Odette Bolano, CEO of Trinity Health’s West Region, will serve as the 2024 Boise Metro Chamber Executive Committee Past Chair. This marks her third year of service on the Boise Metro Chamber’s Executive Committee.
Emily Baker, Founder & Chair of Portman Square Group, will serve as an At-Large Chair. Baker enters her seventh year of service on the Boise Metro Chamber’s Executive Committee as she takes on this role.
The Boise Metro Chamber is grateful to the following members for returning to their roles within the Executive Committee in 2024:

• Gerald Hunter, President, Idaho Housing & Finance Association, At-Large Chair
• Rebecca Hupp, Airport Director, Boise Airport, At-Large Chair
• Bobbi-Jo Meuleman, President & CEO, Boise Metro Chamber
• Tom Van Hemelryck, Regional President, WaFd Bank, Treasurer
• Matthew Walters, Shareholder, Elam & Burke, Of Counsel

 
The Boise Metro Chamber wishes to welcome the following new members to its 2024 Board of Directors:

• Hart Gilchrist, Vice President of Operations, Intermountain Gas, will serve as the Visit Boise Chair
• Laura Kendall, Executive Director, Velma V. Morrison Center for the Performing Arts
• Neil Nelson, President, E.S.I. Construction
• Mike Smith, COO, Lamb Weston

 
The following members will continue to serve on the Board of Directors in 2024.:

• Erin Anderson, Executive Director, Idaho Botanical Gardens
• April Arnzen, Chief People Officer at Micron Technology, Inc., and President of the Micron Foundation
• Michael Ballantyne, Managing Partner, TOK Commercial Real Estate
• Nate Brazier, President & COO, Stinker Stores
• Cord Christensen, CEO, PetIQ
• John Colgrove, President, Intermountain Divisions, Albertsons Companies
• Todd Gill, President & CEO, United Heritage Insurance
• Jessica Hagan, President & General Manager, KTVB News Group
• Fran Malecha, President & Chief Executive Officer, Amalgamated Sugar Company
• Thomas J. Mortell, Co-Managing Partner at Hawley Troxell Ennis & Hawley, LLP, who will serve as the BVEP Chair and Chair of the Policy Committee, which leads government advocacy efforts.  
• Jeff Newgard, President & CEO, Bank of Idaho
• Kelly Olson, President, Western States Equipment
• Adam Richins, COO, Idaho Power Company
• Chris Roth, President & CEO, St. Luke’s Health System
• Jim Shipman, Managing Owner, Colliers International
• Jennifer Swindell, Founder & CEO, Idaho Ed News
• Jodi Whittaker, Managing Partner, KDP Certified Accountants
• Paul Zurlo, President & CEO, Blue Cross of Idaho Health Service, Inc.

 
Ex-officio members of the Board of Directors include:

• Jesse Mix, Boise VA Medical Center/OR ANG, who serves as the President of Leadership Boise
• Rachel Flachbart Sladek, Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children, who serves as the President of Boise Young Professionals