CHAMPIONING INNOVATIVE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

For a Vital Future

For many Boulder Chamber members, 2022 was a year of managing work-life balance. With more of Boulder’s workforce returning to the office and more in-person events as we returned to a more “normal” way of living, you were likely tasked with parceling out not only your time, but your energy, too.

On top of that, many businesses were understaffed — at the Boulder Chamber, this reality surfaced when we received emails from members who couldn’t make an event at the last-minute. Someone’s restaurant wasn’t fully covered, and they had to fill in for a coworker’s shift. Someone else didn’t have enough time to get to the event location from their office, now that they were back in person.

At the Boulder Chamber, we knew we had to do some things differently to support you. So we put our heads together and asked — How can we evolve to better meet your needs and get your businesses’ name out there, while promoting a diverse workforce and inclusive community?

Adopting a “Less is More” Attitude for Networking Events

We’ve adopted the philosophy “less is more” for Boulder Chamber events in 2023. In order to better fit into your schedule, we adjusted our networking events to be less frequent (bi-monthly or quarterly) — but more impactful, with valuable content and industry-specific themes. As a result, attendance is skyrocketing. “It goes into that time-energy factor,” says Scott Firle, Director of Member Relations at the Boulder Chamber. “Now, if you go to one networking event, you’re going to meet 80 people, opposed to 30 or 40 in the past.” Efficient!

To amp up the impact, we’re also making a few changes to the way networking events are run. Our Business

Before and After Hours gatherings will now have a specific industry focus and theme, such as outdoor recreation or technology. Events will now begin with an educational piece, and they’ll be held at a location that members normally wouldn’t have access to (like the offices of Google or Amazon!). We can’t wait to see what new connections unfold for you through these unique experiences with other professionals in your industry.

The same focus on content-driven, unique experiences is true for our Business Women’s Leadership Group and the Bolder Young Professionals. For instance, the Women’s Night of Connection event last year invited members to bring along their protégés, granddaughters, daughters, nieces, cousins, or students from 8th grade and above — convening young professionals, engaging them with the group, and encouraging them to dream big. Another exciting experience was the Bolder Young Professionals day at Eldora Mountain Resort, in which participants received a snow safety class before hitting the slopes.

Saving You Money on Marketing Opportunities

To address the marketing challenges that many of our businesses are facing, we partnered with the Merge Studio, a local digital marketing company that is now an official part of our Member Advantage Program. They offer their consulting services to Boulder Chamber members at a discounted rate. For website design, social media, email marketing, paid ads, or any other marketing need, get in touch with their team! Another new Member Advantage partnership is with the Boulder Valley School District Print Shop, which now offers discounted printing rates.

“We’ve also delivered innovative solutions around sponsorship opportunities for small businesses to participate in our signature events at a more affordable price point,” says Scott. With significant savings, expo booths are now available for $250 to small business members who want to sponsor a signature event. If you lead a small business, you can get in front of, say, 300 people attending an event, within your budget. About 74% of Boulder Chamber members represent small businesses of 50 employees or fewer, and we will continue to drive value for this large part of our community.

Developing Leaders Through Everything We Do

Our new Membership Committee meets monthly to discuss opportunities and new experiences for members. “They serve as a guiding light for the value we can provide to members,” says Scott. Participants are engaged with our Boulder Chamber membership and our program planning. It’s a great avenue to continue developing leadership skills and strong business connections. Join our Membership Committee to be a part of creating memorable experiences for other members!

Delivering a Wide Variety of Services

“What I value most about the Boulder Chamber and what has kept me here for almost nine years are the conversations I have with members and potential members,” shares Scott. “Every conversation is different, and it opens the door to learn more about the challenges and goals for their businesses, which in return allows us to serve them with an almost custom-made experience with the resources and support they need to succeed.”

If a member joins because their business is growing and they aren’t sure if Boulder can accommodate their space needs, we’ll connect them with the Boulder Economic Council. Another member might join because they want to start a business and aren’t sure how to navigate the permitting process. Someone else might be struggling with staffing and heard we have an apprenticeship program. The wide variety of services available to our membership are always accessible through our website, BoulderChamber.com.

Our Promise Innovative Solutions for Your Business Needs

We’re looking forward to the changes ahead at the Boulder Chamber and hope you’ll be a part of it. Let us know how your business is doing and what you need help with. Our promise to you is that we will champion innovative solutions to support your business needs.

Our goal is to build a stronger, more connected and supported family of businesses that makes everyone successful,” concludes Scott. As the second-largest chamber of commerce in Colorado, we are here to serve as a dedicated partner in your business success — so that your business can continue to make a difference for our Boulder community.