Welcome!
Thank you for choosing the Chamber of Commerce, serving Johnson City, Jonesborough and Washington County!
A membership with our Chamber provides more than a window cling or directory listing. It provides a front row seat to the progress being made in Northeast Tennessee. Your support of the Chamber and our programming allows for your addition to that progress. As a Chamber member, you have an opportunity to decide where we go and what we do as a community.
It is our pleasure to have you join us as we aim to empower the region’s businesses, entrepreneurs and leaders!
Our Team
Bob Cantler President/CEO
Our Chamber
Our Chamber is not just an organization We are a platform for businesses to write their most compelling chapters yet.
Our Mission
Through strategic programming, dedicated advocacy and valuable resources, we strive to help businesses make their economic impact in Washington County.
Our Vision
To be a lasting advocate and respected voice that bridges business, government and community to sustain healthy growth for Washington County.
Values
Collaboration between businesses, Chambers and communities
Feedback on better ways to serve members and grow offerings Integrity through our work to be transparent and accessible
Boldness in the approach we take to enhancing commerce
Who We Are
The Chamber of Commerce, serving Johnson City, Jonesborough and Washington County, is a 501-C6 organized to promote business, enhance economic and community development, and serve as a catalyst for improving the overall quality of life in the community and region. It is also supported by the Chamber Foundation, a 501-C3 dedicated to promoting education, leadership and business development programs. Through strategic programming, dedicated advocacy and valuable resources, we strive to help businesses make their economic impact in Washington County.
What We Do
Business Development: Building and growing members’ businesses
Government Relations: Advocating for pro-business policies and laws
Workforce Development: Strengthening our community’s labor force Young Professional Development: Attracting/retaining young talent
Who We Serve
We serve, with transparency and dedication, over 600 Northeast Tennessee businesses, with over 16,000 total employees. Our membership includes for-profit businesses, non-profits, entrepreneurs and individual leaders and government officials.
Your Business Impact
fastest growing community for new businesses in the US (MoneyGeek Magazine, 2024) #1
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Tennessee
Your addition to our Chamber and business community contributes to: 8.1% population growth from 2010-2020
68¢ of every dollar spent locally staying in the community #9 12% startup businesses and entrepreneurs in Johnson City 70+ 80% of County businesses being small businesses 3.5% county unemployment rate expected population increase by 2040
A stronger local business economy
Your Benefits
By joining the Chamber, you gain:
Networking Connections
The Chamber offers access to a community of business leaders and entrepreneurs. Members benefit from regular networking sessions, social activities and signature Chamber-wide events that are designed to connect people and forge new leads/partnerships
At the Chamber, connections are more than handshakes. They are the bridge between “what is” and “what could be.”
Business Development Solutions
Whether it be an invitation to business roundtables, access to marketing and technology trainings or exclusive relationships with supportive leaders and organizations, the Chamber brings invaluable resources that offer guidance that may otherwise be inaccessible or unaffordable.
Business is not about surviving, it’s about thriving. The Chamber equips members with the resources they need to excel in their fields
Strategic Visibility
As a Chamber member, your business will receive elevated exposure through our channels With spotlights in our newsletters, directories, social media and member referrals, your brand becomes a familiar face to our community.
In today’s business world, it’s all about getting your name out there. The Chamber is here to help you do that
Legislative Support
In local, state and federal government, the Chamber supports pro-business and opposes anti-business policies and legislation Working with government officials and other Chambers, we ensure Washington County voices are heard through legislation-tracking, advocacy meetings and legislative update events.
Business voices are important, and the Chamber is your microphone We are your voice in government, and we are an unyielding advocate.
Networking Connections
Networking connections are forged through all styles of events!
Network at Nine
Monthly networking sessions with 50+ business leaders meeting new faces and building new relationships, all over coffee and conversation!
Social Activities
Ribbon cuttings, regional Business After Hours meetings and other Chamber activities allow you to relax and connect with a new network of business representatives.
Chamber-Wide Events
gather at Chamber wide events like Annual Meeting, Breaking Barriers and bi-annual golf tournaments.
Held throughout the year, hundreds gather at Chamber-wide events like Annual Meeting, quarterly Membership Breakfasts and bi-annual golf tournaments.
BENEFITS
Business Development Solutions
We provide resources and trainings to help grow and enhance your business operations!
Social Activities
Business Roundtables
Ribbon cuttings, regional Business After Hours meetings and other Chamber activities allow you to relax and connect with a new network of business representatives.
We organize roundtable discussions and meetings addressing current issues across various industries, including manufacturing, healthcare and more. Our goal is to find collaborative solutions for all fields.
Marketing & Technology Trainings
We partner with a nationally-recognized marketing/AI-support organization to offer weekly and monthly workshops to super-charge your marketing efforts.
Chamber-Wide Events
Exclusive Relationships
Held throughout the year, hundreds gather at Chamber-wide events like Annual Meeting, Breaking Barriers and bi-annual golf tournaments.
The Chamber offers exclusive and preferred relationships to support services like financial guidance, marketing assistance, grant research and more.
BENEFITS
Strategic Visibility
We help elevate your brand presence through multiple Chamber channels!
Newsletters & Directories
Have an event you want to promote? We’ll highlight you in our Chamber newsletter to over 1700 contacts! Have an offering you want to advertise? You can advertise in our online member directory, website promotions listing and our Members Only private Facebook Group.
Member Referrals
With hundreds of office visitors and phone calls looking for referrals, the Chamber is dedicated to recommending our members to anyone looking for a business or service in Washington County. The Chamber only utilizes members to cater and host our events and conduct office needs (cleaning, installations, etc.)
Chamber Wide Events
Held throughout the year, hundreds gather at Chamber-wide events like Annual Meeting, Breaking Barriers and bi-annual golf tournaments.
Social Media Highlights
We feature our members through social media recognitions like ribbon cutting recaps, member testimonials, member thank yous and more!
BENEFITS
Legislative Support
The Chamber ensures your voice is heard on every level of government!
Legislation Tracking
Social Activities
We track over 1300 pieces of legislation in the Tennessee General Assembly each session. We support pro-business bills and oppose ones that can harm our businesses or local economy.
Ribbon cuttings, regional Business After Hours meetings and other Chamber activities allow you to relax and connect with a new network of business representatives.
Advocacy Meetings
Through phone calls, virtual meetings and in-person discussions, the Chamber stays in regular contact with local, state and federal lawmakers, sharing members’ concerns and ideas. We give members a voice in their community.
Chamber-Wide Events
Legislative Update Events
Held throughout the year, hundreds gather at Chamber-wide events like Annual Meeting, Breaking Barriers and bi-annual golf tournaments.
Each year, The Chamber hosts the State of the City/County/Town and a Legislative Breakfast, allowing members to hear from legislators about what is being worked on locally and in Nashville.
Your Involvement
There are multiple ways for to be involved as a member of the Chamber.
JOIN!
Avante
A cohort-based program that equips entrepreneurs of all kinds with the insights, relationships and tools needed to turn business ideas into action Participants enter into a facilitator-led, collaborative process with a small and supportive group of peers who work together to develop and fine-tune their ideas, leading up to a pitch competition with a grand prize of seed money
CrushingIt.ai Marketing Workshops
The Chamber partners with local marketing and Artificial Intelligence expert, Cloud Wise Academy, to host monthly workshops for business owners Participants learn about leverage readily-available AI tools and technology resources to boost their marketing strategy and grow their business’s website and online presence
Leadership Johnson City
Business leaders join for a planned experience that exposes them to the overall needs of the community and region through site visits, meetings with government officials and behind-the-scenes tours of businesses
Lunch & Learns
We host regular Lunch & Learns, providing members an opportunity to learn about what’s going on in our community, all over a complementary lunch! Past topics have included Johnson City’s Growth Management Plan, Black History in Business, Women’s History Month in Johnson City and personality tests/tools
Ribbon Cuttings
We love supporting new businesses in our area, and in doing so, we would love to hold a ribbon cutting for your business! Chamber members and non-members receive a ribbon cutting for a small fee
Young Professionals
The goal of Young Professionals of Johnson City is to provide our young business leaders (ages 21-40) opportunities for networking, leadership, personal growth, exclusive experiences and community service
Now What?
After joining the Chamber, follow this checklist to ensure you are maximizing your membership!
After joining:
Promote your membership using the New Member Communications Toolkit
Post the “We Joined The Chamber” graphic on social media and tag us
Add the digital badge to your website and link it to our homepage
Distribute the announcement press release to the media contacts
Display your Member window cling in your storefront or office window
Sign up for our emails if you haven’t already: shorturl.ac/newslettersignup
Join the Members Facebook group: johnsoncitytnchamber.com/facebook
Follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube
Schedule a ribbon cutting if you’re a new business, new location, etc.
Use the online membership directory to add contacts to your network
Attend an event to meet the staff and other Chamber members
Visit our website to familiarize yourself with our programs and initiatives
Contact a staff member to talk more: johnsoncitytnchamber.com/staff
We welcome your membership, and we look forward to working with your business!
What Will It Cost Me?
The value of a Chamber membership can not be monetized, but we understand investment amount is important!
Dues Structure
All businesses follow the above structure unless falling into a below catergory:
Non-Profit/Charitable Organizations: $375
Financial Institutions: $600 + $30 per employee
Educational Institutions: $630
Government Entities: $630
There is a non-refundable $25 application fee for all new members.
