Public opinion poll affirms pivotal role of chambers of commerce

By Staff Report, posted Feb 12, 2025 on BizFayetteville.com

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 in a press release. “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 the growth of 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 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%).

Logo provided by: The Moore County Chamber of Commerce

In Moore County, the Moore County Chamber of Commerce embraces these findings. The Chamber’s leadership in initiatives like the Moore County Leadership Institute training our future Moore County leaders or the Family Forward NC Certified Community Campaign and the Tri-Share program highlights its commitment to addressing critical local issues such as childcare affordability and workforce development. In addition, by fostering partnerships between businesses, community organizations, and local government, the Chamber not only supports economic growth but also enhances the quality of life for residents.

Moreover, the Chamber's involvement in programs like the Moore County Schools Career Technical Education initiatives and its production of the Lifestyles magazine showcase its dedication to education and community engagement. These projects are clear examples of how the Chamber acts as a convening force, bringing stakeholders together to create innovative solutions that benefit everyone in Moore County.

"The Moore County Chamber of Commerce has always been a pillar of strength and innovation in our community," said Randy Saunders, 2025 Chair of the Board of the Moore County Chamber of Commerce in a press release. "This poll affirms what we see every day in Moore County – that our Chamber is a trusted partner and a catalyst for positive change. We are proud of the work we do to support local businesses and drive community development."

This survey confirms that chambers of commerce are more than business advocates; they are critical of the economic and social fabric of local communities.

"Our work at the Moore County Chamber is deeply rooted in fostering a thriving local economy and addressing the unique challenges our businesses face," added Linda Parsons, President and CEO of the Moore County Chamber of Commerce in a press release. "This poll reinforces the value we bring, and we remain committed to being a trusted partner and advocate for our members and the entire community."

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 weighed 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 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 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 (jpruden@acce.org), communications manager, resources and benchmarking, at ACCE.

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