Why Join

Business Victor Harbor, as a chamber of commerce, is a not for profit membership organisation that advocates on behalf of local businesses. We are backed by a volunteer board that is comprised of business people from the local community (Meet the current board HERE)

Our goal is to be a resource, advocate, and connector for south coast businesses.

Members enjoy a range of benefits including:

• Credibility: You can increase positive perception among consumers and business owners when you’re identified as a member of BVH.
• Increase your visibility in the community: As a new member, you will be listed in our newsletter and have an opportunity to advertise by sponsoring events.
• Promotion and Publicity: With membership, you can reach potential clients through member exclusive advertising and opportunities for business-to-business advertising and publicity.
• Create networking opportunities: Regular opportunities to network with other local business people.
• Visibility: Your business listed in our online directory, whilst also increasing traffic to your website. 
• Customer referrals:  BVH often receives calls from individuals and business looking for potential vendors, and chamber members typically recommend other members. 
• Events and programs: BVH provides members with opportunities to meet new people and expand their prospect base. Events are a fun way to help members meet potential vendors, clients and customers. 
• A voice in economic development policy with the City of Victor Harbor.

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Schapiro Study: “Consumers are 80% more likley to buy from chamber members”

According to The Real Value of Joining a Local Chamber of Commerce conducted by the Schapiro Group, when consumers know that a business is a member of the local chamber, there is now a 49% increase in favorability
toward that business. This study also found:

• When consumers know that a business is a member of the local chamber, there is a 49% increase in favourability toward that business;
• When consumers perceive that a business is a chamber member, there is a 73% increase in consumer awareness and a 68% increase in local reputation;
• Consumers are 80% more likely to patronise a business in the future that they believe is a member of the local chamber of commerce;

The study also has more good news for chamber members that sell to other businesses (B2B):

• When business decision makers believe a business is a chamber member, favourability increases by 42% , perceived awareness and reputation grows to 78% and 65%, respectively; plus the likelihood of future patronage increases by 74%;

Supporting the previous findings, the study also reveals a positive perception for the local chamber itself:

• Regarding the chamber’s impact on the local economy, 86% of respondents believe that the local chamber of commerce helps create jobs and promotes local economic development

The Impacts of Chamber Membership on Small Businesses

	% Increase in Favourability	% Increase in Awareness	% Increase in Reputation	% Increase in Future Patronage
Consumers	44 %	51 %	57 %	63 %
Business Decision Makers	37 %	51 %	58 %	59 %

How Effectively Business Strategies Communicate Specific Traits about a Company

(Business Strategies)	Trait	Trait	Trait	Trait
	Uses good business practices	Reputable	Cares about customers	Community Involvement
Being active in the local chamber of commerce	29% more effective	26% more effective	13 % more effective	12 % more effective
Sponsoring events around the community	Equally effective	10 % more effective	20 % more effective	24 % more effective
Encouraging employees to volunteer	19 % more effective	14 % more effective	13 % more effective	15 % more effective
Giving out scholarships to local students	Equally effective	Equally effective	28 % more effective	36 % more effective
Encouraging employees to donate to a charity	Equally effective	Equally effective	Equally effective	Equally effective

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More reasons to become a member:

• New partnership with Restaurant & Catering Industry Association
• 4 Reasons You Need to Get Involved with BVH Today
• What’s the Return on Investment of BVH Membership?
• Chamber Membership: The Best Investment You Can Make in Your Early Career
• Why Your Dad Was Right About Chamber of Commerce Memberships
• Why a BVH Membership Is the Secret Ingredient to Your Business Success
• How to Make a Difference with Membership
• Why Join BVH: Comradery
• A Reason to Join BVH that Only a Handful Think About but Everyone Can Use
• BVH Membership: Getting Out What You Put In

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