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Updating
the Agenda
Local and regional chambers try to keep
pace with changing business needs
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Business New Haven
5/4/1999
By: Betsy Guertin Regan
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The face of business in Connecticut is changing. During the recession, many displaced workers turned to self-employment and as the state recovers economically, the number of small businesses is increasing.
The one constant throughout all that change is the chamber of commerce.
Local or regional, chambers of commerce are working to help businesses of all sizes survive. Many chambers in the New Haven area have a long history of commitment to businesses and the economy of the state and the region. They continue to adapt their programming and their objectives to meet the changing needs of business owners.
“We try to be on the cutting edge,” explains Robin Wilson, president of the Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce, which serves Wallingford, North Haven and the Northford section of North Branford. “We see the trends and try to be there for the businesses before the need arises.”
For small businesses, membership in a chamber of commerce means having a bigger voice - to negotiate insurance rates, cell phone contracts, or to be heard by government. Volume discounts mean savings to small businesses on things they might not otherwise be able to afford, such as the long-term care insurance that the Quinnipiac chamber is currently negotiating.
Paul Anderson, who recently stepped down after four years as president of the West Haven Chamber of Commerce, sees this role for the chamber quite frequently:
“The chamber is a conduit needed for small businesses, the liaison though City Hall and to the federal government through the national organization of chambers,” he reasons.
But as a representative of a larger company, BankBoston, Anderson also sees the role of a chamber in giving back to the community that supports its member businesses. The West Haven chamber's calendar is filled with events that offer networking opportunities hand-in-hand with fundraising for the Community House or the West Haven High School choir.
Membership in chambers of commerce has remained relatively steady over the last decade. Despite the recession, business owners recognize the need to maintain their status as chamber members.
“We are in a funny business,” acknowledges Fabio Sampoli, senior vice president of the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce. “When there is a recession, it's very important for business owners to be out there, so we did not suffer as much as one might think.
“On the other hand, when the economy is great, it doesn't mean a commensurate increase in membership,” Sampoli continues. “They may be too busy taking care of business.” Indeed, tough times seem to take more of a bite out of smaller suburban chambers that rely so heavily on members' time, energy and financial contributions.
“In a small chamber, it's easy to feel the impact. These days, fortunately, it's not such a struggle to collect dues and we are taking on more activities,” says Clinton Chamber of Commerce Director Ellen Cavanagh. “We continue to do what works and, in some cases, do more of it.”
What the improving economy does mean is more work for the chambers. Cavanagh is referring more phone calls than ever about summer rentals and boat slips. The Bridgeport Regional Business Council (BRBC) reports increased occupancy rates and increased rental rates all around the Park City.
“We have a more positive story to be telling our members,” says Janice Martin, BRBC executive vice president. “We're seeing the physical signs, having more grand openings. People have heard about Bridgeport coming back, but they don't believe it until they see it.”
The regional organization and the local chambers of Stratford, Trumbull and Bridgeport work together from one central location. Membership in one association automatically means membership in the other.
This system seems to help meet the needs of a wide range of businesses. According to Martin, small businesses and large businesses have different perspectives. While larger companies may be focused on the long-range impacts of something like workers compensation law or medical insurance, a smaller business owner is interested in the more immediate costs of operation and filling the next order.
“We try to be all things to all people,” Martin says.
The Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce has been a regional chamber since 1952, but has served the city since 1794. It's the third-largest business organization in the state, representing 15 towns from Milford to Madison and north to Wallingford, many of which have their own local chambers with smaller dues.
“[Local organizations] have a role to play,” New Haven's Sampoli says. “We try to have a cooperative effort with town chambers.”
That's the impetus behind the Metro Power Membership initiative of the New Haven chamber. Through this program, members of the regional association have their dues automatically paid in their local group.
It's important for two reasons:
First, “From a political standpoint, it has allayed the fears that existed” that the regional chamber was trying to take over, Sampoli says.
Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, it gets suburban business owners involved in the city and the region as a whole.
“Local chambers do not have a [mindset] that views the core of the region as something to consider. The center core of a region is extremely important to the economic well being of the outlying towns,” Sampoli asserts.
While local chambers agree in theory, they may not have the resources to act on it because their immediate interest lies closer to home. “In the bigger picture, it is important to keep New Haven thriving, but we have our own house to keep in West Haven,” says Anderson.
Clinton's Cavanagh sees more of a two-way street if the core city is flourishing. If New Haven is doing well, perhaps residents and tourists will take a drive along the shore and “come out to Clinton and try some restaurants and do some shopping.”
In coming years, chamber representatives hope to continue and expand their programming as the economy improves. Training and education programs, like the “Quest” educational foundation of the Quinnipiac Chamber, will look at improving areas of education that will directly impact workforce training and skills.
High on the list of priorities at most chambers of commerce is the need to maintain the business-friendly image that Connecticut is slowly building back.
“It's starting to turn around,” says the Quinnipiac chamber's Wilson. “We can't afford to change that now.”
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