The Delaware Valley is a vibrant area for business and financial activity.  You find national, international and important regional headquarters for many of your Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies as well as a strong and varied small business segment.

One of the first steps any new business startup, or existing business wanting to expand or considering coming into a new area, should do is seek out the corresponding local and regional Chambers of Commerce organizations.  It is a great way to network, which is what establishing and growing a business is all about, and they provide a wealth of information and resources for promoting your business to other members and consumers, establishing contacts with service providers who can help your business, raising funds, expanding your markets and supporting you in dealing with government agencies, local municipalities, legislative and regulative issues. 
 
(While this is focusing on the Delaware Valley Region, there are links below to help you find National, state and local Chambers of Commerce, Convention Centers, Visitor Bureaus and Tourist Boards in the United States providing  U.S. business, relocation, visitor and tourist attraction information.)
 
Suggestion:  Take advantage of the extensive on-line services they provide, but also it's important for you to establish face-to-face connections with other business players in the area with and among whom you will be conducting your business.  Plan on first attending, then participating, weekly and monthly networking meetings, seminars and trade shows.  Get involved and show support for the organization and it's members.  If your situation involves developing a new business or location, you will probably feel swamped with the demands on your time, but you need to prioritize and set aside time slots for business-to-business exposure and  networking.  This is also a way to meet potential partners and customers of your products and services, or at least make them aware so they can refer customers to you. 
 
Tips: If you've never been to a meeting, contact the office of the local chamber by phone, introduce yourself and get details on meeting times and any costs.  You might want to ask about dress code for the meetings you plan on attending, though you can usually never go wrong with formal business attire.  Then set up your schedule so it has time set aside to attend the meetings on a regular basis. Get connected and involved -- they are your advocacy group.   When you do attend, make sure you have a 20-30 second "elevator speech" summarizing your business -- that you've practiced giving out loud until you are comfortable giving it.   Oh, and make sure you bring plenty of business cards to hand out and they include your email address and a link to your business web site.
 
 
Links To Your Chambers of Commerce and Networking Resources
 
Note: The larger regional and county chambers often have local community "chapters" about which you may also need to be aware and participate.  Check with each chamber listed below for details.
 

National - United States Chamber of Commerce, with directory of regional and local chambers of commerce, visitor's bureaus, conventions, Better Business Bureaus.  [Resource Directory]
 
National Directory - National, state and local Chambers of Commerce, Convention Centers, Visitor Bureaus and Tourist Boards in the United States providing  U.S. business, relocation, visitor and tourist attraction information.  Quickly find and access chamber information from anywhere in the U.S.
 
 
Delaware Valley:
 
Pennsylvania - statewide, main office in Harrisburg.  "The Statewide Voice of Business... influence, information, involvement." The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry is dedicated to helping its members understand and easily follow the complexities of state and federal workplace regulations. Services include conferences and publications on a wide variety of issues important to the business community. Our mission is to improve Pennsylvania's business climate and increase the competitive advantage for PA Chamber members.

Philadelphia Metro Area

Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce  200 S. Broad St. #700, Philadelphia, PA 19102. Tel (215) 545-1234
Fax (215) 790-3600.

Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce -  Chamber members are business people just like you who are interested in the growth and development of their businesses in the Greater Northeast. GNPCC brings small and large businesses together to network, develop and improve business relationships. Its basic function is that of economic development. The Chamber represents business and professional interests before elected bodies, serves as a catalyst for growth and promotes the area's residential and commercial assets. The Chamber provides its members with group health and dental insurance. The Chamber means business...for you.

Bucks County:
Lower Bucks: The Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce is organized to advance the principles of free enterprise by providing leadership to enhance the economic climate of the area, to address the priority needs of its members, and to interact with other individuals and organizations for the overall benefit of the business community in Lower Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
Central Bucks: The Chamber serves as a catalyst that creates a rich business climate and improves the quality of life in the community. The Chamber is devoted to furthering the arts, humanities and welfare of the Central Bucks region.
Upper Bucks: The Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce will establish itself as the premiere service organization in the region dedicated to meeting the needs of area businesses, including the underserved home based, small, & not-for-profit organizations. The Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce represents its members and the best interest of the community for the mutual good of all:   Combines talent to solve business concerns; Advocates progressive and orderly community development; Campaigns for effective government; Advances the economic welfare of Upper Bucks


Chester County - We seek to understand and meet the needs and priorities of our members and the Chester County business community. We emphasize communication with members and identify members concerns of the highest priority. We are Action Oriented: We meet the needs and priorities of our members by providing effective, results-oriented training, networking information, resources and services. We serve as the voice of business in Chester County to positively influence the business climate through developing effective relationships with government, media and the public.

Delaware County - The Chamber strives hard to represent the business community and to promote the economic well-being of the county. Delaware County plays host to a spectrum of businesses, from major corporations to "mom and pop" operations. The county's positive business climate is the perfect choice for the numerous start-up companies that come to the Chamber each year for assistance.

Montgomery County - Now known as the Schuylkill Alliance Chamber of Commerce, with office in King of Prussia, PA.  "Strength through Business Development from Fort Washington to Valley Forge, Collegeville to Conshohocken Pennsylvania."  [Resources] [FYI Article: Building Relocation]



New Jersey - statewide, office in Trenton. The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce promotes a vibrant business environment and economic prosperity through vision, expertise and innovative solutions.  [Local Chambers/Associations Directory]


Southern New Jersey - "Where Business Grows." The Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey ( CCSNJ), with more than 130 years of service to businesses throughout the Southern New Jersey, Greater Philadelphia and Northern Delaware, provides members with: opportunities to meet each other and do business; resources to enhance their position in the marketplace; and a collective voice on public policy issues that impact operations and profitability.

Atlantic City Regional - The Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce serves as the business community's voice before local, state and federal government officials. The goal of the Chamber's Business Advocacy Committee is to improve the business climate in the region.  Support areas include: city permits, regulatory issues and workforce issues, city and state budgets.

Burlington County - The Burlington County Chamber of Commerce is comprised of businesses, non-profit organizations and government entities who work together to improve the economic viability of Burlington County and the business potential of our members. Committed to the economic development of Burlington County, we are the "Voice of Business."  [Resources]

Cherry Hill Regional - CHRCC is a regional Chamber and one of the five largest in the entire Delaware Valley. Our organization serves businesses in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland; with the largest core membership in Camden, Burlington, and Gloucester Counties, NJ.   [Resources]

Cape May County - The mission of the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce is to be voice of the business community by promoting tourism and economic development through legislative advocacy, marketing services, networking opportunities and educational programs for member businesses.

Gloucester County - The Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce is a business organization whose activities improve the economic and civic life in the Gloucester County Region by providing services, information and representation to its members and the public. The Chamber strives to act as a catalyst for constructive change by coordinating efforts by its members and the community towards improvement in the general welfare of the Gloucester County Area.

Mercer County Regional  - "Whether you are trying to grow a business, get your message out to the community or make the connections you need to succeed in fundraising, community affairs, and local or state politics, we are here to work for you!"

Salem County - "Big Enough to Count, Small Enough to Really Care."  Our vision is to become the essential focus for the Salem County business community by continuing to promote commercial, industrial and agricultural growth through great leadership and networking." We are a group of business people dedicated to making Salem County a better place to live, work and do business.


Delaware - statewide, office in Wilmington. The mission of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce is to promote an economic climate that strengthens the competitiveness of Delaware businesses and benefits citizens of the state. The State Chamber is continually providing an enriched environment for businesses and communities to grow. The State Chamber provides unequaled service to the community of Delaware - one day and one business at a time.

New Castle County (includes cities of Wilmington and Newark, DE) - "Your Bridge to Business Success..."  The New Castle County Chamber of Commerce works to strengthen the capability and profitability of member firms to create a prosperous economic environment and strive for an atmosphere that fosters business investment in the region. The New Castle County Chamber of Commerce serves as the voice of the member businesses in government affairs and economic growth, while offering special events, networking and educational opportunities, and insurance options.

Central Delaware - The general purpose of the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (CDCC) is to advance the balanced economic development of Central Delaware by promoting civic, industrial, commercial, agri-business and social interests of the community, and by strengthening the freedom of private business to operate competitively for profit with minimal government regulation. 


Note: There are also "chambers of commerce" that are available for promoting businesses among among various populations segments, such as African American, Hispanic and religious (e.g., Christian Chamber of Commerce), that can be useful within their spheres of influence.  Our focus with this article is on those chambers that are available for any and all business and professional people within the geographic areas they serve. 
 
 
 
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