Businesses adapted during COVID to not depending on the chamber programs 

By Jane Howard

Jane Howard

Many chambers of commerce have been challenged with reestablishing the relevancy of their organizations for businesses and organizations since the COVID-19 pandemic. Thinking back we remember the struggles we faced as business owners during the shut-down to innovate and continue doing business during those difficult times.

The Gilroy Chamber of Commerce and other chambers were the go-to organizations for businesses to turn to for the most current information providing guidelines from the state and county health officials on how to comply with operations to support keeping customers and employees safe. The relevancy for chambers had changed from the typical role of advocacy, networking and marketing to health and safety information collectors and disseminators.

Thankfully, those days are behind us and businesses can return to more normal operations once again.  However, what has been discovered is the pre-COVID business model for chambers of commerce to operate is not the same for these current times. Businesses adapted during the COVID period to not depending on the chamber programs and services typically offered. Many chambers are now needing to re-introduce themselves to members and reminding them why chamber membership is relevant to their business success and operations. In addition, chambers are doing outreach to members to ask for input on what they are looking for.

The Gilroy Chamber of Commerce board of directors recognized these changes and in early 2024 addressed the relevancy question during their annual strategic planning session.  Following are several of the actions the chamber has or is implementing this year to address the needs and requests from the membership:

  • Reconnecting businesses to customers through innovative marketing and networking opportunities provided for members including Shop Local campaigns, newsletter promotions, chamber website advertising opportunities and bringing back the often requested Business Expo in early November;
  • Business advocacy — hosting the annual Legislative Summit in April, serving on the Gilroy City Council Downtown Committee, supporting legislation to eliminate job killer bills identified by CalChamber and plans to relaunch the influential and well-respected Government Relations Committee later this fall;
  • Education — reestablishing the relationship with SCORE — a national organization supported by the Small Business Administration to serve start-up and growing small businesses and non-profits. Prior to COVID, the Gilroy chamber provided opportunities for chamber members to schedule appointments and meet individually with SCORE mentors on site at the chamber office. This opportunity is being relaunched this month and in addition, workshops on subjects including: How to Write a Business Plan, Marketing Your Business, Customer Service Tips and others will be available by registering on the chamber website: www.Gilroy.org. These education benefits for members are long overdue and are being welcomed by many of our members.

The above-mentioned action items are a small representation of what the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce has to offer. Business operations and best practices have evolved since COVID and the Gilroy chamber has and will continue to respond to the needs of our members. If you are not a member yet, contact Cristina@gilroy.org for information on how to join.  For current members, be sure to check out the programs and services we have to support your business or organization. Our goal is to reestablish our relevancy for all our members.

Jane Howard is the interim President/CEO of the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development.