What IS a Chamber of Commerce? What does it do? Why should I join?

The Bandera County Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization made up of area businesses, non-profit organizaitons and individuals that realize that by working together they can strengthen the economic future for the entire group. Each member pays an annual membership fee.

The Bandera County Chamber of Commerce was established in 1963 and is a 501(c)6 organization.

The Chamber is NOT a government agency. It is funded solely through membership fees and its annual fundraiser, the Hunters Bar-B-Q and Expo.

The Chamber is run by an 11-member board of directors, who are chosen in a member-wide election in the fall. Following the election, the board selects its officers.

The Chamber periodically hosts seminars and round-table discussions on business topics for its members. It also provides resource materials on business building and expansion through affiliate memberships.

New businesses, those newly reopened or remodeled, businesses under new managment, any business which has undergone a substantial change is encouraged by the Chamber to hold a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, complete with media coverage.

The Chamber also encourages all businesses to host one of the regularly-scheduled after hours mixers, which allows other business people the opportunity to view the site.

The Chamber offers advertising opportunities through semi-monthly newsletters, e-mail blasts, listing on the Chamber Website and in the Chamber directory, and directly on the scene in the Chamber office. Perhaps most important, membership in the Chamber means that YOUR business will be one of those recommended to the hundreds of e-mail, telephone and walk-in requests the Chamber office receives each month!