Business Networking Events & Membership – Christchurch Chamber of Trade & Commerce

Being in business is challenging and these days the challenges are greater than ever.

Whether you are on your own, in a small team or having to shoulder the responsibilities of a sizeable business, life could hardly be tougher than it is today.

Christchurch Chamber of Trade and Commerce is an association of local businesses whose purpose is to support one another and represent the combined interests in the community.

The Chamber has members from across all the business sectors in the local area; sole traders, partnerships, small to large companies covering retail, service, hospitality and manufacturing industries, and everything in between.

One of the Chambers most important roles is to lobby local government on behalf of the local business community.  The Chamber regularly attends meetings with BCP Council and work closely with the BCP Economic Development Services, the local Tourism and Hospitality organisations, Christchurch BID and a number of other strategy committees and other local organisations to ensure the voice of Christchurch businesses are heard. These bodies are often keen to listen to the real-life problems that local businesses are facing.

The Chamber of Commerce were active in forming the Christchurch Business Improvement District (BID) which supports the town centre businesses and works closely with them.  All BID members are entitled to become a member of the Chamber giving you access to a number of events across the calendar year including free lectures and regular business networking.   The Chamber produces a regular newsletter – the Christchurch Chamber Chat – that is delivered to businesses in the Christchurch Borough (as well as electronically to our members) so members can stay up to date with the latest news around the town.  As a Chamber member, you are able to share your news in Chamber Chat also.

The Christchurch Chamber of Trade & Commerce is a non-profit making company run by its members, for its members. The volunteer executive board is made up of local business people with wide business experience. It is non-political which means it is free to support or oppose proposals as it feels is appropriate.

The Chambers membership area is far reaching so exposure of your business is broad stretching from Christchurch to Highcliffe, Mudeford, Stanpit, Somerford, Burton, Bargates, Barrack Road, and Fairmile up to and including Hurn and the airport business park and all industrial estates and retail units in the Christchurch conurbation. We really do have quite a membership!