What is a chamber of commerce?

The Chamber represents businesses in the 14-town Greater Waterbury Region. The Chamber's mission is to foster an improved economic and regulatory environment in which businesses can grow and prosper, and to offer programs and services which help members achieve their goals. The Chamber acts as the voice of the business community on significant public issues.

What is the Waterbury Regional Chamber's region?

The Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce represents businesses in Beacon Falls, Bethlehem, Cheshire, Middlebury, Naugatuck, Oxford, Prospect, Southbury, Thomaston, Waterbury, Watertown, Wolcott, and Woodbury. The population of the region is 258,000 with approximately 40 percent living in the City of Waterbury.

Membership in the Chamber is drawn from every sector of the economy -- manufacturing, retail, and services -- and includes large and mid-size businesses as well as new, entrepreneurial and home-based enterprises. In addition, many professionals join as individual members. The Chamber reflects the economic diversity of the Waterbury region with more than 1,000 members representing 30,000 employees.

Chamber members achieve the best return on their investment by becoming involved, staying connected and utilizing Chamber resources. Members are advised of the many opportunities to become involved by participating on committees designed to meet a wide array of diversified business objectives.

 Members also take advantage of opportunities to establish business relationships with one another and use Chamber products and services - such as employee insurance plans - that can provide substantial savings.

Throughout the year, the Chamber offers many networking opportunities, seminars, and roundtable discussions to help members manage their businesses. Golf and fishing tournaments give members a chance to compete on different playing fields. Chamber members also may take advantage of a variety of sponsorship and marketing opportunities to promote their businesses and products.

Does the Chamber sponsor any business awards programs?

The Chamber hosts the Malcolm Baldrige Chamber Awards Evening each fall, and the Harold Webster Smith Award Breakfast each winter.

Named for the former secretary of commerce during the Reagan Administration, the Baldrige Award honors an individual who has made significant contributions to the Waterbury region in the area of economic development.

The Harold Webster Smith Awards, named for the founder of Webster Bank, honors companies which have shown achievement and excellence in small business through the Small Business of the Year, the Manufacturer of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year awards.

Is there a fee for joining the Chamber?

Yes. Membership dues are charged annually, based on the type of business and the number of employees. The Greater Waterbury Chamber offers new members a satisfaction guarantee.

Not yet a Chamber member?

Remember, Chamber members support one another and make use of Chamber referrals in developing business relationships. Don't delay, join today.