# Biz related: Chamber of Commerce?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biz-related-chamber-of-commerce/137556>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [November 19, 2002, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biz-related-chamber-of-commerce/137556 "2002-11-19T17:32:58Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![murky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@murky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/murky)\
**Post date:** [November 19, 2002, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biz-related-chamber-of-commerce/137556/1 "2002-11-19T17:32:58Z")

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Hey guys.

Does anyone have experience or much knowledge about the US Chamber of Commerce? My buddy and I are looking to possibly join up to help out our business but I wanted to get some inside scoop from people with experience.

What can a membership do for someone? Do you have to be into big business to get a benefit from it? Who do they usually represent?

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**Author:** ![I\_am\_Sparticus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@I\_am\_Sparticus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_am_Sparticus)\
**Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biz-related-chamber-of-commerce/137556/2 "2002-11-20T01:57:28Z")

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I am on the Board of Directors of my local chamber of commerce. The national chamber is a separate entity entirely, and it sees itself (IMHO) as an organization that lobbies the federal government on behalf of business interests. You can probably join, but I would look to a nearby local chamber if your business wasn’t nationally oriented.

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**Author:** ![murky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@murky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/murky)\
**Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biz-related-chamber-of-commerce/137556/3 "2002-11-22T00:16:20Z")

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Thanks Sparticus.

But I’m still a little confused. What do you mean when you say my business is national? It’s definitely a national industry but my particular business is not national.

Will the US Chamber still represent me? With all the big businesses out there right now, I like the idea of someone lobbying for me. Is the US Chamber the right organization for this?