By Stephanie Rees, CEO, Burlington Chamber of Commerce
One of the biggest things I took away from Institute for Organization Management (IOM), a professional development program for Chamber and association leaders, is how often Chambers are underused. Most people know us for networking events, ribbon cuttings, member promotions, and community programs. Those things are important, and we love bringing people together. But they are not the full value of a Chamber.
I believe a strong Chamber should be one of the first places a business turns when something is getting in the way of its success. That could be a staffing challenge, a permitting question, rising costs, a training need, a connection that needs to be made, or simply not knowing where to start.
We may not have every answer ourselves. But we should know who to bring to the table and how to help move the conversation forward.
This is work I care deeply about. It is also work we cannot do well unless our businesses tell us what they are experiencing.
Business success is community success
At the Burlington Chamber of Commerce, our focus starts with the success of the businesses we serve. We support our local business community not simply because they are members, but because strong businesses directly affect the health of Burlington and the surrounding area.
When businesses succeed, people have jobs, families are supported, and money is reinvested locally. Our community also benefits from sponsorships, donations, volunteers, local services, and tax revenue.
The impact moves well beyond the walls of one business. It creates a positive ripple effect throughout our region. That is why business success and community health cannot be separated.
In the Chamber industry, we often say, "If you have seen one Chamber, you have seen one Chamber." Every Chamber is built by the businesses and community it serves.
Our priorities in Burlington should come from what Burlington businesses are facing. They should not come from what another Chamber is doing or what happens to be the latest national conversation.
That also means we have to be disciplined. We should understand broader economic and policy issues. But our time and resources need to be spent where we can create real value for our businesses and our community.
Of course, the Burlington Chamber of Commerce does not do this work alone. We are fortunate in Skagit County to have a destination marketing organization, the Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County, the local Builders Association, our local Chambers, Skagit County, and the City of Burlington.
Each has a different role. I do not believe every organization needs to do the same work. I believe we are strongest when we communicate, respect each other's roles, share information, and use our different areas of expertise instead of duplicating efforts.
Our place in that economic circle is to be a trusted voice for Burlington businesses. We need to make sure their perspective is included and connect them with the right people and resources. We also need to help create solutions that support business success while benefiting the entire community.
A Chamber has to be built and informed by business
A Chamber is governed by business leaders from the community it serves. The Board provides strategic direction, oversight, and accountability. The CEO and staff manage the daily operations, programs, partnerships, and work needed to carry that direction forward.
Clear roles matter. But structure alone does not tell us what businesses need.
Chamber staff bring industry knowledge, experience, and connections. But we are not behind the counter, managing the jobsite, meeting payroll, or working through the daily challenges of every business.
We cannot understand the actual pinch points, barriers, or gaps in knowledge unless businesses are willing to tell us.
As CEO, one of my most important responsibilities is to listen. When one business raises a concern, we may be able to help that individual business.
When several businesses share the same concern, it may show us that a larger solution is needed. That could be education, a new partnership, an introduction, advocacy, or simply getting the right people in the same room.
This is where an engaged membership becomes powerful.
Without that information, we risk creating programs that may look good on paper but do not solve the problems our businesses are actually facing. That is not the best use of the Chamber's time, resources, or relationships.
Engagement does not have to be complicated
Engagement does not have to mean attending every event or serving on a committee. Sometimes it is answering a survey, replying to an email, calling the Chamber when you run into a barrier, or asking us to help make a connection.
It also means staying subscribed to the information that matters to you. When a member opts out of all communication, they can miss important votes, advocacy updates, opportunities, and information that may require action.
Not every member has the same amount of time or wants to participate in the same way, and that is okay. What we need is for our businesses to stay connected in a way that works for them.
Tell us what is not working, but also tell us what is. Both help us make better decisions.
Please do not assume we already know what your business is experiencing. We would rather hear about a concern more than once than not hear about it at all.
A Chamber businesses can actually use
I care deeply about Burlington's business community, and I want our members to see the Chamber as a trusted partner they can actually use.
Our reputation should not be based on how busy we look. It should be based on whether our businesses trust us, use us, and feel supported by the work we are doing.
We will continue to show up, listen, build partnerships, and be accountable for our work. That partnership is strongest when businesses stay connected, speak honestly, and give us the opportunity to help.
Strong local businesses create a positive ripple effect throughout our entire community. That is why this work matters to me. It is also why every business voice helps us build a stronger Burlington.
So, if you work for or represent a business in Burlington, I hope you will use your Chamber.
Call us when you have a question, tell us when something is getting in the way, and share the opportunities you see. It does not have to take much time.
A conversation, a survey response, or a quick email can help shape our work. It may also help another business facing the same challenge.
At the end of the day, this is your Chamber. It is built around your experiences, your needs, and your success.
I am proud to serve this community, and I am grateful to every member who stays connected and trusts us enough to speak honestly. When we work together, we strengthen our businesses. We also create a stronger Burlington for the people who live here, work here, and visit us.