As defined by Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, "Commerce" is the exchange or buying and selling of commodities (or services) on a large scale involving transportation from place to place, i.e, "the possible increase of commerce by a great railroad." Unfortunately, historically, and even today, the overwhelming majority of "Chambers of Commerce" throughout the United States:
> Do not actively "propel" existing and new members to "engage" in "commerce."
> New and existing members cannot report an increase in their revenue, or profit, or an increase in market share as a direct result of their membership in a Chamber of Commerce.
> Many if not most chambers of commerce use a template, a proprietary third-party application produced by ChamberMaster, GrowthZone, MembershipWorks, MemberClicks, etc., which primarily function as database management, but are not designed to be interactive or to actually promote "commerce."
> Many if not most chambers of commerce represent a stereotypical “good ole boy” network of “elite,” politically powerful and affluent non-minorities, primarily White men, that categorize membership “demographics” to celebrate their own "success stories," while ignoring or only giving token and/or patronizing recognition to small businesses and to minority and women-owned business.
In summary, Chambers of Commerce do not function: (1) to strategically achieve and measure targeted increases in individual member business revenue, profits, or to generate original revenue streams and commerce for individual member businesses; and (2) women and minority owned businesses, and small businesses are typically bereft of membership due to cultural and financial roadblocks. Therefore, since individual members typically do not report an increase in their revenue, or profit, or an increase in market share as a direct result of their membership in a Chamber of Commerce, why should any business join a chamber?
For example, as with the overwhelming majority of Chambers of Commerce, membership in the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce (click the "Background" below) mirrors the usual-and-customary "business model" for chambers to generate revenue to sustain chamber operations at "above market" salaries for chamber staff and leadership, while "underperforming" for individual members; absent is any tangible financial benefit for the overwhelming majority of its members.
