Prince William Chamber Remains Largest Voice for Small Business
Business Journal “Industry List” Shows Chamber #1 in Membership, Top 5 in Revenue
According to the October 12 Washington Business Journal Industry List, the Prince William Chamber continues to be the largest in Virginia and the DC Metro area in terms of membership numbers. The chamber represents over 2,000 businesses and community organizations in greater Prince William and surrounding areas; it is among the top five chambers in the region in terms of revenue.
“It is not about being big for the sake of being big. We also strive to be the best, offering our membership resources that help them to grow in an often challenging market. As our numbers grow, so do our resources. It means a seat at the table when it comes to planning for the future of our region, a strong voice for our members,” said Prince William Chamber President & CEORob Clapper.
Nearly 90 percent of Prince William Chamber members are small businesses, representing a wide range of industries including government contracting, finance, construction, retail and bioscience.
“We speak for more small businesses than any other chamber in theNorthern Virginiaor DC metro area. Our membership numbers translate into results for the businesses that we represent, such as recent reforms to local BPOL taxes,” said Clapper. “These types of changes benefit every small business operating in greater Prince William, fostering an entrepreneurial spirit where commerce can thrive.”
According to Clapper, the Prince William Chamber maintains one of the region’s lowest price points for small business membership, with dues starting at $300 for businesses and $200 for nonprofit agencies. Among the other chambers listed as the five largest by the Washington Business Journal, entry-level annual dues range from $575 to $3,250.
“Our goal is to make sure that all businesses can access the benefits of Chamber membership. Particularly in the current economy, we continue to look for ways to contain costs and deliver the highest level of value to our members,” Clapper explained.
He noted that the Chamber also represents a number of Fortune 500 companies such as Micron Technology and General Dynamics. “Through programs such as our Government Contracting Committee, we are able to serve as a conduit for connecting large firms with smaller companies, creating opportunities for mentoring and partnership,” said Clapper.
To learn more about the Prince William Chamber of Commerce, or to view an online directory of its more than 2,000 members, visit www.pwchamber.org.
Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and Prince William Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Rob Clapper speak at a Google event designed to help small businesses get online. The Prince William Chamber is the largest representative of small businesses in Virginia and the wider DC Metro area.
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ABOUT THE PRINCE WILLIAM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Prince William Chamber of Commerceis the largest chamber in Virginiaand in the Washington, DCmetropolitan area, with nearly 2,100 member businesses representing more than 70,000 employees. For more information, and to join, visit www.pwchamber.org or follow the chamber on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pwchamber.
