Opinion CHAMBER LINK


The Official Publication of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce


Editor’s View


By John Lamb


The Chamber’s record growth is proof that connectivity is the key


Sutton Coldfield


Chamber of Commerce


Greater Birmingham


Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce


Many people have sounded the death knell for membership organisations. This month’s edition of Chamberlink seems


finally to lay that particularly ghost to rest because we are announcing record growth for both the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce itself and its thriving young persons’ section, Future Faces. The fact that this has happened is, of course,


largely down to exceptional performances from members of our sales team and others.


Front cover: Future Faces leaders who have achieved record growth (left to right): Hayley Porter, Alexandra Hutchinson, Anna Assinder and Sian Averill. See page 5.


Editor John Lamb 0121 607 1781, 0797 1144064 j.lamb@birmingham-chamber.com


Deputy Editor Dan Harrison 0121 607 1887, 0797 1144052 d.harrison@birmingham-chamber.com


You can now read the latest issue of CHAMBERLINK and view back issues online at: www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com


‘This generation are using their smart phones every day to access information and collaborate on social channels using the latest and websites and mobile apps’


And to be fair to the speaker at the


aforementioned event, many clubs are struggling. The days when golf clubs would make you wait five years for membership are no longer, similarly squash clubs. But many of those organisations are learning


Published by


the value of using new communication channels to maintain vital, long-term member engagement. This has been very much the strategy at the


Kemps Publishing Ltd 11 The Swan Courtyard, Charles Edward Road, Birmingham B26 1BU 0121 765 4144 www.kempspublishing.co.uk


Managing Editor Laura Blake Designer Lloyd Hollingworth


Advertising 0121 765 4144 jon.jones@kempspublishing.co.uk


CHAMBERLINK is produced on behalf of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce by Kemps Publishing Ltd and is distributed to members without charge. The Chambers and the publisher are committed to achieving the highest quality standards. While every care has been taken to ensure that the information it contains is accurate, neither the Chambers nor the publisher can accept any responsibility for any omission or inaccuracies that might arise. Views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the Chambers. This publication (or any part thereof) may not be reproduced, transmitted or stored in print or electronic format without prior written permission of Kemps Publishing Ltd.


4 CHAMBERLINK March 2018


Chamber. Membership organisations generally agree that members expect their online experience to be interactive and engaging. And, pertinent to Future Faces in particular,


there is the increasing challenge of meeting the digital expectation of millennials. This generation are using their smart phones every day to access information and collaborate on social channels using the latest and websites and mobile apps. The user experience they get from these channels is driving up their expectation for their digital engagement with their membership body. And this is where the answer may lie for


organisations who are experiencing falling membership. It’s still hard work but to achieve a net growth membership is something to be proud of. Demand is strong through our social media channels and increases day-by-day as businesses across the region recognise that Chamber membership is an ideal route to market. The Chamber offer has never been as strong


as it is today, with 101 new members joining in January – the previous monthly record was 90. All is this bodes well for this year and reflects


the resurgence in the local economy, with an increasing number of businesses relocating from London. The big advantage is the opportunity to


connect with a local network by becoming Chamber members.


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