The Guilderland Chamber of Commerce is not your typical chamber, as it is smaller than most with only two employees, but that puts the chamber on the same level of the businesses it services.
“We are a smaller, suburban chamber. We specialize in smaller more than larger businesses,” Chamber President Erika Guthier explained, another reason why the Guilderland Chamber differs from other regional ones.
The Guilderland Chamber has been around for 43 years, always with the same goal. “We cater to the needs of the business community, help them get customers to their doors,” said Guthier. The Guilderland Chamber helps businesses with marketing and meeting people in the community.
The Guilderland Chamber strives to help businesses get to know other businesses. When asked what the chamber’s main philosophy is, Guthier said, “For businesses to meet each other.”
One recent initiative the Guilderland Chamber is starting within the next few months is the Shop Local initiative. Guthier said the Chamber is encouraging people “to shop at local businesses before going to Amazon or shopping on the Internet.”
Two important values of the Guilderland Chamber are health, wellness and productivity. The chamber’s Small Business Assistance Program, an initiative of Community Service Society, helps small businesses with affordable health care and insurance, including one-on-one consultations.
Local events sponsored by Guilderland Chamber of Commerce encourage employees of local businesses to stay healthy.
The chamber will host the Health and Wellness Kickoff, Wednesday, July 22, at 12:30 p.m. And, on Wednesday, Aug. 19, the Altamont Winery will host a mixer where there will be health booths to promote overall wellness. The Ladies Night Out on Sept. 30 is also a big event for the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce.
“We have quite a lot,” Guthier said of the chamber’s upcoming events.
For more information go to www.guilderlandchamber.com, or visit the chamber at 2050 Western Ave.
