Joining the Chamber is the easy part. Getting involved is what turns your membership into something valuable.
In this solo episode of The Catalyst, Stuart Takehara, Vice President of Membership at the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, talks about how members can get more from their Chamber membership by being intentional about why they joined, building the right relationships, and becoming strategically involved in the business community.
Stuart shares practical advice for approaching Chamber events, including why collecting business cards is not the goal, why you should focus on having conversations worth continuing, and why trying to sell your product the first time you meet someone is usually the wrong approach.
The episode also explores the Chamber’s business councils and how members can use smaller groups to build stronger connections, get involved in conversations that matter to them, and become known within the Long Beach business community.
Most importantly, Stuart explains why simply joining the Chamber does not create value. Members have to show up, build relationships, follow up, and stay involved.
In this episode:
• Why joining the Chamber is just the beginning
• How to decide where to spend your time and get involved
• Why meeting the right people matters more than meeting everyone
• How being useful helps you become known, liked, and trusted
• Why you should build relationships before you need them
• How the Chamber’s business councils can help you find the right rooms and conversations
• Why showing up consistently matters
• The importance of following up after events
The key takeaway:
Joining the Chamber gives you access. Getting involved turns that access into value.
That value is built through connection, community, and conversation.
Learn more about the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, explore upcoming events, and discover opportunities to get involved through the Chamber’s website.
TimeStamp
00:07 Welcome and Introduction to Chamber Membership
02:39 Understanding the Value of Membership
05:13 Building Meaningful Relationships
08:01 Engaging with Business Councils
10:53 Strategic Involvement vs. Busywork
13:42 The Importance of Follow-Up
