It is no secret that 2020 wasn't easy. But through it all, we have been able to count on our Chamber community for support, and you have been able to count on us. As soon as businesses began shutting down, we launched a robust campaign to help our small business members navigate the loan and grant opportunities they needed to survive. We shifted our programming online, successfully holding two job fairs, over a dozen webinars and panels, and our first ever small business pitch competition. Furthermore, we continued to work with our corporate partners around topics of LGBTQ+ inclusivity and supplier diversity.

Even with everything going on in the world, you all became more invested in our work than ever before. Between January and December, we nearly doubled the number of small businesses in our membership. Participation in our virtual events, especially our job fairs and pitch competition, well exceeded our expectations. You were not just responsive to our work, but active contributors to it.

While 2020 did not go the way anybody expected, we are proud of what our Chamber was able to accomplish in the face of such adversity, and we couldn't have done it without you all. We put together a short video recapping the Chamber’s year, which you can view below.

Of course, we have already hit the ground running in 2021 and are excited about the year ahead. While we anticipate our programming will remain remote through the year, that hasn’t stopped us from planning even more in-depth webinars, bigger and better job fairs, and new ideas that we can’t wait to bring to you. Stay tuned for more updates as we move forward.

We are approaching 2021 with hope and determination, and are glad you will be joining us along the way.

Proudly,

Executive Director

Every January we hold an annual member meeting, inviting all of our small businesses to participate, hear about our plans for the year ahead, and offer their opinions on ongoing work and what they need from the Chamber.

With a large number of businesses joining the Chamber in 2020, this year's meeting was the first opportunity for many to participate in a membership-wide gathering. We focused specifically on collecting data for the Chamber’s recent membership survey, looking ahead to the programming we have in store for 2021, and starting to prepare members for the second round of PPP loans.

Thanks to everyone who joined us — we were thrilled to have over 45 participants! For those of you who couldn’t make it today, a recording of the meeting will soon be available on our YouTube.

The Chamber is seeking feedback on how last year’s programming was received, particularly around COVID-19 small business relief. Earlier this month, we invited our small business members to participate in a survey that will be instrumental in shaping our 2021 programming and membership goals.

Early results from the survey reveal that while many businesses unsurprisingly faced significant financial consequences due to the pandemic, the vast majority found the guidance and relief offerings from both the Chamber and the SBA extremely helpful.

If you are a Chamber small business member and have not yet filled out the survey but would like to, please contact Thais De Marco.

We are pleased to announce our first webinar of 2021! Newly passed pandemic relief legislation offers updated guidance on SBA loan programs and loan repayment/forgiveness. Please join Berkshire Bank's Rob Torres to hear more about PPP forgiveness and learn what you should do to maximize forgiveness of your PPP loan.

Date: Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Time: 12–1 PM

Also this February, the Chamber will be joined by the Small Business Administration for an overview of the second round of PPP. Whether you’re re-applying or looking to participate in the program for the first time, this webinar will give you the tools and information you need to get COVID-19 assistance for your business. Exact date and time are TBA, but keep an eye on our website and social media for updates!

Chamber members are invited to join our statewide Facebook networking group.

Stay informed about the latest news and events by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and visiting our website.