Northwest Valley Chamber of Commerce Responds to Recent Article on Surprise City Council Meeting

Related Blog Post:Chamber's True Loyalty: Business Community vs. Government Pressure

Background:

The Northwest Valley Chamber of Commerce, a cornerstone of the Surprise business community for over 60 years. The Chamber's commitment to addressing the needs and priorities of the business community are first and foremost. While collaboration with government entities is necessary, our primary obligation is to advocate for and support the interests of local businesses.

On 10/1/24, a chamber located 20 miles away was permitted to make a sales presentation to the City Council. We believe the decision to entertain this proposal was misguided. The comments made by elected officials during this meeting contained numerous factual inaccuracies and presented a one-sided view. We are committed to reducing tensions and staying true to our mission: championing economic prosperity, fostering a pro-business climate, and improving the quality of life in our region.

Summary Response 

We are disappointed by these false statements and biased perspectives, which were subsequently published in a local newspaper on 10/02/24. Such remarks can potentially harm the Chamber, its reputation and create confusion in community. We seek to correct these inaccuracies and present a balanced point of view.

Key Points:

• Commitment to Members: The Chamber emphasizes its long-standing commitment to the Surprise community, celebrating 60 years of service. It highlights its growth and the trust it has built with local businesses.
• Relationship with City Officials:The Chamber values its positive relationship with the city's economic and business department. While collaboration with city officials is important, our primary commitment is to advocate for the needs and priorities of the local business community. By maintaining a respectful, cooperative relationship, we can better serve the community while staying true to our mission of championing business interests.
• Grassroots Lobbying:The Chamber is noted for its grassroots lobbying efforts, which empower local businesses to engage with elected officials on issues that matter to them.
• Advocacy for Small Businesses: The Chamber remains committed to advocating for small businesses and fostering a thriving business community through various programs, including networking and educational events.
• Chamber Offerings: The Chamber provides a variety of support for local small businesses, including but not limited to: Advocacy, Resources, Ribbon cuttings, Networking events, Learning opportunities, Direct-to-consumer shows (B2C), Business-to-business events (B2B), and Business/Economic news. Our program direction and priorities are driven by our members, not the government.
  
• Looking Forward:The Chamber expresses a desire for continued dialogue with city officials to reduce tensions.

Date: 10/03/24

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Surprise, AZ – The Northwest Valley Chamber of Commerce, serving Surprise for over 60 years, wishes to address recent events. On 10/1/24, a chamber 20 miles away presented to the City Council. The decision to entertain this was misguided. Comments made contained inaccuracies and presented a one-sided view. We are committed to reducing tensions and championing economic prosperity.

False statements from this meeting, published on 10/02/24, have harmed our reputation. We seek to correct these inaccuracies and present a balanced view.

Addressing Misstatements

Recent misstatements made during council discussions have misrepresented our activities and mission. These inaccuracies could harm our reputation and diminish the trust we’ve built within the business community. We urge responsible communication that accurately reflects the Chamber’s role and contributions, as these misstatements may negatively affect both the Chamber and the businesses we serve. The following items are key corrections:

Unwavering Support of the Surprise Business Community and Residents

As the Northwest Valley Chamber of Commerce proudly reaffirms our commitment to transparent communication, business advocacy, and community support. Our dedication to championing economic prosperity and improving the quality of life in our region remains steadfast.

Celebrating Growth and Success

In the past three years, we have tripled gross revenues and expanded our membership to serve businesses across seven cities. This led to our rebranding from the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce to the Northwest Valley Chamber of Commerce. Despite this growth, Surprise remains central to our mission as we continue to champion local businesses and economic development.

Supporting Businesses Through Key Initiatives

Our Chamber consistently delivers ribbon-cutting ceremonies,networking events, and advocacy  services. We offer free "Chamber Academy & Networking" programs that provide valuable resources for businesses of all sizes. Our targeted Business-to-Consumer  (B2C) and Business-to-Business (B2B) events are informed by regular member surveys, ensuring that our initiatives align with the real needs of local businesses.

Our Chamber has consistently delivered ribbon-cutting ceremonies, networking events, and  advocacy services. Our free "Chamber Academy & Networking" programs provide resources for businesses of all sizes. With targeted  Business-to-Consumer  (B2C) and Business-to-Business (B2B) events informed by regular member surveys, we align our initiatives with the real needs of local businesses.

Name Change (One Chamber, Seven Cities, and Surprise is the Anchor Community)  

Surprise has a dedicated and active Chamber of Commerce. The former Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce recently reverted to its original name, the Northwest Valley Chamber of Commerce, to better represent the diverse communities it serves. This name, which the Chamber held for over 25 years prior, more accurately reflects our commitment to areas including El Mirage, Sun City, Sun City West, Surprise, Waddell, Wittmann, and Youngtown. This change was made to ensure that all communities feel equally represented and supported under our Chamber's initiatives.

Independence and Transparency

Our Chamber is self-funded through membership dues, event revenues, and sponsorships, ensuring independence from government influence. This allows us to focus solely on the business community’s needs and advocate for favorable conditions for local enterprises.  In contrast,  other chambers of commerce may be influenced by various government entities due to their reliance on government funding and the presence of elected officials on their governance boards.

Ongoing Collaboration with the City

The Chamber philosophy is to work in partnership with others, not by duplicating services already in the community. That’s why we collaborate with organizations who have specific strengths and competencies. Our partnership with Surprise’s Economic Development Department has yielded critical programs like the 'Shop Local' initiative during the pandemic, and SMS campaigns supporting businesses during the Bell Grand road closures. We are committed to fostering economic growth, job creation, and investment across the region.

Advocacy at State and Federal Levels

The Chamber’s advocacy extends to state and federal levels, where we engage on issues like infrastructure and economic policy that directly impact local businesses. This approach ensures the needs of Surprise’s businesses are represented in broader legislative discussions,safeguarding against burdensome regulations and promoting local growth. 

Conclusion

We invite all community members, including the City, to join us in dialogue and witness firsthand the positive impact we continue to make for Surprise and the surrounding communities. Together, we can build a thriving business environment and a stronger local economy.