What is the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and what does your organization do?
The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce is a membership based, nonprofit business assistance and economic development organization dedicated to helping businesses grow and to promoting the economic development of Brooklyn.  Click here for a summary description of our services and programs.

Is membership in the Brooklyn Chamber a requirement for all businesses in Brooklyn?
Membership is voluntary in all chambers of commerce, including ours.  Many businesses join our organization to benefit from the promotional, support and advocacy services we provide to help connect them to customers, money-saving solutions and the issues that matter in our borough.

What specific benefits do Members of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce receive?
Our Members receive a full range of exclusive services from networking events to promotional benefits and opportunities to marketing assistance and more.  Read Member testimonials to learn more about how Chamber Members use the Chamber's services to support their businesses.

How can an entrepreneur or a business join the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce?
It's easy!  You may either sign up online or contact Ken Varga in our Membership department at 718-875-1000 ext. 133, or at membership@brooklynchamber.com.  Our fees are annual and we offer levels of membership and associated benefits to meet the various and changing needs of all types of businesses.

What types of businesses join the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce?
Our 1,500 Members are mostly small business owners and entrepreneurs located in neighborhoods all across the borough.  A number of our Members are actually located outside of Brooklyn, including a few out-of-state companies.  Our Members represent all types of businesses, large and small, across all industry sectors including financial services, energy, insurance, manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, health care, real estate, and communications.

Why would businesses outside of Brooklyn join the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce?
Whether your business is based in Brooklyn or outside of it, if you currently conduct a significant portion of your business in Brooklyn or are looking to grow your business in Brooklyn, then you should be a Member of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.  Our networking events, programs and services can assist you in increasing your customer base while our communications can help you keep abreast of developments in the borough that may affect your business.

Does the Brooklyn Chamber provide special membership rates for nonprofits?
The Brooklyn Chamber offers levels of general membership associated with benefits to match the various and changing needs of all types of businesses.  We have a number of nonprofit organizations as Members, both large and small.

I am looking to start my own company.  Should I join the Brooklyn Chamber prior to actually establishing my business?
We love your enthusiasm!  However, because the Chamber is a Member business association, we recommend that you join us after your business is established.  In the meantime, we encourage you to visit the Brooklyn Business Solutions Center specifically for their free business services for start-ups and entrepreneurs.

Yes, I heard the Chamber provides free business services.  How can I find out more?
The Brooklyn Business Solutions Center, the Good Help staffing and employment program, the Brooklyn HealthWorks low-cost health insurance plan, our real estate business services, our Brooklyn Connects government procurement assistance program and our online business listings are free and available to all Brooklyn-based business owners and entrepreneurs from start-ups to well-established firms.  Click here to learn more.

I would like to purchase the Brooklyn Chamber’s membership list.  How would I go about doing that?
The Brooklyn Chamber’s membership list is only available to Brooklyn Chamber Members.  However, the general public may purchase a copy of the Chamber’s print directory for a small fee, or use our online Member directory.  Chamber Members receive a complimentary copy of the print directory with their membership, but may purchase additional copies for a reduced fee.

I would like to place advertising in the Brooklyn Chamber’s print directory.  How can I find out about ad sizes, pricing, etc.?
The Chamber's annual Brooklyn Business Directory and Buying Guide is distributed to over 2,000 businesses.  Advertising orders for the 2008-2009 edition will begin in the spring; the Directory will be distributed in the fall.  Please contact our Manager of Marketing & Promotions Yuk Ling Lo at 718-875-1000 ext. 116, or at ylo@brooklynchamber.com for more information.  Note that included in the non-member advertising pricing is a one-year Brooklyn Chamber Entrepreneur membership.

I'd like to submit an article to Brooklyn’s Progress and/or place an ad.  Who should I contact?
Only Brooklyn Chamber Members may submit articles to Brooklyn’s Progress, the Chamber's bimonthly newspaper that is distributed to 26,000 businesses across the borough.  If you are a Brooklyn Chamber Member, please login for Progress submission requirements and information.  However, both Members and non-members may purchase advertising space in the newspaper through Courier-Life Publications.  Contact Courier-Life directly for ad sizes and pricing at 718-615-2500, or at sales@courierlife.net.

How can I receive Brooklyn’s Progress and other Brooklyn Chamber mailings?
Contact Terry Setzer in our Membership department and ask to be added to the Chamber's mailing list; Chamber membership is not required.  Terry may be reached at 718 875-1000 ext. 111, or at tsetzer@brooklynchamber.com.

I am interested in participating on a Brooklyn Chamber committee.  What do I need to do to attend the next meeting?
Only Brooklyn Chamber Members may participate on Chamber Committees, however, certain Chamber activities are open to the general public.  Check out our online calendar for details.

I understand the Brooklyn Chamber produces industry-specific events like BKLYN DESIGNS™ that promotes furniture designers and manufacturers and Brooklyn Eats™ that highlights restaurateurs and caterers.  How can I get my business involved?
Please click here for details about how appropriate Brooklyn-based businesses – both Chamber Members and non-members alike – can apply to be considered for participation in the Brooklyn Chamber's industry shows.

I'm interested in either hosting or sponsoring a Brooklyn Chamber event.  How can I find out more information?
You may first want to visit our Networking section to read descriptions about the Chamber's events.  Then you should contact Yankie Lopez-Baptiste for more information at 718 875-1000 ext. 127, or at ybaptiste@brooklynchamber.com.  Note that if you are not currently a Brooklyn Chamber Member, you will be asked to become a Member prior to your hosting or sponsoring a Chamber event.

I am interested in presenting a workshop or seminar for the Brooklyn Chamber in my area of business expertise.  Who should I contact?
The Brooklyn Chamber's Small Business Seminar Committee (SBSC) is actively seeking interested and qualified presenters for its ongoing business seminar series.  Please click here to download the RFP and application form in PDF format, or contact our Rick Russo at 718-875-1000 ext. 148, or at rrusso@brooklynchamber.com.  Higher-level presenter opportunities are provided by our Business Expos.  For more information, please contact Rosalie Rance at ext. 121, or at rrance@brooklynchamber.com.  Note that if you are not currently a Brooklyn Chamber Member, you will be asked to become a Member if you are selected as a presenter.

I've noticed you have non-Chamber events displayed on your home page along with Chamber events.  How can I get my upcoming event posted on the Chamber's community calendar?
Simply visit our News & Events section to submit your event.  The Chamber's community calendar is available to the general public.  Note that the Chamber reserves the right to edit or reject submissions.

Can the Brooklyn Chamber help refer me to services in Brooklyn I need like hotels, printers, lawyers or Web designers?
We have 1,500 Member businesses providing all types of services and products.  We encourage you to search our online Member database, or check out our other business listings sites that include the greater Brooklyn business community like brooklynease.com for neighborhood retail businesses or brooklyneats.com for neighborhood restaurants.  Click here for a full list of our business listings sites.

If you are looking to relocate your business in Brooklyn or you have commercial, industrial or residential space available to rent, lease or for purchase, click here to find out about the Chamber's Real Estate and Development program's match-up services.

I’m looking for demographic data and business statistics about Brooklyn.  Can the Brooklyn Chamber help me find this information?
Please check out our About Brooklyn area of the site.  If you do not find what you are looking for there, we recommend that you contact the Business Library for assistance at 718 623-7000, or visit http://www.biz.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/.  For historical documents and images, you may want to start with the Brooklyn Historical Society at 718 222-4111, or go to their Web site at http://www.brooklynhistory.org/, or email them at reference@brooklynhistory.org.

I would like to visit Brooklyn and wanted to know if the Brooklyn Chamber can provide me with tourist information?
For visitor's information about Brooklyn, be sure to check out the Brooklyn Tourism and Visitors Center at Brooklyn Borough Hall at 718 802-3846, or visit them online at http://www.brooklyntourism.org/.  We also recommend that you check out the Chamber's Brooklyn restaurant guide at http://www.brooklyneats.com/, as well as our online Member database for hotel accommodations and cultural attractions.