Evolving with the Needs of Local Businesses
Adapting to support Staten Island’s vibrant business community.
About the Chamber
The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce is the cornerstone of the local business community, supporting over 600 businesses from all sectors. From small businesses to large enterprises, the Chamber is dedicated to fostering growth, collaboration, and community engagement across Staten Island.
The Journey: Adapting to Change
E-Commerce Response During the Pandemic: In response to the challenges posed by the COVID pandemic, the Chamber initially leveraged our e-commerce platform, which played a crucial role in supporting local businesses during a time of uncertainty. This platform allowed members to engage in local shopping, offer delivery services, and keep their businesses afloat when physical interactions were limited.
Evolving Needs: As the world moved beyond the immediate impacts of the pandemic, the needs of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and its members evolved. While the e-commerce platform was instrumental in facilitating local commerce, the Chamber recognized that their members were looking for more than just a place to sell products—they needed a space to connect, share, and collaborate.
The Next Step: Member Connection Marketplace
A Natural Evolution: Building on the success of our initial platform, the Chamber transitioned to the Member Marketplace—a solution tailored to meet their growing needs.
This new platform goes beyond e-commerce by offering a space where members can:
- Easily log in and manage their user & business profiles.
- Post their own listings, services, events, and promotions.
- Stay connected with other members through regular updates on marketplace activities & direct messaging.
Empowering Member Engagement: The Member Connection Marketplace allows the Chamber to maintain the sense of community that was fostered during the pandemic while providing the tools for a more interactive and connected member experience.
Integrating the Marketplace into Chamber Efforts
The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce didn’t just launch the Member Connection Marketplace—they made it a core part of their efforts to support and promote local businesses.
Here’s how they’ve integrated the platform into their daily operations and communications:
- Website Integration: The Chamber prominently features a link to the Member Connection Marketplace on their official website, making it easy for visitors to discover and engage with local businesses.
- Chamber Directory: The marketplace is actively promoted within the Chamber’s directory, ensuring all members are aware of the platform and can easily access it.
- Social Media Promotions: New listings, events, and member updates from the marketplace are regularly shared on the Chamber’s social media channels, reaching a broader audience and driving more traffic to the platform.
- Member Updates: The Chamber keeps its members informed about the latest happenings on the marketplace through regular email updates, highlighting new opportunities and encouraging active participation.
Guidance for Other Organizations: By seamlessly integrating the Member Connection Marketplace into their overall strategy, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce has ensured that it remains a vital tool for member engagement and local business promotion. Other organizations looking to maximize the impact of their own member platforms can follow these strategies to make it an essential part of their community efforts.
Results: Strengthening the Community
- Driving Leads & Connections: Within six months of launching the Member Connection Marketplace, the Chamber saw over 5,000 member interactions using the marketplace. Users are clicking to the vendors event and website links, saving and sharing posts, starting new conversations, and requesting services.
- Increased Member Participation: Approximately 25% of overall membership is engaged on the marketplace, regularly updating their profiles and contributing new content on a daily or weekly basis.
- Continuous Communication: Weekly updates keep the Chamber’s business community informed and connected about member offerings and driving visibility back to the marketplace.
- A Vibrant Community Hub: The platform now serves as a central location for member connection, interaction, and messaging, reinforcing the Chamber’s role as a hub of local business interaction.
What the Chamber Says:
“Our Member Marketplace has been an invaluable asset for our Chamber and our membership. I highly recommend it to any Chamber or Association looking to bring additional value to their memberships.”
Staten Island Chamber of Commerce
Explore What Staten Island is Doing!
See how the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce is using the Member Connection Marketplace to drive member engagement and community connections. Discover how local businesses are leveraging the platform to promote their offerings and connect with others in the community.
Visit Now: statenisland.membermarketplaceinc.com
