If you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, or nonprofit director in the New River Valley, you’ve probably asked yourself this question:
“How many Chambers of Commerce can I actually join?”

The short answer?
As many as make sense for your business goals.

Chamber membership isn’t exclusive, and in many cases, joining multiple Chambers can be a strategic move—especially in a region as interconnected as Montgomery County, Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Radford, and beyond.

At the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, we frequently work with businesses that hold dual (or even triple) memberships. Here’s why that works—and how to decide what’s right for your organization.

Chamber Membership Is Not One-Per-Business

Unlike country clubs or formal trade organizations, you can belong to multiple Chambers of Commerce at once.

In fact, we encourage it if:

• You serve clients in multiple counties or towns

• Your services appeal to a wide regional audience

• You want access to more networking opportunities

• You’re expanding into new geographic markets

There’s no “Chamber loyalty oath.” You don’t have to choose just one.

We collaborate with Chambers across Pulaski, Floyd, Giles, Roanoke, Salem, and the greater Southwest Virginia region to ensure businesses feel supported—no matter where their customers are located.

Why Join More Than One?

1. More Visibility

Each Chamber has its own directory, newsletter, social media audience, and event lineup. By joining more than one, you increase your chances of being found by:

• Local residents

• Out-of-county visitors

• Regional partners

• Event attendees

The Montgomery County Chamber alone serves 700+ member businesses—but our partnerships allow members to stretch their reach even further.

2. Expanded Networking

Each Chamber serves a unique slice of the business community. If you’re attending events across two or three Chambers, you:

• Meet more business owners

• Access different industries

• Discover new collaboration opportunities

• Cross-promote your services more effectively

We regularly see members gain referrals from contacts they met outside their “home base.”

3. Stronger Advocacy

While each Chamber advocates independently, they often collaborate on regional issues, especially when it comes to:

• Infrastructure

• Workforce development

• Education and housing

• Broadband expansion

Being a member of multiple Chambers gives you access to more conversations—and more influence in shaping policy and development.

When Multiple Memberships Make the Most Sense

You might consider joining more than one Chamber if:

• You’re located on a county line (ex: serving both Christiansburg and Salem)

• Your business model includes service areas across the NRV

• You own multiple business locations

• You operate regionally or remotely and want to tap into local networks

Examples:

• A catering company might join both the Montgomery County and Pulaski County Chambers to access more event referrals.

• A law firm serving clients in Roanoke and the NRV could benefit from visibility in both regions.

• A nonprofit organization with regional programs might find funding, volunteers, and strategic partnerships by attending events in several communities.

Considerations Before Joining Additional Chambers

Before adding more memberships to your calendar and budget, ask:

• Do I have the time to engage with multiple Chambers meaningfully?

• Are the benefits (events, referrals, visibility) unique or overlapping?

• Is my target audience active in both Chambers?

• Do I have someone on staff who can attend events or manage relationships?

You don’t have to overextend—but you do want to maximize value.

How the Montgomery County Chamber Supports Cross-County Businesses

We recognize that business doesn’t stop at county lines.

That’s why we:

• Welcome members from neighboring counties and regions

• Encourage collaboration with other Chambers

• Support partnerships with Virginia Tech, Radford University, and New River Community College

• Cross-promote opportunities that benefit the greater business community

We also maintain strong working relationships with tourism departments, municipal governments, and regional economic development teams to make sure multi-market businesses have a seat at the table.

How to Get Started

Already a member somewhere else but looking to expand your reach into Montgomery County? We’d love to welcome you.

Here’s how to take the next step:

• Learn about membership options at: www.montgomerycc.org

• Attend a public Chamber event: https://business.montgomerycc.org/events/calendar

• Reach out with questions: marketing@montgomerycc.org

We’ll help you understand how Chamber membership fits into your overall strategy—whether we’re your first, your second, or your fourth.