Greensboro Chamber Membership Brochure

We Know and Grow Greensboro.

The Greensboro Chamber of Commerce is the largest business organization in the community serving more than 1,200 member businesses through programming designed to help them succeed and grow. A partner in the Guilford County Economic Development Alliance, the Chamber also serves as Greensboro’s primary economic development organization, with special emphasis placed on community and entrepreneurial advancement through

Amplifying Greensboro-centric agendas

Many thriving businesses. One unified voice.

We balance the needs of doing business in our community with the desire to maintain a high quality of life for the people who call Greensboro home. We work with elected officials on policy issues and initiatives that move our community forward. By combining our efforts and our voices, we can make positive things happen in Greensboro, and the region.

What We Advocate For

• An environment where business can prosper;

• Infrastructure critical to business;

• Talent development for the region’s workforce;

• Quality of life that attracts and retains residents and workers; and

• Collaboration that leads to economic prosperity in the Greensboro region and the state of North Carolina.

DEVELOPING TALENT

From cradle to career, our community thrives on opportunities to advance themselves, their families, and our city.

With over 540,000 residents in Guilford County, numerous colleges and universities, and nationally recognized leadership development programs, our people are well-equipped to drive any company’s progress. We recognize the importance of all levels of education and development, including K-12, secondary education, and post-secondary education. Our work focuses on connecting employers to these existing initiatives in the community. We place the tools in your hands to help attract and retain a future-ready workforce - whether you need apprentices through Guilford Apprenticeship Partners (GAP), a college intern through Campus Greensboro, or the tools to help recruit talent from across the country, we can point you in the right direction.

by the people, and by the amenities that surround the site. When we locate a plant, it’s more than just the actual site, it’s the community. And we’re just super excited about this community in particular here

“Having the support of an institutional investor creates a halo effect for us locally and sends a powerful message of credibility and seriousness to future partners.”

- MATT BAILEY Board Chair, Soelect, Inc.

Driving Economic Development

Greensboro isn’t just growing. It’s transforming into an urban powerhouse of economic development, educational opportunities, and equitable change.

Whether your company wants to relocate, or your local team wants to connect and expand their network, we’re here to take care of you at every stage. Our team provides white-glove service to help our existing industries, no matter the concern. Greensboro has seen a boom in manufacturing and other high-paying jobs that are attracting talent, investment, and interest in the community. With three massive economic development wins, including Publix, Toyota Battery Manufacturing, and Boom Supersonic, North Carolina is a top state for business.

The thousands of jobs pledged from these recent wins guarantee we are continually working with our entire region to ensure our deep and diverse local talent pool can fill these positions.

“We appreciate the Chamber’s leadership to elevate connectivity amongst the logistics and supply chain enterprises in Greensboro to drive education, training, and skills deployment with local companies. Their help has allowed us to recruit and retain the best talent in the area.”

- KEN WALDRON Industry Professional, Supply Chain Management

“It’s a pleasure working closely with the Chamber because they’ve been supportive of our initiatives since the beginning. They understand the vision while helping my business to grow and thrive, and manufacturing is and always has been an integral part of Greensboro’s economy. It’s a great place to have a family and a career in manufacturing.”

- GEOFF FOSTER CEO/President, Core Technology Molding Corporation

“The Syngenta family has been part of the fabric of this community for many decades, and it’s our goal to remain in Greensboro for many years to come. Our new headquarters will enable Greensboro-based colleagues to work together in modern, efficient facilities, enabling better collaboration and focus to meet our customers’ needs.”

- VERN HAWKINS , President, Syngenta Crop Protection

Championing Local Entrepreneurs

We work to provide education, inspiration, collaboration, and support for entrepreneurs to start, grow, and expand their business.

We have programming across multiple levels to guarantee that any local business or startup can find the support and community necessary to grow and meet their goals. Greensboro is rich with programming for every stage of your business from idea to scaling for growth, and we love nothing more than connecting you with the perfect resource to make you successful. If it’s not with us, we know someone who can get you where you need to be.

Launch Greensboro accelerates growth for local entrepreneurs through education, mentoring, and access to capital. We have programs for businesses of all sizes, including our accelerator LaunchLab; a pitch event, weekend bootcamps. Housed in transformGSO, Launch Greensboro has carved their niche by serving entrepreneurs in the idea and growth stage.

A partnership between Accelerate Greensboro, Launch Greensboro, and the national organization Interise, Scale to Excel helps minority business owners who want to take their enterprises to the next level. Get the executive education, management know-how, and business support system you need to grow your established small business through this intensive, cohort-based program.

Launched

First Launch Capital Fund is a seed-stage venture fund based in the Piedmont Triad that invests in start-ups and early-stage companies with high-growth and future funding potential at their earliest stages. With a focus on tech and tech-enabled companies, the team and investors work closely with

“The Scale to Excel program has significantly increased my knowledge base about how to operate a sustainable and successful business. Thanks to this class, the future of my business is brighter. I’ve learned that there is no vision too big to attain if I have a well-thought-out plan with goals and a continuous effort to network with others in my community to learn new information.”

- MONIQUE CRUTCHFIELD, MSW, LCSW, LCAS Owner, Piedmont Life Solutions Scale to Excel participant

Accelerate Greensboro connects minority-owned suppliers with companies in need of their products and services. These relationships create economic opportunity and contribute to the vitality of our region. The program focuses on growing the local, ethnic minority-owned businesses and expanding our region’s minority entrepreneurial community.

in 2017, portfolio companies have since gained more than $10 million in

Making long-term connections

Civic engagement hinges on community collaboration. This is your chance to be a catalyst for change.

With programming for students, professionals, and community members, we have many ways to get involved no matter who you are or what you do. Beginning as a college student with Campus Greensboro and continuing throughout your career, there are opportunities for internships, networking, leadership programming, diversity, equity and inclusion training, and more through our extensive catalogue of programming.

Our signature leadership programs, Leadership Greensboro and Other Voices, have decades of experience, alumni, and support to help solidify your roots in Greensboro.

“Other Voices is a transformational program that is a must for everyone. From dynamic speakers, interactive discussions and personal reflection, this program does not disappoint. I am grateful for the OV experience and the lasting connections created through this program.”

- NAKEISHA THORPE, Other Voices Class of 2021

“The Kellin Foundation has been fortunate to participate in this program since its start. In 2021, our fantastic intern worked with the Kellin Foundation team to develop our primary fundraiser, Journey to Brave, leading the efforts around our silent auction. The intern learned new skills, participated in staff training, and gained in-depth exposure to the field of counseling. In addition to helping Kellin Foundation execute a successful fundraiser, the intern has decided to pursue a Ph.D., which will be supported by recommendations from Kellin Foundation staff. It was a win-win situation as the intern explored their career options while also contributing to the overarching goals of the organization.”

- THE KELLIN FOUNDATION

engaging OUR membership

Community Starts With You. A membership in the Greensboro Chamber gives your business and your people opportunities to make business connections, stay informed, and engage in the community.

Greensboro isn’t just growing. It’s transforming into an urban powerhouse of economic development, educational opportunities, and equitable change. Chamber members keep up-to-date on our region with news, data, and connections that make sure you hear it first.

No matter how large or small, membership is a direct investment in Greensboro and offers a wide range of benefits to all types of businesses. Being a part of the largest business organization in the ‘boro puts you in the same room as CEOs, business owners, and potential customers. And as our region grows, our Chamber community is where the connections are made.

1,200+

Amplify your advocacy by adding your voice to more than 1,200 businesses city-wide.

of Chamber Members say they would suggest joining to other businesses.

4,000+

businesses and professionals at our networking events.

“Without the mentors I had, I don’t know that I would have thought about strategy and our business model. The connections I have made through the Greensboro Chamber have directly impacted the success of The Historic Magnolia House.”

- NATALIE PASS-MILLER

telling our story

We work hard to provide the community with resources and share what makes Greensboro great.

We are proud to create a city that residents are proud to call home and we love sharing stories of our community. Is your business on the leading edge of technology? Are you serving our community in an innovative way? We’ll help you shout it from the rooftops. As a member of the Chamber community, you’re eligible to be recognized in a host of different ways. Do great work, and we can help it get recognized. Whether it’s through our social media channels or through campaigns like Made in Greensboro or Greensboro.Life, we’ll help the wider community know about your business.

“The Chamber is so critical in creating and maintaining commerce in the community. From colleges to corporations and all the small businesses in between, the Chamber supports us all where we are. Sharing the same core values with the Chamber allows my business as well as the countless others to launch and grow right here in Greensboro."

- SHEENA

WHITE

Chief Executive Officer

FiberSpace

Owner, The Historic Magnolia House

LaunchLab Alumn | Connections Cohort Alumn

Accelerate GreensboRO: Connects minority-owned suppliers with companies in need of their products and services. Signature program, Scale to Excel, is an intensive, cohort-based program looking to take their business to the next level.

Action Greensboro: Our related organization that serves as connectors and relationship builders to strengthen collaboration in Greensboro and are catalysts for public-private partnerships.

Campus Greensboro: An initiative dedicated to preparing college and university students for a professional environment and helping them envision a future living and working in Greensboro.

First Launch Capital Fund: A seed-stage venture fund created to drive economic development and job creation to foster a more robust start-up community.

GROW: The strategic plan for 2023 through 2027 determines the priorities, goals, and direction for our entire organization.

Launch Greensboro: Accelerates growth for local entrepreneurs through education, mentoring and access to capital. Programs are available for businesses of all sizes at all stages of growth.

Leadership Greensboro: Preparing and nurturing a diverse, broad-based group of citizens to assume leadership roles through a nine-month program, with the goal of strengthening and transforming our community.

Other Voices: An eight-month program that examines many forms of diversity and oppression affecting our community with participants building their insight and understanding the roots of prejudice.

synerG Young Professionals: synerG is more than just an organization for Greensboro’s young professionals. They’re a real, live network dedicated to growing and cultivating the under-40 community.