No. The Edmonds Chamber of Commerce is a local, independent, nonprofit organization that does not pay dues to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and has no political affiliation. Funds raised through membership dues and donations to the Edmonds Chamber are reinvested in the local community.

No. The Edmonds Chamber of Commerce is a local, independent, nonprofit organization. While we partner with the City on some projects and events, we are independently funded and operate independently.

Many people don't realize that several large community events including An Edmonds Kind of 4th, Halloween Trick-or-­Treat Night, and the Tree Lighting Ceremony are produced by the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce, not the City. These events are not paid for by taxpayer dollars. Chamber staff and board members work to secure funds through sponsorships, grants, and by hosting Taste Edmonds, our annual summer festival that also serves as an essential fundraiser.

So glad you asked! The reasons are as varied as the diverse fabric of our business community. Some join to expand their network, some for increased visibility, some because it is a way to give back to the community they love – and some join for all those reasons! Check out our membership page for more information about the many benefits of becoming an Edmonds Chamber member.

We have nearly 500 members and continue to grow. Most of our members are small, local businesses. About half of our members have fewer than 5 employees. Many nonprofit organizations have joined the Chamber as well (Do you run a nonprofit? We offer a 20% discount on membership fees for nonprofits!).

You can see a full list of business and nonprofit members by viewing our membership directory.

We also have a significant number of individual and family members from the community. These members join to support the mission of the Chamber and show appreciation for the many community events we produce each year.

The short answer is no—almost all of our functions are open to the public and free to attend.

Our two after-hours events, Connect Edmonds and the Community Update, are designed to connect the Chamber business community to the larger community, and we are delighted to welcome members and non-members alike.

Our monthly Morning Buzz is created for members of the business community to connect and grow their networks. Prospective members are encouraged to attend and check it out. However, we do ask those who plan to take advantage of these functions with any regularity to please, out of fairness to all of our dues-paying members, sign up for a membership.

Our annual signature events are, of course, made to draw a large crowd of fun-loving people from Edmonds and beyond. No membership is necessary (though we do appreciate any support people can give toward the cost of producing these events)!

No. Several of our members are located to the North, South, East, and even West of Edmonds! Regional members join the Edmonds Chamber because it is one of the most robust in the area and provides ample opportunities for visibility and growth in Edmonds and beyond.

In most cases, businesses can write off Chamber dues as a business expense. Please talk to your CPA about how to factor in your dues when filing taxes.

Yes. Membership packages are categorized by the size of an organization and based on number of employees. Any employee is considered an active member of the Chamber and is welcome to utilize all benefits.

Occasionally, an employee of a member company will try to register for a Chamber event but find they are not in the system. All individuals need to be entered manually as representatives under the company's account. For instructions on how to do this (and many other things), please visit the website tutorial page.

Please visit our website tutorial page to see thorough instructions for updating your online listing. While you’re at it, we recommend reviewing your keywords section, as that has a considerable impact on your website’s SEO.

We encourage our members to keep us in the loop about what’s happening with your business and to let us know of any special announcements you would like us to amplify.

The channel we use to spread your news will likely depend on your audience and subject matter, but here are some possibilities:

• Our biweekly newsletter with 10,000+ subscribers contains an “Around Town” section wherein we share exciting news, updates, and events from our members and partners. Contact Chamber staff to be considered.

• Instagram and Facebook posts and stories have the potential to reach our 8,000+ followers. If you’ve posted something you want the Chamber community to know about, tag us in the post. We will gladly share your news on our social channels (within reason and staff availability).

• Members can submit upcoming events to our community calendar. For instructions on how to do this (and many other things), please visit the website tutorial page.

• Got a poster? Bring a couple of copies to the office! Passersby often stop at our window to see what’s happening in Edmonds. We can also put one up inside the Log Cabin Visitor Center.

Yes! The charming and historic Log Cabin Visitor Center is located directly across from the Chamber office (121 5th Ave N.) and next door to the Edmonds Historical Museum. It is staffed by a group of dedicated and friendly volunteers who are knowledgeable about the city and are eager to help visitors and residents make the most of a day in Edmonds.

Please reach out to us! We are happy to help. You can find contact information for our staff here.