The Augusta Metro Chamber will be holding a “Small Business Appreciation Decal-A-Thon” on Wednesday, February 17^th in honor of National Small Business Week. Volunteer Ambassadors will be deployed to Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce small business members to ensure they have window decals and other member designations proudly displayed at their place of business. The businesses will also receive a certificate of appreciation for their membership in the Chamber and for helping to drive our local economy. 

The Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives points to a national survey, conducted by The Schapiro Group, which found that being active in a local chamber of commerce is an effective business strategy. The 2,000 respondents overwhelmingly believe that such companies use good business practices, are reputable, care about their customers, and are involved in the community. Furthermore, if consumers know that a small business is a member of its local chamber, the business enjoys a 49 percent increase in its consumer favorability rating, a 73 percent increase in consumer awareness, a 68 percent increase in its local reputation, and an 80 percent increase in the likelihood that consumers will patronize the business in the future.