The council is the U.S. Chamber’s principal policy committee and action group representing the issues of concern to small business.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.
With America’s 28 million small businesses representing more than 99% of all employers, accounting for nearly half of all private sector workers, and generating three out of every four new jobs, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is firmly committed to advancing a strong small business agenda. A robust and vibrant small business community has proven vital to our nation’s long-term prosperity.
The Small Business Council is the U.S. Chamber’s principal policy committee and action group representing the issues of concern to small business. In addition to formulating small business policy, the council assists small business members in creating effective grass roots actions and strategies on legislative, regulatory and international initiatives. The group is able to bring to the Chamber’s Board of Directors attention issues they regard as important or comment on the small business impact of policy being formulated by other Chamber standing policy committees.
The Council maintains a roster of approximately 115 members disbursed geographically throughout the country. The majority of the membership is comprised of small business owners whose size range from the self-employed to larger enterprises. Other members may include CEO’s or small business directors of state and local chambers of commerce, small business advocates of member associations, and small business representatives of organizations dedicated to serving the interests of small businesses.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business – especially small business. No other organization represents business as effectively before Congress, the administration, regulatory agencies, in the courts -- and in the court of public opinion. Members of the Small Business Council routinely help shape and advance the Chamber’s message and strong pro-business agenda by a dedicated commitment and involvement in the political process.
Council members regularly meet with top federal government officials and policy makers on issues of importance to the small business community. Our expert policy staff frequently calls on the Council to testify before Congress by representing the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. At these hearings Council members are provided opportunities to relay their personal stories to lawmakers on the impact of government policies on small business and proposed solutions.
Through a series of meetings and forums, members of the Small Business Council are the driving force in formulating our aggressive small business policy agenda. Our current platform includes:
Meetings of the general Council are held twice a year. The winter meeting is held alongside the Chamber’s Board of Directors meeting. The September meeting coincides with the Chamber’s Small Business Summit in Washington, DC.
In addition to the general Council meetings, the Chamber orchestrates a premier “Small Business Summit” whereby hundreds of small business owners descend on our Nation’s Capital to inform lawmakers of the challenges facing the small business community. The Council plays an instrumental role in planning and advising the staff on important components of this event in order to address pertinent issues.
Throughout the year, Council member are regularly invited to attend events hosted by other Chamber departments throughout the country.
For more information on the Small Business Council, please contact Megan Murray at MMurray@uschamber.com or (202) 463-5761.
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Save the date for the 2017 Small Business Summit in Washington, DC.
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The MetLife & U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index (Index), released today, found that almost 60 percent of all small business owners surveyed are concerned about cybersecurity threats. Companies with 20 to 99 employees are much more likely to be concerned—with one in five feeling very concerned—than companies with fewer than 20 employees.
The Q3 MetLife & U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index (Index), released today, recorded an overall score of 62.3, up 1.7 points from the Q2 score of 60.6, driven in part by an eight point jump in the percentage of small business owners optimistic about the national economy in the third quarter — 41 percent compared to 33 percent last quarter. Based on telephone interviews with 1,000 small business owners and operators, the survey also found that almost two-thirds of respondents rated the overall health of their small business as good, which is consistent with last quarter.
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The louder we defend small business, the greater a chance we have to succeed.
America’s 28 million small businesses account for 67% of new jobs and more than 50% of the nation’s economic output.
Maxine Turner, founder of Cuisine Unlimited and chair of the U.S. Chamber Small Business Council, sent a letter to Chairman Risch congratulating him on the introduction of the "Advocacy Empowerment Act" and the "Hearing Small Business Act."
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced the finalists for its annual Dream Big Small Business of the Year Award, presented by MetLife.
From shipping to staffing, the Chamber and its partners have the tools to save your business money and the solutions to help you run it more efficiently. Join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce today to start saving.
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