How Broome’s chamber of commerce and industry plays key role in growing business

As the first port of call for any business new to town, the Broome Chamber of Commerce and Industry has a history of supporting and advocating the needs of Broome businesses on a Statewide level.

The self-funded representative body has seen membership increase steadily over a number of years, in part due to the vast and varied demands of businesses around town.

“We try to take a longer-term strategic view of what the chamber’s role is in town, and use the resources we do have to provide additional services, additional advocacy and additional focus on providing things our members need,” president Peter Taylor said.

“Whether that’s training and upskilling, providing greater access to the market place through our Love Broome directory and online application, or whether it’s our advocacy to the State Government on things which impact small, medium and large business in Broome.

“We’ve taken the view we need to be a loud and strong voice, and I think that can be seen during the time of COVID, where the chamber had one of the loudest voices in regional Australia on how it was impacting regional businesses and towns as a whole.”

Mr Taylor said aside from advocacy, the chamber’s highly subscribed events such as business after hours were a chance for local business to meet their counterparts.

“It offers our local businesses the chance to hear from industry experts and mingle with other local businesses,” he said.

“Even if the presenter isn’t necessarily directly related to their industry there’s always something for attendees to learn.

“Our women in business events have been extremely successful and have inspired many business women around town to grow and adapt to changing economic conditions.”

Now, as the organisation gears up to host the 2022 Kimberley Economic Forum, Mr Taylor said the timing couldn’t be better.

“It’s a great event that’s held over 21/2 days and gives us an opportunity to showcase what’s happening in the region,” he said.

“With such a strong local economy it’s going to be a landmark event for the town and really allow us to show what we’re made of.

“It’s an opportunity to hear from State and Federal Government and see what their aspirations are with the region, and for local businesses to have their say in the future economic environment of the Kimberley.”