Why the Chamber Charges for Event Attendance (And Why It Matters)

By Sherri Buckle, Executive Director

One of the most common questions I hear as Executive Director is why the Chamber charges for event attendance. It’s a completely fair question, and it deserves a clear, transparent answer.

The short version is this: membership dues alone don’t cover the full cost of the programs, advocacy, networking opportunities, and business support we provide throughout the year. Like most chambers across Canada, we rely on non-dues revenue to keep membership affordable while still offering high-quality events and services that support our local business community.

What is Non-Dues Revenue?

Non-dues revenue is simply any income the Chamber earns outside of member dues, things like event ticket sales, sponsorships, and program fees. This revenue is essential because it funds the work we do for you, our members:

• business advocacy
• professional development
• networking events
• shop-local initiatives
• community leadership programs
• economic development support

Without this additional revenue, membership dues would need to be significantly higher to maintain the same level of service.

Why Event Fees Exist

Each event we host comes with real, tangible costs. Venue rentals, catering, AV equipment, decor, printing, staffing, and speaker fees all add up. While we work hard to keep costs low, the reality is that hosting impactful, well-run events requires resources. And that leads to something that isn’t always immediately visible from the outside…

Our Ticket Prices Are Often Lower Because of Sponsorships

Many chambers and organizations rely heavily on event sponsorships. When sponsorship is available, it covers a large portion of the event cost, and that allows us to offer lower ticket prices to attendees.

However, for events where sponsorship is limited, not available or doesn’t fit the event, the cost per person naturally ends up being higher. We never want to pass unnecessary costs on to members, but we also must ensure that events are sustainable and don’t operate at a loss.

So, when you see a higher ticket price from time to time, it’s not because the Chamber is trying to “make money.” It’s usually because we’re covering the actual cost of the event without the support of a sponsor to help offset it.

We’re committed to being responsible stewards of our resources and transparent about how and why we price events the way we do.

What Your Ticket Price Actually Supports

When you purchase a ticket to a Chamber event, you’re not just paying for a meal or a seat, you’re supporting the infrastructure that helps our business community thrive.

Your ticket helps fund:

• stronger advocacy at the local, provincial, and federal level
• programs and training that help businesses grow
• economic development initiatives that attract new investment
• networking opportunities that build meaningful business relationships

In other words: your ticket is an investment back into the business community you’re part of.

A Commitment to Transparency

I believe in being upfront about how we operate and why we make the decisions we do. If you ever have questions about event pricing, budgeting, or how the Chamber allocates resources, my door is always open.

Our goal is simple: to support our members, strengthen our business community, and provide value in everything we do.

Thank you for understanding, for engaging, and for continuing to invest in the Chamber and in Cold Lake’s business community.