The Secrets Behind Redlands’ Chamber of the Year Award
- Taymour B.H.
- Aug 7
- 2 min read
The Redlands Chamber of Commerce recently earned the prestigious title of California’s Chamber of the Year, sparking curiosity about what exactly makes this organization stand out. In a recent conversation with Evan Sanford, Executive Director of the Chamber, Najaf Faisal uncovers the real engine behind its success — a deep focus on community, personalization, and consistency.
🧩 Understanding the True Role of a Chamber
Most business owners think of chambers as just networking clubs with ribbon-cuttings and mixers. But as Evan explains, a chamber is much more than that. It’s a membership-based organization representing businesses of all types — from for-profits and nonprofits to educational institutions.
The Redlands Chamber in particular serves over 500 members across 16+ cities, focusing on:
Advocacy
Events and networking
Education
Community-building
“Every single member has their own need out of the chamber,” Evan says. “Our job is to support every single one.”
🔑 Relationships Over Transactions
Evan highlights that the real strength of the chamber lies in its relationship-based approach. Whether it’s a small local café or a multi-location company, the Chamber ensures each member is seen, heard, and supported.
Rather than focusing on constantly recruiting new members, the Chamber prioritizes retention — keeping current members happy, engaged, and growing.
🎯 What Does Help Look Like?
Evan’s advice for members: show up and be present.
“Yu are your most valuable asset. You will sell your business better than anyone else.”
Members are encouraged to network intentionally — not just to hand out business cards, but to build real connections and tell their stories with clarity and passion. The Chamber creates the platform — but it’s up to the members to take the mic.
💼 A Blueprint for Other Communities
The success of the Redlands Chamber shows what’s possible when an organization listens closely, adapts continuously, and shows up consistently for its people. It’s more than just good branding — it’s strategic empathy in action.
If you’re a business owner wondering what a chamber can do for you, Redlands might just be the model worth studying.