The Leatherhead & District Chamber of Commerce is a business networking organisation that plays a vital role in the community to ensure Leatherhead is a great place to do business and a fantastic place to work, live and visit.

By bringing local businesses, organisations and entrepreneurs together, we have become a vibrant force and major influence in the business community within Leatherhead, Ashtead, Fetcham and the Bookhams.

From global blue-chip companies and national organisations to small businesses, specialist retailers and sole traders, we support and help our members' businesses thrive through our range of networking events, social functions, conferences and Business Awards. 

The diversity of organisations, range of expertise and variety of resources provided by, and made available to members, has proved to be a highly effective formula that benefits individual businesses and the local economy as a whole.

Unlike many business networking organisations, the Chamber also plays an active and influential role in local decision-making and works closely with organisations and local Government to represent members' interests, help shape the business landscape and organise events and activities that promote the town in a positive way. This includes the regular and continental markets and town centre events such as the St. George's Day and Halloween celebrations together with the hugely popular Christmas Festival.

To find out how to become a member of the Leatherhead and District Chamber of Commerce, click on 'Joining the LDDC' from the menu bar. 

PRESIDENTS PEN

Here at the Chamber, we are always looking at ways to keep up with the latest ways to do business and, like it or loathe it, Social Networking is one such way to stay in the game. 

It is incredible the way that Social Media has changed the way we communicate, interact and stay in touch with the world.  If you said to someone ten years ago, "go and have a look at my Facebook page" or "tweet me", they would have looked at you as if you were from another planet, yet in just a few short years it seems that everyone is doing it.  

There are some very big positives too, firstly it is a very cost effective way of marketing - in most cases cost free, and also very fast.  In the old days you would get a letter or a flyer printed, post it off to your contacts and hope they repond - time would be taken in design, writing it, typing address labels and a trip to the post office, not to mention the costs involved.

Nowadays a few select moments on Facebook and you can reach all your contacts in an instant - assuming they have 'liked' you that is.  Twitter is simpler but more restrictive, yet is very clever as it is great linking subjects and like minded people...I myself am yet to get to grips with this one having mastered Facebook quite effectively to the point where I manage several 'pages' on behalf of other people.

However, understanding the benefits of Social Media is something we can help with!  We invite you to join us a Fatcham Park on Thursday 31 May from 5.45pm for our evening launch event 'Setting a Social Media Strategy for you Business' and we are delighted to welcome our guest speaker Nicky Kriel, a social media expert, coach and trainer.  Places are limited, so book soon to ensure your place by visiting our website - you can now pay online too and the good news is that it costs just £15.00 each.

On another note, the Leatherhead Drama Festival is once again upon us, so do give it your support if you can.  The festival encourages people to visit Leatherhead as it features performances from all over the South of England and is a highlight of the town's social calendar.  The Chamber are very proud to sponsor the banner in the High Street and welcome the aspiring thespians and their families to our town.

Andy Newbold, President