Solon Chamber of Commerce

What Solon Chamber of Commerce does

The Solon Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit membership organization founded in 1927 that serves as an advocate for the local business community in Solon, Ohio and surrounding Northeast Ohio submarkets. It operates with a lean staff of three (President/CEO Marilyn McMillin, Member Services & Communications Coordinator Judy Hileman, and Accounting Affairs lead Mary Kay Gebler) and is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Dolly Slaughter. The Chamber's core proposition is membership: it serves 425+ member businesses and residents with a stated growth target of 525+ members.

Its service portfolio is organized around four pillars: advocacy (representation at local, state, and national levels), programs and events (50+ annually, including Business After Hours, Business Builder Talks, the annual Swing for the Green Golf Outing, Solon Women in Business, the Western Reserve Safety Council, and a Young Professionals program), member cost-savings benefits (negotiated healthcare, workers' compensation, shipping, payment processing, energy, payroll, and email marketing programs brokered through NOACC partnerships), and marketing/workforce services (Solon Spotlight features, Business Directory, Ribbon Cuttings, and a Facebook Job Board). The underlying technology is a conventional web stack: an Atlas member portal/directory, event management and calendar modules, electronic Certificate of Origin processing via the AWTCC eCO-Online platform, and standard email/social channels.

Revenue is generated from three primary streams: recurring annual membership dues (the largest contributor, with a base of 425+ business and resident members), transactional Certificate of Origin processing fees ($25 per certificate for members, $50 for non-members), and per-attendee/event fees (e.g., $30 per WRSC luncheon), supplemented by event sponsorships from major local employers such as Nestlé, Secure Recycling, and X-Golf Solon. The Chamber distributes primarily through direct sales via online membership application forms, phone, email, and in-person community engagement, and it leverages partner organizations (NOACC, Anthem, FedEx/PartnerShip, Constant Contact, Sedgwick, Community Energy Advisors) to extend its benefits surface without owning the underlying benefit infrastructure.

Name

Solon Chamber of Commerce

Legal name

Solon Chamber of Commerce

Website

https://solonchamber.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1927

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Solon Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit business membership organization founded in 1927 that serves 425+ local businesses and residents in Solon, Ohio with advocacy, networking, programs and events, and negotiated cost-savings benefits.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Solon

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from businesses and residents in the Solon area
2. Certificate of Origin Processing: Processing fees for Certificate of Origin documents for international shipping - $25 for members, $50 for non-members
3. Program and Event Fees: Fees for programs, events, and luncheons including WRSC meetings at $30/luncheon

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Solon Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit trade association that sells annual business and resident memberships providing networking, advocacy, and visibility services to its 425+ member organizations in the Solon, Ohio area. It generates fee-for-service revenue by processing Certificates of Origin for exporters (manual and electronic/AWTCC), hosting ticketed events and luncheons, and operating community programs such as the Western Reserve Safety Council, Solon Women in Business, and the Swing for the Green Golf Outing.

Product overview

The Solon Chamber of Commerce operates as a membership-based business organization serving the Solon, Ohio business community since 1927, offering a suite of programs and services organized around advocacy, networking, business resources, and member cost-savings. The primary offerings include membership access to the Atlas digital platform (business directory and member portal), Electronic Certificate of Origin processing, Western Reserve Safety Council programming, and various marketing services including Solon Spotlight features and the Business Directory. The Chamber provides over 50 annual programs and events, including the Swing for the Green Golf Outing, Business Builder Talks, and Solon Women in Business networking. Member benefits encompass negotiated cost-savings through healthcare, workers' compensation, payment processing, shipping, payroll, and energy programs, along with workforce development tools including a Facebook Job Board and annual Job Fair.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Swing for the Green: Annual golf outing event hosted by the Solon Chamber of Commerce
• Western Reserve Safety Council (WRSC)
• Solon Women in Business (SWIB)
• Solon Chamber RISE

Products and services

• Solon Chamber Business Membership Annual membership for Solon-area businesses providing access to Chamber events, advocacy representation, member directory listings, marketing exposure through Solon Spotlight and social channels, member cost-savings programs, and networking opportunities with 425+ peer businesses.
• Solon Chamber Resident Membership Annual membership tier for Solon-area residents who want to engage with and support the local business community and Chamber programming such as Senior Space.
• Certificate of Origin Processing (Manual and Electronic / AWTCC)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 425 members served with goal to grow to 525+
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• American World Trade Chamber of Commerce (AWTCC)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for electronic Certificate of Origin processing through AWTCC's eCO-Online platform, enabling members to create, submit, and print electronically certified documents for international shipping.
• X-Golf SoloncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLead sponsor for the annual Swing for the Green Golf Outing event. Also hosts Western Reserve Safety Council meetings.
• NestlémajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for 2026 Swing for the Green Annual Golf Outing.
• Secure RecyclingmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for 2026 Swing for the Green Annual Golf Outing.
• University Hospitals Urgent Care SoloncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for July Western Reserve Safety Council program meeting.
• Bureau of Workers Compensation (Ohio)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Western Reserve Safety Council program, providing safety council rebate opportunities and employer resources for workers compensation management.
• NOACC (National Association of Ohio Chambers of Commerce)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState chamber association partnership providing group benefits programs including healthcare (Anthem), workers comp, energy, shipping (FedEx), payroll services, payment processing, and more for member businesses.
• Anthem Blue Cross Blue ShieldcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOffers ChamberSaver (ACA plan) and SOCA Benefit Plan (MEWA self-funded group plan) discount programs for chamber members through NOACC partnership.
• SedgwickmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerWorkers' compensation group rating program provider for chamber members.
• Aqua-Leo PaymentsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPayment processing solutions provider with customized rates for chamber members.
• Community Energy AdvisorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEnergy management solutions provider for the Chamber Energy Program, helping members save on utility costs.
• PartnerShipminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFedEx shipping program manager providing exclusive discounts on inbound and outbound shipments for chamber members.
• GeoBlueminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTravel medical insurance provider available to chamber members through NOACC benefits.
• ECCA Payroll+minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFull-stack HR and payroll service provider available to chamber members through NOACC benefits.
• Big Impact VideominorGTM or Marketing PartnerVideo marketing service provider with special chamber member pricing for testimonials and branded videos.
• Constant ContactminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEmail marketing platform with exclusive discount of up to 25% off for Chamber Members.
• ColletteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTravel company partnered with the chamber to offer domestic and international trips for members, their families, and community guests.
• AAA East CentralminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTravel agency handling booking for chamber-sponsored trips including Canyon Country 2024.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Greater Cleveland Partnership: The largest chamber of commerce in NE Ohio serving the broader Cleveland metropolitan area. Directly comparable as a regional business membership organization providing advocacy, networking, and cost-savings programs — though at much larger scale and broader geography than Solon.
• NOACC (National Association of Ohio Chambers of Commerce): State-level association of Ohio chambers that the Solon Chamber directly partners with for member benefits (Anthem healthcare, Sedgwick workers' comp, etc.). Operates as an umbrella/incumbent providing group-rate programs that Solon resells to its members.
• Akron Area Chamber of Commerce (Greater Akron Chamber): Regional chamber serving the Akron metropolitan area in NE Ohio. Comparable as a broader regional chamber providing advocacy, networking, and member benefits — though at significantly larger scale and wider geography.

Direct peers

• West Shore Chamber of Commerce: Another NE Ohio local chamber serving the western Cleveland suburbs. Directly comparable in size, mission, and service mix (advocacy, networking, member benefits) — competes for member businesses that operate across multiple west-side municipalities.
• Brecksville Chamber of Commerce: Chamber serving Brecksville, Ohio, a southern Cuyahoga County suburb near Solon. Direct peer as a similarly-sized local business membership organization providing comparable programs and benefits.
• Twinsburg Chamber of Commerce: Chamber serving the adjacent Twinsburg, Ohio community in the same NE Ohio region. Directly comparable as a similarly-sized local business membership organization offering networking events, advocacy, and member benefits programs.
• Cleveland Heights Chamber of Commerce: Chamber serving Cleveland Heights, an eastern suburb of Cleveland in NE Ohio. Direct peer in size and service mix — local business networking, advocacy, and member benefits for SMBs.
• Lakewood Chamber of Commerce: Chamber serving Lakewood, Ohio — a Cleveland inner-ring suburb. Direct peer in size, mission, and service mix as a local business membership organization providing networking and advocacy for SMBs.
• Aurora Chamber of Commerce: Chamber serving Aurora, Ohio — a neighboring community in the same Portage/Geauga corridor. Direct peer in scale and structure, offering business networking, advocacy, and member benefits to local SMBs.
• Willoughby Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce: Chamber covering Willoughby and western Lake County in NE Ohio. Direct peer comparable in scale and operating model, providing advocacy, networking, and member benefits to local businesses.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/solonchamberofcommerce
• Xx.com/SolonChamberOH

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Solon Chamber of Commerce