Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce

What Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce does

The Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce (WWCC) is a nonprofit membership organization serving businesses and residents of Westport and Weston, Connecticut. It functions as the primary local business association and self-described "chief cheerleader" of the two towns, with a dual mandate of economic development and community engagement. Its core products are tiered annual memberships (priced $150-$1,275 depending on business size, with a multi-branch bank tier up to $2,050), a portfolio of recurring signature events, and limited member-only website advertising. Signature event franchises include the Slice of Saugatuck Festival (running since 2011, drawing 2,500+ attendees), the Westport Dog Festival (since 2013, 3,000+ attendees), the Supper & Soul concert series (since 2016), Restaurant Week, and a series of food contests (burger, pizza, sandwich, salad, soup). These events double as fundraisers, channeling more than $60,000 to Homes with Hope food pantry and over $50,000 to dog-related nonprofits cumulatively.

Revenue is generated from three streams: recurring annual membership dues, event ticket and sponsorship revenue, and modest website banner advertising ($350 for three months, $600 for six months, members only). Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven: monthly Business After Hours networking, Morning Network breakfasts, signature festivals, and a recently launched "Your State – Your Business" speaker series. Distribution is digital-first via a GrowthZone-powered member portal and website (westportwestonchamber.com), supplemented by email marketing through Constant Contact, social media (Facebook), and broadcast partnerships with WEBE 108 and WICC 600 radio. The organization operates with two paid employees — Executive Director Matthew Mandell (12-year tenure) and Events and Membership Manager Marita R. Driscoll — alongside a volunteer Board of Directors chaired by Paul Lebowitz.

The Chamber's technology footprint is minimal and standard for the industry: a GrowthZone CMS powers the website and member management, with Eventbrite handling advance ticketing for some events and Constant Contact managing email outreach. There are no proprietary technology products, no API, no AI capabilities, and no mobile applications. Strategic significance rests on community-embeddedness rather than technology: the Executive Director holds seats on multiple Town committees, the Chamber co-produced Connecticut's first drive-in concert venue during COVID-19, and the organization maintains long-standing partnerships with the Westport Library, Levitt Pavilion, Westport Country Playhouse, and local economic development initiatives.

Name

Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce

Legal name

Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce

Website

https://westportchamber.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit membership organization serving businesses and residents of Westport and Weston, Connecticut, generating revenue from tiered annual dues, signature community events (Slice of Saugatuck, Dog Festival, Supper & Soul), and member-only advertising.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Westport

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership dues tiered by business size: 1 Employee $275, 2-5 Employees $375, 6-10 Employees $425, 11-30 Employees $525, 31-50 Employees $675, 51-100 Employees $975, 101+ Employees $1,275. Restaurant membership $300, Non-profit $150.
2. Advertising & Sponsorship: Website banner advertising: $350 for 3 months, $600 for 6 months. Event sponsorship opportunities. Website advertising opportunities only open to members.
3. Event Revenue: Revenue from signature events including Slice of Saugatuck Festival ($15 adults, $5 children), Dog Festival ($10 person, $30 family), Restaurant Week, and various food contests. Events also serve as fundraisers for local charities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce (WWCC) is a nonprofit membership organization that sells annual business memberships, organizes community festivals and networking events, runs Restaurant Week promotions and food contests, and offers website banner advertising to members. Its offerings are aimed at businesses in Westport and Weston, Connecticut, providing marketing visibility, networking access, advocacy, and community engagement opportunities, alongside charitable giving coordination to local nonprofits.

Product overview

The Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce (WWCC) operates as a membership-based community organization rather than a technology product company. Its offerings consist of membership services providing networking access, marketing exposure, and member directory inclusion; signature community events including the Dog Festival, Slice of Saugatuck Festival, and Supper & Soul concert series; Restaurant Week promotions; food contests (burger, pizza, sandwich, salad, soup competitions); networking events (Business After Hours, Morning Network breakfasts); and advertising opportunities via website banners. The organization focuses on economic development and community engagement for Westport and Weston, CT businesses and residents.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Chamber Membership Services Tiered annual membership program for local businesses that includes access to the online member directory, Member Information Center (password-protected online community), member-to-member discounts, advocacy services, and inclusion in Chamber events and promotions. Pricing is tiered by employee headcount from $275 (1 employee) to $1,275 (101+ employees), with a $300 restaurant tier and $150 nonprofit tier.
• Dog Festival Annual community dog festival held in Westport, CT, featuring 800+ dogs and 2,000-3,000+ attendees, with K9 unit demonstrations, pet contests, and proceeds benefiting local animal charities such as TAILS, CT Humane Society, Adopt-a-Dog, and Fidelco Guide Dogs.
• Slice of Saugatuck Festival Annual beer, wine, food and retail tasting festival in the Saugatuck Center section of Westport, CT, drawing 2,500+ attendees. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children, with proceeds benefiting the Homes with Hope Gillespie Food Pantry (over $60,000 donated since inception).
• Supper & Soul Dinner and Concert Series Recurring dinner-and-concert event series featuring live music performances, held at the Westport Library's Trefz Forum in partnership with the Library. Advance tickets are sold via Eventbrite.
• Restaurant Week Annual multi-restaurant dining promotion featuring prix fixe menus for lunches, dinners, and brunch at 18+ participating local restaurants, with co-marketing on partner radio stations WEBE 108 and WICC 600.
• Great Westport Food Contests Annual community-voted competitions recognizing the best local offerings in categories such as burger, pizza, sandwich, salad, and soup, with participating restaurants competing for titles.
• Business Networking Events (Business After Hours and Morning Network) Recurring networking programming including Business After Hours held monthly on the third Thursday from 5:30-7pm at member locations ($25-$35 members, $30-$40 non-members), and Morning Network breakfasts for local business professionals.
• Website Banner Advertising Members-only banner advertising on the Chamber website at $350 for three months or $600 for six months, sold as a paid add-on to Chamber membership.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $60,000 donated to local food pantry
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 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 and minor.

• Homes with Hope Gillespie Food PantrycoreOthers · 1 October 2025Primary charitable beneficiary of Slice of Saugatuck Festival. The Chamber has donated over $60,000 to this food pantry since the festival's inception in 2011. The festival's motto is 'food for those who can afford it and food for those who can't.'
• Choice PetminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Presenting sponsor of Dog Festival 2025-2026. Primary sponsor for the event.
• Westport Library (Trefz Forum)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Venue partner for Supper & Soul concert series. The Library's Trefz Forum serves as the primary concert venue. Association with Westport Library VersoFest Board.
• TAILS (Thompson's Animal Interest Leagues)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Co-producer of the annual Dog Festival with the Chamber. Received $4,000 donation in 2021 from Dog Festival proceeds. Long-standing partnership since the festival's founding.
• Gault Family CompaniesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors Slice of Saugatuck Festival. Balloon Bender entertainment provided by Gault Family Companies at festivals.
• WEBE 108 / WICC 600 RadiominorGTM or Marketing PartnerBroadcast media partners covering Dog Festival and Restaurant Week events. Radio advertising and live broadcasts at events.
• Westport Police Department (K9 Unit)minorOthersPolice K9 unit participates in Dog Festival with demonstrations. Received $1,000 donation split between K9 unit and Animal Control via WASA in 2021.
• Westport Country PlayhouseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor sponsor of Dog Festival. Previously available as parking location (not available in 2025-2026).
• Fidelco Guide DogsminorOthersRecipient of $250 donation from Dog Festival 2021. Dog-related nonprofit beneficiary.
• CT Humane SocietyminorOthersRecipient of $250 donation from Dog Festival 2021.
• Adopt-a-DogminorOthersRecipient of $250 donation and winner of 2021 Jon Nowinski memorial Community Champion award at Dog Festival.
• Westport Animal Shelter Advocates (WASA)minorOthersAnimal welfare organization partnered with Dog Festival. Received portion of 2021 K9 unit donation ($1,000 split with Animal Control).
• Saugatuck FinancialminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Slice of Saugatuck Festival and local business member.
• Saugatuck Rowing ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Slice of Saugatuck Festival.
• Westport Historical SocietyminorOthersRestored Robert Lamdins Saugatuck mural that resides in Town Hall. Associated with Slice of Saugatuck Festival cultural heritage.
• Levitt Pavilion WestportminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of Blues Views & BBQ concerts with the Chamber. Associated venue for larger music events complementing Supper & Soul series.
• Earthplace (Nature Discovery Center)minorOthersBoard of directors affiliation. Executive Director Matthew Mandell serves on Earthplace board since 2007.
• Westport Economic Development (E4E)minorOthersPartnership with Westport's economic development initiative. Chamber is chief cheerleader of economic development for the towns.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Hartford Metro Chamber of Commerce: Metro-wide chamber serving the Hartford, CT region. Same membership-and-events model but in a larger, more corporate geography; useful benchmark for tiered membership revenue potential.
• Middletown Area Chamber of Commerce: Area chamber serving Middletown, CT and surrounding towns with membership, events, and advocacy. Comparable small-footprint Connecticut chamber with similar SMB-focused programming.
• Danbury Chamber of Commerce: Regional chamber serving Danbury, CT businesses. Comparable as a tiered-membership chamber with networking and event programming in a different Connecticut geography.
• Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce: Regional chamber covering the New Haven, CT metro. Comparable business model (tiered membership, networking events, advocacy), but operates at a larger geographic scale than WWCC.

Direct peers

• Stamford Chamber of Commerce: Nearby Connecticut chamber serving Stamford businesses with membership dues, networking events, and community programming. Directly comparable as a Fairfield County-area chamber of commerce with a similar SMB-focused membership and event-driven GTM.
• Bridgeport Regional Business Council: Regional business membership organization serving the Bridgeport area with advocacy, networking, and economic development programs. Comparable as a Connecticut-based business league/membership organization but larger in scope.
• Fairfield Chamber of Commerce: Town-level chamber serving Fairfield, CT, immediately adjacent to Westport/Weston. Operates membership and networking programs targeted at local SMBs and is referenced in WWCC's recent cross-town Valentine's networking event, making it a tight functional peer.
• Greenwich Chamber of Commerce: Chamber serving Greenwich, CT businesses with membership programs and events. Closely comparable affluent-town peer with similar high-end SMB mix and signature event programming.
• Norwalk Chamber of Commerce: Chamber of commerce serving Norwalk, CT businesses with membership tiers, advocacy, and signature events. Direct geographic and functional peer within the same Fairfield County corridor.

Broad incumbents

• Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA): Statewide Connecticut business association offering membership, advocacy, and benefits to companies across the state. Comparable as a higher-level business membership organization that competes for the same SMB advocacy and benefits mindshare.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/108615452494071
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/westport-weston-chamber-of-commerce

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce