Southland Business Chamber

Business Chamber Servicessouthlandchamber.co.nz

The Southland Business Chamber is a 160-year-old, membership-based business advocacy organization in New Zealand's Southland region, serving 600+ member businesses through subscriptions, networking events, training, export documentation, and the 25 on Don coworking and venue facility in Invercargill.

Company typePrivate
Founded1863
HeadquartersInvercargill, New Zealand
Headcount1–10
GTM typeB2B
OfferingServices

What Southland Business Chamber does

The Southland Business Chamber is a regional, membership-based business advocacy and services organization headquartered at 25 Don Street, Invercargill, New Zealand, legally registered as Chamber of Commerce Southland Inc. Established in 1863, it is one of New Zealand's longest-running regional business chambers, representing 600+ member businesses across the Southland region including Invercargill, Te Anau, Fiordland, and Gore districts. It is governed by a board elected from the membership and operates with a small staff of 1–10 employees.

The Chamber's core products and services are organized around four pillars: (1) advocacy and representation to local and central government on behalf of Southland businesses; (2) networking and recognition through flagship biennial events including the Southland Business Excellence Awards (operating since 2013) and the DHL Export Southland Awards; (3) training and leadership development via the Southland Leadership Academy, Southland Youth Leadership Academy, Business Owners Programme (in partnership with The Icehouse), and the Governance Internship Programme; and (4) facility and business services through its owned and operated 25 on Don Business & Innovation Centre, which provides coworking, hot-desks, private office suites, meeting rooms, boardroom, and training room hire. Supporting services include export documentation and Certification of Origin, a quarterly Southland Business Confidence Survey, the monthly Chamber Link newsletter, a Business Chamber App, a Member Directory, and the branded Southland Edition Monopoly board game.

The Chamber's revenue model is diversified across annual subscription fees (tiered by member staff count with quarterly instalment options), paid training programmes and events, venue hire fees at 25 on Don, and sponsorship income from principal partners including DHL, Meridian Energy, Woodside, Southern Green Hydrogen, Westpac, Findex, BDO, Air New Zealand, PowerNet, and ILT. It pursues a sales-led go-to-market with member acquisition via website, phone, email, networking events, member referrals, and the automatic Fiordland Business Association (FBA) membership bundled for Fiordland-region businesses. The National Partners Programme extends member value through discount arrangements with Z, Noel Leeming, Bunnings Trade, OfficeMax, 2degrees, and MYOB. Distribution is regional, with no disclosed technology platform architecture beyond a WordPress-based website and a mobile app.

Southland Business Chamber firmographics

Firmographics

Name: Southland Business Chamber
Legal name: Chamber of Commerce Southland Inc
Website: https://southlandchamber.co.nz
Company type: Private
Founded year: 1863
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 1–10 employees
Short description: The Southland Business Chamber is a 160-year-old, membership-based business advocacy organization in New Zealand's Southland region, serving 600+ member businesses through subscriptions, networking events, training, export documentation, and the 25 on Don coworking and venue facility in Invercargill.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

Southland Business Chamber industry classification

Industry

Product category: Business Chamber Services
NAICS: Professional Organizations (813920), Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (81399)
SIC: Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
akta.pro primary industry: Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

Keywords

Business chamber membership
Business advocacy services
Leadership training programs
Export documentation services
Venue hire coworking

Where Southland Business Chamber is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: Invercargill
HQ country: New Zealand
HQ region: Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

Southland Business Chamber business model

Business model

GTM type: B2B
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

Membership Subscriptions: Annual subscription payments based on each member's staff numbers. Members receive access to networking events, training programs, business support, advocacy services, member-to-member offers, and national partner discounts.
Training and Events: Fees charged for professional development workshops, leadership programs, networking events (BA5, BA8, BB8), and specialized training courses.
Venue Hire: Revenue from hiring out meeting rooms, training facilities, boardroom, and coworking spaces at 25 on Don (Business and Innovation Centre).

Pricing tiers

Model	Billing	Price
Subscription	Annual	Membership based on organization size/staff count

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Southland Business Chamber product offering

Product offering

Core offering

Southland Business Chamber is a membership-based business organization that provides annual memberships, networking events, leadership and business training programs, awards and recognition programs, advocacy representation to local and central government, export documentation services, and coworking and venue hire at the 25 on Don Business & Innovation Centre in Invercargill.

Product overview

Southland Business Chamber is a membership-based business organization offering a portfolio of programs, events, and services. Core offerings include the Southland Business Excellence Awards and Export Southland Awards (recognition programs), the Southland Leadership Academy and Southland Youth Leadership Academy (training programs), the Business Owners Programme (in partnership with The Icehouse), and TradeQual Southland (trades recognition). Supporting services include the 25 on Don Business & Innovation Centre (venue hire and coworking), the Member Directory, Export Southland documentation services, the MONOPOLY Southland Edition (branded product), the quarterly Southland Business Confidence Survey, Chamber Link newsletter, and The Southern Edge (leadership travel programme). The Chamber does not offer a technology product platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

Chamber Membership Annual membership subscription scaled by staff numbers, providing access to networking events, training programs, advocacy services, member-to-member offers, and national partner discounts. Targeted at Southland-based businesses of all sizes.
Southland Business Excellence Awards Biennial awards ceremony celebrating business excellence across Southland, featuring multiple category awards and a Supreme Winner recognition. For Southland businesses across all industries.
Export Southland Awards Biennial awards recognizing exporters and export contributions to the Southland economy, including Innovation in Export, Organisation Recognition, and Individual Recognition awards. For Southland exporting businesses and individuals.
Southland Leadership Academy Leadership development program for business professionals, featuring multiple intakes with guest speakers and industry mentors. For emerging and established Southland business leaders.
Southland Youth Leadership Academy (SYLA) Youth leadership program developing future business leaders in the Southland region. For young Southland professionals and aspiring leaders.
Business Owners Programme Business development program for business owners delivered in partnership with The Icehouse. For Southland business owners seeking growth capability.
TradeQual Southland Recognition event celebrating qualified tradespeople and the strength of trade industries in Southland. For Southland tradespeople and trade businesses.
25 on Don Business & Innovation Centre Business and innovation hub offering hot-desk facilities, private office suites, meeting rooms, boardroom, and training room hire, plus coworking in the Invercargill CBD. For Southland businesses, professionals, and event organizers.
Export Southland Services Support services for exporters including export documentation, certification of origin, and export grants. For Southland businesses engaged in or planning international export.
The Southern Edge Leadership and business engagement tour programme visiting other regions, including Auckland. For Southland business leaders and Chamber members.
MONOPOLY Southland Edition Custom Monopoly board game celebrating Southland businesses and landmarks, available for purchase. For consumers, businesses, and visitors interested in Southland.
3D Printing Service 3D printing service available through the Chamber's innovation network. For Southland businesses, entrepreneurs, and innovators needing prototyping or small-batch printing.

Quantifiable outcome

600+ member businesses represented on advocacy issues
+2 more outcomes

Companies that use Southland Business Chamber

Customer profile

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Southland Business Chamber technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Southland Business Chamber partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

Fiordland Business Association (FBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutomatic partnership for Te Anau/Fiordland region - businesses joining Southland Chamber from Fiordland automatically become members of FBA. Joint advocacy and business support for the Fiordland region.
ENGAGE (Engineering Southland's Future)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDedicated to fostering collaboration and innovation in the engineering and manufacturing sectors. Serves as a catalyst for growth and excellence in the Southland region.
COIN SouthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe southernmost innovation network in the world - connects Southland entrepreneurs with knowledge, network and funding.
Southland Murihiku Welcome Mat ProgrammeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional welcome/integration program for new residents and businesses to Southland.
Business Mentors NZminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partnership for business mentoring services to Chamber members.
DHLflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPrincipal sponsor for Export Southland Awards Gala Dinner. DHL logo prominently displayed on export awards materials.
Meridian EnergyflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPowered By sponsor for 2023 Southland Business Excellence Awards.
WoodsideflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for 2023 Southland Business Excellence Awards.
Southern Green HydrogenflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPrincipal sponsor and Powered By sponsor for 2023 Southland Business Excellence Awards.
WestpacflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-term partner sponsor for Business Excellence Awards (Westpac Smarts series, Westpac Business Awards).
FindexcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWorking Partner and category sponsor for Primary & Primary Services Sector awards.
Focus Technology GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWorking Partner organization.
Air New ZealandcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWorking Partner and sponsor for Export Southland Awards (Air NZ Cargo Individual Recognition Award).
PowerNetcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCategory sponsor for New and Emerging Business Award at Business Excellence Awards.
BDOcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresents BDO Biz Bites series - regular professional development bite-sized workshops for members.
ILT (Invercargill Licencing Trust)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Not for Profit Award and venue partner (ILT Stadium Southland). Major community funder.
Southern Institute of Technology (SIT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIT is returning to local autonomy with Chamber support. Historical awards sponsor (SIT Business Personality Award).
Invercargill City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCouncil partner for Business Excellence Awards and advocacy on local government matters.
National Partners (Z, Noel Leeming, Bunnings Trade, OfficeMax, 2degrees, MYOB)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDiscount programs for Chamber members through national partner businesses. Member savings program.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Southland Business Chamber competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Broad incumbents

NZ Chambers of Commerce (Northern, Central, Southern): The umbrella network that links regional NZ chambers including trading, shared services and national representation. Important peer because it acts as a federation/incumbent and shapes national policy and partner programs that Southland Business Chamber participates in.
BusinessNZ: National employers' federation and peak business advocacy body in New Zealand. Larger, established player operating across the whole country with overlapping advocacy and representation services that compete at a national level for influence rather than at the regional member-services level.

Direct peers

Auckland Business Chamber: The largest regional chamber of commerce in New Zealand, headquartered in Auckland. Operates the same member-services suite including export documentation, training and advocacy, and is the natural national benchmark for membership scale and pricing.
Canterbury Chamber of Commerce: Another long-established New Zealand regional chamber of commerce offering membership, events, training, advocacy and export services to the Canterbury/South Island business community. Closest analogue in scope and model to Southland Business Chamber.
Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce: Another NZ regional chamber delivering events, training, advocacy and export documentation. Comparable regional chamber model serving an agriculture-adjacent economy in the North Island.
Waikato Chamber of Commerce: New Zealand regional chamber offering the standard member-services suite (networking, advocacy, training, export documentation) to Waikato businesses. Same horizontal chamber-of-commerce model on New Zealand's North Island.
Tauranga Chamber of Commerce: Bay of Plenty regional chamber operating the same member-services model focused on a regional New Zealand economy (here, port-adjacent). Direct comparable on events, training and advocacy offerings.
Otago Chamber of Commerce: The Dunedin-based regional chamber serving the broader Otago region on New Zealand's South Island. Same membership-based business association model with events, training and advocacy focus; geographically adjacent peer.

Regional players

Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Australia (CCIWA): Large Australian state-level chamber of commerce. Comparable chamber-of-commerce services (advocacy, training, export documentation, events) but serving a different geography and at materially larger scale; useful for benchmarking service portfolio breadth and revenue diversification.
Nelson Regional Economic Development / Chamber equivalent: Nelson/Tasman region business association ecosystem on New Zealand's South Island. Similar chamber-of-commerce role for a regionally distinct economy, providing a useful peer on event scale and export-services delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Southland Business Chamber financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Southland Business Chamber leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Southland Business Chamber funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

Southland Business Chamber M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Southland Business Chamber

What does Southland Business Chamber do?

Is Southland Business Chamber a public or private company?

Southland Business Chamber is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.

When was Southland Business Chamber founded?

Southland Business Chamber was founded in 1863. It employs 1 to 10 people.

Where is Southland Business Chamber based?

Southland Business Chamber is headquartered in Invercargill, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.

How does Southland Business Chamber make money?

Three revenue lines are on record. Membership Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are training and Events and venue Hire.

Who are Southland Business Chamber's main competitors?

Broad incumbents on record are NZ Chambers of Commerce (Northern, Central, Southern) and BusinessNZ. Direct peers are Auckland Business Chamber, Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce, Waikato Chamber of Commerce, Tauranga Chamber of Commerce and Otago Chamber of Commerce. Regional players are Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Australia (CCIWA) and Nelson Regional Economic Development / Chamber equivalent.

Does Southland Business Chamber have an API?

No public API is recorded for Southland Business Chamber.

What industry is Southland Business Chamber in?

Southland Business Chamber's product category is Business Chamber Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAHACAA, Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies). Its NAICS code is 813920 and its SIC code is 8600.