Each February and March, Toastmasters International’s Talk Up Toastmasters campaign encourages clubs to build membership by sharing the value of communication and leadership. One powerful and often underused way to do this is by partnering with your local Chamber of Commerce (CoC). February is also the month of connection and community, which is why I love networking with my local Chamber of Commerce and why LOVE is the perfect theme for this campaign.

Many Chambers organize networking through Affinity Groups rather than individual business events. These groups may include Nonprofit Networks, Young Professionals, Business Women’s Groups, Health and Wellness Alliances, and Business or Government Affairs. These rooms are filled with professionals who need exactly what Toastmasters provides: confidence, clarity, and leadership presence. Instead of simply inviting people to attend a meeting, Toastmasters clubs can demonstrate their value by showing up and serving.

Here’s how to put LOVE into action during Talk Up Toastmasters:

L – Listen to the Chamber’s needs.

Chamber members often struggle with elevator speeches, introductions, and promoting their organizations. By listening first, Toastmasters clubs can tailor sessions that address real-world communication challenges.

O – Offer practical value.

Short workshops on networking, personal branding, or speaking with impact fit naturally into Chamber programming. Speechcraft and other short-term learning experiences are especially appealing to busy professionals.

V – Visibility through special events.

Chambers enthusiastically promote special events. Speech contests, leadership panels, or communication workshops hosted at an attractive venue can generate visibility for Toastmasters and bring in high-quality guests.

E – Expand community connections.

Through the Chamber, clubs can collaborate with nonprofits, schools, and young professional groups, extending Toastmasters’ reach to students, parents, and emerging leaders.

During Talk Up Toastmasters, let LOVE lead the way. By building authentic relationships with your local Chamber of Commerce, your club can grow membership while sharing the gift of confident communication-one meaningful connection at a time.

And to top it all off, our District Director, Jeff, has approved covering the cost for clubs ready to engage with their local Chambers of Commerce. This removes a major barrier and makes February and March the perfect time to take action.

So plan your visit, reach out to your local CoC, and Talk Up Toastmasters where business and community leaders already gather. Then let Jeff know your club is ready to L.O.V.E. your CoC—by listening, offering value, increasing visibility, and expanding community connections.

Karrie Keagan