If you’ve spent any time in Vinton, you’ve probably seen the Chamber of Commerce in action — ribbon cuttings, community events, local promotions popping up throughout the year.
It’s one of those things that’s always around… but most people don’t really stop to think about what’s actually happening behind the scenes.
That’s exactly why The Vinton Voice reached out to the Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce — to ask a simple question:
What do you actually do to help local businesses?
And after talking with them, it’s clear — there’s a lot more going on than meets the eye.
When we asked what their day-to-day role looks like, they didn’t dress it up.
“We’re here every day building connections, creating opportunities, and working behind the scenes to make sure local businesses don’t just survive — they thrive.”
That might sound simple, but it covers a wide range of what they actually do — promoting businesses, sharing events, making introductions, and helping connect business owners with customers and community leaders.
A lot of that work isn’t flashy. It’s the kind of behind-the-scenes effort that quietly helps businesses grow.
And if you talk to enough business owners around Vinton and Roanoke, you’ll hear a common theme:
👉 Getting customers isn’t always the hardest part…
👉 Getting seen is.
There just aren’t a ton of strong, local exposure options — especially for small, locally owned businesses.
That’s where the Chamber really stands out.
“We actively connect business owners with each other, potential customers, and community leaders… we help build relationships that lead to real opportunities.”
They also push visibility in a big way — through social media, events, email marketing, and word-of-mouth.
“We promote our members through social media, email marketing, community events, and word-of-mouth… it’s like having a local team working behind the scenes for you.”
And for some businesses, that support turns into real growth.
One example is Pollard 107 South, which shared how being part of the Chamber has made a difference:
“Since joining, we’ve seen a noticeable increase in community engagement and overall visibility. The Chamber has created meaningful opportunities for us to connect with other local businesses and residents.”
“Through Chamber events, promotions, and word-of-mouth support, we’ve been able to introduce our business to new customers who may not have found us otherwise.”
“We’re grateful to be part of such a supportive network that genuinely wants to see local businesses grow and succeed.”
That kind of feedback says a lot — especially in a community where relationships still drive business.
Behind all of this is leadership that’s deeply rooted in Vinton.
Angie Chewning, who has served as Executive Director since 2010, has become a well-known figure in the local business and nonprofit community.
Her involvement goes well beyond the Chamber. She serves on the Roanoke Regional Partnership Board, the Urban Development Advisory Committee, and is active with the Vinton Women of the Moose #2466. She’s also set to serve as President of the Ronald McDonald House Board of Directors in 2026, along with past leadership roles in organizations like Relay for Life and local revitalization efforts.
People who work with her know she’s passionate about one thing in particular:
👉 Promoting Vinton.
She consistently encourages residents to shop local and supports initiatives that make the town a better place to live, work, and do business.
What really stood out while putting this together is just how long the Chamber has been part of Vinton’s story.
This isn’t something new.
The Vinton Chamber of Commerce dates back to 1950, when local leaders first came together with the idea of creating an organization to support business and community growth.
Since then, they’ve played a role in shaping some of the town’s biggest traditions and developments.
They helped launch:
- The Vinton Christmas Parade
- Early holiday lighting and decorating efforts
- The Dogwood Festival, including planting dogwood trees throughout town
- The development of the Vinton Farmers Market
- Even Vinton’s first newspaper, The Vinton Record
Over the years, they’ve also supported economic development, infrastructure improvements, and downtown revitalization efforts.
Today, the Chamber has grown to over 200 members — and they’re still focused on the same mission.
From our side at The Vinton Voice, we see this from a slightly different angle.
We hear from business owners all the time who are trying to figure out how to get more visibility in the community.
Because in a town like Vinton, you don’t just need a good product or service…
👉 You need people to know about it.
That’s where things start to connect.
The Chamber focuses on:
Visit The Vinton Chamber Of Commerce Online.
- relationships
- networking
- long-term growth
- community involvement
And platforms like The Vinton Voice help amplify that through:
View Advertising Opportunities
- digital reach
- local exposure
- consistent visibility
It’s not one or the other.
👉 It’s both working together.
And when they do, it creates a much stronger opportunity for local businesses to grow.
At the end of the day, the takeaway is pretty simple.
The Chamber isn’t just hosting events — it’s helping build the foundation for local business success.
And in a place like Vinton…
Being seen locally still matters more than people think.
💬 If you’re a local business owner — what’s been the biggest challenge when it comes to getting exposure in Vinton & Roanoke? Are you a member of the Vinton Chamber Of Commerce – Tell Us Your Thoughts!