By Matt de Simone
As Botetourt County continues to experience steady business growth, the Botetourt Chamber of Commerce is entering 2026 with a renewed focus on visibility, connection and tangible value for its members.
Chamber Executive Director Jacqui Sobieski said in a recent interview that the first quarter of the year is shaping up as an important period of momentum-building, both internally and across the county’s business community.
“What excites me most is the combination of business growth in the county and the amazing array of organizations and opportunities that many of our members might not even be aware of,” Sobieski said. “There are a lot of hidden gems out there, and part of our role is helping businesses find and leverage them.”
Sobieski, who stepped into the role after previously owning a small business herself, said one of the Chamber’s evolving priorities is serving as a connector— helping businesses access resources they may not have time to seek out on their own.
“As a small business owner, that was always the most challenging thing,” she said. “All of these programs and partnerships may exist, but when you’re trying to run your business, you just don’t have the capacity to research everything.”
After several challenging years, Sobieski said the Chamber feels meaningfully different today, particularly in how it is led and who is at the table.
“The Chamber is more evenly populated demographically, from younger professionals to more experienced leaders,” she said. “The vitality and perspective that younger people are bringing is really energizing.”
That shift is reflected in one of the Chamber’s key initiatives for early 2026: its Emerging Leaders program. The group hosts a monthly “Leaders Lounge” networking event on the second Tuesday of each month, designed to bring together professionals at various stages of their careers.
“It’s open to everyone, but we’re specifically looking to attract younger folks so they can start to see what a Chamber can do to empower them throughout their business life,” Sobieski said.
In addition to Emerging Leaders, the Chamber continues to host monthly morning networking sessions on the first Friday of each month. Sobieski said those events have become particularly popular with small business owners looking to share ideas and learn about tools they can apply immediately.
Ensuring that members feel real, measurable value from their Chamber membership is another area of focus. Sobieski said she is exploring ways to strengthen feedback loops with sponsors and members alike.
“They’re investing in us, so how do we track and communicate the value we’re bringing?” she said. “For larger organizations, having clear information they can take back internally about advertising opportunities, event impact and visibility is very important.”
For the broader membership, Sobieski is considering quarterly membership meetings focused on transparency, progress and connection.
“As a Chamber member in the past, I paid my dues but didn’t always understand what I was getting for them,” she said. “I want people to feel informed and connected, not just once a year, but throughout the year.”
For business owners who may have stepped away from the Chamber in recent years, Sobieski said her message is a personal one.
“I took this job because I saw how much more valuable the Chamber could be,” she said. “I was one of those members who joined, left, and then saw the focus and energy of this leadership team and thought, ‘This can really make a difference.’”
Sobieski said success by the end of the first quarter will be measured both by improved visibility and stronger internal systems.
“Externally, we want to do a better job marketing the activities people can get involved in and building that energy,” she said. “Internally, I’m focused on making our processes more efficient so we can scale responsibly and support growth.”
Beyond serving businesses, Sobieski emphasized the importance of the Chamber remaining visible and engaged in the wider community.
“It’s about business, but it’s also about how we’re perceived in the community,” she said. “Are we staying present? Are we supporting things people can see and feel as added value for Botetourt County?”
For those interested in getting involved, Sobieski said the first step is simple.
“Contacting the Chamber is contacting me right now,” she said. “People can visit the website (botetourtchamber.com) to join, or they can email me directly. I’m always happy to talk with folks about how they’d like to participate.”
Sobieski can be reached at JSobieski@botetourtchamber.com.
