Amber Aaron, President, Brandon Riverview Chamber of Commerce

July 2026 — Invest: spoke with Amber Aaron, president of the Brandon Riverview Chamber of Commerce, about the chamber’s recent merger, regional growth drivers, and priorities for local businesses. “Combined, we now have more than 600 members, and we are expanding into the Seffner and East Tampa areas as part of this merger,” Aaron said.

How has the merger strengthened the organization’s ability to serve local businesses?

It has been a long time coming that Brandon and Riverview finally joined forces to create this merged chamber. It was the Greater Brandon Chamber and the Central Hillsborough Chamber at the time, but both were serving the Brandon-Riverview area, so we felt the name should reflect that. We launched the Brandon Riverview Chamber of Commerce and went through a full rebranding campaign.

Combined, we now have more than 600 members, and we are expanding into the Seffner and East Tampa areas as part of this merger. It really has been a great success, because we’ve brought the best of both worlds to this chamber.

We were doing many of the same things and had about 100 members in common. Now we can offer more networking opportunities, stronger connections, and a bigger voice for our area. From an advocacy standpoint, we can represent the entire region rather than separate parts of it. Our events bring together key leaders in one place instead of requiring them to attend multiple chamber events.

There are also operational benefits. We are no longer running two separate systems or carrying duplicate expenses. Bringing everything together allows us to provide greater value to our members.

What factors are driving growth in the Brandon-Riverview area?

A lot of factors are contributing to growth. First, we are in Florida, which offers a great climate and lower taxes. There is also significant opportunity for entrepreneurs, and we have a talented workforce coming from our local schools.

The region has a business-friendly environment. From what I hear, businesses generally have fewer challenges with permitting and working through county processes than they experience in some other states and markets. I credit our County Commission for being business-friendly and helping support the growth of this area.

Which industries are seeing the strongest momentum, and where do you see opportunities ahead?

Healthcare is a major sector here. We have three major hospitals that are chamber members, and they are all growing and expanding through outpatient centers and additional emergency facilities to meet increasing demand.

Health and wellness businesses make up roughly 30% of our membership. Mental health has become much more prominent, and we have many members involved in counseling and related services. Family medical practices, dental offices, and wellness providers also represent a significant portion of our chamber.

We work to highlight those businesses through initiatives such as our annual health fair. It helps showcase organizations that are excelling in healthcare and wellness while bringing attention to advancements and resources available in the community.

We are also seeing strong activity in service industries. Following the hurricanes of 2024, many restoration businesses joined the chamber as they prepared for future storm seasons. We have also seen growth among contractors, pest control companies, automotive businesses, insurance providers, and other service-oriented organizations that support daily life in the community.

What are the biggest challenges your small-business members face today?

Small businesses are definitely the bread and butter of the chamber. We rely heavily on their feedback, and one of the ways we gather that information is through a segment we call Wins and Challenges at some of our networking events.

Many of their challenges center on marketing. They want more opportunities to market themselves, more networking opportunities, and additional ways to grow their businesses.

Another challenge is artificial intelligence. Many business owners understand its potential and want to use it, but they are not always sure how to implement it effectively. We are working to provide more programming that supports marketing, networking, and AI adoption. Our goal is to give members practical education they can immediately apply within their businesses.

What chamber programs have been most valuable to your members?

We recently celebrated the 42nd year of our leadership program. It was originally a flagship program of the Brandon Chamber, and it continues today as one of our most valuable offerings.

This year, we hosted a class of 17 participants in a nine-month program. They received behind-the-scenes exposure to local government, the court system, law enforcement, public services, nonprofits, and key social issues affecting the area.

Participants also completed a legacy project benefiting a local nonprofit while learning more about themselves, their behavioral styles, how to work effectively with others, and how to lead within the community. We are very proud of the program, and applications for the next class recently opened.

Another major initiative is our business and education program. Through that effort, we connect businesses with local schools. We host a new teacher event where we provide school supplies and create opportunities for educators and business leaders to build relationships.

Our school system is one of the largest employers in the area, and we want to support educators however we can. Through these partnerships, we learn about their needs and create ways for the business community to help, whether through classroom supplies, equipment, student incentives, or other resources. The goal is to strengthen the connection between education and business while supporting the workforce pipeline.

What does economic development look like for the Brandon-Riverview area?

I recently learned about a project that could become a Main Street-style development, something Brandon has needed for a long time. Plans have been developed, and if the project moves forward, it would create a mixed-use development near the Brandon Parkway.

The concept includes retail, business, residential, and walkable elements that would provide more of a downtown experience for the community. It would create opportunities for businesses while also giving residents a place where they can live, work, and spend time.

There is tremendous growth happening throughout the area, but that project is one of the developments I am most focused on right now.

What are the chamber’s key priorities over the next few years?

Our priorities are to grow membership, retain membership, and maintain the chamber’s financial stability.

We also want to ensure that we are providing information and resources that are relevant to our members and helping them stay current with emerging trends and opportunities. I participate in the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals and serve on its board, and I am also involved with the U.S. Chamber.

Those experiences help us stay connected to best practices and new ideas. Our goal is to bring the best information and educational opportunities back to our members so they can strengthen their businesses and continue growing.