An impressive 87% of respondents reported satisfaction with the Chamber’s overall membership services, as revealed by the Chamber’s Membership Survey 2024. Providing valuable input detailing the experiences and preferences of Hong Kong’s dynamic business community, a sample size of 300 respondents was polled across various areas, including communication preferences and event engagement.
Services contributing to Chamber members’ strong positive sentiment satisfaction include business trends and knowledge events (71%), networking events (54%) and professional training programs (48.7%).
The survey also revealed several opportunities for improvement. Members indicated a strong interest in expanded services related to learning and development courses (76.3%), access to efficient online tools (73.3%), corporate social responsibility opportunities (68.7%) and ESG consultancy and education (67.3%). These insights emphasize the evolving needs of business and focus on upskilling, sustainability, and stronger business connections.
Most respondents believe the Chamber effectively represents the Voice of Business through its industry-representative committees, with 80% agreeing or strongly agreeing. While only 28% are currently members of one or more committees, 72% expressed interest in signing up. Suggestions included enhancing reach in arts, culture and entertainment; life; health and sports; start-ups and social service.
A total of 96% believe the Chamber’s event news communication effectively engages their companies. Members prefer direct email (92.7%), the e-newsletter What’s On (42%) and WhatsApp (33.3%) as ways to access information and resources. More than half (54%) suggested the ideal frequency for the Chamber’s event news is once a week.
Most respondents use the Chamber’s website for news and information (71%) and event enrolment (67%). However, the usability of the website and HKGCC mobile app received a mixed response – 54% were satisfied with the website but only 29% with the mobile app. Suggestions include optimizing and upgrading all digital platforms to meet members’ diverse needs better.
Regarding members' satisfaction with the Chamber’s social media presence, 47% indicated they were very satisfied or satisfied. LinkedIn (32%) is the most popular, followed by Facebook (17%) and Instagram (8%), revealing a shift towards more professional and industry-focused social media engagement, a trend the Chamber can leverage to connect with its members effectively.
As for the value of Chamber membership, 68% rated it “good” on a scale of 1-10, while 21% considered it “excellent.” Key areas for improvement include increased support for SMEs, enhanced orientation for new members and customized value programmes and activities. With 83% of respondents not utilizing any offers in the Membership Benefits Programme, respondents suggested increasing awareness of the programme, providing more attractive offers and simplifying the redemption process.
The Chamber’s events and training programmes also received high ratings, with 74% of respondents perceiving the quality of events as excellent or good, and 60% for training. Among non-participants, 41% cited inconvenient timings, while 30% said the topics were unsuitable.
One of the most intriguing insights was comparing event participation between the 2020 and 2024 surveys. While the overall attendance remained high at 73% in 2024, there was a significant shift in the types of events members attended. Networking and social events became considerably more popular (from 34.9% in 2020 to 48.6% in 2024).
In contrast, attendance at seminars and roundtables dropped sharply (from 78.8% in 2020 to 45.5% in 2024), as did committee meetings (from 42.9% in 2020 to 28.6% in 2024). The higher attendance in 2020 may be attributed to the online format adopted during the pandemic. The return to the in-person format in 2024 reflects a preference for more interactive events that foster connections and offer flexible options, likely driven by the need to adapt to the post-pandemic business landscape.
In response to the survey findings, the HKGCC has begun implementing changes such as expanding our digital offerings, including developing a more user-friendly website and mobile app to enhance the accessibility and usability of its resources.
Additionally, the Chamber is exploring ways to enhance its networking and business matching services via more industry-specific, international and cross-committee events to facilitate introductions between members with complementary interests and expertise. Furthermore, we aim to provide more affordable and accessible training and development programs, particularly in ESG (environment, social and governance) and digital transformation.
As the Hong Kong business community continues to evolve, the Chamber will continue its efforts to better serve its members' needs. By listening to the voices of its constituents and responding with agility and innovation, the HKGCC can solidify its role as a trusted partner and advocate for the city's thriving business ecosystem.
The HKGCC Membership Survey 2024 was conducted in September - October 2024, engaging a diverse sample of 300 members representing various industries, ensuring a robust understanding of members’ needs and opinions.