In this episode of the Chamber Connect Podcast, Colin sits down with Karen Hastie, founder of the ChamberPerksApp, to explore how technology is transforming the way chambers of commerce, local businesses, and communities connect. Born out of the pandemic, ChamberPerks has quickly grown into a coast-to-coast platform with more than 20,000 businesses offering savings and promotions through their local chambers.Karen explains how the app works: while only chamber-member businesses can feature perks, the app itself is free for anyone worldwide to download. With over 2,000 Canadian-wide perks, users save money while supporting local enterprises. She outlines the flexibility of the system, which allows businesses to tailor perks for the general public, for all chamber members, or for employees only—making it a powerful engagement tool. Colin highlights how this often-overlooked employee benefit can strengthen ties between staff and their chamber.The conversation dives into features like the “My Chamber” tab, where members can access newsletters, events, and updates, and the app’s smart notifications, which remind users of local businesses and even alert them when they’re near a participating location. Karen shares success stories of businesses attracting new customers and increasing awareness, while Colin emphasizes that the app is included with membership, making it an immediate value-add for local business owners.Looking ahead, Colin and Karen discuss the growth strategy for Chamber Perks, including profile enhancements, cost-effective advertising options, and the broader opportunity to connect technology, commerce, and community in meaningful ways.