WESTPORT – The Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce has announced the introduction of an AI advisor to help its members grow and improve their operations.

The Chamber announced its partnership with ThoughtPartnr, an AI business advisory platform designed to assist chambers of commerce. The initiative is part of ThoughtPartnr’s national rollout.

“Small businesses are the foundation of Westport’s economy,” said Matthew Mandell, Executive Director of the Westport–Weston Chamber of Commerce. “This is the logical next step for our members and for all entrepreneurs to embrace AI as a transformative business tool. Partnering with ThoughtPartnr gives our members a modern advantage with AI tools that help them learn, connect, and grow, while staying true to Westport’s spirit of community and innovation.”

ThoughtPartnr is trained on regional business data, community inputs, and insights from partner chambers to provide locally relevant insights on topics that include marketing, operations, compliance, funding, and growth. Business owners and entrepreneurs can use the platform to quickly access information on permits, licensing, grant programs, and more to help streamline their operations, make informed decisions, and guide their growth.

The platform also features an Advisor Matching Engine, which allows chamber members to quickly connect with verified local experts. Jay Norris, the foudner and CEO of ThoughtPartnr, says this helps close the “time and trust gap” between small business owners and the guidance they need to scale successfully. He pointed out how nearly half of small businesses close within five years, often because they lack access to this advice and modern tools.

“Chambers of commerce have always been the backbone of small business communities,” said Norris. “We built ThoughtPartnr to help chambers scale their impact by giving every member access to intelligent, personalized support that blends AI precision with practical business insight. Our mission is to inspire, educate, and equip one million small businesses by 2030 so they can grow with confidence in a rapidly changing economy.”

The Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce is holding a free Lunch & Learn event today from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., inviting people to interact with ThoughtPartnr and ask questions about the partnership.