HADLEY -- The national Holistic Chamber of Commerce (HCC), based in Los Angeles, Calif., is pleased to announce that holistic leaders in Western Massachusetts have started a local chapter.

The Holistic Chamber of Commerce – Western Mass will promote and support local holistic and sustainable practitioners, professionals and business owners. The chapter will hold its first meeting on Tuesday, April 8 at 5:30 p.m. at the Hadley Farms Meeting House at 41 Russell St., Hadley.

That meeting will feature keynote speaker Val Nelson, a career, business and life coach of Northampton, who will speak on the topic “Sustainable Self-Employment.” Information and tickets are available at the chapter’s website, www.HolisticChamberOfCommerce.com/WesternMass.

The HCC is an international organization that serves as a bridge bringing consumers together with holistic and eco-friendly options, said Executive Director Camille Leon.

Now with over 1,000 professional members throughout North America, consumers have easier access to high-quality health, lifestyle and business products, services and solutions, Leon said. All members of the Holistic Chamber of Commerce are reference-checked prior to being represented in the online member directory at www.HolisticChamberOfCommerce.com.

“The national HCC holds a vision of healthy people on a healthy planet and is weaving together an international movement promoting holistic, natural and sustainable products, services and solutions,” said Leon.

Here in the Valley, business owner and holistic practitioner Gretchen Duhaime will serve as chapter president of the HCC in Western Mass, and she said she brings a clear vision of her own to this local chapter.

“Western Massachusetts is the perfect place for the Holistic Chamber of Commerce. We have a large population here and a community that really values those products and services,” Duhaime said. “It’s time for us to come together and show the standard of integrity and professionalism we bring to the work we do.”

Duhaime said she sees association with the international organization as a natural partnership for a vibrant and growing holistic business community. “We are in the service business, yet we are still hidden. That marketing aspect is where I really see a need for support,” she said. “The HCC offers that.”

Membership in the Holistic Chamber of Commerce of Western Mass is $120 annually, with an additional one-time processing fee of $35. All potential professional members must submit references before being accepted for membership.

For more information, visit www.HolisticChamberOfCommerce.com.