Chamber of commerce
- See also: United States Chamber of Commerce
Chambers of commerce are business networks. They consist of local businesses, businessmen and businesswomen, who gather together and pay dues for the purpose of protecting and promoting their collective financial and commercial interests. Benefits of membership include deals and discounts from other members of the chamber, appearing in a member directory and other services that promote business activity in the region.[1]
Chambers of commerce in the United States are not government agencies. Instead, they are generally nonprofit organizations ran either by members from the businesses that the chamber represents or by an elected board of directors.
Chambers of Commerce operate on the national, state and local levels. The United States Chamber of Commerce, for example, operates on the national level, while the Fitchburg Chamber of Commerce in Fitchburg, Wisconsin, focuses primarily on business issues in Dane County and Wisconsin.[2]
Political activity
Many chambers of Commerce, including the United States Chamber of Commerce, are actively involved in federal, state and local politics. Much of their political activity is focused on lobbying and policy-related issues, but chambers also spend money on political ads and contribute funds to political candidates, who share their interests.[3][4]
See also
- United States Chamber of Commerce
- Influencers Project
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Investopedia, "Chamber Of Commerce," accessed November 18, 2014
- ↑ Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, "What is a Chamber," accessed January 13, 2015
- ↑ Business Insider, "The Chamber Of Commerce Has Been Transformed Into One Of The Most Powerful Political Forces In Washington," April 23, 2012
- ↑ Washington Post, "Corporate donors fuel Chamber of Commerce’s political power," October 19, 2012
| |||||||
