This article needs additional citations for verification., Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2010) This article lacks historical information on the subject. Please help to add historical material to help counter systemic bias towards recent information. A chamber of commerce (also referred to in some circles as a board of trade) is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community. Local businesses are members, and they elect a board of directors or executive council to set policy for the chamber. The board or council then hires a President, CEO or Executive Director, plus staffing appropriate to size, to run the organization. The first chambers of commerce were founded in 1599 in continental Europe (Marseille, France and Brugge, Belgium). The world's oldest English-speaking chamber of commerce is that of New York City, which was established in 1768. The largest chamber of commerce in the United Kingdom is Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce with more than 5,000 members. The oldest known existing chamber in the English-speaking world with continuous records is the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce which was founded in 1783. However Leeds Chamber of Commerce is the UK's oldest followed by Belfast, Northern Ireland. Characteristics, Membership in an individual chamber in an area can range from a few dozen to well over 300,000 (as is the case with the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry). Some chamber organizations in China report even larger membership numbers. Chambers of commerce can range in scope from individual neighborhoods within a city or town up to an international chamber of commerce. In the United States, chambers do not operate in the same manner as the Better Business Bureau in that, while the BBB has the authority to bind its members under a formal operations doctrine (and, thus, can remove them if complaints arise regarding their services), the local chamber membership is strictly voluntary. In addition, Chambers represent the interests of businesses, while the BBB represents the interests of the general public. Chambers of commerce also can include economic development corporations or groups (though the latter can sometimes be a formal branch of a local government, the groups work together and may in some cases share office facilities) as well as tourism and visitors bureaus. Some chambers have joined state, national, and even international bodies (such as Eurochambres, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Worldchambers or the American Chamber of Commerce Executives). Currently, there are about 13,000 chambers registered in the official Worldchambers Network registry, and the chamber of commerce network is the largest business network globally. This network is informal, with each local chamber incorporated and operating separately, rather than as a chapter of a national or state chamber. Chamber models, Compulsory/Public law chambers: Under the compulsory or public law model, enterprises of certain sizes, types, or sectors are obliged to become members of the chamber. This model is common in European Union countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain), but also in Japan. Main tasks of the chambers are foreign trade promotion, vocational training, regional economic development, and general services to their members. The chambers were given responsibilities of public administration in various fields by the state which they exercise in order management. The chambers also have a consultative function; this means the chambers must be consulted whenever a new law related to industry or commerce is proposed. In Germany, the chambers of commerce and industry (IHK - Industrie- und Handelskammer) and the chambers of skilled crafts (HwK - Handwerkskammer) are public statutory bodies with self-administration under the inspectorate of the state ministry of economy. Enterprises are members by law according to the chamber act (IHK-Gesetz) of 1956. Because of this, such chambers are much bigger than chambers under private law. IHK Munich, the biggest German chamber of commerce, has 350,000 member companies. Germany also has compulsory chambers for "free occupations" such as architects, dentists, engineers, lawyers, notaries, physicians and pharmacists. Continental/Private law chambers: Under the private model, which exists in English-speaking countries like USA, Canada or the UK, but as well in Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark, companies are not obligated to become chamber members. However, companies often become members to develop their business contacts and, regarding the local chambers (the most common level of organization), to demonstrate a commitment to the local economy. Though governments are not required to consult chambers on proposed laws, the chambers are often contacted given their local influence and membership numbers. Bilateral Chambers: A bilateral chamber of commerce is an organisation formed of individuals and companies who share a common interest in trade and commerce between two countries. The role of the chamber is to represent and further the interests of each of its member countries. This is achieved through the promotion and encouragement of bilateral trade and investment. Bilateral chambers of commerce exist as independent entities yet maintain a close relationship with their embassy and/or consulate - playing an integral role in strengthening bilateral relations and economic interactions. Members of a bilateral chamber benefit from a useful range of business services, support and advice aiming to help fulfil each member's professional goals. Bilateral chambers form a key component in the creation, growth and development process of a company or individual seeking to operate in a foreign business environment. The opportunities and advantages which membership confers should be considered essential in light of the chamber's culturally sensitive insight and in depth knowledge of the respective countries political and economic structure. The core activities of a bilateral chamber of commerce include: Provision of useful business contacts, Business services, including translation, interpreting and market research, Events and Networking opportunities, Business courses and seminars, Monitoring of new legislation proposals which might affect member's interests, Multilateral Chambers: A multilateral chamber is formed of companies (and sometimes individuals) from different countries with a common business interest towards or in a specific country. It can further be active in representing the interests of local and foreign investors in that specific country, achieved through promotion and proactivity regarding the general business environment. Multilateral chambers of commerce are independent entities strengthening business relations and interactions between all economic players, and their members may benefit from a broad range of activities that enhance the visibility and reputation of their business. ...show more

This article needs additional citations for verification., Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2010) This article lacks historical information on the subject. Please help to add historical material to help counter systemic bias towards recent information. A chamber of commerce (also referred to in some circles as a board of trade) is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community. Local businesses are members, and they elect a board of directors or executive council to set policy for the chamber. The board or council then hires a President, CEO or Executive Director, plus staffing appropriate to size, to run the organization. The first chambers of commerce were founded in 1599 in continental Europe (Marseille, France and Brugge, Belgium). The world's oldest English-speaking chamber of commerce is that of New York City, which was established in 1768. The largest chamber of commerce in the United Kingdom is Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce with more than 5,000 members. The oldest known existing chamber in the English-speaking world with continuous records is the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce which was founded in 1783. However Leeds Chamber of Commerce is the UK's oldest followed by Belfast, Northern Ireland. Characteristics, Membership in an individual chamber in an area can range from a few dozen to well over 300,000 (as is the case with the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry). Some chamber organizations in China report even larger membership numbers. Chambers of commerce can range in scope from individual neighborhoods within a city or town up to an international chamber of commerce. In the United States, chambers do not operate in the same manner as the Better Business Bureau in that, while the BBB has the authority to bind its members under a formal operations doctrine (and, thus, can remove them if complaints arise regarding their services), the local chamber membership is strictly voluntary. In addition, Chambers represent the interests of businesses, while the BBB represents the interests of the general public. Chambers of commerce also can include economic development corporations or groups (though the latter can sometimes be a formal branch of a local government, the groups work together and may in some cases share office facilities) as well as tourism and visitors bureaus. Some chambers have joined state, national, and even international bodies (such as Eurochambres, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Worldchambers or the American Chamber of Commerce Executives). Currently, there are about 13,000 chambers registered in the official Worldchambers Network registry, and the chamber of commerce network is the largest business network globally. This network is informal, with each local chamber incorporated and operating separately, rather than as a chapter of a national or state chamber. Chamber models, Compulsory/Public law chambers: Under the compulsory or public law model, enterprises of certain sizes, types, or sectors are obliged to become members of the chamber. This model is common in European Union countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain), but also in Japan. Main tasks of the chambers are foreign trade promotion, vocational training, regional economic development, and general services to their members. The chambers were given responsibilities of public administration in various fields by the state which they exercise in order management. The chambers also have a consultative function; this means the chambers must be consulted whenever a new law related to industry or commerce is proposed. In Germany, the chambers of commerce and industry (IHK - Industrie- und Handelskammer) and the chambers of skilled crafts (HwK - Handwerkskammer) are public statutory bodies with self-administration under the inspectorate of the state ministry of economy. Enterprises are members by law according to the chamber act (IHK-Gesetz) of 1956. Because of this, such chambers are much bigger than chambers under private law. IHK Munich, the biggest German chamber of commerce, has 350,000 member companies. Germany also has compulsory chambers for "free occupations" such as architects, dentists, engineers, lawyers, notaries, physicians and pharmacists. Continental/Private law chambers: Under the private model, which exists in English-speaking countries like USA, Canada or the UK, but as well in Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark, companies are not obligated to become chamber members. However, companies often become members to develop their business contacts and, regarding the local chambers (the most common level of organization), to demonstrate a commitment to the local economy. Though governments are not required to consult chambers on proposed laws, the chambers are often contacted given their local influence and membership numbers. Bilateral Chambers: A bilateral chamber of commerce is an organisation formed of individuals and companies who share a common interest in trade and commerce between two countries. The role of the chamber is to represent and further the interests of each of its member countries. This is achieved through the promotion and encouragement of bilateral trade and investment. Bilateral chambers of commerce exist as independent entities yet maintain a close relationship with their embassy and/or consulate - playing an integral role in strengthening bilateral relations and economic interactions. Members of a bilateral chamber benefit from a useful range of business services, support and advice aiming to help fulfil each member's professional goals. Bilateral chambers form a key component in the creation, growth and development process of a company or individual seeking to operate in a foreign business environment. The opportunities and advantages which membership confers should be considered essential in light of the chamber's culturally sensitive insight and in depth knowledge of the respective countries political and economic structure. The core activities of a bilateral chamber of commerce include: Provision of useful business contacts, Business services, including translation, interpreting and market research, Events and Networking opportunities, Business courses and seminars, Monitoring of new legislation proposals which might affect member's interests, Multilateral Chambers: A multilateral chamber is formed of companies (and sometimes individuals) from different countries with a common business interest towards or in a specific country. It can further be active in representing the interests of local and foreign investors in that specific country, achieved through promotion and proactivity regarding the general business environment. Multilateral chambers of commerce are independent entities strengthening business relations and interactions between all economic players, and their members may benefit from a broad range of activities that enhance the visibility and reputation of their business.

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