EVOLVE Business and Professional Magazine February 2018 | Page 37

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by Nancy Ke
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n order to talk about the future of chambers of commerce, I think it’s best to first
examine the history of chambers. In a conversation with my colleague, Chris
Mead at the American Chamber of Commerce (ACCE), we both agreed that
since chambers of commerce have been a mainstay for 250 years, they are likely to
continue their work for many years to come.
In a look at the history of chambers, there is no better resource than a book that
was written by Chris Mead, The Magicians of Main Street: America and its Chambers of
Commerce, 1768-1945. Interestingly enough, you might think this book is just for us
“chamber geeks,” but it’s rich with history and cleverly articulates the beginning of
chambers and their role in many historical events. Without it, many would not know
the role a chamber played in the Charles Lindbergh flight, the Transcontinental
Railroad, the development of canals and so much more. The chambers of the past
are much like the chambers we know now. The commonality being a group of
people forming together to solve an issue of its time. From the early days of trading,
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