Atlanta Chamber of Commerce

The Atlanta Chamber of Commerce is a private, independent organization founded in 1860 by local business leaders. Originally known as the Atlanta Board of Trade, the organization sought to lower freight rates for the region and to promote direct trade with European nations without having to ship to Northern ports. Membership in the organization consists of business leaders in the Atlanta metropolitan region. The Chamber is governed by a Board of Directors, and employs staff and volunteers to facilitate its efforts, which generally consist of promoting business development, improving the business climate of the region, and assisting with the management and growth of the metropolitan area. Examples of Chamber activities include implementing two ⁰́₋Forward Atlanta⁰́₊ campaigns to attract business, promoting direct international flights, working with Atlanta area chambers to promote economic development, and assisting the city of Atlanta in securing the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. The Chamber's headquarters has moved several times, and in 2008 was located at 235 Andrew Young International Boulevard.