In 1939, nine local businessmen decided it was time to reactivate the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce which had been dormant since its inception in 1917.
In December 2011, the memberships of both the St. Peters and St. Charles Chambers of Commerce voted to merge the two organizations. In March 2012, the chamber officially became the Greater St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce.
In 2021, the Chamber board decided it was time to update their logo and brand to match their vision to become a regional chamber. In March 2022, at the Chamber's 10 Anniversary luncheon, the Chamber board chair announced that going forward, they would become known as the St. Charles Regional Chamber.
Serving as volunteers, 17 Board of Directors set the policies for the Chamber. The Mayors or representatives from the various municipalities in St. Charles County, a representative of St. Charles County Government, and the President & CEO all serve as an non-voting, ex-officio board members.
The administrative head of the Chamber is known as the President & CEO. He or she, and the professional support staff, are employed by the Chamber to handle its daily operations.
The Chamber is financed by member investments and fundraising. Chamber membership should be viewed as an investment in the present and future of the individual company's and community's welfare. Membership is open to any firm or organization that has an interest in community improvement and in the prosperity of its own business or organization.
With membership come many tangible and intangible benefits such as committee work and helping to fulfill the Chamber's mission: We advocate for our business community by developing opportunities and partnerships that strengthen the economic prosperity and sustainability of our region.
Based on their membership or investment level, members receive the tangible benefits of customer referrals from the many inquiries which come to the Chamber office, the monthly newsletter (and its opportunities for advertising to the membership), and through committee work, Business After Hours events, and membership meetings.
It's been nearly 85 years since those nine businessmen reactivated the Chamber of Commerce. Would they recognize us today? - Definitely!
Today's committed membership is the product of their early vision. Would they be proud of us? - Absolutely!
Read an excerpt about the Chamber of Commerce from the book "Crossroads: A History of St. Charles County, Missouri" written by County Executive Steve Ehlmann.
This excerpt was provided to the Chamber by County Executive Steve Ehlmann.