The Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, established in 1836, is one of the oldest Chambers in the United States. The Chamber, was first known as the Mobile Commerce and Business League and has also been named the Mobile Board of Trade, the Mobile Chamber of Commerce and Maritime and Shipping Association, before changing its name to the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce in 1960. The Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce has been working to make Mobile a better place to do business. Although every company faces unique challenges, all share one goal: they must succeed. The Chamber works for the local business community by:

• Participating with the city and county in economic development efforts to strengthen the business community as well as retain and expand the job base with successful projects, like Downtown Mobile revitalization, Mobile Aerospace Engineering, IPSCO Steel and Bredero Price
• Supporting a quality education system and promoting workforce development by co-sponsoring programs such as School-to-Work and Envision Mobile-Baldwin
• Bringing in hundreds of thousands of dollars for community projects through the Chamber s grants program money that is used for education, business ethics, adult literacy, and assisting small businesses market via the Internet, trade missions, and other important programs
• Being an advocate for businesses in the Mobile area and monitoring and evaluating local, state and federal legislation, and supporting or opposing actions that could impact the business community
• Creating publications, such as the Membership Directory; a monthly business newsletter, The View; a comprehensive guide to the local news media; and an information-packed Web site, www.mobilechamber.com, filled with community information
• Coordinating special events for members like golf tournaments, an annual meeting, monthly breakfasts and Business After Hours events, and a variety of seminars and meetings that bring in national speakers and delve into local, regional and state issues
• Providing benefits for small businesses like health, dental, and long-term care plans, long distance discount plans, and free business counseling services through the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)