Dallas Regional Chamber

Dallas Regional Chamber
Type Advocacy group
Founded 1909
Location Dallas, Texas
Key people James C. Oberwetter, President
Area served North Texas
Focus Business advocacy
Method Policy advocacy, member engagement
Motto Promoting prosperity through public policy, economic development and member engagement.
Website Dallas Regional Chamber Official Website

The Dallas Regional Chamber--formerly known as the Dallas Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce—is a chamber of commerce that represents businesses and institutions in North Texas, including the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area. The Dallas Regional Chamber was founded in 1909, the combination of three smaller organizations—the Commercial Club (founded in 1893),[1] the 150,000 Club[2] and the Freight Bureau—and the Dallas Board of Trade, established in 1874.[3]

The Dallas Regional Chamber is supported by roughly 3,000 businesses and organizations across twelve counties, and its members represent nearly 600,000 area employees. The chamber's mission statement:

“ The Dallas Regional Chamber promotes prosperity through public policy, economic development and member engagement. ”

The chamber is led by a board of roughly 70 CEOs.[4] In 2010, the Chairman of the Board is David Corrigan, President and CEO of Corrigan Investments; the Chairman-elect for 2011 is Mike Baggett, Chairman Emeritus of Winstead PC. Former United States Ambassador James C. Oberwetter has served as president of the Dallas Regional Chamber since February, 2009.

Recent notable speakers before the Dallas Regional Chamber include Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke,[5] Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer,[6] former United States Secretary of State James Baker,[7] and Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert.[8]

References

  1. ^ Graff, Harvey J. (2008). The Dallas Myth: The Making and Unmaking of an American City. Minneapolis: Univ Of Minnesota Press. pp. 284. ISBN 978-0816652693. 
  2. ^ The 150,000 Club was a group of Dallas businessmen that came together in 1905 with the goal of spurring growth in the city to reach 150,000 residents by 1910. The 150,000 population goal was met in 1920. [1]
  3. ^ (Graff 2008, p. 281)
  4. ^ Dallas Regional Chamber 2010 Board of Directors
  5. ^ Chan, Sewell (2010-04-07). "Bernanke Says Nation Must Take Action Soon to Shape Fiscal Future". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/08/business/economy/08fed.html. Retrieved 2010-09-20. 
  6. ^ Godinez, Victor (2010-05-08). "Tech innovation vital, Microsoft chief Ballmer tells Dallas-area execs". The Dallas Morning News. http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/DN-ballmer_08bus.ART.State.Edition1.3cc0c87.html. Retrieved 2010-09-23. 
  7. ^ Souder, Elizabeth (2009-06-19). "James Baker urges president to push nations on greenhouse gases". The Dallas Morning News. http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/DN-bakergreenhouse_19bus.State.Edition1.3a536f1.html. Retrieved 2010-09-23. 
  8. ^ Bush, Randolph (2010-09-15). "Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert cites progress, calls for lower homeowner taxes". The Dallas Morning News. http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/local/stories/091610dnmetleppert.2606c0d.html. Retrieved 2010-09-23.