A chamber of commerce is not a governmental body or institution, and has no direct role in the writing and passage of laws and regulations that affect businesses. It may however, act as a lobby in an attempt to get laws passed that are favorable to businesses. Contents [hide] 1 Characteristics 2 Chamber models 2.1 Local and regional chambers

n some circles as a board of trade) is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community. Local businesses are members, and they elect a board of directors or executive council to set policy for the chamber. The board or council then hires a President, CEO or Executive Director, plus staffing appropriate to size, to run the organization.
The first chamber of commerce was founded in 1599 in Marseille, France.[1][2][3][4] It would be followed 65 years later by another official chamber of commerce, probably in Brugge, then part of the Spanish Netherlands.[5]
The world's oldest English-speaking chamber of commerce is that of New York City, which was established in 1768.[6] The oldest known existing chamber in the English-speaking world with continuous records is the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce,[7] which was founded in 1783. However, Hull Chamber of Commerce[8] is the UK's oldest, followed by Leeds and Belfast, Northern Ireland.[citation needed]
A chamber of commerce is not a governmental body or institution, and has no direct role in the writing and passage of laws and regulations that affect businesses. It may however, act as a lobby in an attempt to get laws passed that are favorable to businesses.
Contents  [hide]
1 Characteristics
2 Chamber models
2.1 Local and regional chambers
2.2 State chambers
2.3 Compulsory/public law chambers
2.4 Continental/private law chambers
2.5 Multilateral chambers
3 See also
4 References
5 External links
Characteristics[edit]

Membership in an individual chamber in an area can range from a few dozen to well over 300,000 (as is the case with the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry). Some chamber organizations in China report even larger membership numbers. Chambers of commerce can range in scope from individual neighborhoods within a city or town up to an international chamber of commerce.[9]
In the United States, chambers do not operate in the same manner as the Better Business Bureau in that, while the BBB has the authority to bind its members under a formal operations doctrine (and, thus, can remove them if complaints arise regarding their services), the local chamber membership is either voluntary or required by law. In addition, Chambers represent the interests of businesses, while the BBB represents both the interests of businesses and the general public.[citation needed] Some Chambers are partially funded by local government, others are non-profit, and some are a combination of the two. Chambers of commerce also can inclu