The California Chamber of Commerce (CalChamber ) is the largest business advocacy group in California. Membership represents a quarter of private sector jobs in California and includes firms of all sizes and companies from all industries within the state. CalChamber provides products and services to help businesses and human resources (HR) professionals comply with both federal and state labor laws. CalChamber is a non-profit organization with roots dating back to 1890 and promotes international trade and investment to stimulate California’s economy and create jobs.
CalChamber has more than 14,000 members who together employ a quarter of the private sector workforce in California. Three-quarters of CalChamber members have 100 or fewer employees.
CalChamber has its roots in the California State Board of Trade, which was incorporated on February 20., 1890 after three years of public service. The primary purpose of the organization in those early years was to encourage immigration to California, a goal the State Board of Trade pursued by publishing and disseminating statistical and other descriptive information on the growth and products of the state.
In an effort to better promote the state’s businesses, the California State Chamber of Commerce merged with the California Manufacturers and Producers Association and the California Promotion Committee in 1910. The new combined group, known as the California Promotion Council, fulfilled the goals of its parent groups. The Board continued to promote immigration to California, a major focus of the Board of Trade. It promoted pride in products made in California, as did the Manufacturers and Producers Association. It also disseminated information about the state, as did the California Promotion Committee.
To better deal with the complexities of maintaining a healthy business climate in a rapidly growing state, the California Development Board merged with the California Industrial Association in 1921 to form the California Development Dept. Commerce and Industry Association . In September 1929, the organization was incorporated as the California State Chamber of Commerce, Agriculture and Industry .
In 1972, the Board of Directors adopted an abbreviated name: California Chamber of Commerce .