Chambers of commerce and industry can operate in several different formats.
Regional, city and community chambers
Regional, city, and community chambers focus on regional or local issues related to cooperation with local authorities, but can also promote broader business initiatives that cross borders, such as facilitating trade between immigrant groups and their home country.
City Chambers
City chambers aim to promote the economic interests of the city locally and possibly globally.
State chambers
In the United States, state chambers focus on statewide and sometimes national advocacy, and therefore have more influence on rules and legislation.
National or international chambers
National or international chambers focus on advocacy or lobbying on national or broader issues.
Mandatory chambers
In some countries, businesses of a certain size are required to join a chamber of commerce, which provides a certain level of self-regulation, as well as promotes member companies, supports economic development, and oversees employee training. Such chambers are popular in Europe and Japan.
In some countries, chambers of commerce and industry provide key economic data through surveys of their members. For example, the British Chamber of Commerce’s quarterly economic survey is used by the government to assess the state of the economy.