About the Chamber

	Overview of the Chamber
	Board of Directors

Overview of the Chamber

The Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Chamber) has something to offer businesses of every size and type. A voluntary, non-profit organization, the Chamber was formed in 1908, when business and professional people, educators, and citizens interested in an economic development organization and a chamber of commerce decided to join forces and work together to improve the economic, industrial, and civic well being of the Wichita Falls area. The components of the Chamber have been addressing business needs in North Texas for more than 100 years!

The purposes of the Chamber are:

Promoting total community development of Wichita Falls
Uniting the people of commerce, industry, education and the professions to work together to improve the economy of the area
Encouraging the growth of businesses already here, as well as the recruitment of new businesses and industries to the area

Today, The Chamber represents more than 1,150 businesses and organizations with more than 28,000 employees. Our members include home-based businesses to major corporations and everything in between. Nearly 70% of our members have 15 employees or less, with almost 45% having less than 5 employees. The largest member has more than 2,500 employees - the average is 35 employees per member. Members are service, retail, and manufacturing industries, along with a host of other business types.

The Chamber offers educational programs, legislative oversight, marketing advantages, and networking opportunities to its members from Learning Lunches to Business After Hours, advertising in this Membership Directory and Business Guide to the Business Expo, The Chamber does it all! The Chamber offers a variety of opportunities for businesses to get involved, market their products and services, and grow their businesses.

The Chamber is the community's economic development service provider. Dating back to 1908, the Chamber has a long track record of promoting economic growth in the Wichita Falls community. Through the past leadership of the organization, Wichita Falls' economic development has experienced tremendous success in facilitating the economic diversification of the local economy. Today, the Chamber remains as committed as ever to the objective of economic diversification, to promoting business expansion, and to the attraction of new primary employers into the Wichita Falls marketplace. For more information on how the Chamber can help, see the Economic Development section of this website.

What is the Chamber?

The Chamber is not a department of the city, county, or state government; a political body, or a civic club. We are not a professional society, a social service agency, or charitable institution; nor are we a private advertising, publicity, or public relations agency. We are a non-profit volunteer organization serving the needs of the business community. We are the Chamber of Commerce and the community's economic development service provider! We are the place to go for newcomer information! We are the place to come to grow your business! We are the voice of business in Wichita Falls!

How Is the Chamber Financed?

The Chamber is financed by the investment of its members and income from events like the Business Expo and sponsorships of activities such as the Annual Meeting. The financial support of businesses and professionals in the community is essential to finance the Chamber's programs, which are vital to economic growth and development. In addition, the Chamber's economic development efforts are funded in part with sales tax proceeds.

How Does the Chamber Work?

The general membership is at the top of our organization's chart.

The 20 official members of the Board of Directors set policy and determine the direction of the Chamber. Other high profile volunteers serve as ex-officio members of the Board. While they do not having voting power, they advise the Board, providing a variety of expertises and opinions.

The Executive Committee is composed of the officers elected by the Board of Directors, along with two at-large members. This group meets as needed and can act on behalf of the Board between official Board meetings.

The staff is employed by the Board of Directors to work for the membership in carrying out the day-to-day tasks of the organization. The Business Council, Gold Coat Ambassadors, and other committees and task forces are made up of volunteers from the general membership. All members are encouraged to get involved and serve on these committees and task forces, but they are not required to do so.