2019 marks the 125th year since our organization became a Chamber of Commerce. There were precursor organizations…the Citizens Board of Trade which existed from 1888 to 1892 was replaced by the Toledo Manufacturers Association in 1893 which merged into the Toledo Chamber of Commerce in 1894.
The Chamber’s first president was John S. Craig (pictured left), owner of a shipbuilding company. There were 392 members after a year and dues were $10. Office hours were six days a week and any employee accepting a tip was subject to immediate dismissal. Toledo had 95 miles of streetcar tracks and five daily newspapers. And while things have certainly changed in the last 125 years, there are still many elements of today’s Chamber deeply rooted in our history.
The Chamber’s first president was John S. Craig (pictured left), owner of a shipbuilding company. There were 392 members after a year and dues were $10. Office hours were six days a week and any employee accepting a tip was subject to immediate dismissal. Toledo had 95 miles of streetcar tracks and five daily newspapers. And while things have certainly changed in the last 125 years, there are still many elements of today’s Chamber deeply rooted in our history.
Our first membership drive was held in 1908, 110-years later, we welcomed 324 new members to the organization in our 2018 membership drive. In 1932 we hosted our first golf tournament, which is still going strong. In 1949 we sponsored an economics course “What Everyone Should Know about Business.” Last year our Small Business Development Center assisted 320 clients in starting and/or expanding their businesses.
Our Advocacy and Public Policy program can be traced back to 1950 when the Chamber created a legislative program and tax assessment policy to maintain a close study of employer-employee legislative proposals at all levels of government. And our workforce development efforts began back in 1958 with the Business-Industry-Education Day (BIE Day) where teachers were taken on tours through local businesses. Today TRAIN, the Toledo Region Academic & Industry Network Initiative, connects employers and educators to help increase awareness of current and future career opportunities that are available here.
As we look forward to continuing our mission to Advocate, Connect and Lead in 2019, we invite you to be a part of celebrating this milestone year with us. We are offering an opportunity to further invest in the mission of the Chamber and be promoted as a 125th Anniversary Champion or Supporter! With a one-time commitment of $1,250, your business will receive distinct recognition throughout all of 2019 as a Chamber Champion. A Chamber Supporter level is also available. More details are available here, or you can reach out to Julie Sanderson, Events Director, at julie.sanderson@toledochamber.com or 419.243.8191 ext 223. (But please, still refrain from tipping the Chamber staff.)
Our Advocacy and Public Policy program can be traced back to 1950 when the Chamber created a legislative program and tax assessment policy to maintain a close study of employer-employee legislative proposals at all levels of government. And our workforce development efforts began back in 1958 with the Business-Industry-Education Day (BIE Day) where teachers were taken on tours through local businesses. Today TRAIN, the Toledo Region Academic & Industry Network Initiative, connects employers and educators to help increase awareness of current and future career opportunities that are available here.
As we look forward to continuing our mission to Advocate, Connect and Lead in 2019, we invite you to be a part of celebrating this milestone year with us. We are offering an opportunity to further invest in the mission of the Chamber and be promoted as a 125th Anniversary Champion or Supporter! With a one-time commitment of $1,250, your business will receive distinct recognition throughout all of 2019 as a Chamber Champion. A Chamber Supporter level is also available. More details are available here, or you can reach out to Julie Sanderson, Events Director, at julie.sanderson@toledochamber.com or 419.243.8191 ext 223. (But please, still refrain from tipping the Chamber staff.)
Stacey Mallett began her Chamber career over 20-years ago in membership and is now the Vice President of Marketing and Communication. She is responsible for directing the marketing activities of the Chamber to ensure understanding of its mission and message and support for its organizational goals.
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