The Portland Regional Chamber Mission

The Portland Regional Chamber and its Community Chambers build a vibrant economy and vital communities through economic development, advocacy and member services.

The Portland Regional Chamber Vision

Written in 2006, from the perspective of 2011

It is the year 2011. The Portland Regional Chamber is widely regarded as the catalyst of economic development in the Greater Portland area, not only by the business community, but also by public officials, the media, and the general public. Respected for its collaborative, highly effective advocacy efforts, the Chamber is considered to be the primary force in creating a favorable regional business environment, thereby increasing job opportunities and fostering an improved standard of living. It is recognized for its well informed policy positions and admired as a knowledgeable and agile change agent.

Some five years ago, the Portland Regional Chamber, in concert with the Community Chamber partners, developed a non-partisan, pro-business plan to advocate for a more business friendly environment with municipal and county government officials. Recognizing that many of the factors impacting the business climate were controlled by the Maine legislature, we also significantly expanded our advocacy activities at the State level. In doing so, we coordinated our efforts with the Maine State Chamber, leveraging the strength of both organizations. Weighing in on such statewide issues as taxation and health care, we have successfully encouraged a more economically vital and competitive business environment. The views and opinions of the Portland Regional and Community Chambers are now routinely solicited by public policy officials at all levels.

While it has not always been possible to take positions that favor the interests of each Chamber member, the reasoned approach with which the Portland Regional and Community Chambers have developed advocacy positions and the quality of their communications have gained the confidence of members. Effective use of technology has allowed us to gauge members’ opinions on key policy issues and provide timely legislative information that has marshaled the attention and resources not only of members, but the employees whom they represent.

The Chamber’s role in economic development, however, extends beyond its advocacy efforts. Working with local universities, the Community Chamber network, and Chamber members, the Portland Regional Chamber has functioned as a convener and facilitator of economic policy research, analysis and debate. Additionally, through its own marketing and communications efforts, and in collaboration with government leaders and other like minded organizations such as Maine & Company, we have succeeded in promoting local business growth and attracting new business to the area, resulting in a laudable number of new jobs in the past five years.

The Chamber’s leadership position in the business community has resulted in increased public awareness and region-wide community enthusiasm. Its public image as a relevant, effective and influential organization has been further strengthened by the support provided through the Regional and Community Chambers for important community-based events and initiatives. The Portland Regional Chamber and the Community Chamber network are viewed by the public as critically important organizations supporting the health and vitality of the Greater Portland area.

As it has gained stature in the public policy and economic development arenas, the Chamber has continued to provide valued member services, both tangible and intangible. A variety of communications tools have been used to assess member interests and disseminate information regarding member benefits. Networking opportunities are thoughtfully designed to assist members in growing their businesses and gaining knowledge of local and regional resources, while recognizing the many demands on members’ time. Creative processes motivate and provide support to members who assist each other. Education programs offer training in subjects that anticipate and respond to members’ needs. Selected exclusive discounted services furnish cost savings to members. Most importantly, the Chamber has found a way to provide affordable, quality health care insurance, a particularly important benefit for small businesses, which comprise a significant portion of the membership base.

The Chamber, now known as a “must join” group, boasts a membership of 2,000 organizations, fully a third more than in 2005. This growth has resulted from a significant improvement in member retention as well as new member recruitment fueled by the Chamber’s enhanced prestige and commitment to diversity. In response to the Chamber’s increased relevancy and vitality, Chamber members encourage the over 75,000 employees whom they represent to participate in Chamber activities and serve on Chamber boards and committees, thereby enabling both the Portland Regional Chamber and its Community Chamber partners to access increased volunteer resources. It is a cycle of success breeding success.

The alignment of interests among an expanded network of Community Chambers and the Portland Regional Chamber has been a key factor in these accomplishments. While the activities of the Community Chambers are appropriately tailored to their local communities, the entire Chamber network is guided by a shared vision and common objectives. As a result, the impact of the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Buoyed by the successful resolution of governance and financial issues in 2006, the President’s Council, in conjunction with the Regional Communication Committee, subsequently led the development and implementation of a regional marketing and communications plan that has resulted in a clear and consistent brand image, not only among members but among the general public. In recent years, the President’s Council has increasingly served as the coordinating body that unites the Chambers, maximizing their influence as a coalition. It now serves as the Chamber’s principal operating management structure.

The Chamber’s members are supported by an energized and competent staff, organized to execute the Chamber’s strategy. A dedicated advocacy position has been added and the roles and responsibilities of staff and volunteer positions have been clearly delineated. A continued commitment to competitive compensation and opportunities for professional growth has facilitated staff recruitment and retention. Chamber staff members are motivated by the challenge of working on projects with substantial community impact.

Having undergone a comprehensive review of its dues structure and sources of revenue and expense, the Chamber has strengthened and solidified its revenue base, permitting it to fund its increased level of activity. Consolidated financial reporting is now the norm. Rigorous measures of performance, focused on such factors as job growth and taxes, are routinely tracked, with reports regularly provided to the entire membership base. These help to enforce accountability and demonstrate the value of Chamber membership.

As members convene to celebrate the opening of Portland’s new Convention/Civic Center and the role played by the Chamber in its development, Chamber leaders stress the importance of collaboration and partnership. They emphasize the foresight of local, regional and State officials, the Community Chambers, and Chamber members in this and many other achievements. Reminding members of the ongoing economic challenges faced by the State and the Greater Portland Region, however, they urge the continued pursuit of creative enterprise-based solutions for the region’s economy and underscore our commitment to systematic efforts to mobilize business, government and public support.

A Brief History of The Portland Regional Chamber

By W. Godfrey Wood, CEO

In 1853, when Portland was one of America's leading seaports - ranking with New York, Philadelphia, Boston and New Orleans - the City's leading merchants founded the "Portland Board of Trade". One of the first such business associations in the Nation, the Board predates the United States Chamber of Commerce by 50 years.

Committed to further developing the port, the Board of Trade raised funds to dredge, mark and safely light the harbor, and established pier frontage lines for local wharves. Following the fire of 1866, the Chamber's headquarters were located at 34 Exchange Street, where stained glass and mosaic reproductions of the Board's seal can be seen to this day above the front windows and set in the floor, respectively.

After changing its name in 1915 to the Portland Chamber of Commerce, the association of business leaders incorporated itself (September 29, 1926) and purchased the 85-year-old Free Street Baptist Church to serve as the Chamber's offices. Signing the incorporation papers as President of the Chamber was Joseph C. Jordan, Chairman of Jordan's Meats/Jordan's Foods.

The Chamber retained famed Portland architect John Calvin Stevens and his son John Howard Stevens to restore the much-revamped church (adjacent to the present-day Portland Museum of Art, and now houses the Children's Museum) to its original appearance. The structure had been built prior to 1830 as a theater.

On January 26, 1949, reflecting its area-wide membership and concerns, the Chamber renamed itself the Greater Portland Chamber of Commerce. In the mid-1970's the Chamber joined with local Chambers in several adjacent communities to form the Chamber of Commerce of the Greater Portland Region. In 1997 the Board voted to rename the organization The Greater Portland Chambers of Commerce. Later, following a strategic planning process, the name was changed to the Portland Regional Chamber in 2004.

Today, the Chamber is, by far, Maine's largest business organization. While it has members from throughout Maine and many outside the state, the overwhelming majority are located in the thirteen communities which comprise greater Portland. Its operations include five active Community Chambers, covering seven communities (Falmouth-Cumberland, Portland, Scarborough, South Portland-Cape Elizabeth, and Westbrook). Other towns include Freeport, Gorham, Yarmouth, North Yarmouth, Gray and Windham.

The Regional Chamber works to strengthen the economy of Maine, especially that of greater Portland, so that its' citizens can have more and better paying jobs. The Chamber maintains active programs of service to members, a vigorous government representation effort, and annually produce major events which help make greater Portland an even better place in which to live and work.