DUBUQUE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Dinnerware once used by the Chamber. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding

DUBUQUE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. Organization whose goals are the promotion of the Dubuque area for a broad range of commercial and industrial activities and promotion of the quality of life in the Dubuque area.

The Chamber is a member of a long line of organizations whose goal has been to improve the business climate of the city. The first BOARD OF TRADE was organized on September 28,1854, at a meeting held in the Globe Hotel. The officers included F. V. Goodrick, president; Edwin James, Jr., secretary; and M. Mobley, treasurer. Efforts were made by this group to expand the trade territory of Dubuque, but the organization, faced with the hardships caused by the CIVIL WAR, lasted only a few years before disbanding.

On January 8, 1876, the second Board of Trade was founded at a meeting held in the offices of the Dubuque Agricultural Society. Henry S. HETHERINGTON was elected president and John Samuel HANCOCK, secretary. Membership grew from ninety-six members in the first year to one hundred fifty the second year.

In 1902 a new organization was formed to advertise the city. The DUBUQUE CLUB proved extremely successful. In 1911 this organization sponsored the Dubuque Industrial Corporation that raised funds to attract the BRUNSWICK-BALKE-COLLENDER COMPANY, the first large industrial firm to locate in the city.

By 1916 weaknesses in the Dubuque Club led to it merging with other organizations in the community to form the second commercial club.

The Commercial Club members on February 16,1920, changed the name of their group to the Dubuque Chamber of Commerce. In 1922 when the Chamber purchased the former site of the DUBUQUE CLUB, it became one of the few Chambers of Commerce in the United States to be the owner of a modern building in which civic activities could be centered.

In 1928 a special committee of the Chamber was instrumental in combining the fund drives of the Dubuque Boy Scouts, DUBUQUE BOYS' CLUB, YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION (Y.M.C.A.), YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION (Y.W.C.A.), Sunshine Circle, MOUNT PLEASANT HOME, HILLCREST BABY FOLD, Salvation Army, and VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION into Dubuque's Community Chest, the predecessor of the United Fund and United Way.

In 1929 the Chamber sponsored the first annual "Made in Dubuque" week to showcase Dubuque businesses. A "Miss Dubuque was chosen.

During the years of the Great Depression, the Chamber championed aviation and encouraged the city to plan on the development of an airport. An estimated 400 farmers, business, and professional people attended the first annual Tri-County Indoor Picnic at the UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE. The following year, at least 10,000 people attended the Dubuque County Farm Bureau Picnic at UNION PARK sponsored by the Retail Merchants' Bureau of the Chamber. The Dubuque Chamber hosted representatives of fourteen other cities in 1930 at the Upper Mississippi River Conference to push for a nine-foot MISSISSIPPI RIVER channel. The same year, by special action of the Board of Directors of the Chamber, a Credit Rating Bureau was established.

The Centennial Celebration in Dubuque in September 1930 marked the Black Hawk Purchase Treaty of June 1, 1833; the 145th anniversary of the settlement of Dubuque; and the 103rd anniversary of the city on its present site. Various committees of the Chamber worked for years on this event.

In 1975 the Chamber published a book that represented the community through pictures and promoted the area. In 1980 the Chamber developed the Dubuque Book which businesses could use in recruiting new employees. It was also an economic development tool. The book was updated in 1988. In 1994 the chamber proposed an image package of two parts. One part would include the Metro-Community book with the theme "Building a Strong Future on Solid Heritage." This would also include topics like family values, culture and arts, tourism, history, medical arts, business and industry. The second part would be a Newcomer Information Kit with information on utilities and a map of the city. Companies could tailor the image package to meet their own needs. (1)

The 1966 Dubuque City Directory listed 607 Fischer Building.

The 1985 Dubuque City Directory listed 880 Locust.

The 1987 Dubuque City Directory listed 790 Main.

The 1993 Dubuque City Directory listed 770 Town Clock Plaza.

In 1991 the Chamber received a Certificate of Achievement in the field of member retention awarded by the National Association of Membership Directors.

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Source:

1. Bergstrom, Kathy. "Chamber Develops Image Package," Telegraph Herald, March 18, 1994, p. 2A

Gibson, Michael. "Yesterday and Today." The Golden View, January 2012

Pamphlet. "Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner Celebrating Its 60th Anniversary March 31, 1976