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About Us

Employees
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Member Companies
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Years of Experience

137 years of Advocacy, Progress, and Innovation

Greater Rochester Chamber has evolved with the times, but our focus has remained the same, tied directly to the mission of those who founded this organization – be a voice for businesses in this region and help them to thrive.

Learn more about some of our key organizational milestones below.

2024

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce relocates to 250 Clinton Square in the heart of downtown Rochester. The new office space offers a central and convenient location while maintaining accessibility for all stakeholders.

2023

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce is reaccredited with five star distinction from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

2021

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce launches a new brand identity, website, and member relationship management platform to better serve their members, potential members, and community.

2017

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce earns 5-Star Accreditation from the United States Chamber of Commerce. The top designation recognizes sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact on the community.

2017

Rochester Chamber releases a brag book, "We #ROC: 100 Reasons to Love the Rochester/Finger Lakes Region"

2017

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce hosts a 130th anniversary celebration at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. More than 500 people attended and heard remarks from Rochester Chamber CEO Bob Duffy and representatives from the City of Rochester and Monroe County.

2016

RBA returns to its roots by rebranding as Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce. This move clarifies its position as the Chamber of Commerce serving the nine-county Finger Lakes region.

2015

The Rochester Business Alliance board of directors appoints former Rochester Police Chief, Mayor, and New York Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy president and CEO upon Sandy Parker’s retirement.

2006

RBA and the Buffalo Niagara Partnership announce the formation of Unshackle Upstate, a coalition of organizations and businesses with the goal of achieving reforms in Albany that make Upstate New York a stronger place to do business.

2006

Rochester Business Alliance convenes the Rochester Community Coalition, a precursor to the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council. The group of local leaders presented priority projects to lawmakers for state investment and attention.

2005

Rochester Business Alliance and Wegmans CEO Danny Wegman form the RBA Health Care Initiative to create a healthier community and to seek ways for businesses to save money on health care coverage.

2005

Sandy Parker becomes Rochester Business Alliance president and CEO upon Mooney’s retirement.

2004

Rochester Business Alliance consolidates former Chamber and IMC operations at 150 State Street.

2003

Facing a decline in Rochester’s manufacturing base and the potential for the failure of one or both organizations, the Greater Rochester Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Industrial Management Council merge to form Rochester Business Alliance. Mooney serves as CEO and former IMC leader Sandy Parker becomes president of the merged RBA.

1996

The Chamber launches its first website with only two documents available: The course catalog for the Rochester Corporate Training Initiative and the Chamber’s regional wage and salary survey.

1996

The Greater Rochester Metro Chamber of Commerce goes into direct competition with the Industrial Management Council by offering staffing services provided by partner vendors.

1993

The Chamber hosts a closed-circuit viewing party for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce program “What Every Small Business Owner Needs to Know” featuring Paychex founder B. Thomas Golisano.

1989

A name change to the Greater Rochester Metro Chamber of Commerce solidifies the Chamber’s regional reach.

1987

The Chamber holds its inaugural Rochester Top 100 program, celebrating the region’s fastest-growing privately held businesses.

1985

The Chamber’s annual meeting is combined with dedication ceremonies for the Riverside Convention Center, built on the site of the Chamber’s former building.

1979

Thomas T. Mooney becomes the first full-time Chamber president, relieving the annually elected chairman of most operational duties.

1975

A new name, the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, reflects the organization’s increasing attention to regional development. Gilbert McCurdy launches a publicity program that leads to the television series “Pride in our Past…Leadership for the Future.”

1960

President Donald A. Gaudion declares that business leaders have a responsibility to support “art, culture, and political purpose.”

1956

The Rochester Chamber of Commerce’s membership reaches 6,700.

1955

A business show, “Industry on Parade,” is staged in the new War Memorial auditorium.

1954

Alexander M. Beebee launches a drive for new industries.

1952

President Joseph C. Wilson’s address, “Rochester’s Declaration of Independence,” proposes that the Chamber pull back on its objections to public housing and labor unions and develop a new interest in civil rights programs.

1949

A Rochester Chamber of Commerce banquet features the broadcast of WHAM-TV’s first program.

1948

Chamber trustees endorse the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan.

1942

A Council on Postwar Problems is formed, leading to employment and housing programs for veterans.

1941

The Chamber and the Industrial Management Council begin applying Rochester’s manufacturing skills to war production programs.

1931

The Community Chest begins the first emergency drive in the nation, bringing in $150,000.

1930

President Gilbert J.G. McCurdy attempts to reassure the community, saying, “Business isn’t headed to the bow-wows. An Unemployment Benefit Plan launched by 14 Rochester firms is praised throughout the country and by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

1927

A four story addition to the Chamber headquarters, also paid for by Eastman, is dedicated. The building is considered the nation’s most adequately equipped for civic, social, industrial, and commercial functions.

1926

The Convention and Publicity Bureau brings 66,000 delegates to Rochester.

1921

The Chamber starts a series of New Citizen banquets to welcome Rochester’s newly naturalized immigrants.

1920

The Rochester Chamber charters a Better Business Bureau.

1917

President Harper Sibley dedicates the new Chamber headquarters.

1915

George Eastman offers $500,000 for a new Rochester Chamber of Commerce building. President George W. Todd adds more than $100,000 and construction begins on St. Paul Street.

1913

Rochester Chamber President Robert M. Seale, leads a group of 50 business leaders on a three-day automobile excursion to neighboring towns to strengthen their ties with the city. Publication of Rochester Commerce begins.

1907

Secretary Sidney R. Clark, noting that Rochester’s best prospects lay in its specialty industries, coins the slogan “Rochester Made Means Quality.”

1905

Clinton N. Rogers, the last of the Chamber founders to serve as president, persuades the city to curb the smoke nuisance and proposes a power dam on the Genesee River.

1904

Chamber membership opens to suburban businesses.

1901

The Chamber’s publication, Rochester, the Power City, is the first to depict the city as a budding metropolis. Trustees sponsor a number of concerts in city parks.

1898

George Eastman joins the executive committee, which achieves such objectives as all-night streetcar service and the publication of a glamorous Rochester Illustrated.

1895

The Rochester Chamber of Commerce moves its offices to the top floors of a 13 story building at Main Street and South Avenue.

1891

Chamber membership increases to 550, exceeding that of the Buffalo Merchants Exchange.

1889

Chamber committees begin work on proposals involving one-cent postage rates, port improvements, and an increase in the city’s water supply.

1888

The top story of the Rochester Savings Bank at Main and Fitzhugh streets becomes the first Rochester Chamber of Commerce headquarters.

1887

Railroad and canal problems, banking concerns, trade with Canada, a growing city, and a host of other issues prompted 20 Rochester business leaders to gather in November 1887 to discuss forming a board of trade. In December, the group approved the Rochester Chamber of Commerce constitution and elected patent medicine king Hulbert H. Warner president.

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