About Us - Welland/Pelham Chamber of Commerce
Quick Facts
- First Established: 1889, as the Welland Board of Trade
- Date of Incorporation: January 4th, 1961 as the Greater Welland Chamber of Commerce
- Change of Incorporated Name: December 3rd, 1998
Our History
The Welland Board of Trade was first established in 1889, by a group of local business people, who felt that the business community, which was experiencing exceptional growth at the time, needed an association which could unite all the local business owners, and be one voice.
In 1961, the Welland Board of Trade became the Greater Welland Chamber of Commerce, and also became the voice of business for Pelham.
In 1998, the name was once again changed to the Welland/Pelham Chamber of Commerce.
Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade are one in the same. It is a worldwide organization that represents the business community. You may travel to any community in the world and you will find a Chamber of Commerce or a Board of Trade. Most Chambers of Commerce or Boards of Trade have maintained their official lobbying status under the Board of Trade Act. The Welland/Pelham Chamber of Commerce, although has changed it's name from Board of Trade to Chamber of Commerce, has done so under the Board of Trade Act, thus maintaining it's lobbyist status.