Who we are:
The Greenville Chamber is a 137-year-old, 1400-member business and economic development organization that connects people, advocates for businesses, and accelerates business and regional economic growth.
Our Vision
A globally competitive Upstate economy where businesses succeed, and people prosper.
Our Mission
To lead, convene, and mobilize the business community to drive regional economic growth.
Our Values
Achieve together
Do the right thing
Expect excellence
Inspire Positivity
Value Differences
Our Focus - We accomplish our mission by focusing in five areas:
ACCELERATE regional economic growth.
ADVOCATE for policies that promote business and economic growth.
CONNECT businesses and people to opportunities and resources that drive business growth.
DEVELOP talent and leaders.
INCLUDE all people and businesses in opportunities to achieve economic prosperity.
Our History
1889
The Greenville Chamber was founded in 1889.
Early 1900's
Major projects of the Chamber in the early 1900s included:
bringing the American Cigar Factory to Greenville
the development of the Municipal League, which worked for beautification and sanitation.
Greenville's first YMCA
organized the city's first credit report bureau.
1929
The Chamber helped bring passenger and airmail service to the city, and they celebrated the completion of Shriners Hospital.
1929
The Chamber helped bring passenger and airmail service to the city, and they celebrated the completion of Shriners Hospital.
1947
Combined efforts of volunteers and staff brought Bob Jones University to Greenville.
1950's
The Chamber celebrated the opening of Memorial Auditorium and worked with the county and state in establishing Greenville Technical College.
1960's
The Chamber conducted an education study in the 1960s that led to school accreditation and integration.
1962
The Chamber helped open Greenville-Spartanburg Airport.
1980's
The Greenville Central Area Partnership, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Freedom Weekend Aloft all began with Chamber leadership.
1990's
The Peace Center for the Performing Arts, the BI-LO Center (now the Bon Secours Wellness Arena), and the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities opened in downtown Greenville.
Early 2000's
The Chamber created NEXT, a program designed to attract and grow high-impact, knowledge-based companies by developing an entrepreneurial ecosystem and connecting entrepreneurs to it.
2010's
The Chamber has been a major supporter of the establishment of the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research and the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Greenville, as well as Southwest Airlines' entry to the market.
Awards & Recognition
2020
U.S. Chamber of Commerce designated the Greenville Chamber as an Accredited chamber with 5-Stars
2021
CACCE Outstanding Chamber of the Year.
2023
Greenville Chamber CEO, Carlos Phillips, Elected to Lead ACCE, Receives Elite CCE Certification
Proud Members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The Greenville Chamber is a proud member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the only organization that optimizes the relationship between government and business at scale, across the economy, and around the world.
Hours of Operation
Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location
550 S. Main Street, Suite 550
Greenville, SC 29601