Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce logo.jpg|right]] | [[Image:Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce logo.jpg|right]] | ||
The '''Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce''' is a lobbying group for member businesses in the seven county [[Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Statistical Area]]. The Chamber currently has over 2,500 members and employs two full-time lobbyists to advocate for business at the local, state, and federal level. It is headquartered on the second floor of the [[Financial Center]] building at 505 [[20th Street North]]. | The '''Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce''' is a lobbying group for member businesses in the seven county [[Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Statistical Area]]. The Chamber currently has over 2,500 members and employs two full-time lobbyists to advocate for business at the local, state, and federal level. It is headquartered on the second floor of the [[Financial Center]] building at 505 [[20th Street North]] and its president is [[Russell Cunningham]]. | ||
The Chamber is the publisher of ''[[Birmingham magazine|Birmingham]]'' magazine. | The Chamber is the publisher of ''[[Birmingham magazine|Birmingham]]'' magazine. | ||
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The Chamber was established at a May 14, [[1887]] meeting at [[O'Brien's Opera House]] at which the group's by-laws and board of directors were created. The first president was [[William T. Underwood]]. | The Chamber was established at a May 14, [[1887]] meeting at [[O'Brien's Opera House]] at which the group's by-laws and board of directors were created. The first president was [[William T. Underwood]]. | ||
In [[2006]] the Chamber developed the '''Birmingham Virtual Newsroom''', a public-relations team that pitches stories about Birmingham to national and international media outlets. Vice President [[Melanie Davis]] heads the division, while [[Brannon Stewart]] serves as director. | In [[2006]] the Chamber developed the '''Birmingham Virtual Newsroom''', a public-relations team that pitches stories about Birmingham to national and international media outlets. Vice President [[Melanie Davis]] heads the division, while [[Brannon Stewart]] serves as director. | ||
In [[2008]] the Chamber was harshly criticized by Birmingham mayor [[Larry Langford]], who accused them of promoting the region at the expense of Birmingham itself. After a heated argument with Cunningham on [[March 6]] the two leaders were able to resolve their differences. Meanwhile the Chamber's support for a bill that would create a County Manager position for [[Jefferson County]] led [[Jefferson County Commission|Commissioner]] [[Sheila Smoot]] to attack the group for interference in the political process. | |||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
* Williams, Roy L. (December 14, 2007) "Chamber has a story or two to tell." ''Birmingham News''. | * Williams, Roy L. (December 14, 2007) "Chamber has a story or two to tell." ''Birmingham News'' | ||
* Williams, Roy L. (March 27, 2008) "Politicians' criticism of Birmingham Chamber is unusual thing for low-key business group." ''Birmingham News'' | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Revision as of 10:57, 27 March 2008
The Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce is a lobbying group for member businesses in the seven county Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Statistical Area. The Chamber currently has over 2,500 members and employs two full-time lobbyists to advocate for business at the local, state, and federal level. It is headquartered on the second floor of the Financial Center building at 505 20th Street North and its president is Russell Cunningham.
The Chamber is the publisher of Birmingham magazine.
History
The Chamber was established at a May 14, 1887 meeting at O'Brien's Opera House at which the group's by-laws and board of directors were created. The first president was William T. Underwood.
In 2006 the Chamber developed the Birmingham Virtual Newsroom, a public-relations team that pitches stories about Birmingham to national and international media outlets. Vice President Melanie Davis heads the division, while Brannon Stewart serves as director.
In 2008 the Chamber was harshly criticized by Birmingham mayor Larry Langford, who accused them of promoting the region at the expense of Birmingham itself. After a heated argument with Cunningham on March 6 the two leaders were able to resolve their differences. Meanwhile the Chamber's support for a bill that would create a County Manager position for Jefferson County led Commissioner Sheila Smoot to attack the group for interference in the political process.
References
- Williams, Roy L. (December 14, 2007) "Chamber has a story or two to tell." Birmingham News
- Williams, Roy L. (March 27, 2008) "Politicians' criticism of Birmingham Chamber is unusual thing for low-key business group." Birmingham News