A Birthday Letter to America

The United States turns 250 on July 4th. It’s a time to reflect on our history and bring Americans together on its birthday.  

ACCE is participating in the Business for America’s Together for 250 campaign, and we encourage you to do the same. The idea is simple. Write a birthday letter to America. Discuss the big ideas this anniversary invites us to reflect on. The importance of business and civic leadership, the pursuit of economic prosperity and the importance of innovation and ingenuity.  

The first chamber of commerce in the United States was founded in 1768, eight years before the Declaration of Independence. Since then, chambers have helped communities grow, strengthened local economies, supported entrepreneurs, championed infrastructure, and brought business leaders together to address their community's most pressing challenges. 

In an era when trust in nearly every American institution has fallen, local chambers of commerce have maintained theirs. We do not take that lightly. Trust is not a reward for past performance. It is a responsibility to continue providing the civic leadership our communities and country need.  

Throughout our country, chambers convene business leaders, educators, nonprofit organizations, elected officials and other community stakeholders. They create spaces where people with different perspectives can come together around shared goals. They help communities move from conversation to action. 

It’s an exciting time to work for a chamber of commerce. Here's to the next 250 years of opportunity, innovation, civic leadership and community building. 

Join us as part of the campaign. Learn more here.