Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce Celebrates 125 Years of Service

As we begin 2025, we embark on a year-long celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Chamber.

The Tyler Commercial Club was formed in 1900 by local business leaders in response the growing demand for an organized group to support economic development and promotion of Tyler and its businesses. Their mission was to boost the local economy by working on projects that would improve infrastructure, promote local businesses, attract new industries, and bolster the quality of life for our residents.

In 1918, the Tyler Commercial Club transitioned to become the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, and the organization began to play an instrumental role in advocating for better transportation, facilities, and services for the region. With 662 members, it was, at the time, the largest chamber in a town of Tyler’s size in the U.S.

During the past 125 years, the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce has grown to include more than 2,000 business organizations and individuals whose scope of activities includes broad community development initiatives that contribute to the overall prosperity of Tyler and the entire East Texas region.