Who We Are

Business Organization with over 120 years of experience

Representing over 350 business members in the community

Voice of Business on local, provincial and federal business issues

Policy advisement and representation in the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce

Hosted the 2013 Ontario Chamber AGM

As the largest urban centre in Chatham-Kent, Chatham is a prosperous community with an eclectic blend of natural and created attractions.

Chatham is centrally located between Windsor, Sarnia and London and it is within a short driving distance to three major border crossings. Within a one-hour commute, Chatham-Kent reaches 950,000 Ontario residents, with 60% of the United States population within a six-hour drive.

Chatham is the central retail district for Chatham-Kent with 2.6 million sq. ft. of commercial businesses. A new cinema also compliments the centre; Wal-mart, Real Canadian Superstore, Home Depot, Best Buy and Staples are among the recent commercial projects in Chatham.

Chatham-Kent industries include the likes of MSSC Canada and Dana Canada. Union Gas Limited (a Spectra Energy Company) and Pioneer Hi-Breed Limited (a Dupont Company) both have their Canadian head offices in Chatham-Kent. Chatham is also home to a vibrant contact centre industry.

St. Clair College of Applied Arts and Technology-Thames Campus offers education and training programs for students, business and industries. St. Clair College operates a student residence in Chatham and operates the St. Clair College Capitol Theatre featuring a variety of live music, plus famous comedians, first-class musical theatre tours, professional children’s shows, and much more. Chatham is also home to the Chatham Cultural Centre, a unique facility hosting a live theatre, art gallery and museum under one roof. There are four golf courses in and around Chatham ranging from a challenging private club to a 9 hole par three executive course.

The main campus of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance is located in Chatham with an innovative partnership strategically designed to provide state-of-the-art health care into the next century. A second campus is located in Wallaceburg.

Chatham-Kent figures prominently on the province-wide Underground Railroad tour with many sites to visit. They include the self-guided exhibit Black Mecca: The Story of Chatham’s Black Community, Chatham First Baptist Church, the Mary Ann Shadd Carey Ontario Heritage Foundation Plaque, and the Buxton National Historic Site & Museum.

With the scenic Thames River winding through its core, downtown Chatham offers opportunity to shop, play, eat and stay all within walking distance of this quaint turn-of-the-century setting. Specialty shops, riverfront dining, museums, galleries, performing arts venues and the unique accommodations of Retro Suites are set in beautiful restored Victorian architecture. Wall murals decorate many of the historic buildings in downtown Chatham. Currently in construction, Chatham-Kent’s newest residential condo development, The Boardwalk has quality details and will rise 13 storeys above beautiful Historic Downtown Chatham. The Shopping mall, Downtown Chatham Centre, directly across the street, has recently added many upgrades and tenants.

Outside the centre, Chatham offers a choice of family destinations including TJ Stables horseback riding. The new Chatham-Kent John D. Bradley Convention Centre provides the professional setting to host large conventions and with the exhibition all provides a venue to accommodate virtually any event.

Declaration of the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce

Why does the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce matter? Our Chamber holds a unique and important position within our community. We aim to facilitate personal and business relationships that match the needs in a thriving community, and help entrepreneurship flourish. We are the catalyst on behalf of the business community to provide advice, advocate and influence vital instruments and factors that support sustaining economic growth.

As a growing voice, the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce helps lead investments in technologies, innovation, businesses, communities and, most importantly, people. We hold this fundamental position in our community because of the trust others place in us. It’s crucial that our Members, Directors, President & CEO, investors, communities, and associates have confidence that the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce act fairly and ethically. The Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce will continue to build its reputation rooted in our values, culture and commitment of always doing what’s right for our Members, community and each other.

Trust is built with every interaction – through what we say and what we do. Every time each of us deals with Members, Community, Community Leaders and each other, we reinforce the trust that is integral to our collective success. As the Voice of Business, people expect more from the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce. Our reputation for doing what is right is now more valuable than ever. It differentiates us and builds relationships with members, associates and the community.

Our Values and Code of Conduct guides us and sets expectations for ethical behaviour and decision-making. They help us decide how we serve our Members and how we interact. It protects Directors, Members and Chatham-Kent by providing a common understanding of what is acceptable and what is not. In short, it represents the foundation that helps us understand what is expected and why. We are all responsible for protecting and enhancing the betterment of Chatham-Kent in unison through the Chamber of Commerce’s reputation abroad. It is also important that we support one another in doing what’s right; including feeling empowered to challenge situations we believe are wrong.

We represent The Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce, both on and off duty. As Chamber members, we embody our values, culture and brand in all that we do. The Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce, as a leader of change, will rely on enduring beliefs – our Values of Accountability, Diversity, Inclusion and Integrity. We are dedicated to our members, our communities and each other.

Our Vision and Values

THE CHATHAM-KENT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Values define what we stand for in all that we do. They are reflected in the way we build relationships and deliver value to all stakeholders our Members, Directors, Associates and community. Guided by our shared values, and united in a common purpose, we achieve our strategic goals and accomplish great results. We demonstrate our Vision by living these Values through decisions and actions we take. Our values create our culture and unify us across business and geographies.

INTEGRITY We build trust through integrity in everything we do.

Earn the trust and loyalty of our members, community and colleagues by doing what we say we will do.

Demonstrating respect, fairness and ethical relations through our actions of always doing what’s right.

DIVERSITY We embrace diversity for growth and innovation.

Representing social models that reflect a universal and global environment.

Draw upon the resources of our businesses, geographies, markets and people, to generate ideas and solutions that break new ground.

INCLUSION

We embody inclusion through actively responding to shifting demographics.

Grow as individuals and as an organization by respecting and leveraging our differences.

Accept change in an innovative and competitive market place.

ACCOUNTABILITY

We accept and take personal responsibility for high performance.

Take ownership of our actions and those of the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce, knowing we each make a difference.

Always reach higher, go farther and achieve more.

At the CHATHAM-KENT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE we bring these values to life every day to earn the trust and respect of Members, Directors, Associates and our Community.