A new era in the history of Davao City unfolded when a group of local business leaders met at the Davao Beach Club in the evening of February 15, 1968 to explore the idea of organizing an active anddynamic business organization in the City. Back then, Davao’s economic progress was just beginning to bear fruits.

The dinner meeting was hosted by Edmundo N. Madrazo, Leon M. Garcia, Jr., and Ramon A. Tirol, upon the initiative of Teodoro Araneta who, at that time, was the Vice President for Mindanao of the then Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (CCP). They brought with them the proposed Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the envisioned Chamber.

After a few days, the corporate papers were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and were later approved. This gave birth to the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry — the sole and the strongest voice of the business community in Davao City.