The Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit volunteer organization currently made up of roughly 700 members ranging from small businesses to major corporations located in the Tri-Valley. Each member organization pays annual dues based on the type of business and the number of employees. The genesis of the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce, as it is today, has roots in 1907 when a small group of Pleasanton's influential citizens met at City Hall to organize a civic body that would work to further the progress of Pleasanton. The group's formal incorporation was completed on September 30, 1946. This year the Chamber celebrates 75 years of service.

The anniversary ""gives us the opportunity to thank and remember our past leaders that were instrumental in guiding the Chamber to continued success," notes Steve Van Dorn, President and CEO of the Pleasanton Chamber. "After all, the Chamber would not be where it is today without the support of our members and our awesome community," he said.

"Great communities have great Chambers," says Dave Kilby, President and CEO of Western Association of Chamber Executives and Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs at the California Chamber. "I think a case could definitely be made that Pleasanton is what it is today–a great community–because of the work of the chamber for the past seventy-five years."

The Chamber "takes great pride in helping Pleasanton remain among the very best cities in the country in which to live, work, and raise a family while providing support, services, and value for its member organizations," says Van Dorn. Programs such as Leadership Pleasanton and committees within the chamber including Economic Development, the Ambassadors, and the Pleasanton Young Professionals all involve working together for the betterment of the Pleasanton community. As stated in the Pleasanton 2025: A Community Vision report, "Our strong local economy and extraordinary quality of life happen by design, not by accident."

As the Chamber looks back on its rich history over the last 75 years, the business climate is a key driver of the community's success. "Of all the Chamber's most memorable accomplishments, most significant to me these many years is its enduring success with people," notes Scott Raty, who served as the chamber's CEO for a total of 16 years. "Pleasanton is blessed with a richly diverse business community that contributes enormously to the economic success and quality of life we enjoy."

"The chamber provides many with the opportunity to lead from the front, to actively serve our community, and to leave Pleasanton a little bit better than when we found it," according to Laura (Olson) Brooks, 2009 Chamber board chair. "While the Chamber is an amazing business organization, it is also a community organization filled with people who are passionate about our city and our residents."

"I would like to extend a heartfelt congratulations to the Chamber of Commerce for seventy-five years of advocating for our business community, and its associated economic growth in Pleasanton," announced Karla Brown, Mayor of Pleasanton, earlier in the year. "Working together with the City of Pleasanton, our joint efforts have benefited the local economy."

For more information about the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce, please visit www.pleasanton.org. 

For details on the special Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce Anniversary Event, please visit business.pleasanton.org/events/details/pleasanton-let-s-celebrate-3356.