The Fox Cities Chamber has officially kicked off its 150-year anniversary, with plans to celebrate all year long with its members and the business community.
“We are beyond excited to be celebrating our sesquicentennial this year. This is a huge milestone for any organization, and especially for a local member-supported group like ours, started by Fox Cities businesses all those years ago,” said Becky Bartoszek, president and CEO of the Fox Cities Chamber.
“Our original 1874 charter outlines a focus of uniting the business community for greater economic impact, and that’s still a mission we share today. We serve as a collective voice for our members and convene the programs and services that help the community thrive.”
In August 1874, a group of Appleton business leaders first met at the Waverly House to consider creating a chamber of commerce for the city and officially organized the Appleton Chamber of Commerce the next month. A.L. Smith, mayor of the city and founder/president of First National Bank, was board president.
Although the original chamber had its ups and downs, it saw a huge resurgence when 16 business leaders met March 11, 1920 in The Sherman House to plan. The Appleton Chamber of Commerce was officially re-launched in the Appleton Elks Hall the next month, with 612 members signing up immediately.
The Menasha Chamber had been formed around 1919 and the Neenah Chamber organized in 1940. In 1946 the Directors of the Neenah Chamber invited Menasha businesses to join with them and reincorporated into the Neenah-Menasha Chamber of Commerce.
In 1976, the Appleton and Neenah-Menasha organizations consolidated to become the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce and Industry, creating a broader geographical service base and range of business interests.
In its early years, the chamber had a focus on the cities’ infrastructure of “planes, trains, and automobiles,” which still holds true. Advocacy and economic development also have always been at the forefront of the member’s efforts. Over the years the chamber has played a role in key developments such as Highway 441, the Fox Cities Expo Center, construction of the Oneida Street Bridge, and the Outagamie County Airport.
“There’s no doubt that through the years the Fox Cities Chamber has been a catalyst for positive change and a steadfast companion to the growth and prosperity of our region,” said Bartoszek. “We are still as relevant today as we were in 1874, when those 16 men envisioned a business group that would help our community move forward.”
To commemorate their milestone anniversary, the Chamber will incorporate the theme of 150 years into its events and programming throughout the year.
The year kicked off Jan. 16 with Celebrate, featuring a toast, special anniversary show, and premier of its history video.
Each month at Business After Hours the chamber will have door prize giveaways donated by members.
The chamber has partnered with FOX CITIES Magazine on a 16-page insert outlining the organization’s history. It will be launched at the Chamber’s Economic Outlook Lunch Feb. 13 and published as an insert in the March magazine.
The chamber collaborated with Wisconsin Distributors and McFleshman’s Brewing Company, who co-branded two beers in honor of the anniversary: Pirate’s Cove and Something Amber. Cans of the beer will be used in special promotions throughout the year, and it will be served on tap at events such as Octoberfest.
A formal presentation on the Fox Cities Chamber history is scheduled for Sept. 11, as part of the Appleton Historical Society’s Presentation Series.
The chamber is planning to create a time capsule this summer.
Chamber members with milestone anniversaries in 2024 are invited to share that with the chamber to celebrate together. Learn more at https://foxcitieschamber.com/member-milestones/
Visit the Chamber’s web site for ongoing updates and more information on their 150th anniversary: https://foxcitieschamber.com/chamber-150th-anniversary/
