Background
As part of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce's mission to make Chicagoland the most business friendly region in America, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce (the Chamber) has historically been commitment to educating and assisting Chicagoland’s small and emerging companies in growing their businesses. In 1999, the Chamber formed the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center (CEC) as the only entity dedicated to ensuring the future success of the more 400,000 small and mid-sized companies dispersed throughout the region. In 2002, the Chamber, further recognizing the need to directly link its regional alliances and resources to the grassroots efforts of neighborhood chambers and business associations, launched the Chamber Leadership Academy (CLA) program. The CLA has educated hundreds of local chamber and business development executives, providing the critical skills and resources necessary to ensure strong community-based support for local economic development.
Mission
The mission of the Chamber Leadership Academy is to facilitate the sharing of know-ledge and expertise among leaders of local chambers of commerce, to build better relationships and to create a stronger voice for Chicagoland business.
For more information on the Chamber Leadership Academy, please contact Mike Mini, Government Relations Director, at (312) 494-6787 or mmini@chicagolandchamber.org.