Our History

More Than 100 Years of Shaping the Vermont Economy

For more than a century, the Lake Champlain Chamber has shaped the economy of Northwest Vermont. Founded in 1910 as the Burlington Merchants Protective Association, we've grown from a small group of local merchants into Vermont's largest and oldest chamber of commerce — championing the businesses, communities and people who make this region thrive.

Explore the moments that shaped us.

1910

Burlington Merchants Protective Association is founded

Historic black-and-white street scene featuring shops and early 20th-century vehicles.

1920

Board Secretary James Taylor, WWI pilot and future Mayor of Burlington; Johnny Burns and Aviation Commissioner Mason Beebe raised funds to purchase BTV Airport land and transform the field into a landing strip.

1942

Officers and executives resign in a harmonious move to reorganize into the development of a modern, aggressive chamber program.

Historic red brick factory building beside a calm river and green landscape.

1952

The Burlington Merchants Association is rebranded to the Burlington Chamber of Commerce.

1959

The Chamber moves offices to 325 Main Street between Willard and Union Streets in a building now occupied by Champlain College.

1973

As the Chamber expands across Northwest Vermont, it adopts a new name: the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Panel discussion at a Chamber of Commerce event with balloons and a "Chamber Champions" sign.

1988

Leadership Champlain, the Chamber’s community leadership program, is created.

Group photo of 20 people smiling outdoors in a park-like setting.

1990

A Government Affairs department is created and the first, full-time lobbyist is hired.

1993

The Chamber elects its first female Board Chair, Hinda Miller (founder of JogBra).

1994

The Chamber moves offices to 60 Main Street in Burlington.

A woman cuts a ribbon at a building opening, flanked by three men.

2006

Wayne Roberts retires as President and CEO of the Chamber after 20 years

2010

Burlington Young Professionals is created as a way of attracting young professionals to the region.

Group of professionals mingling at a Burlington event, smiling and chatting.

2013

LaunchVT gets its start, hosting a pitch competition for young entrepreneurs. Today, LaunchVT is Vermont’s leading accelerator of high growth startups.

A group of eight people poses together in a casual indoor setting.

2019

The region’s first, and still unofficial, destination marketing initiative - Hello Burlington, starts marketing the region as a great place to live, work and visit.

2020

Tom Torti retires as President and CEO of the Chamber. Cathy Davis succeeds Tort as President and CEO, the first female leader of the Chamber in decades.

2021

The Chamber modernizes its name and is now known as The Lake Champlain Chamber.