The New Calgary Chamber

For over 130 years, the Calgary Chamber of Commerce has been central to the city’s business community, adapting to Calgary’s evolving economic landscape. Founded in 1891 by 46 businessmen across a wide array of industries, the Chamber has grown into an integral, diverse organization that unites Calgary’s business community through events, networking and advocacy.

As Calgary’s economy has transformed, so has the Chamber’s reach and impact. In 2024 alone, the Calgary Chamber saw a surge in membership, attracting more than one new member per day of the year, hosting over 60 events and drawing more than 6,000 attendees from every quadrant of the city.

As Calgary Chamber President & CEO Deborah Yedlin points out: Calgary has changed dramatically in the last decade. While the energy sector remains a dominant economic driver, the city’s fabric now includes many new companies in the cleantech, agtech and fintech spaces that contribute to the economic diversity of the city and make it more resilient. 

Under Yedlin’s leadership, the Calgary Chamber has deepened its focus on building a welcoming business environment for all Calgary businesses, creating pillar partnerships with local and national companies that reflect and support the city’s evolving needs. In the last year, the Chamber has established pillar partnerships for Small Business, Mental Health, Leadership, Truth and Reconciliation and Inclusion — all of which are integral to the growth and success of Calgary’s economy.

The Chamber is proud of its all-female leadership team, emphasizing that diversity is not just a goal, but a guiding principle for the Chamber’s work within Calgary’s business community.

“It’s often said ‘if you can see it, you can be it’ and that’s our goal from a leadership standpoint,” says Yedlin. “It’s important that we reflect — and continue to reflect — on the growing diversity of the city. Calgary is the third-most diverse city in the country, yet most people aren’t aware of that.”

As the Calgary Chamber continues to evolve, its history is also marked by those who paved the way for the organization’s impact on the business community. The Hon. Lois Mitchell, former Lieutenant Governor of Alberta and past Board Chair of the Calgary Chamber, has long been an advocate for local businesses and for advancing women in leadership positions. Throughout her career, she’s lived the values of the Calgary Chamber, dedicated to strengthening community ties and passionately promoting vital areas such as education and community service. 

“When I first started my career, women in leadership roles were far less common,” Mitchell says. “The path to leadership often required overcoming deeply ingrained biases.”

It also means having sponsors and mentors within the community and the businesses themselves, which is the role Mitchell has played for many women in Calgary. When Yedlin first landed in the city, it was Mitchell who quickly brought her onto the board of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Today, with a shifting business landscape in our city, Mitchell believes that adaptability and the importance of looking forward, not backward, has been essential to Calgary’s business successes. 

“To address the challenges Calgary’s business community faces, business leaders must embrace innovation and support emerging industries, while recognizing our traditional strengths,” says Mitchell, emphasizing the Calgary Chamber’s critical role in advocating for policies that foster a thriving business environment in a rapidly changing market.

Looking ahead, the Calgary Chamber remains committed to ensuring businesses have the support they need. By continuing to champion small businesses, advocate for inclusivity and build meaningful connections, the Chamber ensures that Calgary’s future is one where everyone, from every sector and community, has the opportunity to succeed.

For more information, visit calgarychamber.com.

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