Executives from all three local chambers convene for joint meeting of the boards
Leaders of the Bossier Chamber, Greater Shreveport Chamber, and Shreveport-Bossier African Chamber of Commerce convened on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, for a special joint meeting of the boards.
Over 35 directors from the boards of all three local Chambers met to explore ways to collaborate to address the opportunities and challenges of our region. The groups agreed to identify areas of common interest where engagement and representation from each organization can be leveraged to identify issues and recommend changes to improve our region.
“Our business community is comprised of such a wide range of businesses, from large employers to small entrepreneurs,” said Billy Anderson, executive director of the Shreveport-Bossier African American Chamber. “By working together, we leverage the membership of all of our Chambers, and bring a more complete perspective on our local economy and a wider variety of new ideas to making our community stronger.”
The Chambers have agreed to a regular schedule of future meetings and to developing a structured process to undertake the work needed to help make Shreveport-Bossier a better place to live, work, and play.
“Most external observers see Shreveport-Bossier as a single region, not separate cities,” said Lisa Johnson, president of the Bossier Chamber. “By working together across the river, we increase our capacity to capture opportunities and bring new ideas and new energy to overcoming challenges.”
The three chambers have historically worked together on state and federal advocacy, but throughout the pandemic, they expanded the collaboration to deliver timely information across the region.
“Our joint meeting was a recognition of the value of further expanding this enhanced collaboration and the impact that bringing multiple stakeholders to the table can have,” said Dr. Timothy Magner, president of the Greater Shreveport Chamber. “As a group, we look forward to building on this first meeting to create future opportunities for cooperative action in areas that effect our region.
Since its founding in 1910, the mission of the Greater Shreveport Chamber has been to promote economic prosperity, serve as a business advocate, and celebrate the achievements of the Shreveport- Bossier region. With over 1400 members, the GSCC is designated as a 5-Star Accredited Chamber by the US Chamber of Commerce, one of less than 2% of Chambers across the country honored with this distinction.
The Bossier Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote growth and development within the communities of Bossier and Caddo Parish. The Chamber promotes growth and development by utilizing its most valuable resource, its membership. The Bossier Chamber of Commerce is a 5-star accredited Chamber from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as well as an accredited Chamber through the Louisiana Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.
The Shreveport-Bossier African-American Chamber of Commerce serves as the premier voice in northwest Louisiana for the African American business community. The organization’s vision is to lead the charge for advocacy, entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment.