It’s hard to imagine a world without the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce.
Founded in 2004, the chamber emerged following the dissolution of a century-old regional business coalition that left Louisiana’s largest city without a business advocate.
Since then, our mission has shaped the professional landscape, providing networking, education and advocacy resources to local businesses and entrepreneurs for 20 years. This December 12, as we gather for our annual meeting, we’ll reflect on the two decades of impact that started with a simple vision: Business Belongs Here.
20 Years of Growth
Since our founding, the New Orleans Chamber has grown to more than 1,300 members, creating a vibrant community of professionals and initiating programs like the Women’s Business Alliance and Power Hour. Our achievements include the founding of the largest gathering of female leaders in Louisiana — the Women’s Leadership Conference — and earning multiple awards on local and national stages.
Today, the business landscape has changed dramatically. According to the Small Business Administration’s 2023 Business Economic Profile, small businesses comprise 99.5% of Louisiana’s economic framework and employ more than half the state’s workforce. Within this fabric, nearly 47% of small businesses are women-owned and 28.7% are led by BIPOC entrepreneurs.
To meet the needs of these business leaders, the chamber hosts more than 75 events annually, all customized to reflect the shifting priorities of our members. As we look to the next 20 years, we continue to build upon our responsibility as “the convener” – the driving force bringing people and organizations together to get things done and move our city forward.
Power in Numbers
One of the chamber’s greatest strengths lies in its advocacy, uniting businesses to influence policy at the local, state and federal levels. Chamber membership is not just about individual business success; it’s about strengthening a collective voice to advance public safety, workforce development, education and equity. Our commitment to fulfilling the needs of the entire business community drives our membership outreach and influences how we determine priorities as an organization year over year.
In 2022, the chamber’s board formally endorsed a successful early education millage, which improved access to childcare for working caregivers — an essential support for economic resilience. Another key initiative has been the annual Welcome Reception at Washington Mardi Gras, where we engage more than 300 patrons and promote business-friendly legislative priorities.
In 2023, the chamber joined the I-10 Gulf Coast Chamber Coalition in Washington D.C. to meet with Southern U.S. senators and representatives. Our discussions centered on crucial issues like disaster response, flood insurance and costal protection — priorities our members identified as critical for a thriving business environment.
What’s Next?
As we look to the future, the chamber remains committed to building partnerships and making our voices heard. Through ongoing initiatives like the LifeCity Keep it Clean campaign, the NextOp Veterans Employment Summit and the Ready Louisiana Coalition, we are adapting to a changing business environment and leading transformative efforts that enhance New Orleans’ economy and workforce.
As multiple economic development organizations work tirelessly to recruit business to the region, the chamber continues to set its focus on community development. Namely, once businesses are recruited to New Orleans, what will keep them here? What do they need to thrive for the long run? And what role does the chamber play in improving quality of life for the greater workforce?
We hope you’ll join us on Dec. 12 as we celebrate these accomplishments at our annual meeting, and that you’ll share in our vision for the future as we continue to strengthen New Orleans’ presence as a global business hub.
Sandra Lombana Lindquist is president and CEO of the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce. She may be reached via email at slindquist@neworleanschamber.org.
