Our History

Aurora Chamber of Commerce is founded.

The Chamber is expanded and renamed the Greater Aurora Chamber of Commerce

Tourism becomes a priority for the Chamber, which leads to the eventual establishment of the Aurora Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau as a separate organization, with which the Chamber maintains an ongoing partnership to this day. Also, the Chamber works with the City to establish the Aurora Economic Development Commission, forming the foundation of the city’s economic development initiatives, which have steadily grown ever since.

Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce is formed.

The City of Aurora establishes Special Service Area (SSA) One with the goal of revitalizing the center of the city through beautification, marketing and events. The nonprofit formed to facilitate this work is called Aurora Downtown.

Seize the Future Development Foundation is formed, which would become Invest Aurora.

The Chamber is awarded Five-Star Accredited status with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, joining only 1% of the 7,500-plus chambers in the nation.*

*Source: US Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives

The Chamber changes its name to the Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce to emphasize the regional influence it has played in areas near to but outside of Aurora.

The Chamber is recognized as the 2015 Illinois Outstanding Chamber of the Year by the Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.

The Chamber celebrates a century of history with a new brand and look.

The Aurora Regional Economic Alliance is formed as a conglomeration of four distinct entities: the Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce, Invest Aurora and Aurora Downtown. The goal is to bring these longstanding civic and business institutions together under a single umbrella organization to create synergies that elevate the economic future of the Aurora region.

The Alliance evolves, as Invest Aurora became inactive and Aurora Downtown is reestablished as a new independent entity. The result is an organization designed to function as a regional Chamber of Commerce, with the enhanced scope and innovative vision to have an elevated impact on business throughout the region. While the intended function of the Alliance has shifted, its mission remains to foster business advocacy, entrepreneurship, economic development, inclusive growth and the promotion of long-term regional opportunity for business.