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The Cape May County Chamber of Commerce is the premier
business resource and catalyst for economic prosperity, legislative advocacy,
and tourism development.
The mission of the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce is
to be voice of the business community by promoting tourism and economic
development through legislative advocacy, marketing services, networking
opportunities and educational programs for member businesses.
The Cape May County Chamber of Commerce, in continuous
service since 1944, actually dates its origins to 1916 when it was called the
Seashore Association Chamber of Commerce, a group formed by the resort towns of
Cape May, Ocean City, Sea Isle, Avalon, Stone Harbor, Cape May and the Wildwoods
to promote tourism along the Jersey Cape. After the outbreak of World War I, the
chamber was inactive for a short time. It regrouped and remained active through
the late 1920s to around 1931 when the full effects of the stock market crash of
1929 were evident in the county and the chamber again fell into decline.
In 1944, Daniel Dawson of Cape May Court House and William
C. Hunt of Wildwood gathered business, civic and political leaders together to
reform and reactivate the organization. On January 28, 1954, the Cape May County
Chamber of Commerce was incorporated in the State of New Jersey.
In 1968, the Chamber opened a seasonal information center
on the Garden State Parkway near the Ocean View/Sea Isle City exit at Mile 18.
This location has since become a year-round visitor’s center daily, year round
after a unique public-private partnership was forged with the New Jersey
Division of Tourism in the mid-1980’s.
After out-growing several temporary offices, the Chamber moved into its current
location at the intersection of Garden State Parkway Exit 11 and Crest Haven
Road in June 1973. This location doubles not only as the Chamber Executive
Offices but more importantly, as the official Welcome Center for Cape May County
assisting thousands of visitors throughout the year.
Today, the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce represents
over 950 members with a 36-member Board of Directors. A full time staff
implements member and visitor services, manages special events, and works on
specific issues along with volunteers serving on various committees.
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