A chamber of commerce, or board of trade, is a business network, a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate for the business community. Local businesses are members, and they elect a board of directors or executive council to set policy for the chamber.
A chamber of commerce may be a voluntary or a mandatory association of business firms belonging to different trades and industries. They serve as spokespeople and representatives of a business community. They differ from country to country.