Down through the centuries, perhaps as long as commerce has existed, traders have banded together. In the beginning, perhaps it was for the purpose of seeking common protection against enemies and marauding bands of robbers. Later, codes were established to govern the conduct of trade. And still later, efforts were begun to exert influence on legislative matters.
The beginning of the Trade association’s movement can be traced back almost 6,000 years to the City of Mari in Mesopotamia. But those early associations of traders had little in common with Chambers of Commerce as we know them today.