“It is the mission of the Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau to promote business, tourism, and greater Bishop for the betterment of the community and its residents.”     - Chamber Mission Statement     Photo by Mike Cheuvront The Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce The Chamber is a non-profit 501 c(6) corporation and member-driven organization which gathers diverse community interests together to work on common issues that affect the region's economic health. The Chamber is an advocate for business on issues which impact the ability of the region's businesses to be successful in a competitive marketplace. The Chamber works to improve and promote the tourism industry of the Bishop Area. The Chamber assembles community leadership to study and educate the community about issues, and develops programs which maintain and improve the region's high quality of life. The Chamber provides educational opportunities and services to assist member businesses and our community. The chamber is governed by a volunteer board of directors and managed by a professional staff. A better community means better business and we are working for a better community for everyone here. That’s why we do what we do. There is but one reason for the Chamber of Commerce to exist and that is to do whatever is necessary to keep this area’s economic condition such that people will be willing to risk their resources here in the hope of making a profit. Everything else is either a means to an end, or just the frosting of the cake. In any community, it is from the profitable operation of business that all other benefits are derived. Only by succeeding in this fundamental goal can we provide the jobs and produce the wealth to finance all of the governmental, civic, cultural and charitable needs that our community is faced with everyday. We do a lot of diverse things to accomplish that primary goal. and it is this goal, as well as, continuing to promote the region to enhance tourist activities which will be our mission for the coming year. Staff Members Tawni Thomson, Executive Director Dave Patterson, Bookkeeper (partime) April Leeson, Event Coordinator Rachel Anderson, Membership and Communications Coordinator Mike Cheuvront, Jen Simpson and Erin Gutierrez, and Vickie Cauldwell Visitor Center Hosts Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors 2010-2011 Officers  President-David Hefner, David Hefner Consulting Immediate Past President-Caryn Todd, Alpine Signs Vice president-Debi Yerkes, Alex Printing Treasurer-Lynn Cooper, Inyo Council for the Arts Board Members Greg Allen, Rainbow Pack Station/ Allen Outdoor Products Gloriana Bailey James Ferrell, State Farm Insurance Pete Korngiebel, Community Printing Debbie Kruse, Sierra Sage Insurance Tom Sigler, Eastern Sierra Bob Tanner, Sr. Reds Meadow Pack Station Cheryl Underhill, Northern Inyo Hospital Ann Wong, Eastern Sierra Realty Sally Symons, American Business Machines From the Inyo Register: "The Bishop Chamber of Commerce was formally organized Monday evening [Jan. 15, 1912 ], at a fairly well attended meeting held in the Yandell Building. L.C. Hall presided over the meeting, and W.A. Chalfant was the temporary secretary. Rules of Government for the body were adopted, after due consideration of the details, and the roll was opened for signatures. The preliminary committee submitted a ticket of nominees for Directors, as it had been instructed to do by the Harvest Festival meeting from which it originated. A few other names were placed before the meeting, and election of a governing board was preceded with. Those chosen were L.C. Hall, W.W. Watterson, F.K. Andrew s, K. Weill, T.G. Watterson, W.C. Parcher, C.G. Leicham, F.E. Howard, G.W. Garner, C.E. Kunze, and W.A. Chalfant. Meetings of the Directors are to be held monthly, with such special meetings as may be called. The affairs of the Chamber are to be managed by the Board, chosen annually. It in turn will delegate to committees on various topics the matter within their special jurisdiction. After adjournment of the general meeting, the Directors organized by electing L.C. Hall President, over his protest, by unanimous vote. K. Weill was elected Vice President, W.C. Parcher, Secretary and M.Q. Watterson, Treasurer; all unanimously. The Secretary is to be a paid officer, thus justified in giving to public affairs such time as they may require. The President and Secretary were instructed to immediately take up the matter of train service, and endeavor to secure betterment of the conditions which lately have been so annoying."  -Inyo Register, Bishop Calif., January 15, 1912