Business SA, South Australia’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has unveiled its new identity as the ‘South Australian Business Chamber’.
The announcement was made during an intimate gathering last night at the historic Piccadilly Theatre in North Adelaide, where legacy members of the South Australian Business Chamber commemorated 185 years of service to the state’s business community.
Chief Executive Andrew Kay reflected on this milestone, stating, “Being founded in 1839 makes us one of the oldest chambers of commerce in the country. What strikes me more than anything about our genesis is that, with the South Australian colony only three years old at the time, the traders, merchants, and industrialists of our state already recognised the benefit of working together and the strength in advocating with one united voice.”
The South Australian Business Chamber aims to reinforce its position within the national and global network of chambers while reaffirming its fiercely independent and not-for-profit status, emphasising that it is not a government entity.
Mr Kay adds, “Our research consistently highlights that many businesses assume we are a government body due to the similarity our name had with state-based departments. As an independent, not-for-profit, member-based organisation that frequently challenges government policies and advocates for change on behalf of the business sector, this misconception needs to be addressed.”
“As a chamber of commerce, we are part of a global network, standing beside chambers around the world that are recognised for the role they play in serving businesses. Here in Australia, we have a direct association with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), with whom we work closely on matters of federal government policy. The star in our logo is shared with ACCI and other state chambers across the country, symbolising our unity,” he added.
Members and stakeholders of the South Australian Business Chamber have been directly informed of this change through communication from the CEO. There will be no change in benefits to members or services provided under the new name. The South Australian Business Chamber remains committed to its purpose of ‘removing complexity and creating opportunity’ for businesses across the state.
