About the Chamber

The Mexico Business Men's Association was founded in December of 1898. One of its first projects was to lead the way in the re-establishment of Missouri Military Academy after an 1896 fire destroyed the original. In 1911, this organization evolved into the Mexico Civic Club. This group acted in city and county government positions and was active in the Audrain County Fair. It also conducted homefront war activities. The Civic Club had its offices in the Hotel Hoxsey on the square. In 1945, the Civic Club reorganized into the Mexico Chamber of Commerce, and joined the Missouri State Chamber in 1948. Between 1945 and 1995, the offices moved to four different locations around the square. In April of 1996, the Chamber moved into its current office at 100 West Jackson Street. The building was originally constructed in 1935 as a new home for Mexico Savings Bank and was later sold to Commerce Bank in the late 1960s.

With the purchase of this building, we have been able to broaden our services to members and the community. Much of what we do relates to the Mexico community - our job is to support the local business community and contribute to the improvement of our quality of life.

Information and referral for residents, visitors, and out-of-town callers has become our largest service. As the tourism center for Mexico, we receive many tourist requests. We have also developed a relocation packet. While the Chamber mails dozens of these packets each year, we also supply hundreds to members for distribution to prospective out-of-town employees and students. Information and references are given for many aspects of the Mexico area, but when recommendations are sought for a specific type of business or service, only Chamber member names and numbers are suggested whenever possible. Chamber members are also afforded an opportunity to have their business home page linked to the Chamber site.

Each year the Chamber sponsors a number of events to recognize businesses and individuals for their contributions to the community. We host the Commerce and Industry Appreciation Dinner, the Agricultural Appreciation Dinner, the Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet and Auction. We also present a quarterly Excellence in Business Award. Our largest event each year is our golf tournament, a four-person scramble.

Mainstreet News, our monthly newsletter, keeps our membership informed not only about Chamber events and activities, but also keeps members and their employees abreast of what’s happening in the community. Our calendar insert with listings for the current and next month is the only master event calendar for Mexico.

Legislative Breakfast is held throughout the year with both state and national legislators invited to present their views on current affairs.

We act as a clearing house for the scheduling of special events. We serve as the official ticket agent for the Miss Missouri Scholarship Pageant and many plays, dance recitals, and concerts. Registration forms for the Audrain AgriFest, Sunset Festival, parades, and contests are usually available at the Chamber, too.

Members may participate in the “Red Alert” Program through the Chamber. Working with the Mexico Department of Public Safety, retailers are immediately notified regarding fake, stolen, or lost checks, counterfeit bills, scam artists, etc. We also act as the “Better Business Bureau” for Mexico and the surrounding area.

The Chamber building is host to a variety of meetings each week for our members and numerous other clubs and organizations. Please call the Chamber if you would like to reserve one of our two meeting rooms.

The Chamber, in cooperation with the City of Mexico, sponsors the Adopt-A-Block program.

The Chamber works cooperatively with the business and professional community, the City of Mexico, Audrain County officials, schools, churches, and clubs and organizations. We believe Mexico is a small town success story because of the team efforts of concerned citizens, governmental officials and staff, and the Chamber. We will continue to be a team player and will endeavor to keep our membership informed of what’s happening.

Chamber Governance: The Chamber is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of four officers, four divisional vice-presidents and twelve elected directors representing our membership. The Executive Committee consists of the President, President-Elect, Immediate Past President, Treasurer, and Vice Presidents of Operations, Business Services, Community Betterment and Civic Affairs, and Economic Development. The Honorary Board (representing the county and city government, education, and health care) keeps us abreast of relative events affecting Mexico. The professional staff includes the Executive Vice-President, an Administrative Assistant, and the Hello Mexico representative. Volunteers are involved in the execution of Chamber activities and projects and also offer assistance to the staff.