Dance The Night Away
11.21.08
"Fall for Dance"11.22.08
Northern Michigan Chorale Fall Concert11.22.08
Art Excursion to Detroit (Charlevoix Circle of Arts)11.22.08
The History of the HSACC
The Harbor Springs Area Chamber of Commerce office on Main Street, Harbor Springs.
The history of a Chamber of Commerce in Harbor Springs has been traced back as far as the 1930's. We're proud to note that a handful of charter members still remain active today in the current organization.
The organization remained consistent for the next thirty years, growing slowly with headquarters based in Harbor Springs and utilizing mostly volunteer efforts for administration and accounting.
During the 1980's it was decided that the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce would begin handling administrative duties for the Harbor Chamber while retaining separate Boards and budgets.
Guests strolll Bay Street in downtown Harbor Springs during an annual summer event.
In the early 1990's the Harbor Chamber hired its first Executive Director due to the fact that Petoskey was unable to handle the rising workload resulting from consistent increases in membership. In September of 1993, current Petoskey Executive Director Carlin Smith was hired by the Harbor Chamber to lead their office as E.D. During the next few years, the organization established its first office, in the Phillips Building next to Boyer Glassworks and eventually hired part-time administrative staff to assist. Committees were formed, publications created, advertising agreements confirmed, events begun as traditions and the true Chamber as it is today thrived as a successful community resource. There were 235 members in 1993 when Mr. Smith began his career with the organization. Upon leaving in 1999, that number had grown to around 450.
In 2008 the Harbor Chamber officially changed its name to the Harbor Springs Area Chamber of Commerce as to better represent area businesses and organizations outside of downtown Harbor Springs.
Today, the HSACC stands firm with nearly 400 members from all over northern Michigan.