FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – The Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce today announced they are exploring a merger designed to provide more benefits and increase value for members. A memorandum of understanding was signed by the executive committees of each group earlier this week.

“This as a great opportunity to provide even better service, leadership and value for businesses throughout South Florida while allowing us to operate more cost effectively for our members,” said Christine Barney, chair of Greater Miami Chamber and CEO of rbb Communications. “The Greater Miami Chamber has always been a regional chamber serving Palm Beach to the Keys, and there are many issues that are more effectively addressed with a regional approach.”

“There are already many existing synergies between our two groups, and by consolidating our power bases we increase our ability to shape key issues regionally while continuing to address the matters that impact our local businesses and economy,” said Heiko Dobrikow, chair of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce and General Manager of the Riverside Hotel.

A task force is being created to explore the structure and operational issues required for the combination to move ahead. A final determination will be made by December 31 of this year and will include an executional time frame for any changes. The Task force will study other national models currently used in Houston, St. Louis and Orlando.

For more information on chamber initiatives, visit www.ftlchamber.com and
www.miamichamber.com