Gold Coast’s largest chambers of commerce to combine into super chamber for local business clout

TWO key Gold Coast business groups look likely to merge, creating a “super” chamber of commerce to combine their clout. Here’s what it could mean for your business.

Gold Coast’s two biggest chambers of commerce are set to merge.

TWO key Gold Coast business groups look likely to merge, creating a “super” chamber of commerce to combine their clout.

The Southport Chamber of Commerce voted to amalgamate with the Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce at a meeting this week.

Members of the central chamber, which has previously absorbed chambers from Burleigh and Robina, will vote on the same resolution at their next meeting and are expected to support it.

Southport chamber president Laird Marshall said the process, if approved by central chamber members, was likely to take a couple of months and the decision would benefit business owners from both groups.

“Business conditions over the past 10-15 years have changed a fair bit on the Gold Coast,” he said.

“It’s a business decision, both chambers are very financial so it’s not a forced situation, it’s about being able to do more for our members.

“It’s a brand new club, not a takeover.”

Southport Chamber of Commerce president Laird Marshall.

Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce president Martin Hall said his board was behind the move.

“It’s an exciting opportunity,,” he said.

“It’s something that will benefit everyone - a bigger group will be able to lobby and advocate even more than it has before.”

Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce President Martin Hall. Picture: Richard Gosling

Mr Marshall said all the members at the Southport meeting had voted in favour of a merger, despite some opposition on that board.

“There are always a couple of diehards that don’t agree,” he said.

“But this is for the greater good.”

Neither president would confirm whether he planned to run for president of the new organisation.

“We’ll have to see who puts their hand up and doesn’t put their hand up,” Mr Marshall said.