Our Mission –
“We promote business, tourism, and responsible recreation to benefit our community.”
The Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce
- The Chamber is a non-profit 501(c)(6) corporation and member-driven organization that gathers diverse community interests together to work on common issues that affect the region’s economic health.
- The Chamber is an advocate for business on issues that impact the ability of the region’s businesses to be successful in a competitive marketplace.
- The Chamber works to improve and promote the tourism industry of the Bishop Area.
- The Chamber assembles community leadership to study and educate the community about issues, and develops programs that maintain and improve the region’s high quality of life.
- The Chamber provides educational opportunities and services to assist member businesses and our community.
- The chamber is governed by a volunteer board of directors and managed by a professional staff.
A better community means better business, and we are working for a better community for everyone here. That’s why we do what we do. There is but one reason for the Chamber of Commerce to exist, and that is to do whatever is necessary to keep this area’s economic condition such that people will be willing to risk their resources here in the hope of making a profit. Everything else is either a means to an end or just the frosting of the cake. In any community, it is from the profitable operation of business that all other benefits are derived. Only by succeeding in this fundamental goal can we provide the jobs and produce the wealth to finance all of the governmental, civic, cultural, and charitable needs that our community faces every day. We do a lot of diverse things to accomplish that primary goal. And it is this goal, as well as continuing to promote the region to enhance tourist activities, which will be our mission for the coming year.
Bishop Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Resolution
Resolution No. 2026-1
Date: January 14, 2026
WHEREAS,
The City of Bishop serves as a primary gateway for visitors to the Eastern Sierra and surrounding public lands; and
WHEREAS,
Tourism is a significant contributor to the local economy of Bishop, supporting small businesses, lodging establishments, restaurants, outdoor recreation providers, and local employment; and
WHEREAS,
Well-located visitor information services encourage longer stays, increased visitor spending, repeat visitation, and greater awareness of local businesses and attractions; and
WHEREAS,
Visitor information services also benefit local residents by providing community information, event details, and access to local resources; and
WHEREAS,
Historically, The City of Bishop, Bishop Chamber of Commerce, and community members agreed that the Bishop City Park is the most central, accessible, and highly visible location that is best suited for providing visitor information services; and
WHEREAS,
The A-frame building located at Bishop City Park has historically served as a recognizable and appropriate facility for public-facing community services; and
WHEREAS,
Repairing the existing A-Frame or building a new space at or near the current location would create an opportunity to revitalize an existing community asset while establishing a dedicated space for information services for both Bishop visitors and local residents.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,
That the Board of Directors of the Bishop Chamber of Commerce strongly urges the City of Bishop to include a designated space for visitor information services within Bishop City Park as a means to enhance tourism, support local businesses, and strengthen the local economy; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,
That the Board of Directors strongly urges the City of Bishop to repair or rebuild the building at Bishop City Park to serve as a location for providing visitor information services to Bishop visitors and local residents; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,
That the Bishop Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and staff will actively participate in the City of Bishop’s park master plan development process; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,
That if space is made available, the Bishop Chamber of Commerce is willing and committed to working collaboratively with the City of Bishop to relocate its visitor information services back to the Bishop City Park location, supporting shared goals of economic development, tourism promotion, and community engagement.
ADOPTED by the Board of Directors of the Bishop Chamber of Commerce on this 14th day of January, 2026.
1912 Formation of the Bishop Chamber of Commerce
From the Inyo Register:
“The Bishop Chamber of Commerce was formally organized Monday evening [Jan. 15, 1912 ], at a fairly well attended meeting held in the Yandell Building. L.C. Hall presided over the meeting, and W.A. Chalfant was the temporary secretary.
Rules of Government for the body were adopted, after due consideration of the details, and the roll was opened for signatures. The preliminary committee submitted a ticket of nominees for Directors, as it had been instructed to do by the Harvest Festival meeting from which it originated. A few other names were placed before the meeting, and election of a governing board was preceded with. Those chosen were L.C. Hall, W.W. Watterson, F.K. Andrew s, K. Weill, T.G. Watterson, W.C. Parcher, C.G. Leicham, F.E. Howard, G.W. Garner, C.E. Kunze, and W.A. Chalfant.
Meetings of the Directors are to be held monthly, with such special meetings as may be called. The affairs of the Chamber are to be managed by the Board, chosen annually. It in turn will delegate to committees on various topics the matter within their special jurisdiction. After adjournment of the general meeting, the Directors organized by electing L.C. Hall President, over his protest, by unanimous vote. K. Weill was elected Vice President, W.C. Parcher, Secretary and M.Q. Watterson, Treasurer; all unanimously. The Secretary is to be a paid officer, thus justified in giving to public affairs such time as they may require. The President and Secretary were instructed to immediately take up the matter of train service, and endeavor to secure betterment of the conditions which lately have been so annoying.”
-Inyo Register, Bishop Calif., January 15, 1912
