The Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI), founded in 1851, is Victoria

Victoria (Australia)

Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....

's most influential employer group. Servicing more than 15,000 businesses each year, VECCI is an independent, non-government body.

VECCI was founded by the business community to represent business.

The VECCI membership base is diverse involving all levels and sectors of industry including: business services, hospitality

Hospitality

Hospitality is the relationship between guest and host, or the act or practice of being hospitable. Specifically, this includes the reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers, resorts, membership clubs, conventions, attractions, special events, and other services for travelers...

, manufacturing

Manufacturing

Manufacturing is the use of machines, tools and labor to produce goods for use or sale. The term may refer to a range of human activity, from handicraft to high tech, but is most commonly applied to industrial production, in which raw materials are transformed into finished goods on a large scale...

, retail

Retail

Retail consists of the sale of physical goods or merchandise from a fixed location, such as a department store, boutique or kiosk, or by mail, in small or individual lots for direct consumption by the purchaser. Retailing may include subordinated services, such as delivery. Purchasers may be...

, tourism

Tourism

Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...

 and emerging sectors.

VECCI is involved in every facet of industry and commerce across the state. The main role of VECCI is to represent the interests of business

Business

A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...

 at a state level as well as nationally in areas affecting the wellbeing of the business community including workplace relations, taxation, regulation

Regulation

Regulation is administrative legislation that constitutes or constrains rights and allocates responsibilities. It can be distinguished from primary legislation on the one hand and judge-made law on the other...

, transport

Transport

Transport or transportation is the movement of people, cattle, animals and goods from one location to another. Modes of transport include air, rail, road, water, cable, pipeline, and space. The field can be divided into infrastructure, vehicles, and operations...

, infrastructure

Infrastructure

Infrastructure is basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise, or the services and facilities necessary for an economy to function...

 and skills training.

VECCI has state affiliations to the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce and the Victorian Tourism Industry Council (VTIC). National affiliations include the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been the peak council of Australian business associations for 105 years and traces its heritage back to Australia’s first chamber of commerce in 1826.Its motto is “Leading Australian Business.”...

 (ACCI), which VECCI is a foundation member of; and Australian Chambernet. VECCI is internationally affiliated with the International Chamber of Commerce

International Chamber of Commerce

The International Chamber of Commerce is the largest, most representative business organization in the world. Its hundreds of thousands of member companies in over 130 countries have interests spanning every sector of private enterprise....

(ICC).

Services

• Information phone inquiry service
• Business briefings and networking events
• Workplace and business training
• Workplace services and consulting
• International trade
• VECCI Apprenticeships Services
• Business publications
• Research and policy development
• Representation and advocacy to government
• Associated legal practice.

Staff

• Chief Executive Officer – Mr Mark Stone
• Senior Manager – Public Affairs – Mr Chris James

History

Over the past 150 years VECCI has provided leadership, information, representation and networking opportunities to businesses across the state.

1851-1870

In 1851 Victoria separated from NSW to form its own colonial government. This initiated the first formal moves to establish a Victorian chamber of commerce in Melbourne.

1871-1890

Merchants dominated Victoria’s economy during its early years. By the end of the 19th century, with the improvement in communications, larger companies began to be established. Wholesalers and manufacturers bypassed merchants and undertook more service functions, and associations of manufacturers soon joined the Chambers.

1891-1910

On 1 January 1901 the Commonwealth of Australia was proclaimed. With the opening of the First Federal Parliament in Melbourne came a push for a united parliamentary voice for Australian business through the combined efforts of the Chambers of Commerce in each colony.

1911-1930

During the First World War many Melbourne employees answered the call of duty. Those who stayed at home devoted their time to cooperating with the government in its wartime tasks. Australia's commercial strength and growing industry was used to support its soldiers with vital supplies.

1931-1950

After the First World War and the Great Depression, Victoria moved from being 'the granary of Australia' into wider agriculture such as dairying and irrigation. The gross value of production of Victoria's rural industries rose from £50 million in 1938-39 to £148 million in 1948-49. It then soared to £192 million in 1949-50.

1951-1970

In 1951 the Melbourne Chamber entered its centennial year and continued its effective work, campaigning for the progression of Victoria's commercial interests. A very successful 'Businessman's Convention' was held in Bendigo, the theme of which was the prevailing framework of industrial legislation and its effect on a changing industrial pattern.

1971-1990

Political events during the 1970s changed the distribution of power within our own local and national political system. A forum on 'The New Power Game' at the Australian Chamber of Commerce Conference in Melbourne in 1978 influenced the organisation’s thinking on industrial matters.

1990-Today

During the 1990s VECCI's objective was to provide its members with a high-quality, cost-effective service and to give business a greater voice in determining federal and state laws that govern enterprise. The Chamber became Victoria's most influential employer organisation after a merger of the Victorian Employers' Federation and the State Chamber of Commerce and Industry. As we approach 2010, VECCI is increasingly becoming an advocate of Business Excellence in all spheres.

External links

• Company site: http://www.vecci.org.au
• International Business Centre: http://www.ibcvictoria.com
• Grow Me The Money: http://www.growmethemoney.com.au