The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations. More than 96% of U.S. Chamber members are small businesses with 100 employees or fewer.

As the voice of business, the Chamber’s core purpose is to fight for free enterprise before Congress, the White House, regulatory agencies, the courts, the court of public opinion, and governments around the world.

A January 2010 public opinion survey conducted by Harris Interactive found that Americans rank the U.S. Chamber of Commerce among the top five best-known and respected organizations in Washington. The Chamber consistently leads the pack on lobbying expenditures.

From its headquarters near the White House, the Chamber maintains a professional staff of hundreds of the nation’s top policy experts, lobbyists, lawyers, and communicators. Special initiatives covering energy, infrastructure, education and training, and workforce rules help drive the pro-business agenda.

The Chamber is also active in shaping legal policy through the National Chamber Litigation Center (NCLC), its in-house law firm, and through the Institute for Legal Reform (ILR), a national campaign to make the legal system simpler and fairer.

The Chamber’s International Division works in collaboration with more than 100 American Chambers of Commerce in countries around the world. The Chamber also runs the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), a program of the National Endowment for Democracy.

More than 100 corporate and small business leaders from all sectors serve on the U.S. Chamber’s board of directors.

Through its growing network of grassroots business activists, the Chamber makes a tremendous on impact educating voters, turning out the business vote, and advancing legislation on Capitol Hill.

Over the past year, the Chamber hosted more than 2,500 programs, meetings, seminars, and forums. Participants included members of the administration, members of Congress, and dozens of international leaders.

The Chamber continues to drive the agenda on job creation through its Campaign for Free Enterprise, a comprehensive, multiyear effort to support free enterprise through national advertising; grassroots advocacy; citizen, community, and youth engagement; and research and ideas leadership.