History of West Calcasieu Chamber of Commerce

First records for the Chamber of Commerce of Sulphur list Raymond Nelson as President. His term of office was from 1942-1945. From 1945 through 1949 several leaders aided in the organization’s growth and development. The Chamber year ran from January 1st through December 31st. In 1949 the Sulphur Chamber of Commerce officially became the West Calcasieu Association of Commerce. In 2013 it renamed the group back to West Calcasieu Chamber of Commerce.

The office was located upstairs in the Foreman Building on West Napoleon Street for several years, later moving into the Brimstone Museum in 1976, located on the grounds of Frasch Park. The Museum (an old railroad car) was moved to Cypress Street in downtown Sulphur and remained a landmark in our city for approximately 15 years. The office was then moved into the office of Tab Finchum, Edward Jones representative located on Maplewood Drive, occupying approximately 700 square feet.

After the hiring of Executive Director Dianne LeBlanc-Dronet, the office was moved once again (May 2011) to the West Cal Business Center, located 500 North Huntington Street. The office now occupies about 1,500 square feet, has a “Cities Showcase” room which features wall collages of pictures, facts, and memorabilia of each City represented in the Chamber, Sulphur, Vinton, and Westlake. It has a spacious Executive Office and a comfortable conference room, which also houses another desk for the Administrative Assistant.

In 2014 Director Dianne LeBlanc-Dronet retired, Lena McArthur was hired as the new Executive Director. Since 2014 The Chamber has implemented new programs and training for utilization of the members and community. With all the economic growth in this region the board decided to add an administrative assistant position. In 2015 the chamber hired Stacie Monteilh as the administrative assistant.

The Chamber conducts Monthly Business Luncheon on the 2nd Thursday of each month where the Business of the Month is announced.

The Chamber has 5 active committees with each having sub committees who stay busy all year. Economic Development/Workforce Education, Events/Action, Membership/Ambassadors, and Governmental Affairs have various members of the Board of Directors as well as other Members at large serving on the committees.

The Annual Banquet is held in November of each year where the Outstanding Citizen of the Year and the President’s Award is announced.