How Buffalo Bill’s Original “Cody Club” became the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce
From Hunting Club to Business Driver
The Cody Country Chamber of Commerce has been a strong piece of the Cody community for over 100 years. Originally founded by George T. Beck in 1900 as “the Cody Club,” our organization has come a long way. At first, Beck and his associates, including Buffalo Bill himself, intended for Cody Club to grow into a renowned sportsmen’s club, attracting hunters and outdoorsmen from around the world. It wouldn’t be long before this budding sport club to transform into a business-focused membership organization much like it is today.
Just a few years into its history, the Cody Club merged with the newer Cody Community Club in 1906. With a total body of 51 business members, the new Cody Club formed a constitution and a regular meeting schedule.
The Club was a key voice to unify Cody and drive early economic growth throughout the 20th Century. The Club was involved in constructing the Buffalo Bill Dam and early major highways, post-war recovery in the 50s and 60s, and developing additional key infrastructure such as Cody’s airport.
Creating the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce
The Cody Club finally became incorporated as the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce in 1977. The ‘70s also saw the Chamber begin to drive tourism through brochures and initiatives, organize a council for economic development, and make membership more inclusive to women, leading 3 women to serve as Chamber Board presidents during the 1980s.
Eventually, Cody’s growth made it necessary for the Chamber’s tourism- and economic development-focused branches to grow into their own independent organizations (Park County Travel Council, Forward Cody). While the Chamber’s mission still supports both efforts and collaborates with these groups, we can now focus mostly on the needs of established businesses in Cody and the greater Park County area.
For more than a century, the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce has been a driver for a strong economy and community in Cody. Today, the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce strives to serve businesses from all industries, including tourism, retail, hospitality, food service, healthcare, contracting, and more. Today, our membership numbers nearly 500, but all businesses in Cody benefit from the work that we do.
The Power of the Chamber Today
The Chamber offers a powerhouse website to help businesses start or grow their online presence, which also hosts a popular online business directory for Cody’s visitors or newcomers. We also publish a bi-weekly email newsletter to our membership and facilitate job postings, an events calendar, and a member-to-member deals network through our website.
We organize regular luncheons (still called Cody Club meetings) to connect the business community with public organizations such as national parks, local government, and those providing business services. The Chamber sponsors training programs for a stronger Cody workforce, such as Recommend Cody Tours and Work-Ready Boot Camp.
In cooperation with Park County Travel Council, the Chamber runs a Visitor Center that welcomes almost 100,000 visitors per year, making referrals to our business members, serving as a ticket sales hub, and providing directions and other services. The Visitor Center staff strive to create a useful information resource for locals and tourists alike.
The Chamber also facilitates several large events throughout the year, including downtown holiday celebrations like the Cody Cowboy Christmas Stroll & Parade. We produce the Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale in September, a major fundraiser for the Chamber and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. These events boost the economy by encouraging local shopping and bringing additional visitors to town.
We can’t list every way that the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce strengthens the Cody business community. To learn more, please reach out to us today and ask how we can help you and your business. We invite you to become a member and join the Chamber’s network of professionals, individuals, and non-profit organizations!
Source: Chamberlin, Agnes B., Jeannie Cook, and Joanita Monteith. The Cody Club: A history of the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce. Cody, WY: Cody Country Chamber of Commerce, 1999.
