IPSWICH’S business community is growing in size and ambition, with hundreds of new enterprises, thousands of additional jobs and an economy worth $16.8 billion.
Behind that growth are local people backing their ideas, expanding their operations and creating opportunities for others to build a future in the city.
At the heart of that community stands the Ipswich Chamber of Commerce, an organisation whose 120-year history reflects the enduring value of bringing businesses together.
As the region grows, its role in connecting owners, sharing knowledge and representing local interests takes on renewed significance.
Ipswich City Council’s latest economic report puts the city’s momentum into perspective. Ipswich had 13,888 registered businesses, up 840 on the previous year, while local employment reached 99,323 jobs in the year to June 2025. Across those 12 months, 3,893 jobs were added to the local economy.
Each new enterprise and position carries possibilities beyond the figures. It can mean an apprentice getting a start, a family gaining financial security or an owner finally having the confidence to employ another person. When businesses choose local suppliers and services, those opportunities can extend further through the community.
The Chamber helps create the connections that make that possible. Its networking opportunities bring businesspeople together, while its information and advocacy work helps members keep informed and puts their interests before decision-makers at all levels of government.
A spirit of cooperation has been part of the Chamber since its formation on May 31, 1906.
Today, its membership numbers in the hundreds, continuing a tradition of bringing local enterprises together.
Its Business Excellence Awards give that community a chance to recognise its own achievements.
