| 1997 - | August
Mainstreet Group breakaway from Chamber renaming to ‘Vibrant City Centre’ and form their own society. Chamber remains secretariat and main funder. |
| 1998 - | July
Formation of the ‘Eastern Southland Section’ to the Southland Chamber.
First Chairperson: Mr. Martian Arnie (Manager Eastern Southland Funeral Directors) |
| 1998 - | November
Launch of first Internet site. www.commercsouth.com |
| 1999 – | February
Chamber opens BizInfo Centre within office. Service delivery contract with NZ trade and Industry (Central Govt) through National Chamber company ‘NZBIS’ |
| 1999 - |  May
Move to larger office: Menzies Building 2 Esk St Invercargill, with the closure of the ‘Southland Business Development Board’ and ‘Invercargill Economic Development Unit’
New logo adopting the National branding. |
| 2001 – | April
Chamber formally withdraw relationships with ‘Vibrant City Centre’ due to City Council involvement and the organisations internal situation causing complications . |
| 2001 - | May
Formation of the Export section to be known as:
‘ The Southland Export Forum’
First Chairperson: Mr Mark O’Connor (C.E.O Southport) |
| 2001 - | June
Last meeting of ‘Focus Southland’ due to the establishment of the joint local government development unit ‘Venture Southland’ who take over the role. |
| 2001 - | September
The first Exporter of the Year Awards |
| 2001 - | October
Chamber adopt initial project drive of ‘We want you campaign’ to encourage population and business growth in region. |
| 2002 - | August
First Staff Appointment of: ‘Membership services / Event Coordinator’
Mrs. Marion Miller (now 3 staff) |
| 2003 – | March
Formation of the ‘Southland Manufacturers Trust’
In order to secure the financial interests of asset transfer from the separation of Southland from the Otago/Southland Manufacturers Trust’
First trustees: Mr. Kevin Frater (Chamber President) Mr. Richard Hay Chamber C.E.O |
2004 -
| March
Adoption of new branding 
to link in with the new National branding image.
Green is chosen to represent the fertility of the Southland Province. | |
2005 -
| August
Inaugural Southland's Top Shop Awards are held in conjunction with Radio Works | |
2005 -
| November
Chamber introduces TradeQual
In order to publicly recognise the graduation of qualified trades people. | |
| 2006 - | April:
Employment of a part time person in Gore to administer to the Eastern Southland committee. First appointment Kim Miller
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| 2007 - | October:
Chamber Southland moves into it's purpose built offices on the ground floor of the Menzies building. The Offices are called 'The Business Centre' and is opened by the Hon Lianne Dalziel, Minister of Commerce. 
The Chamber offices included reception, a training room, and interview room and also incorporates additional office space for The Employers Assoc and NZIM South.
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