About Us

The Salem Chamber of Commerce: Your Business is Our Business

The mission of the Salem Chamber of Commerce is to make Salem a better place to live, work, and do business. The Salem Chamber serves as the voice for member businesses, representing, advocating and working to enhance the business and civic environment. With almost 500 members, we are the largest business organization in Salem.

The Salem Chamber of Commerce...

Is your local spokesperson, community advocate and goodwill ambassador. The Salem Chamber is the business communities’ voice on local questions of taxation and legislation, and monitors local and state governmental issues. The Salem Chamber supports local measures that are good for the business development of this area and opposes those that are detrimental.

Is your sales manager. The Salem Chamber sells your city, your products, and your services to people. Every day your Chamber promotes your community. This includes maps, brochures, demographic information and directories that are readily available and updated on a regular basis. The Chamber refers its members to people asking for special products or services, and it encourages "members using member products and services".

Is your information source. Through our weekly e-newsletter, website, blog, on-line and printed directories, and our monthly mailings, the Salem Chamber keeps members and the audience at-large informed and connected.

Increases your credibility. Chamber membership gives your customers assurance that you are an involved business, working to make your area a better place in which to work and live.

Is the "rallying point". The Chamber is the central organization in which you and your fellow business people join hands to promote the projects that benefit you, your business, and your community.
 

The Salem Chamber is actively involved in the following organizations:

• Destination Salem – Board member
• Enterprise Center at Salem State University– Board member
• Salem Main Streets – Steering Committee
• Salem Transportation Commission - Vice-Chair
• Salem Partnership – Board member

Salem Chamber of Commerce Staff:

Executive Director: Jeff Swartz (he/him)
(978) 744-0004, ext. 116
Email

As Executive Director of the Salem Chamber of Commerce, Jeff Swartz leads efforts to support nearly 500 local businesses through advocacy, collaboration, and strategic partnerships. A Salem resident and longtime Chamber staff member, Jeff was promoted to Executive Director in May 2025 after six years as Assistant Director, where he became known for his hands-on, people-first approach and ability to bring business leaders, nonprofits, and municipal departments together.

Jeff first came to Salem as a student at Salem State University, earning his degree in History, cum laude, in 2012 and has been deeply engaged in the community ever since. Jeff currently serves as Vice Chair of the Salem Transportation Commission and is a trustee of the Pickering House. His passion for civic service, inclusive dialogue, and cross-sector collaboration drives his work both inside and outside the Chamber. Jeff is a strong believer in Salem’s walkability as a key ingredient in its sense of community, allowing people to connect authentically and spontaneously across neighborhoods, industries, and backgrounds.

Outside the office, Jeff enjoys spending time with his wife Ana, doting on their two cats Belly and Miche, reenacting Revolutionary War history with the Danvers Alarm List Company, reading maritime history, and playing disc golf or tabletop games with friends.

Jeff is passionate about building a more connected, inclusive, and resilient Salem. Whether it’s through business development, nonprofit collaboration, or civic engagement, he believes that strong communities are built by people who show up, get involved, and look out for one another. He encourages anyone who’s interested in making a difference to reach out, get connected, and find a way to contribute.