- In 1887, the Charlottetown Board of Trade was formed on the request of Mayor Heath Haviland.
- Merchants, traders and others were asked to join so that representatives of the commercial sector could participate in the International Congress of the Canadian and American Boards of Trade. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss commercial difficulties between Canada and the U.S.
- The first president of the board was Lewis Carvell.
- One of the first activities of the board was to investigate steam transportation between Charlottetown, Pugwash, Tatamagouche, Wallace, River John and Baie Verte, beginning a long succession of studies aiming to improve transportation and communication to and from P.E.I.
- In 1970, the Charlottetown Board of Trade changed its name to the Greater Charlottetown Chamber of Commerce.