The John F. Kennedy International Airport Chamber of Commerce was chartered in March 1978 by a group of business people in the JFK Airport area. JFK is the only airport in the nation to have its own Chamber of Commerce dedicated to the airport business community.

Their object was to create an environment in which they could gather together to share their common concerns. They have been successful in enhancing the general welfare of the airport community in terms of fostering better relationships between one another and various governmental agencies at the Federal, State, City and local levels.

The aviation industry is the borough’s second largest employer. Forty-three percent of Kennedy’s employees are Queens residents. Port Authority is pouring over $1 billion into expanding and revolutionizing the airport over the next ten years, creating hundreds of jobs that will need to be filled.

"We expect another 13 million people to use the airport by 2010," said Quentin Braithwaite, Project Manager for the Port Authority’s new Air Train. "That expansion is going to create all kinds of growth in those communities." In short, the aviation industry promises to be an integral part of Southeast Queens’ economic future if we have the skills to take full advantage of it.

 The JFK International Airport, according to studies conducted by the Port of New York & New Jersey Authority, generates over 200,000 jobs in and out of aviation. It is estimated $13.6 billion of economic activity is derived from the airport's presence in Queens, New York. The business community pays over $400 million annually in various regional taxes--obviously meriting serious attention from those officials who spend these monies.

The Chamber supports its own charitable endeavor: “The John F. Kennedy International Chamber of Commerce Scholarship” offered through the Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology

This endowed scholarship with the College allows the Chamber of Commerce to make significant, long-term scholarship awards to students who meet the Chamber's criteria.

The College will award this scholarship to one student per year who:

• Is enrolled in either a bachelor of science or an associate in applied science program
• Is a son or daughter of an aviation industry employee working on or adjacent to JFK International Airport, or is a student in Aviation High School's fifth year airframe and power plant extension program at JFK Airport.
• Demonstrates financial need
• Achieves a high school grade average of not less than 75 percent
• Performs a service to the high school or community
• Is recommended by one of his/her high school teachers

Candidates who feel they meet the criteria for a John F. Kennedy International Airport Chamber of Commerce Scholarship must fill out an application for the scholarship along with an application for admissions. If their qualifications are approved, they are interviewed by the College's Director of Alumni and Development. One scholarship will be awarded each year. Applications for the JFK Chamber of Commerce Scholarship, as well as additional information, may be obtained by contacting Kalli Koutsoutis, Director of Alumni and Development, at 866.6VAUGHN, extension 142, or via e-mail at kalli.koutsoutis@vaughn.edu

A special scholarship for awarding toolboxes to fifth year students of Aviation High School is also part of the program to promote careers in the aviation industry. The Chamber was instrumental in working with Aviation High school to establish a training facility for its fifth year students at JFK Airport.

The Chamber's membership is varied, reflecting the character of business at the airport. Members include air carriers, air cargo forwarders, agents and nearby container stations; medical doctors, dentists and health groups; construction firms; hotels, banks, security organizations; building maintenance firms and leasing organizations. Others come from manufacturing firms and support services, trucking, real estate. the law, accounting, packaging, fuel supply, government, publishing, printing, catering, finance, and the clergy.

Membership in the Chamber will include your company in the mainstream of life at JFK Support the Chamber. Let your voice be heard on the issues confronting those whose livelihood depends upon how successful our airport is. The challenge has never been greater as we enter into the millennium. Join us now as we work toward making John F. Kennedy International Airport a world-class airport. Be part of the many activities and changes that are taking place at John F. Kennedy International Airport.