The Greater Washington Board of Trade, founded in 1889, is the region’s premier non-partisan membership organization representing various industry sectors that include, businesses, nonprofits, universities, and government agencies in the District of Columbia, suburban Maryland, and Northern Virginia.

Before the creation of the Board of Trade, the District of Columbia did not have a cohesive method of organizing and supporting its cultural infrastructure.

During the 70th annual meeting on October 20, 1959, the organization welcomed its first female members when 188 businesswomen were added to the 7,200 total enrollment.

At the 90th annual meeting in 1979, the members approved a name change to the Greater Washington Board of Trade.

During that meeting, the Board adopted the logo that is still being used today: three interlocking circles that symbolize the unity of Northern Virginia, the District of Columbia, and suburban Maryland.