ACCE News
2008 Chamber of the Year Winners Announced
Alexandria, VA -
The American Chamber of Commerce Executives is pleased to announce the winners of the 2008 Chamber of the Year award, the nation’s only award recognizing the dual role chambers have in creating both leading businesses and communities. The award is sponsored by Microsoft Corp.
The 2008 Chamber of the Year winners, according to their annual dues category, are:
Under $200,000 Dues Income Category:
Laurens County Chamber of Commerce, Laurens, SC
$200,000 to $499,999 Dues Income Category
DavenportOne, Davenport, IA
$500,000 to $1 Million Dues Income Category
Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, Lubbock, TX
Over $1 Million Dues Income Category
Tulsa Metro Chamber, Tulsa, OK
These chambers were recognized as “Chamber of the Year” during ACCE’s Awards Presentation and Show at the association’s annual convention, which, this year, was held in Pittsburgh, Penn.
“Being named a Chamber of the Year is a testament to new and expanded role chambers play in strengthening the economic vitality of their communities,” said 2007-08 ACCE Chairman Doug Kinsinger, CCE, president and CEO of the Greater Topeka, Kansas Chamber of Commerce. “We salute these chambers who are leaders in helping their member businesses to grow and their communities to succeed.”
These four chambers have demonstrated their success in community leadership and organizational strength by being among the top in the nation for financial and membership growth as well as making a demonstrable impact on key community priorities in areas like economic opportunities, education, transportation, healthcare, and cultural vitality.
The process to qualify, apply, and win the Chamber of the Year award involves a multi-stage process. During all stages chambers compete amongst peers from similar dues income levels: under $200,000, $200,000 - $499,000, $500,000 - $1 million, and over $1 million. Two hundred seventy five chambers from across the United States were qualified to enter the Chamber of the Year competition by meeting or beating the national average or median for their dues income level in four of these seven points: net income, current ratio, net assets, net assets as a percentage of total annual expenses, net gain in membership sales dollars, retained members dollars, retained member accounts.
Established in 1914, ACCE is the only national association serving the professional development needs of chamber professionals throughout the United States and Canada. Representing more than 7,000 individuals, ACCE enhances the knowledge, leadership skills, and management effectiveness of chamber executives and their staff through education, benefits programs, trend analysis, benchmarking, and network development. ACCE supports and develops chamber professionals to lead businesses and their communities.
Source: ACCE
Publication Date: August 6, 2008