U.S. Chamber Awards Twelve State and Local Chambers with Accreditation

WASHINGTON, D.C.—At its board meeting held today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce awarded eleven local chambers of commerce and one state chamber of commerce with Accreditation for their sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact on their communities.

“Accreditation validates a chamber as having programs that benefit their local economy and positively influence their community,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, U.S. Chamber Executive Director of Political Affairs and Federation Relations.  “We applaud these organizations for advancing the principles of free enterprise.”

The only program of its kind in the country, U.S. Chamber Accreditation recognizes excellence in chamber planning and performance.  To achieve Accreditation, a chamber must demonstrate quality programs, clear organizational procedures, and effective communications by meeting minimum standards in its operations and programs, including areas of governance, government affairs, and technology.  This extensive self-review can take six to nine months to complete.

Local and regional chambers are rated Accredited or Accredited with 3 Stars, 4 Stars, or 5 Stars while state chambers are recognized as either Accredited State Chamber or Accredited State Chamber with Distinction. The final determination is made by the Accrediting board, a committee of U.S. Chamber board members and chamber CEOs from across the country.

The following chambers of commerce received Accreditation today:

Accredited with 5 Stars:
St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce – Covington, LA
Tulsa Metro Chamber – Tulsa, OK

Accredited with 4 Stars:
Conway Area Chamber of Commerce – Conway, AR
Grand Island Chamber of Commerce – Grand Island, NE
Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce – Jackson, WY
McKinney Chamber of Commerce – McKinney, TX
Miramar-Pembroke Pines Chamber of Commerce – Pembroke Pines, FL
Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce – Oak Ridge, TN
Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce – Pensacola, FL

Accredited with 3 Stars:
Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce – Kannapolis, NC

Accredited:
Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce – Utica, NY

State Chamber, Accredited:
Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce – San Juan, PR

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.