The Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce is a finalist for the top business group of its kind in the country.
The Chattanooga Chamber is competing with the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce in South Carolina and the Commerce-Lexington Inc. Chamber in Lexington, Ky., for the award among comparably sized Chambers. The selection is being made by the national Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.
Bill Kilbride, the Chattanooga Chamber's chief executive, said the local organization is competing within a similar size peer group for the top honor.
Sandra Brewer"Every day the Chattanooga Chamber staff, its members, the Chamber councils and Chamber ambassadors approach the opportunities before us in the Chattanooga way -- join hands and get it done," he said. "It's so gratifying to all of us that our organization has been recognized in this way."
Sandra Brewer, the Chamber's vice president of member-investor services, said the organization expects to have added 700 new members by the end of its fiscal year this month. She said that's more than double a typical year and puts Chamber membership at 2,233. That's one of the highest membership marks in its 127-year history.
"Coupled with the economic impact Chamber initiatives have on our community, we have a winning formula and we are thrilled to be a finalist for the Chamber of the Year Award," she said.
The Chamber of the Year selection process considers financial management, membership dynamics and representation, economic development programs and community impact.
Chambers earning the designation demonstrate organizational strength and impact key community priorities such as education, transportation, business development and quality of life, according to the national association.
"The detail, which I know is evaluated in choosing the finalists, is deep and covers a broad set of performance measures. All of us can be proud of what we do," Kilbride said.
Since 2007, ACCE has annually recognized up to four chambers of commerce in various size categories for their work leading businesses and communities with the Chamber of the Year award. The winners are expected to be named this summer.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318.