The Lancaster Chamber has been named a finalist for the 2021 Chamber of the Year award, presented by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). ACCE is an association based in Alexandria, Va., that has over 1,600 chambers of commerce and related business and economic development organizations as members, representing more than 9,000 professionals in the industry.
The award, sponsored by MemberClicks, a Personify Company, is the most prestigious and competitive recognition presented annually by ACCE. It recognizes the leadership role chambers of commerce have in their communities. Those honored with the Chamber of the Year designation have demonstrated organizational strength and made an impact on key community priorities, such as education, transportation, economic prosperity and quality of life.
“This year’s finalists are among the most impactful organizations within the industry,” said ACCE President & CEO Sheree Anne Kelly. “Following a tumultuous year, these chambers emerged as community champions, providing catalytic leadership to address their region’s greatest challenges and opportunities for prosperity.”
Chamber of the Year winners will be announced on Tuesday, July 20, during ACCE’s Chamber Innovation Summit.
“We are thrilled to have the work of our staff, Board, volunteers and partners recognized by our national association,” said Tom Baldrige, President & CEO of the Lancaster Chamber. “To be one of 3 finalists across the Country says a great deal about the strength, resilience and community spirit of our local business community and the way in which we collectively embraced the challenging journey of 2020. Frankly, I couldn’t be prouder.”
The Lancaster Chamber has won twice previously in 2003 and 2013. This specific recognition is for work that the Lancaster Chamber initiated in 2020.
“It is an unbelievable honor to be recognized as a finalist for Chamber of the Year,” said Michelle Rondinelli, President of Kitchen Kettle Foods, Inc., and 2020 Lancaster Chamber Board Chair. “Thanks to the efforts of a very dedicated Chamber team, Board of Directors and volunteers, along with the unyielding support of our membership in 2020, we are able to celebrate this milestone. It is no surprise that when faced with a global pandemic, the Lancaster County business community was able to rise to the challenge and work towards a quick and prosperous recovery. We continue to live our vision of becoming a model of prosperity for communities across the nation.”
Chambers of commerce interested in competing for the award first must qualify by participating in a vigorous multi-stage process. Organizations entering the Chamber of the Year competition must meet minimum thresholds in at least three of five key performance areas, including net revenue and assets, membership account retention, and membership dollar retention.
Chambers compete based on meeting key performance criteria on the ACCE Annual Operations Survey. Qualifying chambers enter the competition with a written application addressing all aspects of organizational operation and programmatic work. Applications are scored by peer chamber executives to determine finalists. Winners are selected from among finalists based on an interview before a panel of experienced chamber professionals.
To ensure the fairest competition, applicants are grouped into four categories based on: annual revenue, membership, area population and other factors.
Meet The Chamber Team
Tom Baldrige, President & CEO, Heather Valudes, Vice President, Sarah Maser, Operations Director, Tom Wallace, Business Development Director, Steve Progin, Finance Director, Tony Gorick, Creative Services Manager, Molly Crouser, Special Events Manager, Javar Colon, Business Development Specialist, Paige Barr, Database Administrator and Resources Manager, Ashley Glensor, Programs & Marketing Specialist, Abby Williams, Programs and Events Coordinator, Julie Houck, Staff Accountant, Melissa Lewis, Customer Experience Specialist, Sandi Thompson, Sr. Business Programming Manager, Tom Finger, Print Room and Operations Manager, and Annette Auchter, Print Room and Operations Coordinator
Thanks to PhotOle for the team photo.
About the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives
Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) is the professional society supporting the women and men who lead local, regional, statewide and international chambers of commerce and related business and economic development organizations. Our membership includes more than 1,600 business/civic organizations worldwide. We provide our members with information resources, thought leadership, education programs, original research, benchmarking, retirement security, and access to a network of peers.
About the award sponsor, MemberClicks, a Personify Company
MemberClicks, a Personify Company, is a market-leading software company that provides insights to maximize engagement and deliver value across every interaction with members, donors, volunteers, attendees and exhibitors. For over 20 years, Personify has been a trusted partner to over 20,000 associations, nonprofits, chambers of commerce, show organizers and more. Their suite of solutions enables organizations to improve insights, optimize operations, increase revenue and drive productivity. For more information, visit memberclicks.com and personifycorp.com.
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