North Carolina Chamber Named "State Chamber of the Year"

ALEXANDRIA, VA, October 11, 2016 (Newswire.com) - ​​​​The Council of State Chambers announced today that the North Carolina Chamber has been named “State Chamber of the Year.” The purpose of the State Chamber of the Year award is to bring attention to innovative initiatives and best practices that advance state chambers' mission and work and to provide deserved recognition to state chambers and their leaders who have distinguished themselves by providing exceptional services and results for their members.

Kevin Brinegar, Chair of the Council of State Chambers and President & CEO of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, lauded the North Carolina Chamber for its outstanding achievement. “The North Carolina Chamber is a most deserving recipient of our inaugural State Chamber of the Year award. Our hope is that this award will raise the bar for us all as we work to advance our states as desirable places to live, work and invest.”

“To have our chamber be named as a finalist and be in the company of the best chambers in the country is both humbling and gratifying,” said Lew Ebert, President & CEO of the North Carolina Chamber. “The Council of State Chambers has been a critical platform for us to share and learn best practices, and the association provides similar opportunities for all state chambers.”

The North Carolina Chamber was recognized during the 93rd Annual Meeting of the Council of State Chambers, which was held last week in Austin, Texas. Also recognized were the:

• Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, finalist and first runner up, State Chamber of the Year​
• ​Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, finalist and second runner up, State Chamber of the Year
• Georgia Chamber of Commerce, outstanding achievement in political engagement

About the State Chamber of the Year Award

The judges, who themselves are seasoned state chamber of commerce leaders, evaluated applicants in six different areas of achievement:

• Public Policy—Shaping public policy through original research, surveys, communications, lobbying, member engagement, public engagement, and/or other means to achieve positive results for the business community.
• Political Engagement—Advancing causes of critical importance to the business community directly or through affiliated entities (e.g., a PAC) with regard to issues, candidates, and other electoral activities.
• Membership and Development—Measurable success in growing membership and other financial resources to support the mission of the organization.
• Organizational Development—Development of the state chamber organization through the innovative use of technology, the enhancement of its facilities, the professional development of its staff, the work of associated entities such as its foundation, the creation of internal efficiency, etc.
• Communications Program—Development of innovative and effective communications programming or communications products that have produced a significant impact on the organization, the chamber membership, and/ or the state the chamber serves.
• Member Services—Development and provision of exceptional member services through offering educational programs, member discount programs, major events or member products that have addressed a particular need for chamber members, and/or produced significant revenue for the chamber.

About the Council of State Chambers

Founded in 1924, the Council of State Chambers is the national organization for state chamber CEOs and their executive leadership. The purpose of the Council of State Chambers is to promote cooperation among state chambers of commerce, strengthen existing state chambers, and promote the state chamber of commerce movement throughout the country.

Source: Council of State Chambers (COSC)