Putnam County Chamber…#1 in the nation!
Putnam County Chamber of Commerce Designated
as Chamber of the Year
The American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) announces that the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce of Palatka, Fla., has won the prestigious distinction of “Chamber of the Year,” for its dues income category. The Chamber of the Year is the nation’s only award, which recognizes the dual role chambers have in creating both leading businesses and communities.
The Putnam County Chamber of Commerce was one of four chambers recognized as “Chamber of the Year” during ACCE’s Annual Awards Gala at the association’s annual convention, which, this year, was held August 1-4, in Sacramento, Calif. The award is sponsored by Toyota.
Putnam County Chamber President Wes Larson said, "We are honored to be selected by our peers as one of the recipients of the first ACCE Chamber of the Year award. This award is a tribute to all our dedicated Chamber members and the role they help the Chamber play in our community." Larson added, "It is certainly well deserved recognition for a very talented and hard working staff. We are most appreciative of ACCE's effort to include a small rural county in their awards program."
The Putnam County Chamber of Commerce was one of three
chamber finalists in its category that has demonstrated its 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, health care,
and cultural vitality.
“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 2006-07 ACCE Chairman Mark V’Soske, CAE, president and CEO of the Toledo (OH) Regional Chamber of Commerce. “We salute these chambers who are leaders in helping their member businesses to grow and their communities to succeed.”
The process to qualify, apply, and win the Chamber of the Year award involves a multi-stage process. During all stages chambers will compete among peers from similar dues income levels: under $200,000, $200,000 - $499,000, $500,000 - $1 million, and over $1 million dollars. One hundred five chambers from across the United States 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 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.
