2026 Chamber of the Year Finalists
ACCE is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2026 Chamber of the Year title. Eleven chambers will compete for the most prestigious and competitive recognition in the industry. Chamber of the Year is sponsored by GrowthZone.
“Being named a Chamber of the Year finalist is a powerful reflection of leadership, innovation and measurable impact,” said ACCE President & CEO Sheree Anne Kelly. “We congratulate these outstanding chambers on this well-deserved recognition. They are not only serving their members, they are shaping stronger economies, building more resilient communities and setting a high standard for the chamber profession.”
Chamber of the Year winners will be announced on July 21, during the Awards Show, at ACCE’s Annual Convention in New Orleans.
The 2026 finalists are:
Category One:
Greater Mason City Chamber of Commerce | Mason City, Iowa
Murray-Calloway County Chamber of Commerce | Murray, Kentucky
Category Two:
Boone Area Chamber of Commerce | Boone, North Carolina
Howell Area Chamber of Commerce | Howell, Michigan
Jackson County Chamber of Commerce | Jackson, Michigan
Category Three:
El Paso Chamber of Commerce | El Paso, Texas
Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce | Eugene, Oregon
Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce | Toledo, Ohio
Category Four:
Greater Des Moines Partnership | Des Moines, Iowa
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce | Mobile, Alabama
OneSpartanburg, Inc. | Spartanburg, South Carolina
About the Award
The award is the most prestigious and competitive award in the chamber industry, recognizing excellence in operations, member service and community leadership. Those honored with the Chamber of the Year designation have demonstrated organizational strength and impacted key community priorities, such as education, transportation, economic prosperity and quality of life.
Chambers of commerce interested in competing for the award must first 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 in ACCE’s Annual Chamber Operations Survey, including net revenue and assets, membership account retention and membership dollar retention.
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. The finalists then move on to an interview before a panel of experienced chamber professionals.
To ensure the fairest competition, applicants are grouped into four categories based on budget. A strong conflict of interest policy signed by all volunteer judges, ensures a competitive and fair playing field for all applicants.
About the Award Sponsor, GrowthZone
At GrowthZone, Your Mission is Our Mission. As a leading provider of association and chamber management software, we do more than deliver technology - we serve as your trusted technology partner and an extension of your staff. Our team works alongside you to simplify operations, strengthen engagement, and help your organization deliver exceptional value to the members and communities you serve.
Trusted by thousands of organizations, including many of the most influential associations and chambers in the industry, GrowthZone is the partner of choice for organizations seeking mission-aligned solutions, exceptional value, and measurable results. Discover more at growthzone.com.
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