Chamber of the Year: Meet the Category Four Finalists

Since 2007, ACCE has annually recognized chambers of commerce for their work leading businesses and communities with the Chamber of the Year award. In today’s ever-evolving landscape, a chamber’s ability to adapt and thrive, to be visionary and forward-thinking is paramount to achieving success and spurring economic growth. Here’s a look at a few programs that helped earn these chambers a spot as a Chamber of the Year finalist.

Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce | Phoenix, Arizona

 With projections adding over 72,000 jobs to Arizona between 2020 and 2030, all requiring post-secondary degrees, the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation’s ElevateEDAZ education initiative prepares to answer the needs of workforce. The program is designed to prepare high school students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, for college and career. The program bridges the gap between education and workforce development by cultivating a highly skilled and motivated pipeline of talent. Since its inception, over 400 students have participated in dual enrollment, and the program serves 18 partner high schools.

Greater Winston Salem, Inc. | Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Greater Winston-Salem Inc. created Forsyth Works in close partnership with other local workforce development entities. Together, they are developing a sustainable and co-located workforce training system that synchronizes education and training from partner entities with the demands of local employers in their regional economy. Along with easy-to-navigate pathways, this initiative also secures employer commitments to hire upon the job seeker’s successful completion of skills training and relevant industry-sought credentials. This initiative will also partner with other organizations to secure much-needed wrap-around services to combat the barriers to training, education and employment, like childcare, transportation, and career navigation.

State Chamber of Oklahoma | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

When data from the State Chamber Research Foundation showed workforce as the biggest issue facing Oklahoma businesses, this became the top priority for the chamber. In its work to grow the state’s economy through business development, the State Chamber championed Senate Bill 621, which upon its signing, established the Oklahoma Workforce Commission to better align Oklahoma’s workforce pipeline. It also supported tax reform to increase competitiveness and create a more attractive business environment.

Learn who will be the Category Three Chamber of the Year at the #ACCE24 Awards Show, presented by Comcast Business, on Wednesday, July 17 in Dallas, Texas. The Chamber of the Year program is sponsored by GrowthZone. Can’t make it? Follow @ACCEHQ on any social media platform to see who wins as it happens!