Des Moines Downtown Chamber Wins Prestigious National Award
DOWNTOWN DES MOINES, IOWA (July 25, 2018) — The Des Moines Downtown Chamber of Commerce has been named Chamber of the Year by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). In addition, the Greater Des Moines Partnership has been named an “Award of Excellence” winner in the Communications Excellence awards program.
ACCE is an Alexandria, Va.–based membership association that represents nearly 10,000 professionals who work for and with more than 1,300 chambers of commerce around the world. The ACCE Annual Convention was held in Downtown Des Moines (DSM) July 17-20 and attracted more than 1,000 Chamber leaders from around the world.
Chamber of the Year, sponsored by MemberClicks, is the most prestigious and competitive award presented by ACCE and is the only globally-recognized industry award that honors top Chambers of Commerce. 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, business development and quality of life.
Jennifer Chittenden, Executive Director, along with the Downtown Chamber Board of Directors and staff accepted the award July 18 at the 2018 ACCE Annual Convention in Downtown DSM.
“This year marks the 10-year anniversary for the Downtown Chamber and receiving this award at a Chamber Member business in our own Downtown is a significant milestone and a special honor for our membership, leaders, staff, family, and community,” stated Chittenden.
Qualifying for Chamber of the Year is a rigorous process. 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 in-person interview before a panel of experienced Chamber professionals.
This year's competition drew entries from Chambers throughout the U.S and Canada. To ensure the fairest competition, applicants are grouped into five categories based on: Annual revenue, membership, area population and several other factors.
About the Greater Des Moines Partnership
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 23 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,100 Regional Business Members and more than 330 Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.
About the Des Moines Downtown Chamber
The Des Moines Downtown Chamber of Commerce is a provider of information and resources for the downtown community through knowledge sharing, the fostering of civility, and understanding of economic issues in the service of the betterment and sustained growth and success of Downtown Des Moines. The Downtown Chamber was established in 2008 and currently serves over 350 business members in the downtown and surrounding metro area. More information can be found at www.DTchamber.com.
About ACCE
ACCE, the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, was founded in 1914 and today represents a membership of nearly 10,000 professionals who work for and with more than 1,300 chambers of commerce around the world. ACCE’s members represent the largest metropolitan regions in the United States and Canada, in addition to major metropolitan regions abroad. Based in Alexandria, Virginia, the mission of ACCE is to support chamber professionals so they can lead their communities. Learn more about us by visiting www.ACCE.org.