Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce Receives Prestigious Five Star Accreditation for Second Time
March 3, 2011
CHARLESTON, SC – March 3, 2011 – The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce announced today that, once again, the United States Chamber of Commerce awarded them with 5-Star Accreditation for its sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact on the community Only 67 Chambers, out of 6,939 Chambers in the nation, have achieved five-star status. The Chamber was awarded five stars in November 2005 and secured the rating again this week.
“Accreditation validates a chamber as having programs that benefit their local economy and for positively influencing action in their community,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, U.S. Chamber Executive Director of Political Affairs and Federation Relations. “We applaud these organizations for advancing the principles of free enterprise.”
Accreditation is the only national program that recognizes chambers for their effective organizational procedures and community involvement. In order to receive Accreditation, a chamber must meet minimum standards in their operations and programs, including areas of governance, government affairs, and technology. This extensive self-review can take six to nine months to complete.
“This is quite an accomplishment for any Chamber to achieve this status let alone for the second time,” said Charles Van Rysselberge, Chamber President and CEO. “This recognition is phenomenal news for the Chamber; accreditation marks us as having solid programs, clear organizational procedures and serving as a catalyst for positive actions in the community. I have been honored to lead this Chamber staff and business community for the past nine years.”
Rolled out in 1964, the Accreditation program was developed by a team of chamber executives and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for continuous improvement of local chambers of commerce. Currently, less than 30% of Chambers in the nation are accredited. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.
“This is truly a credit to the powerful work of this Chamber and its staff, I am proud of this accomplishment and the benefits that they offer to the regional business community,” said Robert W. Pearce, Jr., Chamber Chairman. “The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce is not standing on past successes. We continue to move forward to help position our region as a forward-thinking location ideal for business growth and success. We are looking to the future of our region and believe every challenge we embark on today, will help us accomplish our mission to advance our region’s economy, improve our quality of life and enhance our members’ success. Our vision is to strengthen our region as the world’s best location to live, learn, work and play.”
About the Charleston Metro Chamber
With more than 2,000 members, the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce serves as the catalyst for advancing our region’s economy, improving our quality of life and enhancing our members’ success.
