Chamber's Website and Annual Report Receive ACCE Communication Excellence Awards 

Contact: Jessica M.L. Thompson, Communications Director
270-781-3200; jessica@bgchamber.com

Tonya Matthews, VP Chamber Operations
270-781-3200; tonya@bgchamber.com

BOWLING GREEN, KY—The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce has earned two 2009 Awards for Communication Excellence from the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) in the categories of Special Publication and Electronic Communication. The ACCE presents these awards to honor, reward and celebrate the achievements of outstanding communication programs, campaigns and projects.

The Chamber was recognized with an Excellence Award for Electronic Communication for its website, www.bgchamber.com. Having undergone a complete redesign of the website in 2008 as an effort to revitalize the site and provide more information to partners and visitors, the Chamber was thrilled with the recognition by ACCE. Chamber Vice President of Operations Tonya Matthews, IOM, ACE said, “Since the redesign, the website has now won both state and national Excellence Awards. The Chamber received the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives Excellence Award for Best Website at the fall 2008 conference. Now, in a national competition, bgchamber.com receives an ACCE’s Communication Excellence Award—that’s exciting news!”

Chamber Chairman Todd Davis said, “I think one of the judge’s comments sums it up best. ‘The submission was impressive! The usability of the site proves this is a forward-thinking Chamber. A great feature is the global JOIN button. The media room is also very innovative. Their clear and thorough submission is a reflection of the obvious diligent process to create a quality product. This was clearly a staff-led project, but they also had input and involvement from the partnership. Well done!’”

The Chamber received a Special Publication Award for its 2007 Annual Report. President & CEO James N. Hizer, CEcD echoed Davis’ comments upon reviewing the judges’ scores. “These awards have been tough for our Chamber to win in previous years. Until last year we were typically Merit and Honorable mention winners. This year one judge scored our Annual Report submission as a 99% and the overall accumulated score totaled 97%. That tells me that our communication piece effectively promoted our year’s accomplishments to our Chamber partners, which is an important key in partnership retention and illustrating the return on their investment.”

As the only national association serving the professional development needs of chamber executives in the United States and Canada, ACCE currently represents more than 7,800 professional members in 1,400 chambers of commerce.

“Every year it is an enlightening experience for the judges to view the diverse and resourceful programs that chambers are producing, and we are proud of the contributions that your work has made to your community,” said ACCE Education and Member Relations Associate Jay Snyder.

Incorporated in 1935, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is the driving force for economic development in South Central Kentucky. As one of only 336 chambers nationwide to be accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the fourth largest chamber in Kentucky, the Chamber serves as a premier business advocate for its more than 1,300 partners. Its primary goals are to promote growth and success in the business community, reaching its small business partners and those in large industries alike. With leadership programs, governmental relations projects, educational initiatives and involvement opportunities, the Chamber aims to support the community and its neighbors in order to enhance the business climate and continue to grow the region.