Southern Economic Development Council Honors Chamber with Two Awards

BOWLING GREEN, KY-In addition to being named the American Chamber of Commerce Executives' Chamber of the Year, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that the organization has earned two 2009 Communication Awards from the Southern Economic Development Council, Inc. (SEDC) in the categories of Thinking Outside the Box and Printed Reports. The SEDC awards recognize, reward and celebrate the accomplishments of effective communication programs and campaigns.

"It is a great honor for the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce to receive two awards from the SEDC," said Chamber Board Chairman Todd Davis. "We ranked among large chambers such as Baton Rouge and Orlando, so we're very proud of our achievement. I am very pleased to know that we have been acknowledged for our success by SEDC, the oldest and largest regional economic development association in North America."

The 2009 SEDC Annual Conference was held in Point Clear, Ala., on August 15-18, where the award-winning materials were displayed. In the Thinking Outside the Box Category, the Chamber earned a Merit Award for its Apple iPod^(r)* Touch Treasure Hunt Campaign, a successful marketing campaign designed to reel in site selectors to the South Central Kentucky website. The goal was to familiarize the consultants with the area, demographics, etc. by asking 200-500 site location and industry professionals each quarter to take an online quiz about www.southcentralky.com. The Chamber randomly chooses a winner from those who complete the quiz and presents that winner with an Apple iPod^(r) Touch as a gift, along with South Central Kentucky marketing materials.

"One of the keys to successful economic development programs is maintaining top-of-mind awareness about our program with site selection professionals, who work with dozens of industries interested in finding a location for an office or manufacturing facility, or a warehouse/distribution center," explained James N. Hizer, CEcD, president and CEO of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce.. "The Treasure Hunt gives us that awareness by reaching out to professionals in the industry and encouraging them to visit our website, which contains information about our location, our regional partners, and available sites and buildings."

The Chamber also received a merit award in the category of Printed Reports for its automotive business case, which fulfills a goal outlined in the South Central Kentucky Marketing Plan. The report showcases the automotive industry and activity in South Central Kentucky and is used as a marketing material to inform prospects about the existing automotive suppliers in the area. It includes research and information on 56 vehicle-related facilities as well as information on the workforce and training.

Dan Preston, vice president of economic development, said, "Marketing materials are essential to attraction projects for site selectors and potential investors in the area. We use effective communication and marketing materials to convey an outline of what we have to offer in South Central Kentucky and to also help our regional partners, expanding our reach and offerings."

"I'm happy to know that our marketing materials stand out from the crowd," added Davis. "Gaining attention by site selectors and companies is a vital part of bringing in potential development prospects looking for facilities in the South Central Kentucky area."

About SEDC
SEDC is a non-profit membership organization governed by a Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Tracing its roots to the fall of 1946, the Southern Economic Development Council is the oldest and largest regional economic development association in North America. They have members in 17 states in the American South. For more information, visit www.sedc.org.

About the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce
Incorporated in 1935, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce was named the 2009 American Chamber of Commerce Executives' 2009 Chamber of the Year as it serves as 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. For more information, visit www.bgchamber.com.

*Apple is not a participant or sponsor of Apple iPod^(r) Touch Treasure Hunt Campaign.