Chamber finalist for Chamber of the Year Award
GSCOC one of three finalists for ACCE award
SPRINGFIELD, May 31, 2012 – The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce has been named a finalist for the 2012 Chamber of the Year Award
Springfield is one of three finalists in its category for the award that will be presented at the American Chamber of Commerce Executives annual convention in August. Other finalists in this category (based on annual revenue) are Fargo Moorhead West Fargo (ND/MN) Chamber of Commerce and Lubbock Texas Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber of the Year Award is the most prestigious national award presented to chambers of commerce. It is the nation’s only award recognizing the dual role chambers have in creating both leading businesses and communities.
Winners are judged and selected by chamber professionals from across the country. The award recognizes top chambers that have not only demonstrated success in community leadership and organizational strength, but also have made an apparent impact on key community priorities, such as education, transportation, healthcare and cultural vitality.
“We are extremely honored to be a finalist for this highly competitive award,” said Mike McDorman, president and CEO of the Greater Springfield Chamber of the Commerce. “We are very thankful for the great leadership and support of our board, as well as our staff members, our community partners and key stakeholders who help make these opportunities possible.”
Winners are selected from four categories, bases on revenue size. Applicants were asked to submit an extensive application that detailed its operations, products and services. Applicants were also asked to include examples of electronic and printed communications, promotional brochures, the strategic plan as well as documentation related to two chamber-led initiatives to better the community. Greater Springfield submitted its award-winning economic development program, HITS (Hire-Invest-Train-Space) and the community strategic visioning process: Greater Springfield Moving Forward.
“We were excited to show the judges the collaboration that made Greater Springfield Moving Forward a success,” McDorman said. “We were able to showcase the hundreds of volunteers and our partnerships with the City of Springfield, the Springfield News-Sun and other key stakeholders. And of course, our board, which had the original vision and made the decision to launch us on this very ambitious program two years ago.”
Greater Springfield Moving Forward is a chamber-led initiative to create a comprehensive strategic plan for the community. Using the results of more than 600 citizen surveys, courtesy of the Springfield News-Sun, public forums and informational sessions, nearly 100 committee members have met regularly since late 2010 to create 3-5 year goals for the five key areas identified by community members:
· Jobs and Job Readiness
· Corridors and Gateways
· Downtown Development
· Student Achievement
· Parks and Green space
Springfield’s application received 184 out of a possible 200 points. Judges comments included:
“This is clearly a strong chamber that deserves national recognition.”
“This chamber should be proud of its communications efforts.
“Very good application with two strong examples of leading businesses and leading the community.”
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