Press Release

CCAA Names Local Chambers as Accredited Alabama Chambers of Commerce 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 2, 2019 

Contact: Jeremy Arthur 334-264-2112 

CCAA Names Local Chambers as Accredited Alabama Chambers of Commerce 

MONTGOMERY, AL – The Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama (CCAA) announced today that two local chambers of commerce have received the Accredited Alabama Chamber of Commerce distinction (AACC). 

The chambers of commerce receiving the AACC were Chilton County Chamber of Commerce and South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce. 

The announcement was made at the CCAA’s summer convention in Gulf Shores. 

One of the most prestigious programs of the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama is the Accredited Alabama Chamber program. The Accredited Alabama Chamber of Commerce program sets standards of excellence for chambers in the State of Alabama. It recognizes chambers that have achieved those standards while offering guidelines for those to improve their effectiveness. 

The Accredited Alabama Chamber of Commerce program is designed to promote public awareness of the intent of the chamber of commerce brand as a not-for-profit community development- based business membership organization by providing a peer review process of generally accepted chamber of commerce organizational benchmarks. 

The Accredited Alabama Chamber of Commerce program looks at six standard topics: Organization, Mission Focus, Professional Administration, Financial Management, Communications, and, Advocacy. 

“As one of CCAA’s most prestigious programs, the Accredited Alabama Chamber of Commerce program shows that each chamber receiving the distinction is committed to the highest standards of organization management. This distinction recognizes local chambers of commerce in Alabama that strengthen free enterprise by protecting their local business environment,” said Heather Brothers New, President of The Chamber, Gadsden and Etowah County and the CCAA’s 2019 Chairwoman of the Board of Directors. “They most certainly represent the highest standards in our profession.” 

Jeremy L. Arthur, President and CEO of the CCAA, said this local chamber of commerce is a true testament to the chamber profession. 

“The accreditation process is very rigorous and highlights that each chamber is truly the ‘best of the best’ across our state,” Arthur said. “The commitment shown by each local chamber that receives the Accredited Alabama Chamber of Commerce distinction shows their continued commitment to the highest professional standards and assures their business members they are investing in an organization working on their behalf for the greater good.” 

Since its beginning in 1937 as the Alabama Association of Commercial Organizations, what is now known as the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama has remained dedicated to advancing the goal that chambers of commerce are the premier local business advocate in the State of Alabama. In conjunction with the Business Council of Alabama (BCA), a non-partisan organization, the two groups, through the BCA/CCAA Partnership represent the interests and concerns of over 1 million working Alabamians every day. 

Travis Valentine of The South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce Completes Third Year at Institute for Organization Management
A Leadership Training Program Produced by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is pleased to announce that Travis Valentine, Vice President of Investor Relations and Business Growth & Retention, of the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, has recently completed his third year at Institute for Organization Management, a four-year nonprofit leadership training program at Southeast Institute in Athens, Georgia. 

“Institute graduates are recognized across the country as leaders in their industries and organizations,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s vice president of Institute for Organization Management. “These individuals have the knowledge, skills, and dedication necessary to achieve professional and organizational success in the dynamic association and chamber industries.” 

Since its commencement in 1921, the Institute program has been educating tens of thousands of association, chamber, and other nonprofit leaders on how to build stronger organizations, better serve their members and become strong business advocates. Institute’s curriculum consists of four weeklong sessions at five different university locations throughout the country. Through a combination of required courses and electives in areas such as leadership, advocacy, marketing, finance, and membership, Institute participants are able to enhance their own organizational management skills and add new fuel to their organizations, making them run more efficiently and effectively. 

Institute for Organization Management is the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. It is the premier nonprofit professional development program for association and chamber professionals, fostering individual growth through interactive learning and networking opportunities.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce dedicated to strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness. We educate the public on the conditions necessary for business and communities to thrive, how business positively impacts communities, and emerging issues and creative solutions that will shape the future.