Washington Business Fall 2016 | Washington Business | Page 28

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Chamber of the Year
AWB has been named the first-ever State Chamber of the Year by
the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.
Brian Mittge
The Association of Washington Business is the first state
chamber of commerce ever to win the top award from the
Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. The
award honors overall operational excellence, along with
extraordinary outreach like the new Grassroots Alliance
and AWB’s successful federal advocacy for the ExportImport Bank.
The votes are in, and the
first-ever State Chamber of
the Year is the Association
of Washington Business. The
Virginia-based Association of
Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) created the new
award category for states and
provinces this year, and gave
AWB the honor on Aug. 10
during its annual meeting in
Savannah, Georgia.
“You should take it as a
testament to your great work,
and your great work over a
number of years,” said ACCE
President Mick Fleming.
In applying for the award,
AWB highlighted its recent
creation of the AWB-Local
Chamber Grassroots Alliance,
which is strengthening ties
between AWB as the statewide chamber and more than 60 local and
ethnic chambers of commerce. The award application also detailed
AWB’s successful advocacy for renewal of the Export-Import Bank, along
with a broad look at AWB’s mission, vision and outreach. The judges also
took note of AWB’s leadership development and strategic plan.
“It’s gratifying to know that our efforts to serve as a convener — to
bring together businesses of all sizes and from all parts of the state to
make Washington a place where everyone can succeed and prosper
— resonated with the judges,” AWB President Kris Johnson said.
The contest was judged by presidents and CEOs of other chambers
of commerce, including many previous winners. They looked over a

28 association of washington business

“It’s gratifying to know that our
efforts to serve as a convener — to
bring together businesses of all sizes
and from all parts of the state to
make Washington a place where
everyone can succeed and prosper
— resonated with the judges.”
— Kris Johnson, president, AWB
detailed written application and asked the presidents
of each chamber a battery of questions about their
organizations’ operations and accomplishments.
“You really have to be committed, not only to
excellence, but to continual improvement, to subject
yourself to this kind of scrutiny from your peers,” said
Fleming. “To me, that’s a real mark of greatness, to want
to go through this.”
ACCE examines all aspects of chamber operations,
from finances and marketing to membership retention
and advocacy outcomes.
To even be considered for the award, a chamber has to undergo “a
full diagnostic” and show its commitment to excellence, Fleming said.

“You should take it as a testament to your
great work, and it’s great work over
a number of years.”
— Mick Fleming, president, Association of Chamber
of Commerce Executives