The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has awarded the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce with its designation of accredited with five stars for its sound policies, effective organizational procedures and positive impact on the community.
Only 146 out of 7,000 Chambers in the United States are 5-Star Accredited, placing the Jefferson Chamber in the top two percent of chambers across the nation.
“Chambers of commerce that achieve an accreditation designation are truly leaders in their industry,” said Raymond P. Towle, U.S. Chamber Vice President, Federation Relations and IOM. “When chambers of commerce earn the distinction of becoming accredited, it is a mark of excellence for the organization, its staff and its leadership. This rigorous review includes all aspects of a chamber’s policies, operations and programming, and accredited chambers are recognized for their ability to serve as a resource to their region’s businesses while maintaining transparent governance practices, sound financial controls, safe work environments, effective communications and value in programming. They are commended for their continued advocacy of free enterprise, and for their commitment to serving members and their local businesses. Congratulations on this tremendous accomplishment.”
The purpose of the U.S. Chamber’s Accreditation Program is to facilitate continuing excellence in the chamber industry and to foster a pro-business environment across America. In order to receive accreditation, a chamber must meet minimum standards in their operations and programs, including areas of governance, government affairs, communications and technology. This extensive self-review can take six to nine months to complete.
“We are beyond thrilled to receive this five-star accreditation,” said Ruth Lawson, Jefferson Chamber President. “The Jefferson Chamber of Commerce works tirelessly to operate a successful, influential chamber and achieve desirable results for our members. This accreditation is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence, and we are more determined than ever to passionately advocate for the businesses in our region, ensuring their continued success and prosperity.”
Local chambers are rated accredited, 3-Stars, 4-Stars, or 5-Stars. State chambers are recognized as either Accredited State Chamber or Accredited State Chamber with Distinction. The final determination is made by the Accrediting Board, a committee of U.S. Chamber board members.
LACCE Chamber of the Year
The Jefferson Chamber was honored as the state’s leading chamber of commerce of 2023 in the Large Chamber category, selected by the Louisiana Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (LACCE), at the LACCE Annual Awards Show in Lake Charles in September.
“This award is an incredible honor and a testament to the hard work of our staff and their commitment to serving our community and members,” said Ruth Lawson, President of the Jefferson Chamber. “We are so grateful to our Board of Directors, members, and volunteers because this would not be possible without their support.”
To be considered for the chamber of the year honor, a chamber must submit examples of growth and progress in three areas vital to an organization’s success: community development, organizational development, and professional development. The Jefferson Chamber was recognized for its effective networking and communications initiatives, providing education and business development opportunities for members, contributing to the parish’s advocacy and government relations, and its efforts with community engagement and social impact.
“I am so proud of our Five-Star Accredited Chamber, the staff, and our thriving business community,” said Al Galindo, 2023 Chairman of the Jefferson Chamber. “We’ve experienced tremendous growth throughout the past year, and we are excited to continue doing our part to make Jefferson Parish the best place to live, work, and play.”
A panel of independent judges, who are also chamber executives from across the country, reviewed the Louisiana chambers and determined which chambers were considered the best in three categories: Small Chamber, Medium Chamber and Large Chamber. It is the goal of the LACCE Chamber of the Year Award program to recognize those chambers that have distinguished themselves and their community through excellence in chamber management.
Ruth Lawson Named To ACCE’s Prestigious Forty Under 40 List
President of the Jefferson Chamber, Ruth Lawson, was named to the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) 40 Under 40 list for 2023.
Since taking over the helm of the organization, Ruth has devoted her efforts to elevating member experiences through signature events, spearheading committee involvement, augmenting communications and advocating for the future of business.
“Ruth is worthy of this prestigious recognition for her leadership and staunch effort strengthening the Jefferson Chamber’s position as a primary advocate for business prosperity in Greater New Orleans,” said 2023 Jefferson Chamber Board Chairman Al Galindo. “Ruth’s ambition to learn, empower others, and drive positive change in the community and her workplace distinguishes her from her peers.”
Lawson provides leadership to the Industrial Zoning Alliance and the Louisiana House Speaker appointed her to the Early Childhood Care & Education Commission. Each of these endeavors fostered a stronger bond among the chamber, elected officials and the business community. This was evidenced when, for the first time in the organization’s 26-year history, the chamber eclipsed 950 members in 2023.
ACCE is dedicated to recognizing and supporting the most talented professionals in the chamber industry. This annual recognition program showcases 40 of the industry’s top emerging leaders who have demonstrated success in their careers and made significant contributions to the communities they serve. The list includes CEOs and staff professionals from a wide variety of roles and chamber sizes. Their creativity, dedication and commitment to identifying innovative solutions will help shape the future of the chamber profession.
