Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Named Finalist for 2025 National Chamber of the Year Award
The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce has been named a finalist for the 2025 Chamber of the Year award, presented by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, ACCE represents over 1,600 chambers of commerce and related business and economic development organizations across the globe, serving more than 9,000 professionals in the industry.
Sponsored by GrowthZone, the Chamber of the Year award is the highest honor in the chamber industry. It recognizes outstanding achievement in operations, member services, and community leadership. Chambers receiving this distinction have demonstrated exceptional impact in areas like education, transportation, economic prosperity, and overall quality of life.
“This year’s finalists represent excellence in the chamber industry,” said ACCE President & CEO Sheree Anne Kelly. “Each has shown how chambers can lead as community partners, forward-thinking leaders, and problem solvers to drive growth and make a lasting impact on regional prosperity. We congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition.”
The winners of the Chamber of the Year award will be announced on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, during the Awards Show presented by Comcast Business at the ACCE Annual Convention in Philadelphia.
“We are honored to be named a finalist for Chamber of the Year by ACCE,” said Heather Kasten, President and CEO of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. “This recognition reflects the dedication of our team, board, and members who work tirelessly to elevate the Sarasota region. It’s a true privilege to be acknowledged alongside such accomplished peers and to represent the impactful work happening in our community.”
To qualify, chambers must undergo a rigorous multi-phase evaluation process. Eligibility requires meeting or exceeding benchmarks in at least three of five key performance metrics from ACCE’s Annual Chamber Operations Survey, including net revenue, membership retention, and organizational assets.
Finalists are selected through a written application and scoring process conducted by peer chamber executives. Those selected then advance to an interview before a panel of seasoned chamber professionals. To ensure fairness, chambers are grouped into four categories based on factors such as annual revenue, membership size, staff capacity, and area demographics. A strict conflict-of-interest policy ensures impartial judging across all levels.
About the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE):
ACCE supports professionals leading local, regional, and international chambers of commerce. With over 1,600 member organizations worldwide, ACCE provides education, resources, benchmarking, and peer networking to advance chamber leadership and community development.
About GrowthZone:
GrowthZone is a leading provider of association management software that empowers organizations to streamline operations, grow membership, and boost engagement.
About the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce:
The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating economic prosperity and quality of life in the Sarasota region. To learn more, call (941) 955-8187 or visit sarasotachamber.com.
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