North Myrtle Beach Times Serving our Community and the Grand Strand for over 50 years
By Pete Brooks
The United States Chamber of Commerce, at its board meeting last week, awarded the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureau with 5-Star Accreditation for its sound policies, effective organizational procedures and positive impact on the community.
“Accreditation validates a chamber as having programs that benefit its local economy and positively influence its community,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, U.S. Chamber vice president of Federation Relations and Institute for Organization Management. “We applaud these organizations for advancing the principles of free enterprise.”
Accreditation is the only national program that recognizes chambers for their effective organizational procedures and community involvement. In order to receive accreditation, a chamber must meet minimum standards in their operations and programs, including areas of governance, government affairs and technology. This extensive self-review can take six to nine months to complete.
“We are pleased to have earned recognition through the accreditation program. The performance standards and best practices within the accreditation criteria serve as internal benchmark of excellence,” said Cheryl Y. Kilday, CDME, president and CEO of the North Myrtle Beach Chamber/CVB. “This is the third consecutive five-year period of earning accreditation; two consecutive times earning 5-Star status and we are thrilled to have sustained our accreditation for 15 years!”, reported Kilday.
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.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than three million businesses of all sizes, sectors and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.
