As reported by the Wilson Times on November 18, the Wilson Chamber of Commerce was awarded Accreditation by the US Chamber of Commerce.  This marks the second time in our history that the Chamber has achieved this designation, the first coming in 2019.
 
A quick summary of what it means to be Accredited:  the US Chamber scores local chambers in nine categories of performance.  These categories include governance, finance, human resources, government affairs, program development, technology, communication, facilities, and benchmarking.  In short, the process is designed to be a comprehensive review of a chamber’s ability to serve its business community.  Chambers that clearly demonstrate excellence in each of the nine categories earn the Accreditation designation.  Chambers that do so in a surpassing way additionally earn 3-, 4-, or 5-star rankings.  The designation is valid for five years before reaccreditation is necessary.
 
The Wilson Chamber of Commerce is now Accredited with 4-stars, and is one of only four local chambers in North Carolina to be Accredited by the US Chamber.  Consider that there are more than 7,000 chambers of commerce nationwide, and only 194 hold an Accreditation (fewer than 3% of all chambers).
 
Accreditation is voluntary, and requires a rigorous, months-long examination of operations by the chamber’s staff and board of directors.  There are certainly local chambers of commerce who serve their communities with excellence who neither pursue nor achieve Accreditation, but the designation is an assurance that the Accredited chamber meets or exceeds every metric of service that should be expected from its business community.
 
The benefits to Wilson for maintaining an Accredited chamber of commerce can’t be understated.  First, since our vision is to be the representative voice of the Wilson business community, our community can be confident that we are speaking clearly, and influencing action that results in a stronger economy.  Recent economic development announcements prove that Wilson is an attractive destination for business.  This only happens when community partners coalesce around common goals that improve our quality of life.  The Chamber is regularly the place where those partners and goals converge, and where ideas are shared and relationships are built.
 
Secondly, Accreditation signals an exceptional value for members that invest in the Chamber’s mission.  The Chamber is the only organization in Wilson designed specifically for the purpose of building a market where all businesses can prosper.  The expansive array of programs and services we offer correspond with four pillars of market development:  networking, advocacy, marketing, and education.  Embedded within each of these pillars are countless opportunities for a business to build brand awareness, accelerate growth, and establish deep connections with community resources.  Accreditation required a thorough review of these opportunities, and affirmed that investment in the Chamber yields a return for local businesses that most cannot attain elsewhere.  If the Chamber didn’t exist, it would have to be created.
 
While the Accreditation designation is a standard of excellence that has come to be expected of our Chamber, it shouldn’t be taken for granted.  Meeting this standard requires strict oversight from a capable board of directors, and the talent of a diligent staff.  As our market grows, the pressures to serve our market increases, and responsibility we have to deliver our mission becomes even more important.  The only way to sustain this success is for more businesses to recognize the importance of a strong chamber of commerce through consistent, dependable membership.  Our duty is to ensure that this membership is affordable, attainable, and accessible to every business.
 
As we celebrate this accomplishment, and strive to better, we invite every business to be a member of the Wilson Chamber of Commerce and be part of Wilson’s premier business network.