APPLETON, WI – (WGBW & WISS) – The Fox Cities Chamber was named the best chamber in the nation (in Category 3). The Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) presented the award at the ACCE Annual Conference Awards Show in Dallas on July 17th.

“To say we are excited and honored to be named Chamber of the Year by ACCE is an understatement,” said Becky Bartoszek, President and CEO of Fox Cities Chamber in a press release. “To win this award, especially during our 150^thanniversary year, is very special.”

The award, considered the most prestigious and competitive award for chambers of commerce, recognizes the leadership role the chambers have in their communities.

*The Fox Cities Chamber staff accepts the Chamber of the Year Award at the recent Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Annual Conference Awards Show in Dallas, TX.* (Photo Courtesy of Fox Cities Chamber)

To compete for the award, chambers qualify in a vigorous multi-stage process. It starts with written applications, which are scored by peer chamber executives. Then the finalists are interviewed by a panel of experienced chamber professionals.

“The final stage was a live interview,” said Laura Wiegert, Executive Vice President of Marketing & Events at the Chamber. “They grilled us for like 45 minutes. It was very stressful!”

Fox Cities Chamber Connect Free

Wiegert said there were numerous highlights in the Fox Cities Chamber’s application, including the community impact of Appleton’s Octoberfest and programs like the Chamber’s Connect Free Membership model.

“We offer a free membership for small businesses,” said Wiegert. “We’re one of the few in the nation that does this. And we’re the only one that does it this way – If you have five or fewer employees you get a free membership. If you are a non-profit with 10 or fewer employees, you get a free membership – Or any restaurant in the Fox Cities.”

By offering the Chamber’s Connect Free Membership, 700 small businesses have become members of the Fox Cities Chamber for no cost.

Another program that Wiegert said sets The Fox Cities Chamber apart is the “Network Builder” program.

“It’s like match.com for businesses. It’s all digital,” said Wiegert. “You’d sign up. Say your interest. Then a computer would match you with another business professional with the same interest. And you’d get an email saying, ‘Hey! You guys match!’”

Pulse Young Professionals

Wiegert also mentioned the Pulse Young Professionals Network with the chamber as a program that sets them apart with almost 800 members.

“This is our future. These are our future leaders. They are our future businesses. They are our community. So we feel that it’s very important to invest in them and support them,” said Wiegert.

The network is typically made up of professionals 40 years old and younger. But, Wiegert says, they don’t card at the door! So anyone can participate. Joining the Pulse Young Professionals is free, and membership in the chamber is not required.

The Fox Cities Chamber has resources and support for businesses of all sizes and types.

“Because it takes everybody. It takes a village, like they say, to be successful. We connect them with the tools and resources,” said Wiegert. “There are marketing opportunities. We do advocacy for small businesses – for all business sizes. So we are here for any size business that wants to grow.”

The Fox Cities Chamber serves Outagamie, Calumet, and northern Winnebago Counties. It is the second-largest Chamber in the state.

To ensure the fairest competition, applicants were grouped into four categories based on annual revenue, membership, area population, and other factors. The Fox Cities Chamber was the leader in Category 3.

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