Campaigns Win

Community impact campaigns win Comms Excellence Best in Show

ACCE's Awards for Communications Excellence competition annually showcases the top communications and marketing work of chambers of commerce and similar organizations. A panel of 16 communications and marketing professionals from U.S.-based chambers of commerce evaluated the entries submitted for this year’s competition. Judges presented 12 Awards of Excellence, of which three were selected as Best in Show.

The three Best in Show winners were campaign entries. While each is unique in design and execution, they all demonstrate a chamber’s relevance and community impact.

Category One
Chamber Member Ribbon-Cutting Promotional Campaign | Etowah Chamber (Ala.)

Every business milestone, whether a grand opening or an anniversary celebration, is a momentous occasion. It’s the realization of a dream, hard work and perseverance. To commemorate that special day, the Etowah Chamber provides members celebrating a ribbon-cutting, groundbreaking, anniversary or similar achievement a completely free media campaign package. It includes photography and a short promotional video (including drone footage) produced by chamber staff, as well as a broadcast of that video across the chamber’s social media accounts.

“We are touched by the stories and big moments we can capture from our ribbon-cutting events,” said Jonathan Vo, the chamber’s marketing and events manager. “We speak with the member before the ribbon-cutting so we can provide a personalized video that is authentic to what they do and shares their story.”

Each video highlights the celebrating business or organization as they discuss their successes, services offered and goals for the community. Members can later use the video for marketing purposes.

The media campaign package is a win for everyone involved. Members receive valuable exposure at no cost, the community is engaged and informed about local happenings and the chamber enhances its relevance. This strategy strongly associates the chamber with helping new and growing businesses and supporting them by sharing their stories.

“Whether it's a small locally-owned business, big industry, a new community feature or an anniversary, we want to make sure our community is informed and knows that we as a chamber are hand-in-hand with our local businesses and committed to making an impact,” explained Vo.

Category Two
ACCESS 2023: Economic Growth Conference | Greater Manchester Chamber (N.H.)

The Greater Manchester Chamber believes that a healthy physical environment makes a location desirable, competitive and an economically vibrant place to live. This mindset, along with the chamber’s priority to create equitable pathways to economic prosperity for all in the greater Manchester region, sparked the idea for ACCESS 2023, a new, regional economic growth conference.

“Our approach to build ACCESS as a regional conference reflected our commitment to building a thriving, sustainable and equitable community for tomorrow,” said Lauren Getts, the chamber’s vice president for economic development and strategic communications.

Sessions focused on the roles of talent, innovation and livability in economic success. Attendees gained actionable ideas to contribute to personal development, business growth and community advancement.

The marketing campaign portrayed ACCESS as an innovative and forward-thinking conference. “We needed to make it clear that ACCESS has something for everyone, whether you are a business owner, economic development professional or simply have an interest in the growth and prosperity of Greater Manchester and New Hampshire,” added Getts.

To help promote the event, the chamber brought in member partners to help bring their vision to life, as well as showcase their expertise in the form of in-kind sponsorship. For example, New Hampshire Business Review and New Hampshire Public Radio assisted with promotion and a Manchester-based creative agency developed the conference’s brand identity.

The Greater Manchester Chamber team is proud of the ACCESS campaign and the event’s success. “It had been a decade since we launched such a significant program,” said Getts. “Together with our partners, our team of five brought our passion, determination and skill sets to turn the vision of ACCESS into a reality.”

Category Three
Chamber Effect Marketing Campaign | Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce (Tenn.)

Chambers are often asked, “What can the chamber do for me?” The Nashville Area Chamber’s Chamber Effect Marketing Campaign delivered the answer. By leveraging the power of storytelling, this comprehensive media campaign illustrated the impact of chamber membership on Middle Tennessee's business landscape.

“Our campaign's objective was clear,” said Sara Zakhary, vice president of marketing and communications at the chamber. “We highlighted the tangible benefits of chamber membership, fostered a deeper sense of community and encouraged further investment in the vibrant Middle Tennessee region.”

The initiative’s strategy was based on dynamic, targeted social media advertising and organic outreach. It sought to create a resonant narrative that would engage the chamber’s targeted demographic: Middle Tennessee's business owners and decision-makers.

Through a curated blend of print and digital media, alongside professionally produced short interview-style testimonials from a diverse group of business leaders, the chamber painted a vivid picture of the Chamber Effect. It spotlighted the unique benefits of engagement with the chamber, including community building, strategic networking and regional investment opportunities.

Social media videos and digital advertising fostered a sense of belonging and community. To fine-tune their reach even further, the campaign also targeted businesses formed within the last two to five years. This ensured that emerging leaders were exposed to how chamber membership could accelerate their growth and impact.

With the campaign’s multi-channel approach, the chamber successfully demonstrated how storytelling can drive engagement, promote local businesses and foster economic growth. “We're proud of the campaign,” said Zakhary. “It reflected and reinforced the Nashville Area Chamber’s role as a unifier.”