News from The Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce For additional information, please contact: Lacey K. Garner Image Manager 501.321.1700 lacey.garner@growinghotsprings.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE U.S. Chamber Awards Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce with 5-Star Accreditation (Hot Springs, AR) March 12, 2015 – The United States Chamber of Commerce Tuesday awarded the Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce with 5-Star Accreditation for its sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact on the community. This prestigious honor puts the Chamber among the top 1% of chambers nationwide. “Accreditation validates a chamber as having programs that benefit their local economy and for positively influencing action in their community,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, U.S. Chamber Executive Director of Political Affairs and Federation Relations. “We applaud this organization 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, finance, human resources, program development, facilities and technology and communications. This extensive self-review can take 6-9 months to complete. 2015 Chamber of Commerce Chairman and Accreditation Committee Chairman Forrest Spicher said, “The Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce recognition as a 5-star accredited organization puts the Hot Springs metropolitan area in an elite status among communities striving for excellence within its business segment. Every college sports team in America recruits and hopes to land the 5-star athlete. Now, we can promote our membership, board, staff, and community as having a 5-star chamber to get the interest and successful landing of businesses with higher paying jobs to our area.” “The highest designation from the nation’s most highly regarded business organization, the United States Chamber of Commerce, reflects the Greater Hot Springs Chamber’s success in representing the views and the goals of our 950+ businesses who employ over 23,000 people,” stated Jim Fram, President & CEO of the Greater Hot Springs Chamber. “I am extremely proud of our small but dynamic staff team who represent this organization professionally every day!” 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 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations. The Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce is an action agency designed to meet the needs of our community. It is a voluntary organization of individuals and businesses who band together to advance the commercial, financial, industrial and civic interests of our area. Among other things, it is also a civic clearinghouse, a public relations counselor, a legislative representative at the local, state, and national levels of government, an information bureau, and a research and promotion medium. For further information, contact Lacey Garner at 501.321.1700 or lacey.garner@growinghotsprings.com