June 21, 2004
CONTACT:
Kim Egan, Communications Coordinator
kegan@fcchamber.org
(970) 482-3751 x 108

The Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce constantly strives to provide the best programs and activities to improve business and build a better community. Over the past year, the organization went through an extensive self-review as part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Accreditation Program.

On June 8, 2004, the U.S. Chamber awarded the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce with 4-Star Accreditation. After the lengthy process, the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce was one of only three chambers of commerce to receive the prestigious designation during this review period, while 45 received three or fewer stars.

What does accreditation mean? Accreditation means that our chamber of commerce is recognized nationally as offering quality programs, practicing sound organization procedures and reliably contributing to positive change in the community.

"Accreditation is one of the highest honors bestowed on local chambers fighting for [economic]-growth and jobs policies at the federal, state, and local level," said Thomas J. Donohue, U.S. Chamber President and CEO. "We are proud to recognize these chambers and their members for helping to advance the principles of free enterprise ? the bedrock of this prestigious award."

In order to receive accreditation, the Fort Collins Chamber was required to demonstrate competency in the following areas: governance, finance, human resources, government affairs, program development, communication, technology and facilities.

The Accreditation examining committee noted several areas of excellence for the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce. Specifically, the Government Affairs, Communications and Event programs exceed standards for other chambers of commerce.

?This chamber has done very a very good job in many areas,? said the Accreditation Review Board. ?Special recognition noted for redesign of the Government Affairs program in 2003.?

Since 1964, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has invited state and local chambers of commerce to participate in its Accreditation Program. The program was designed to stimulate a continuous self-analysis of an organization?s growth and development with an opportunity to reassess its objectives, organization resources, program of work, procedures, and achievements.

The accreditation program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the only one of its kind to monitor the dynamic chamber of commerce industry. Established by a team of chamber executives in 1964, the program was developed for continuous improvement of local chambers of commerce. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

To view a complete list of newly accredited chambers, visit http://www.uschamber.com/chambers/programs/accreditation/recent.htm.

If you are interested in learning more about our accreditation, please contact Kim Egan at (970) 482-3746 at kegan@fcchamber.org or visit www.fortcollinschamber.com and click on the 4-Star Accreditation logo.

David L. May
Chamber President & CEO
Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce
(970) 482-3746
davidmay@fcchamber.org

Kim Egan
Communications Coordinator
Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce
(970) 482-3746
kegan@fcchamber.org

Gretchen Welch
Manager, program Development Federation Relations
U.S. Chamber of Commerce,br> Washington D.C.
(202) 463-5478,br> gwelch@uschamber.com
www.uschamber.com