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Blowing Rock, Boone Area Chambers Receive Honors at Carolinas Chamber Conference

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By Jesse Wood

The Blowing Rock and Boone chambers were recognized as the 2016 recipients of the Carolinas Accredited Chamber distinction at Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives annual management conference in Chapel Hill on Oct. 20.

The two High Country chambers along with Greater Smithfield-Selma Area in North Carolina and North Augusta in South Carolina received the “prestigious” designation this week, which brings the total number of accredited chambers in the Carolinas to 24.

“The CACCE Carolinas Accredited Chamber program sets standards of excellence for chambers in North and South Carolina. It recognizes chambers that have met those standards while offering guidelines for others to improve their effectiveness. The program follows the U.S. Chamber model, and it shows that a chamber has gone through a detailed analysis of what and where they are as an organization,” a release from the CACCE states.

In addition to the accreditation, the Blowing Rock Chamber was named “Outstanding Chamber of the Year” for the Carolinas and Charles Hardin, executive director of the Blowing Rock Chamber was named “Carolinas Certified Chamber Executive.”

In a note to supporters about the honors, the Blowing Rock Chamber said, “The Chamber has gone through a lot of changes during the last year and our entire team has worked diligently to continue to grow and make positive changes to benefit our members. We are extremely proud of these awards and look forward to continuing to serve our members! Thank you for supporting us! We are greater together.”

Reached on Friday afternoon for comment, Hardin said, “Well, we are extremely honored to be the Chamber of the Year for North Carolina and South Carolina and it shows the depth of professionalism of our team and all the hard work they’ve put in to get that award. We are all excited about that.”