The Conroe Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce, which celebrated its 90th anniversary last year, has been named a finalist for a national 2025 Chamber of the Year award.
The award is given by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives based in Alexandria, Va. The organization has more than 1,600 chambers of commerce and related business and economic development organizations as members, representing more than 9,000 professionals in the industry.
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“This year’s finalists represent excellence in the chamber industry,” said its president and CEO Sheree Anne Kelly. “Each has shown how chambers can lead as community partners, forward-thinking leaders and problem solvers to drive growth and make a lasting impact on regional prosperity. We congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition.”
Winners will be announced July 23 at ACCE’s annual convention in Philadelphia.
“The award, sponsored by GrowthZone, is the most prestigious and competitive award in the chamber industry, recognizing excellence in operations, member service and community leadership,” according to a release from the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.
Eligible chambers must meet minimum thresholds in at least three of five key performance areas in ACCE’s Annual Chamber Operations Survey, including net revenue and assets, membership account retention and membership dollar retention.
“We are sincerely honored and humbled by our selection as a Chamber of the Year finalist,” said Scott Harper, president of the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce on Friday. “It is a rigorous process; you must meet high standards just to apply. Then, you must demonstrate excellence in numerous areas. We’ve done that, and this selection validates our work.”
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The chamber was founded in 1934 as the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce by a group of enterprising Conroe businessmen.
Today, the nonprofit, community-based organization devoted to enhancing the economic growth of the greater Conroe and Lake Conroe area is more than 1,000 members strong.
Major projects of the chamber include its Lobsterfest fundraiser in October, Tastefest in the spring and the Athena awards luncheon celebrating female leaders in July. In February it partners with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Houston Metro Go Texan Committee Conroe/Willis/The Woodlands Subcommittee for the Go Texan Parade.
Throughout the year, the group hosts networking events and works closely with legislators during visits to Austin and Washington, D.C., to discuss issues important to the Conroe area.
Harper said the selection is the culmination of much hard work on the part of the staff, board, volunteers, members and the community.
“Even though the foundation was set in the years leading up to our selection, we hit some major strides in 2024, which is the year for which we’re being considered,” Harper said. “We were growing and enhancing our membership experience before we merged with the Montgomery Area Chamber last year, but that was certainly a catalyst for us. We’ve also expanded our networking, advocacy, marketing and professional development opportunities for all members.”
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