The Michigan Association of Chamber Professionals (MACP) recognized the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber with the 2021 Award of Distinction at the MACP Leadership Conference & Annual Meeting held on October 22.
“Michigan chambers of commerce played an extraordinary role in keeping businesses informed about changes in government regulations, safety protocol, and funding relief sources,” said Joe Bauman, Chair of the Michigan Association of Chamber Professionals and President & CEO of the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber organizations across the state served as clearinghouses for thousands of businesses and their communities struggling to make sense of rapidly changing mandates that forced many organizations to close their doors, move to remote operations, or identify essential employees overnight. Chamber staff worked tirelessly at the forefront to answer questions, direct resources, and advocate for the entire business community.
“Despite facing changes to their own business models and losing event revenue and dues investments from members going out of business, chambers stayed committed to serving the businesses in their communities and finding innovative ways to deliver programming,” said Bob Thomas, Chief Operating Officer of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.
The Michigan Association of Chamber Professionals traditionally awards the Outstanding Chamber of Commerce award to individual chambers of commerce based on a comprehensive application judged by chamber of commerce professionals from other state associations. This year, the association board of directors elected to award all the chambers in the state an award of distinction for their roles in supporting the business community and for making tough choices to survive the pandemic.
“Any chamber that is able to offer programs and support its members after a year of being shutdown deserves to be recognized,” said Bauman.
The Michigan Association of Chamber Professionals is the industry association for over 300 chambers in Michigan. Its mission is to build excellence in chambers of commerce through organizational and board-level resource support, professional development for chamber staff and to promote the importance of chambers of commerce across the state.
