Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce wins national awards for special event and most improved publication

The Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce received two Awards for Communications Excellence (ACE) from the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). The Indianapolis Chamber earned a “Grand” award — ACE’s top distinction — for its newest signature event in 2005, “Business at the Brickyard.” The ACE Grand Award raises the standards and sets the pace for communications excellence. Only one entry from each of five categories is awarded this honor. From the five Grand winners, the Best of Show will be chosen.

The Indianapolis Chamber also received an award of merit in the Most Improved Publication category for the Catalyst, the Chamber’s quarterly magazine. Entries receiving ACE Award for Merit meet and exceed the fundamental standards and criteria for communications excellence. The Catalyst won a “Grand” award in 2004, in the Newsletter Excellence category. The magazine has since been transformed from a black-and-white tabloid style publication to a full-color magazine layout.

The ACE is an annual competition that recognizes excellence in all areas of chamber of commerce communications. ACE continues to be the vehicle for the chamber community to promote effective chamber communications as well as highlight initiatives, introduce events and inform members.

“We work hard to establish programs and benefits that will enhance our member’s organizations, so we’re honored any time we are recognized for these efforts,” said Roland M. Dorson, president of the Indianapolis Chamber. “The ACE Awards is a prestigious program and I am sure the competition was fierce, so it is especially gratifying to have our staff’s work recognized in this way.”

This year's ACE competition drew 280 entries from more than 125 chambers throughout the country. Forty judges spent more than 400 hours judging and providing comprehensive feedback for each participant. Judges backgrounds included experience in the fields of public relations, printing and design, special events planning, fundraising, journalism, economic development, web design and public policy.

For more information about the ACE awards, contact Marjorie Morgan, Program Logistics Manger for ACCE at 703-998-3546. More information about the ACE Awards can be found at www.acce.org.

About the Chamber: Founded in 1890 by Colonel Eli Lilly and a group of Indianapolis business leaders, the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce is the voice of the central Indiana business community. Today, with a membership of nearly 4,000 businesses, the Indianapolis Chamber is still a voice of progress and improvement, bringing together businesses for a thriving community. For more information on the Chamber, visit indychamber.com.

About ACCE: Established in 1914, ACCE is the only national association uniquely serving the professional development needs of individuals managing chambers of commerce throughout the United States and Canada. Representing more than 7,300 chamber professionals, ACCE enhances the knowledge, leadership skills, and management effectiveness of chamber executives and their staffs through education, trend analysis, benchmarking and best practices. ACCE promotes the highest standards of professional excellence and integrity within the chamber profession.