U.S. Chamber Announces Local Accreditation Awards
TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce Wins 5-Star Rating

Pottstown, PA - The United States Chamber of Commerce today awarded the TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce with 5-Star Accreditation for its effective organizational procedures and outstanding contribution to positive change in the community at the Annual Economic Development Luncheon. The TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce was one of four chambers across the country to receive this award at the November 8, 2005 U.S. Chamber board meeting. Seventeen chambers were recognized with some level of accreditation at the meeting.

US CHAMBER RANKS TRICOUNTY CHAMBER 5 STARS
Of the 6,936 chambers in the United States, 306 of these are Accredited.  These elite chambers represent the top 4% of all chambers in the U.S.  The national Accreditation statistics are as follows:

44 are Accredited – 14%
112 are 3-Star – 37%
105 are 4-Star – 34%
41 are 5-Star – 14%

"Accreditation is one of the highest honors bestowed on local chambers fighting for pro-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 TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce and its members for helping to advance the principles of free enterprise - the bedrock of this prestigious award."

To achieve accreditation, a chamber must meet minimum standards in their operations and programs, including: governance, government affairs, and technology. The final rating, Accredited, 3-Stars, 4-Stars, or 5-Stars, depends on the chamber's ability to successfully meet additional criteria, including: accountability, financial transparency, employee involvement,
political advocacy, and community involvement. The accrediting board, a panel of U.S. Chamber board members, votes on the final accreditation.

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. Rolled out in 1964, the Accreditation Program was developed by a team of chamber
executives and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce 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.