APPLETON — "To say we are excited and honored to be named Chamber of the Year ... is an understatement," Becky Bartoszek, president and CEO of Fox Cities Chamber, said in an announcement Thursday morning.
The chamber was named a 2024-2025 Chamber of the Year by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives at the association's annual conference on Wednesday and awards show in Dallas.
“This recognition affirms the strength of our Chamber and members, as we partner together to drive economic growth and prosperity for the region," she said. "To win this award, especially during our 150th anniversary year, is very special.”
The award is the association's most prestigious, and most competitive, according to the chamber. The association counts more than 1,600 chambers and similar organizations around the world among its members, and those competing for this award must participate in a "vigorous multi-state process." This includes a written application detailing the chamber's organization, operation and programming, which is scored by peers. Finalists are then interviewed by a panel of industry professionals.
To keep things fair, the chamber said, applicants are grouped into four categories based on their revenue, membership, the population of the area they serve and more. The Fox Cities Chamber took the award in category 3.
Highlighted in the chamber’s application, the announcement said, were the chamber’s Connect Free membership model and the community impact of Appleton’s Octoberfest.
“I am incredibly proud of the Chamber team and the work that they do every day,” Tim Hoff, chair of the Fox Cities Chamber board, said in the announcement. “The Connect Free Membership Model is the type of innovative thinking that serves as a great example of what is possible when you think outside the box. This award is a true testament of the difference the Fox Cities Chamber team makes.”
The chamber also named one of the association's 12 Award for Communications Excellence winners, for their communications and marketing work. The chamber's winning submission was its Fox Cities Chamber Sponsorship Booklet.
The booklet, which was launched early in the fourth quarter of last year, was available in both digital and print versions and outlined the chamber's main events and programs, their impact and a "matrix of sponsorship benefits for each," according to Laura Wiegert, EVP of Marketing & Events for the chamber.
"It was a huge boon to our sponsorship solicitation efforts, which helps fund our Chamber mission," she said.
For more information on the chamber and its awards and its anniversary, visit foxcitieschamber.com/chamber-150th-anniversary/.
Taima Kern is editor of the Post-Crescent. Reach her at tkern@gannett.com or 920-907-7819.
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