Texas Border Business
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has awarded the McAllen Chamber of Commerce the prestigious Five Star Accreditation designation, in recognition of its sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and significant positive impact on the community it serves.
Only 2% of chambers nationwide, out of 7,000, receive this designation. The McAllen Chamber of Commerce is the only chamber in the Rio Grande Valley to be awarded this honor.
“Earning the Accreditation designation is a testament to a chamber’s unwavering dedication to excellence and its pivotal role in fostering a thriving business environment,” said Raymond P. Towle, Vice President, Federation Relations and Coalition Partnerships at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “This achievement highlights the chamber’s commitment to strong leadership, innovative programming, and meaningful contributions that drive economic growth and opportunity within their communities. It is a well-deserved recognition of their outstanding efforts to support and empower local businesses.”
The U.S. Chamber’s Accreditation Program establishes the benchmark for excellence in the chamber industry, promoting a pro-business environment nationwide. To earn Accreditation, chambers must meet rigorous standards in areas such as governance, finance, government affairs, communications, and technology. This comprehensive self-assessment process, which typically spans 6-9 months, reflects a chamber’s dedication to continuous improvement and measurable progress.
Local chambers are rated as Accredited, 3-Stars, 4-Stars, or 5-Stars, while state chambers are recognized as either Accredited State Chamber or Accredited State Chamber with Distinction. The final determination is made by the Accrediting Board, a committee of U.S. Chamber board members and chamber CEOs from across the country.
This Five-Star designation is the highest possible achievement for a local chamber to earn as part of the Accreditation program, and it underscores the McAllen Chamber of Commerce’s commitment to excellence and its role as a vital advocate and resource for the business community, fostering growth, innovation, and opportunity for its members and the region it serves.
“The McAllen Chamber Team proudly acknowledges its recognition as the only five-star chamber in the Rio Grande Valley. This designation reflects the standard to which we hold ourselves and our commitment to delivering for our community every day,” said Elizabeth Suarez, President and C.E.O. of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and McAllen Economic Development Corporation.
“This recognition belongs to every entrepreneur, business owner, and community member who shows up to McAllen Chamber of Commerce programs. The small business community is what makes this region extraordinary,” said Jorge Sanchez, Senior Vice President of Small Business and Innovation. “The 5-Star Accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reaffirms what we already know: our community is exceptional, and the work we do together matters. There are over 50 programs for every type of business, yet our mission remains the same – to foster economic mobility and make resources accessible to all.”
Information source: McAllen Chamber of Commerce
