The Tampa Bay Chamber staff with 2023 Tampa Bay Chamber Chair Brian Butler.
The Tampa Bay Chamber is starting out the new year with the coveted 5-star rating from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. It’s the highest rating given by the National Accrediting Board and one that only 2 percent of chambers in the United States achieve.
“This rigorous review includes all aspects of a chamber’s policies, operations, and programming,” said Raymond P. Towle, Vice President of Federation Relations in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which estimates there are approximately 7,000 chambers in the U.S.A. and only 202 of them are currently “Accredited”. Even fewer are designated 5-star.
“It means we’re doing a lot of things right, even coming out of COVID’s global pandemic,” said Brian Butler, Tampa Bay Chamber Chair. “I am extremely excited for the staff and the leadership, and for our 15,000 Chamber members as well! We have a phenomenal Chamber supporting and assisting our businesses, and that strengthens the entire region.”
Serving the Tampa Bay region since 1885, the Chamber first received its 5-star rating 2017 – 2022. The coveted reaccreditation for another five years takes the Chamber’s 5-star status into 2027!
To be considered even for accreditation by the U.S. Chamber, organizations must engage in meticulous review of its initiatives and demonstrate results in the following key areas:
- Reviewing, improving, and promoting strong business practices
- Recognizing leadership and outstanding contributions to the community
- Establishing best practices and staying-in step with industry changes
- Supporting the principles of free enterprise and promoting pro-growth policies at federal, state and local levels.
“It’s an honor that our team has been recognized among our peers for developing innovative programs that meet our community’s needs,” said Katie Lopez, Senior Director of Military and Workforce Development. A military spouse, herself, Lopez leads the Chamber’s programming connecting local businesses with the area’s large population of active military and points to a local favorite, the Transition Tampa Bay program as a local success story. The program helps active military at MacDill Air Force Base prepare for civilian careers up to a year prior to their scheduled transitions. “Over the last four years our military programs have prepared more than 500 transitioning service members and military spouses to enter the Tampa Bay business community. We certainly hope other chambers will see this as a best practice they can implement in their own communities,” she added.
(L-R) Brian Butler – Tampa Bay Chamber 2023 Chair, Dr. Bob Rohrlack –President & CEO, and Katie Lopez – Senior Director, Military and Workforce Development
Serving more than 1,000 companies in the Tampa Bay area, the Chamber works year-round on small business development, workforce development and women’s development as well as military programming. In the policy arena, teams are hard at work advocating on workforce housing, workforce development & education and diversity, equity & inclusion, just to name a few.
“It’s a win for our entire team that works so hard on programs and advocacy benefiting our community year-round,” said Dr. Bob Rohrlack, President & CEO of the Tampa Bay Chamber. “A 5-star rating from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the gold standard and we’re thrilled,” added Rohrlack, who leads 1 of only 9 chambers in Florida with this distinction.
The eight other 5-star chambers in Florida are SWFL, Inc. in Bonita Springs; Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce; Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce; Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce; Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce; Melbourne Regional Chamber of East Central Florida; Putnam County Chamber in Palatka; and the Osceola Chamber in Kissimmee.
Learn more about the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Accreditation.