Tampa Bay Chamber’s Katie Lopez Earns Elite Certification
Lopez part of 2026 Certified Chamber Executive class
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — July 21, 2026 — Katie Lopez, Tampa Bay Chamber's Vice President of Advocacy, has been designated a Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). ACCE is an association based in Alexandria, Virginia, that has over 1,600 chambers of commerce and related business and economic development organizations as members, representing more than 9,000 professionals in the industry.
The CCE program assesses and tests the applicant's knowledge of core chamber management areas: management, planning and development, membership, communications and revenue and operations. Chamber professionals who are designated CCEs earned this prestigious recognition through hard work, countless hours of dedication to their field and leadership of their chamber to achieve the chamber’s goals.
"Certified Chamber Executives represent the highest level of professional achievement in our industry," said Justin McLaughlin, CCE, executive vice president and COO of the Tulsa Regional Chamber and chair of the CCE Commission. "This year's recipients have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to leadership, innovation and excellence, setting an example for chamber professionals across the country."
Lopez is one of 19 chamber professionals from across 12 states, to earn the Certified Chamber Executive designation in 2026. The first CCE designation was conferred more than 40 years ago. It is recognized as the highest and most elite professional designation in the chamber profession. It’s the only globally-recognized certification program exclusive to the chamber of commerce industry.
Learn more about ACCE’s CCE program by visiting www.ACCE.org/CCE.
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About the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives
Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) is the professional association supporting the people who lead local, regional, statewide and international chambers of commerce and related business and economic development organizations. Our membership includes more than 1,600 business/civic organizations worldwide. We provide our members with information resources, thought leadership, education programs, original research, benchmarking, retirement security and access to a network of peers. For more information, visit www.ACCE.org.