The Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce recently received recognition from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives (KCCE) for Outstanding Special Event and Outstanding Membership Growth among local chambers of similar size. The Excellence Awards were given out during the KCCE Annual Conference last week in Frankfort.
The annual awards are presented based on size and budget for Chambers and the Paducah Chamber competes in the largest category which also includes the chambers in Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green and Northern Kentucky.
The Paducah Chamber’s 2015 DC Fly-In and Unveiling of Permanent Display at the Department of Energy Headquarters was selected for the Outstanding Special Event. The Paducah Chamber has as one of its major programs an annual Community Leaders Fly-In to DC. The Chamber has coordinated this trip for the past 13 years. Trip participants include Chamber Board members, community leaders and elected officials.
The 2015 trip had a special emphasis with the ‘unveiling of a permanent wall display of the Paducah DOE site’ in the Department of Energy’s (DOE) headquarters in DC. “This display now serves as a visible reminder of the Paducah site at the DOE headquarters,” said Sandra Wilson, Paducah Chamber President and CEO. In March 2015 Deputy Undersecretary David Klaus, along with other DOE officials, visited Paducah and toured the site. At a follow-up meeting Mr. Klaus highlighted the importance of the Paducah site, especially its past contributions to the security of our nation, and extended an invitation to the local community to have a permanent display in the DOE headquarters in DC. “The Chamber quickly accepted the challenge and agreed to serve as the lead in the production and coordination of the display,” Wilson added. “The display was a joint effort. The Department of Energy provided production and installation assistance, Fluor served as the sponsor of the display and provided graphic design services, and Swift and Staley provided photos published in the history book, The Story of the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant.”
The Paducah Chamber was also recognized for outstanding growth in 2015 of 7.2%.
KCCE is a statewide network of professionals dedicated to promoting professional education, ethical standards and efficiency in chamber of commerce management. The board of directors guides the professional development of chamber executives, employees and volunteers across the state. The organization has been serving chamber professionals for 50 years.
The Paducah Chamber is the region’s largest business advocacy organization with approximately 1,000 businesses as members. The Chamber has a strong partnership base with local businesses – both small and large, manufacturers, industries, local governments, non-profit organizations and individuals. In 2011 the Paducah Chamber was awarded the Chamber of the Year by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. The Paducah Chamber is also a 4-Star Accredited Chamber by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. This prestigious honor puts the Chamber among the top 10% of chambers nationwide. The Paducah Chamber is also one of only six Chambers statewide to receive the Kentucky Certified Chamber award.
