The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce has been named a finalist for the 2026 Chamber of the Year award, presented by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. 

The national award is the most prestigious recognition in the chamber industry, presented annually to organizations that demonstrate strength across community priorities including economic prosperity, education, and quality of life. Chambers must meet performance thresholds in membership retention and financial health, complete a comprehensive written application scored by peer executives, and advance through a finalist interview panel. Only three chambers in each of the four categories reach this stage each year, from a field representing more than 1,600 organizations and 9,000 professionals worldwide.

"With the type of work we do, especially for a community as special as this one, to be recognized by our industry peers reaffirms we are traveling in an impactful direction," said President/CEO David Jackson. "This process has helped us feel even more confident and energized about the way our organization is showing up for the High Country. It's also given us the motivation to look inward at the way we operate, what we prioritize, and how we best utilize the talents of our amazing staff. We are grateful for the chance to tell the story of our community in a nationwide context, and we are excited for the chance to learn from the other Chambers that join us as finalists for this special honor."

As part of the application, the Boone Area Chamber was asked to identify a focused area of community impact. They answered with Childcare as an Economic Development Priority. Over the past two years, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation has facilitated direct tuition support for families, stabilization grants for childcare centers during the federal government shutdown, professional development for early childhood educators, and a new campaign this fall to provide retention bonuses to childcare workers across Watauga County. Its 2025 effort was recognized by the NC Task Force on Child Care and Early Education as a proof-of-concept worth replicating statewide.

The chilcare work is one part of a broader picture. Through the Hope for the High Country Small Business Resiliency Disaster Grant Program, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation distributed more than $1.18 million to over 200 businesses across Watauga, Ashe, and Avery counties. 

The Chamber's work in this period also drew state-level recognition, including the 2024 Dogwood Award, a CACCE Communications Excellence Award, the NC Rural Center's Community Advocate of the Year, and designation as a 2025 Champion of Childcare.

Chamber of the Year winners will be announced live on Tuesday, July 21, at ACCE's Annual Convention in New Orleans.

Source: Boone Area Chamber.