FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: March 12, 2007

From: Sylvie D. Nelson, Executive Director

518-891-1990

www.saranaclake.com

PRESS RELEASE

Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce

Receives Four Star Accreditation from U.S. Chamber of Commerce

SARANAC LAKE (NY) � Good news! The Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that after a comprehensive self-review, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has awarded the organization with a Four Star Accreditation. This prestigious honor puts the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce in the top 10 percent of chambers nationwide. While a total of eleven chambers were awarded some level of accreditation, we were among only three receiving this distinguished four-star rating.

�A Four Star Accreditation means that the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is doing business right,� said Executive Director Sylvie Nelson. �The U.S. Chamber acknowledges that our programs, services and organizational procedures go above and beyond what is required from a Chamber, including involvement in local, state and national issues such as the marketing of the Adirondack Regional Airport, Qu�bec-New York Corridor, Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, and so much more. This could not have been achieved without the continuous commitment of our members as well as the dedication and hard work of our Board of Directors and volunteers and the professionalism of our staff.�

The Chamber was praised for its governance, human resources practices, and program development.

In order to achieve the Four Star Accreditation, the staff, board of directors and volunteers of the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce spent countless hours completing the Accreditation process. Our task: demonstrate competency in nine core areas ranging from finance to facilities. The result of our hard work is evidenced by this impressive rating. But in truth, we should all be extraordinarily proud of this milestone achievement. It was a true team effort.

The only national program recognizing chambers for their effective organizational procedures and community involvement, Accreditation allows us to renew, improve, and promote sound business practices, policies and procedures.

Of the 6936 chambers in the United States, only 298 are accredited. These chambers represent the top four percent of all chambers in the U.S. Of those, 71 are accredited, 99 are Three Stars, 96 are Four Stars and 29 are Five Stars. New York State has 10 chambers accredited and the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is one of only five chambers to have received a Four Star Accreditation. There are no Five Stars Accredited chambers in New York.

Local chambers are rated Accredited, 3-Stars, 4-Stars and 5-Stars. 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.

For more information, please contact the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce at 518-891-1990 or by e-mail at info@saranaclake.com.

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