Branson chamber earns top U.S. chamber accreditation

Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & Convention and Visitors Bureau has earned the highest accreditation score possible from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The Branson organization was awarded five-star accreditation, according to a news release.

Grant Sloan, vice president of member engagement for the Branson chamber, said via email that the organization was named a three-star chamber in 2013 and a four-star chamber in 2018. Based on chamber performance, organizations are accredited every five years by the U.S. chamber, said Sloan.

"Five-star accredited chambers of commerce are impactful advocates for the business community,” said Raymond P. Towle, U.S. chamber vice president, in the release. “When chambers earn this distinction, it is a mark of excellence for the organization, its staff and its leadership."

Less than 150 of 7,000 chambers nationwide have five-star accreditation through the U.S. chamber, officials say. The accreditation process, which can take more than nine months to complete, reviews organizations' policies, operations and programming.

"Accredited chambers are recognized for their ability to serve as a resource to their region’s businesses while maintaining transparent governance practices, sound financial controls, safe work environments, effective communications, and value in programming. It is an extraordinary accomplishment," Towle said in the release.

The U.S. chamber’s website lists other five-star chambers in Missouri as the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, the Lee's Summit Chamber of Commerce and the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce.

With 879 members, the Branson chamber ranked No. 2 on Springfield Business Journal's list this year of the area's largest chambers of commerce. The organization reported a 2024 budget of $14 million and 31 employees.