Cue the champagne and balloons, because Greater Winston-Salem Inc. was just named best Chamber of the Year, beating out major cities (and even entire states) to earn the highest designation awarded in the industry.

Here’s why this is a huge win for WS.

11 times smaller than other finalists

Bestowed by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, or ACCE, this prestigious designation is typically reserved for chambers with larger operations.

Greater Winston-Salem Inc. was one of three finalists in the largest category, joined by the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and the State Chamber of Oklahoma. For context, Phoenix has a population of 1.6 million, and Oklahoma has a whopping 4 million.

Yep, that’s 11+ times larger than our humble Twin City.

National prominence incoming

You can bet this underdog victory by our bustling-but-mid-sized city turned some heads.

Chambers around the country are now looking to Winston-Salem as a testament to the power of community-driven change.

Chambers of Commerce play a vital role in promoting regional prosperity, and few have done that more effectively over the past few years than Greater Winston-Salem Inc.

Fueled by impactful policies in economic development, talent and workforce programming, and more, the organization has spearheaded near-unprecedented economic growth.

They’ve been behind:

$803.7 million in capital investment and 2,033+ jobs generated since 2020.
$889,000 in Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) grants distributed
The establishment of talent development programs and economic mobility efforts, including:
- Forsyth Works
- ASPIRE Work-Ready Credential and Internship program
- Senior Academy
- World of Work
- And more

It’s a Winston-Salem party and we’re all invited

With the recent win still fresh, there's no better time to join the Chamber. Membership offers incredible value, from free weekly events to a range of membership opportunities.

By joining Greater Winston-Salem Inc., you can benefit from enhanced business promotion, talent retention, and increased visibility, all while connecting with the local community in meaningful ways.

And we think we speak for everyone when we say: we can’t wait to see what our all-star Chamber does next.

Get involved + become a member