Alexandria, Va. (June 2, 2026) —The Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce has been named one of 12 Communications Award of Excellence winners by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). ACCE is an association based in Alexandria, Virginia, that has over 1,600 chambers of commerce and related business and economic development organizations as members, representing more than 9,000 professionals in the industry.

ACCE’s Awards for Communications Excellence (ACE) program is designed to showcase top communications and marketing work of chambers of commerce and similar organizations. 

The Chillicothe Ross Chamber was named an Award of Excellence winner for SciotoValleyForward.com, a website created after the announcement of the paper mill closure in Chillicothe.

“We’re incredibly honored with this award from ACCE,” said Mike Throne, Chamber president and CEO. “I want to give special credit to Gracie McAllister, who was an intern at the time but put her heart and soul into the creative design of the site, and the Chillicothe-Ross Community Foundation, which helped us with the funding of the site.”

McAllister's efforts on the website were so good that the Chamber created a new full-time position to keep her skills in-house.

“Strong communications are central to how chambers lead, serve and demonstrate impact,” said ACCE President & CEO Sheree Anne Kelly. “This year’s Awards for Communications Excellence winners show what is possible when strategy, creativity and execution come together to engage members, elevate community priorities and tell the chamber story with clarity and purpose.”

The 12 winning entries will now compete for the Best in Show title within their respective annual revenue range categories. The three winning entries will be revealed at ACCE's annual convention in New Orleans during the July 21 awards show.

A panel of communications and marketing professionals from 16 U.S.-based chambers of commerce evaluated the entries submitted for this year’s competition. Entries were organized by category — based on the chamber’s annual revenue — and entry type: digital media, campaigns, print and electronic publications, and websites.

About the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives

Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) is the professional society supporting the people who lead local, regional, statewide and international chambers of commerce and related business and economic development organizations. Our membership includes more than 1,600 business/civic organizations worldwide. We provide our members with information resources, thought leadership, education programs, original research, benchmarking, retirement security and access to a network of peers. Learn more at acce.org.