The Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) (www.acce.org) has designated CeCe Hipps, President of the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce, as a Certified Chamber Executive (CCE). The CCE is the only national certification for chamber professionals.
The CCE program assesses and tests the applicant’s knowledge of core chamber management areas-management, planning and development, membership and communication, and operations,” says Bob Quick, CCE, president and CEO of Commerce Lexington Inc. and CCE commission chairman. “Chamber professionals who are designated CCEs have rightfully earned this outstanding recognition through hard work, countless hours of dedication to their field, and leadership of their chamber to achieve the chamber’s goals. We are proud to have this year’s class join a long tradition of professional excellence.”
Hipps was one of seven chamber executives in the nation who earned the CCE designation which was awarded August 10 during ACCE’s Convention in Savannah, Georgia. Since the program was initiated more than 40 years ago, only about 500 individuals have earned this highest designation in the industry.
“The Chamber Executive Committee and its board congratulate CeCe on this achievement,” says Nyda Bittmann-Neville, Haywood Chamber Board Chair. “We are very proud of her as this certification program is rigorous. Haywood County and the Chamber are fortunate to have her leadership, integrity, expertise, and knowledge which have advanced the efforts for our business community.”
Hipps began her career in the Chamber profession in 1990 at the Cary Chamber of Commerce where she spent ten years. In 2001, she joined the Asheville Chamber of Commerce for two years and then accepted the position of the President of the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce in October 2004.
She graduated from the 2001 Class of Leadership North Carolina and received the Institute of Organizational Management certification from the US Chamber of Commerce in 2004. Hipps completed the UNC School of Government Introductory Course in Economic Development in 2012.
Hipps currently serves as a board member of the NC Rural Center, Tourism and Development Authority and the Economic Development Council of Haywood County. She served on the committee and worked with key community leaders that received the Advantage West Certified Entrepreneurial Certification making Haywood County the First Certified Entrepreneurial Community assuring programs and support were available for aspiring businesses.
In 2014 the Haywood County commissioners approved the merger of Economic Development under management of the Haywood Chamber of Commerce to generate new energy and enthusiasm around economic development in Haywood.
About ACCE
Established in 1914, ACCE is an association of 7,000 leaders from 1,300 chambers of commerce, including 93 of the top 100 U.S. metro areas. The combined membership of ACCE chambers exceeds 1.2 million businesses. Chamber leaders look to ACCE for best practices, networks and new ideas that will help them advance the interests of their communities. ACCE recommends successful programs and strategies, and identifies trends, partners and business models that show promise. For more information, visit www.acce.org.