Allen Smith Earns Chamber Certification

Submitted by Greer Chamber

The American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) has designated Allen Smith, president of the Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce, Certified Chamber Executive (CCE).

The CCE is the only national certification for chamber professionals. The announcement was made July 24 at ACCE’s annual convention in Oklahoma City.

“The applicants who are designated CCEs rightfully earn this outstanding recognition through hard work, countless hours of dedication to their field, and leadership of their chambers. We applaud this year’s recipients and are proud to have them join a long tradition of professional excellence,” says Raymond Burns, CCE, president and CEO of Rogers - Lowell Area (Ark.) Chamber of Commerce and CCE Commission Chairman.

Smith was one of 21 chamber executives in the nation who earned the CCE designation this year. The CCE program is designed to assess and test the applicant's knowledge of the core chamber management areas: management, planning and development, membership and communication, and operations.

Candidates are required to submit an application outlining their professional achievements and activities, write two essays, make a formal presentation, complete an intensive interview by a panel of CCEs, and pass a comprehensive four-hour examination. Since the program was initiated more than 40 years ago, approximately 530 individuals have earned this highest designation in the profession. Today there are about 270 active CCEs out of7,100 chambers nationwide.

Smith was hired as President/CEO of the Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce in June of 2010.  In 2011, the Greer Citizen named Smith “Citizen of the Year”.  In 2012, the Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce was named the “Carolinas Chamber of the Year.”  Prior to his arrival in Greer, Smith served as Senior Vice President of the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce where he was included in the 2009 list of “Top 40 Chamber Executives Under 40” by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives.  Smith and his wife reside in Greer where he is proud to serve the Greater Greer business community.