The Billings Chamber of Commerce was recognized last week with four national awards for outstanding programs and communications, including; Honorable Mention for “Smart Design, Safer Spaces” as an Outstanding Chamber Program, Third Place for their e-newsletters, First Place for their website, and the highest honor offered this year, Best Overall Communications Award, distinguishing them as the best among all Chambers in the Western U.S. in the communications field. The awards were announced by the Western Association of Chamber Executives (W.A.C.E.) during their live streamed annual convention.

The Outstanding Chamber Program award for “Smart Design, Safer Spaces” is a nod to the Chamber’s Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) program led by Business Advocacy Director Dan Brooks. CPTED is a method of analyzing the design of the built environment to identify and address areas that may unintentionally allow improper and unsafe use of the space. By assessing the elements of natural surveillance, access control, territorial reinforcement, and maintenance, they suggest simple alterations which can increase public safety.

Third place for Best E-Newsletter and first place for Best Website were awarded to the Billings Chamber for their outstanding content and relevancy for their community and business members. Sign up for their award-winning e-newsletter by visiting their recently refreshed website at www.BillingsChamber.com.

The Best Overall Communication Award is a special recognition of the “best and the brightest” in the chamber industry for incorporating multiple facets of media to communicate effectively to their community and to their business members. These awards are a testament to the quality of communication and valuable information the Billings Chamber produces that has assisted the 8,200 businesses of Yellowstone County throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and continues to do so. The Billings Chamber Communications team includes Kelly McCandless, Director of Communications and Workforce Development, and Marya Pennington, Public Relations Manager.

“It is such an honor for the Chamber team to be recognized on a national stage for the very important work we are doing. This recognition highlights our success in fulfilling our commitment to being a community champion and a catalyst for our members’ success,” said John Brewer, president and CEO.

W.A.C.E. is an association of chamber of commerce executives and staff professionals with approximately 825 members in 19 Western states and Canada. The association is designed to promote and enhance the professional development of chamber of commerce executives and is the largest state or regional chamber of commerce executives association in the United States.