Wayne County Area Chamber’s Melissa Vance Earns Elite Certification

Vance part of 2025 Certified Chamber Executive class — the largest in the program’s history 

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — July 23, 2025 — Melissa Vance, Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce President & CEO, has been designated a Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) 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. 
 
The CCE program assesses and tests the applicant's knowledge of core chamber management areas: management, planning and development, membership, communications and revenue and operations. Chamber professionals who are designated CCEs earned this prestigious recognition through hard work, countless hours of dedication to their field and leadership of their chamber to achieve the chamber’s goals. 
 
“We applaud this year’s Certified Chamber Executives for their commitment to industry excellence,” said Tony Vedda, CCE, IOM, president & CEO of the North Texas LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce and chair of the CCE Commission. “Earning this designation highlights their expertise and dedication, distinguishing them as leaders in the chamber profession.” 
 
Vance is one of 26 chamber professionals from across 19 states, earning the Certified Chamber Executive designation in 2025. This year’s class is the biggest in the program’s history. The first CCE designation was conferred more than 40 years ago. It is recognized as the highest and most elite professional designation in the chamber profession. It’s the only globally recognized certification program exclusive to the chamber of commerce industry. 
 
Earning the CCE designation places Vance among an elite group of chamber professionals recognized for their strategic leadership, industry expertise, and dedication to community advancement. This achievement not only brings national recognition to the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce but also underscores its continued commitment to excellence in serving the region’s business community. The CCE credential affirms Vance’s role as a forward-thinking leader, guiding the Chamber in its mission to support economic development and create lasting impact throughout Wayne County. 
 
"My commitment to professional growth through continued learning, connecting with industry leaders, and partnering with organizations like ACCE will be key to driving our Chamber toward a new level of excellence," Vance said. 
 
Learn more about ACCE’s CCE program by visiting www.acce.org/. 
 
 
About the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives 
Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) is the professional association 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. For more information, visit www.ACCE.org. 
 
 
 
 
The Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce is your link to the Wayne County community! The businesses that thrive here and the people who make it happen! 
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We exist to foster an attractive, welcoming community that is rich in enterprise and growing in population and prosperity. ​

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