Chamber remains among nation’s 5-Star elite

Top-level repeats are difficult to achieve in business as well as sports, but for the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce that feat has been accomplished.

For the second consecutive year, and second time in the organization’s history, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has conferred upon the regional group of business and civic leaders its 5-star accreditation, making it one of two chambers in the state of Louisiana to hold the top honor and one of only 67 in the nation.

“Being accredited at the 5-star level says a lot about an organization,” said U.S. Chamber president John Gonzales during the local chamber’s membership meeting last Tuesday at Houma’s Courtyard Marriott Hotel.

“[The Houma-Terrebonne Chamber] shows it is eager to review, prove and promote sound business practices,” Gonzales said. “It signifies leadership … and the chamber’s commitment to advancing the united interest of the business community.”

“I want to acknowledge the fact that we are a volunteer organization,” said Houma Terrebonne Chamber Chairman J.J. Buquet upon accepting the award. “[I] did not achieve this. [All of our members] achieved this.”

Buquet, who took office at the beginning of this year, noted that the elements that went into this accreditation were accomplished during the tenure of past Chamber Chairman Dr. Glenn Manceaux.

There are more than 3,000 chambers of commerce across the nation. The Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce has approximately 820 members.

“We have grown by about 15 percent during the past three years,” said Houma-Terrebonne Chamber President Drake Pothier. “[This designation] proves to our members that the chamber’s programs and our services are effective. We do as good as we can on behalf of our members as any other chamber.”

“Some of our best and most active chambers are 5-star,” Gonzales said. He noted that the Shreveport chamber is the only other Louisiana location with a 5-star tag. “In all of Texas we only have four. We have anywhere from smaller chambers to larger chambers [with this designation].”

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce marked its 99th anniversary in April, and among its various chapters represents more than 3 million businesses. It is recognized as one of the most influential professional organizations in the nation.

Local chapters receive accreditation levels of 3-stars, 4-stars and 5 stars based on annual performance.