ChamberRVA has been named a recipient of the inaugural 2026 VACCE Chamber of the Year Award, presented by the Virginia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (VACCE) during its Awards Dinner held August 27 in Gordonsville. ChamberRVA was recognized in the Over 500 Members category, honoring chambers that demonstrate outstanding leadership, innovation and measurable impact in serving their members and advancing the economic vitality of their regions.

We’re proud to share this distinction alongside the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, recognized in the Under 500 Members category as part of this inaugural class of honorees.

This recognition reflects our region’s commitment to a systems-level approach: building the civic infrastructure that brings employers, educators, workforce organizations, philanthropy and government together around shared priorities, rather than simply adding more programs to an already full landscape. It’s work grounded in collaboration, and it shows up across our signature initiatives:

• Mission Tomorrow, the state’s largest career exploration fair, connecting approximately 12,000 eighth-grade students annually with more than 100 employers
• Next Generation Sector Partnerships, employer-led collaborations already established in Construction and Health Care, with efforts underway in Information Technology and Advanced Manufacturing
• InterCity Visit, bringing together nearly 200 regional leaders each year, alongside regional summits, policy forums and initiatives addressing housing, transportation, education and economic competitiveness

We’re grateful to VACCE for this honor, and even more grateful to our members, partners and staff who make this work possible every day. This award isn’t just a reflection of what we’ve built. It’s a reminder of what we can accomplish together as we keep working to strengthen the Richmond region.