The Manatee Chamber of Commerce recently won a national communications award competing against Chambers from across the country. The Manatee Chamber's Member Handbook & Benefits Guide, published annually, was recognized with a national Chamber communications award by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). The Handbook won a Bronze ACE Award in the Special Publications category.

"This is a signature marketing piece for the Manatee Chamber," said Jacki Dezelski, Vice President, Community Development & Communications for the Manatee Chamber. "We spent hundreds of hours compiling information, editing content and designing the Handbook. It was created to offer a 'one-stop' source of information on all that the Manatee Chamber does to strengthen local businesses and enhance the quality of life in Manatee County."

The Handbook, written and designed in-house, informs
members and prospective members about the more than 100 programs, initiatives, committees and benefits of membership in the Manatee Chamber of Commerce. It categorizes everything the Chamber does into nine areas (e.g. networking, learn something new, contribute to our community, etc.) so that members can easily find the programs that matter the most to them.

Since the Handbook's creation in 2011, Blake Medical Center has sponsored the Manatee Chamber's Handbook to help underwrite the costs of publishing and distributing this 40-page book.

CAPTION FOR ATTACHED PHOTO: Chamber Vice President of Community Development & Communications Jacki Dezelski, Chamber Chairman of the Board John Horne of the Anna Maria Oyster Bar, Blake Medical Center CEO Dan Friedrich and Blake Medical Center Director of Marketing & Community Relations Stephanie Petta pictured with the Manatee Chamber's Bronze ACE Award for Communications Excellence.