Dawson County Chamber of Commerce President Christie Haynes was recently awarded the designation of Georgia Certified Chamber Executive (GCCE).

The designation was made at the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Leadership Conference in Jekyll Island Aug. 3.

Haynes is one of only 38 current and former chamber executives to have received such a designation.

“On behalf of the Dawson County Chamber Board of Directors, we are so proud of Christie for receiving the designation of Georgia Certified Chamber Executive,” said Dawson County Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Jo Brewer. “This designation reflects the hard work she has put into our organization and the Dawson County community. We are fortunate to have her leading the chamber as she and her staff strive to make Dawson County the best place to live and work.”

According to GACCE Executive Director Tiffany Ott, the designation was created in 1993 as a way to enhance public awareness and credibility of the chamber of commerce profession.

“The Georgia Certified Chamber Executive was created to strengthen career development, provide an opportunity for personal recognition and measure individual progress,” Ott said.

To receive the designation, an applicant must have served as a chamber executive for a minimum of five years and must achieve 80 points through participating in professional development, leading their chamber through certain benchmarks and showing involvement in their community and region.

Haynes had to complete an application and essay describing her views on her performance as a chamber executive. She also had to provide a letter of support from a past Chair and three Georgia Chamber executive peers. The application and supporting material were then reviewed by a panel of judges.

Haynes has served as the President of the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce since August 2012. Prior to coming to Dawsonville, she served as the president of the Blakely-Early County Chamber of Commerce.

The Dawson County Chamber of Commerce represents over 450 members in the north Georgia region. The organization exists to fulfill the mission of "cultivating a successful economic environment and a desirable quality of life for our business and community."

Located just north of the intersection of Ga. 400 and Hwy. 53, the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce and Office of Tourism Development provides a welcome center and visitor and business information to visitors and local citizens and businesses. To plan a trip or learn more about business and tourism in Dawson County, visit www.dawson.org.