ACG Chapters of the Year Announced

The Association for Corporate Growth^® (ACG), the global organization focused on driving middle-market growth, announced the winners of the annual "Chapter of the Year" honors. Awards are presented in three categories based on a chapter’s membership size. This year’s winners are:

• ACG Detroit
• ACG Louisiana
• ACG Western Michigan

"ACG chapters continue to thrive and enjoy success over this past year. However, three in particular rose above," said Jason Brown, partner with Victory Park Capital and ACG chairman of the board. "An ACG Chapter of the Year demonstrates a combination of innovation and support to the members along with a continual commitment to provide programing and networking opportunities."

ACG Detroit
For over 30 years, ACG Detroit has been a strong and steady presence in ACG, earning this honor two years in a row. This year in particular, the chapter boasted the highest membership growth rate and third highest retention rate in ACG. Additionally, ACG Detroit actively participates in ACG’s public policy efforts.

ACG Louisiana
ACG Louisiana is one of ACG’s newer chapters, having been formed in 2005. The key to this chapter’s successful membership growth numbers lies in its robust and varied programming schedule, which includes an awards program, a vibrant young professionals initiative and their marquee event―A Taste of New Orleans―which attracts over 250 attendees annually.

ACG Western Michigan
Formed in 1999, ACG Western Michigan has established a reputation for innovation with two chapter innovation grants over the years. In addition, the chapter maintains an impressive corporate focus and active participation in ACG’s public policy efforts.

"The ACG Chapter network is strong across the board, but these three chapters deserve the spotlight," said Gary A. LaBranche, FASAE, CAE, president and CEO of ACG. "ACG’s most successful chapters remain so because they are highly collaborative, share ideas and best practices, as well as continually enhance the member experience and benefit offerings. These three chapters represent these qualities in spades. It is to their credit that middle-market M&A professionals find ACG the best place to build their business."

The Chapter of the Year awards are based on scoring in three areas: self-assessment, benchmark data and ACG engagement.

1. The self-assessment allows each chapter to self-score on a range of best practices in the following categories – leadership and governance, financial operations, membership, programs and marketing.
2. For benchmark data, key chapter performance metrics, such as membership retention and chapter growth are used.
3. Chapter engagement and involvement within ACG is also measured via self-reporting and includes participation in monthly conference calls and leadership meetings.

In addition, Sharon Kimble, chapter executive from ACG Detroit, has been selected as the recipient of the ACG President’s Award for Excellence and Achievement by an ACG Chapter Executive. Given annually to a single ACG chapter executive, the award recognizes dedication to ACG over a long period of time coupled with outstanding performance as an association professional. Kimble has served ACG Detroit since 2000 and has played a key role in the significant growth and success of ACG Detroit in recent years. She also helped shepherd the success of the first state-wide public policy summit held in Lansing, Michigan in 2016.

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About Association for Corporate Growth

Founded in 1954, the Association for Corporate Growth has chapters worldwide representing 14,500 members. ACG serves 90,000 investors, executives, lenders and advisers to growing middle-market companies. ACG’s mission is to drive middle-market growth. For more information about ACG, please visit www.acg.org.