Patrick Coughlin, president and CEO of the Moore County Chamber of Commerce, isn't hanging his head about falling just short of being named a National Chamber of the Year last Friday.

Three Chambers were recognized as a Chamber of the Year by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives at a conference in Raleigh. Categories are based on total revenue.

The Moore County Chamber was one of three finalists for the $450,001-$900,000 category, along with the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce in Columbus, Ind., and the Warner Robins Area Chamber of Commerce in Warner Robins, Ga.

The Columbus, Ind., Chamber was named the winner.

Coughlin said Tuesday that being named a finalist was a pleasant surprise, considering the Chamber has never qualified for the award before.

"For all intents and purposes, we're the No. 1 chamber in the Carolinas and one of the top three in the nation," he said. "I'm extremely proud of our board and the Chamber team."

Coughlin said the outpouring of support by representatives from other Chambers across the Carolinas was "humbling."

When the Moore County Chamber was announced as a finalist, Coughlin said the more than 150 conference attendees from the Carolinas stood and applauded.

The Moore County Chamber was notified in early May that it qualified for the recognition. Through an annual operations survey, ACCE looks at results and the policies and procedures a Chamber employs to achieve those results.

The Moore County Chamber was the only Chamber in North and South Carolina to be named a finalist.

According to the ACCE's Web site, "the award recognizes excellence in operations, member services, and community leadership."

The awards are divided into revenue categories because it would be difficult for a smaller Chamber like Moore County's to compete against a major metropolitan Chamber with significantly greater resources.

The awards are determined through a three-step, cumulative point process. Chambers qualify for the award by meeting or exceeding at least four out of seven criteria points for their dues category on the ACCE's Chamber Operations Survey.

Qualifiers are then invited to complete an application, and three finalists are chosen.

Those finalists then go through an interview process. The Chamber with the most points wins.

Coughlin said the Moore County Chamber did not set out this year with the goal of becoming a National Chamber of the Year, it simply focused on doing its job effectively. He said that he would love another chance to win the award.

"We would certainly take advantage of that opportunity," he said.

Contact John Krahnert III at 693-2473 or by e-mail at jkrahnert@thepilot.com.