The Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber of Commerce & Visitors' Bureau has earned the distinguished honor of Accreditation by the United States Chamber of Commerce.

The U.S. Chamber's Accreditation Program recognizes chambers and their staffs that have defined, reached and maintained superior performance standards and that have contributed to the good of their community. The purpose of the Accreditation Program is to define standards of excellence in chamber planning and performance, and to show chambers how they can reach and maintain these standards. It also helps chambers measure achievement while giving recognition and encouragement to chamber members and staff who meet high standards of operation and who are contributing in an effective way to the good of their chamber and community.

At the heart of the Accreditation Program for local chambers of commerce is the organization self-analysis from which their Evaluation Report is prepared. The preparation of this report can be a revealing experience, sometimes offering chambers challenging opportunities to improve their effectiveness in the community.

The criteria and standards used in the self-analysis become tools for management control and self-discipline – guiding the organization by helping it upgrade and improve the basic effectiveness of voluntary organizations of business and professional men and women throughout the country. Chambers that have earned Accreditation value it as a worthwhile experience. It has helped them focus attention on the many important factors that add up to successful chamber performance.

Chambers must conduct a complete self-analysis every five years in order to maintain Accreditation. This process is called Re-accreditation.


Chamber benefits from Accreditation include:

Development of leadership – teaches self-discipline
Program provides a measuring stick with which to evaluate the quality of the chamber
Better direction provided for the chamber board and staff
Helps chambers develop a realistic program of work
Upgrades in chamber bylaws, policy and procedures
Development of pride in the organization
Stimulation of volunteer participation
Helps with membership development
Prestige, respect and recognition to the chamber