ACG Chapters of the Year Announced for 2016

January 26, 2016: CHICAGO – 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 Minnesota 
• ACG Raleigh Durham 

"While all of ACG’s chapters have enjoyed success over this past year, three in particular rose above," said Richard Jaffe, partner at Duane Morris LLP and ACG chairman of the board. "An ACG Chapter of the Year exemplifies not only keen business acumen, but also an eye for innovation and unwavering support of ACG’s ongoing public policy efforts and mission of Driving Middle-Market Growth®." 

ACG Detroit 
For over 30 years, ACG Detroit has remained a steady presence in the ACG community. Since 1984, the chapter has maintained impressive membership growth while locking in a high retention rate year after year. In addition, ACG Detroit actively participates in ACG’s public policy efforts and contributes to ACG’s Middle Market Voice initiative. 

ACG Minnesota 
One of ACG’s oldest chapters, ACG Minnesota has been a solid performer for 50 years. The chapter hangs its hat on membership growth and innovation. For the fiscal year 2015 alone, ACG Minnesota experienced a whopping 17% membership growth. And in 2014, the chapter was bestowed an innovation award for the creation of its Bold Awards program. 

ACG Raleigh Durham 
Founded in 1996, ACG Raleigh Durham consistently comes in at the top of its class. This chapter was recognized as Chapter of the Year in 2011 and awarded two innovation awards−one in 2013 and another in 2015. It also boasts the third highest retention rate among all ACG chapters. 

"It may sound clichéd, but there really are no losers in this competition," said Gary A. LaBranche, FASAE, CAE, president and CEO of ACG. "ACG’s chapters remain highly collaborative, sharing ideas and best practices, to continually enhance the member experience and benefit offerings. It is to their credit that ACG remains the premier association for middle-market M&A professionals who are looking to build their business. All of ACG’s 57 chapters across the globe help drive middle-market growth every day, one member at a time." 

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, Nicki Vincent, chapter executive from ACG Minnesota, 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. Vincent has served ACG Minnesota for 20 years and is a role model for other ACG chapter staff professionals. Her energy, hard work, and integrity have contributed to the growth of ACG Minnesota. In addition, she has become a mentor and adviser to other chapter executives and has graciously provided support, advice and assistance to ACG Global. 

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About Association for Corporate Growth

Founded in 1954, ACG has 57 chapters across the globe. ACG’s worldwide network comprises 90,000 professionals within the middle market, including 14,500 members who serve as the investors, lenders, owners, executives 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.