Conway Area Chamber of Commerce Chief Economic Development Officer Corey Parks earned his Certified Chamber Executive designation this month from the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and was elected to the organization’s board of directors.

The CCE program assesses and tests the applicant’s knowledge of core chamber management areas: management, planning and development, membership, communications and revenue, and operations. Chamber professionals who are designated CCEs earned this prestigious recognition through hard work, countless hours of dedication to their field, and leadership of their chamber to achieve the chamber’s goals.

“We applaud this year’s Certified Chamber Executives for their commitment to industry excellence,” said Tony Vedda, CCE, IOM, and president and CEO of the North Texas LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce and chair of the CCE Commission. “Earning this designation highlights their expertise and dedication, distinguishing them as leaders in the chamber profession.”

Parks was one of 26 chamber professionals from across 19 states to earn the Certified Chamber Executive designation in 2025. This year’s class is the biggest in the program’s history. The first CCE designation was conferred more than 40 years ago. It is recognized as the highest and most elite professional designation in the chamber profession. It’s the only globally recognized certification program exclusive to the chamber of commerce industry.

ACCE is an Alexandria, Virginia-based association of over 9,000 professionals who work for and with more than 1,300 chambers of commerce. Parks was elected to serve on the board, which represents more than 50 organizations, including many of the world’s largest and most influential regional chambers of commerce.

“We are pleased to welcome Corey to the ACCE Board of Directors,” said Sheree Anne Kelly, ACCE president and CEO. “His expertise and leadership will be invaluable as we continue to adapt to meet an ever-evolving business environment. Navigating unprecedented dynamics and complexities requires catalytic leadership to ensure momentum and economic vitality within our communities.”

Parks has served as the chamber’s chief economic development officer since 2023. Before that, he served as vice president of economic development and director of economic development. He started at the chamber in 2018. Prior, he was a project coordinator at the University of Central Arkansas’s Center for Community & Economic Development.

Parks holds a Bachelor and Master of Business Administration from UCA. He holds several certifications, including a Certificate of Nonprofit Management from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Professional Community and Economic Developer certification from the Community Development Council. He is on the board of the City of Conway’s Historic District, the United Way of Central Arkansas, the Community Development Council, and the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton.

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About ACCE

Established in 1914, ACCE is an association of over 9,000 chamber professionals from 1,300 chambers of commerce throughout the United States, including 93 of the top 100 U.S. metro areas and a host of international markets. The combined membership of ACCE chambers is close to one million businesses. Chamber leaders look to ACCE for best practices, networks and new ideas that will help them advance the interests of their communities. ACCE recommends successful programs and strategies, and identifies trends, partners and business models that show promise. For more information, visit www.ACCE.org.

About Conway Area Chamber of Commerce

Since 1891, the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce has served as the voice of the Conway, Arkansas business community. It represents the interests of more than 1,400 members by promoting economic development in Conway and Faulkner County, advocating for a pro-business climate at all levels of government, supporting the county’s educational institutions, and establishing and executing a vision for the community. To learn more about the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, visit ConwayChamber.org.