Orange County, N.Y. (Aug. 21, 2025) – The Orange County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that it has been awarded the Chuck Steiner Memorial Chamber of the Year Award, which is among the most prestigious honors a business organization in New York State can receive. The award, bestowed by The Business Council of New York, will be presented Sept. 18, during the Council’s annual meeting at The Sagamore Resort in Bolton Landing, N.Y.

The Steiner award is given annually to an outstanding organization and leadership team that supports its members and enhances the experience of doing business in New York State. The award is named in honor of Chuck Steiner, who led chambers in Niagara County and the Capital Region in a career that spanned 37 years.

"Being named Chamber of the Year for New York State is an extraordinary honor and a true testament to the power of collaboration,” said Heather Bell, President and CEO of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce. “This award recognizes not only the hard work of our Chamber staff and Board of Directors, but also the unwavering commitment of our members and community partners who believe in the mission of building a stronger, more vibrant business community. Together, we are driving innovation, supporting growth and ensuring Orange County businesses have the resources and advocacy they need to thrive. We are proud to represent our region on a statewide level and excited to continue leading with vision and purpose."

The Chamber serves a growing county and has doubled its membership to 1,200 businesses since 2021. Under Bell, the Chamber has leveraged Orange County’s dynamic economy. By emphasizing business opportunities and quality of life, the Chamber has been a key contributor to Orange County’s thriving reputation, growth and status. For example, Orange County’s population – now 411,800 – has grown by more than 20 percent since 2000.

Chamber membership retention has also grown, from the industry average of 70% to 89% as of end of last year. At the same time, membership dues have not increased, a welcome exception in a world where local Chambers have increased fees 3 percent to 5 percent.

“The Chamber is a critical and powerful driver of economic development in the County, and I congratulate Heather Bell, her staff and the Chamber’s Board of Directors on this well-deserved and distinguished award,” said Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus. “We are grateful for the Chamber’s invaluable efforts and contributions to our County’s growing prosperity. It is great to see our County Chamber’s dedication to our businesses recognized by the Business Council as the best in New York State.”

The Chamber’s success story is driven in part by the strategic outreach and the comprehensive and valuable services it offers. The Chamber’s businesses range from one-of-a-kind artisan shops in Sugar Loaf Craft Village to major international corporations such as Amazon, the international online retailer.

The Orange County Chamber has achieved many recent successes, which led to its selection for the Chamber of the Year award. Among these, the Chamber:

• Launched its first-ever ChamberGrow program in 2024 to support entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses. The program is approved by the Small Business Association and the Small Business Development Center and is fully funded by the Chamber. A next tier of the program is scheduled to launch in 2025.
• Developed, in collaboration with SUNY Orange, an AI Initiative to support business success.
• Partnered with key stakeholders to launch the Vanguard Leadership Program and a comprehensive marketing initiative.
• Established a foundation fund awarding five annual scholarships via the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan.
• Coordinates internship placements at nonprofits in partnership with county government, working directly with the County’s Workforce Development to identify organizations to host individuals participating in their Summer Youth Employment Program.

The Business Council’s Annual Meeting

This year’s Annual Meeting will take place September 17 – 19 at The Sagamore Resort, Bolton Landing. The three-day event will focus on the issues impacting New York’s businesses and the state’s future political landscape.

• Programming begins on Thursday, Sept. 18, with a speaker from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce before a morning of impactful panel discussions and programming that is important to New York’s business community
• Friday, September 19th’s agenda consists of discussions on the health of the state’s current and future economy.

The Business Council has invited state-wide elected officials to speak at this year’s event.

For more information, including registration & sponsorship opportunities, visit The Business Council’s Annual Meeting webpage.

About the Orange County Chamber of Commerce

The Orange County Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to promoting economic growth and prosperity in Orange County, New York. Through advocacy, networking, and community engagement, the Chamber serves as a catalyst for business success and a champion for the local business community. Learn more at orangeny.com.