AEDCE awards recognize chamber professionals and economic developers for their achievements and dedication to the chamber or economic development profession. Recipients of an annual AEDCE award are nominated and selected by their peers for this prestigious honor. There are four annual awards presented by AEDCE.
This award recognizes the economic development professional who has attained outstanding achievement in the economic development profession as demonstrated by significant achievements in his/her community, region, and state over the course of his/her career to include the number of jobs created, capital investment, professionalism, training and education, service to AEDCE and other professional organizations, service to economic development colleagues, and a desire to advance the economic development profession.
The 2025 Recipient is Danny Games, CEcD, EDFP of Entergy Arkansas.
This award recognizes the chamber of commerce professional who has attained outstanding achievement in the chamber of commerce profession as demonstrated by significant achievements in his/her community, region, and state over the course of his/her career to include professionalism, experience, training and education, service to AEDCE and other professional organizations, service to chamber colleagues, and a desire to advance the chamber of commerce profession.
The 2025 Recipient is Gary Troutman, CCE, IOM of the Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce.
The Volunteer of the Year award recognizes those that have played a significant role in the economic development efforts of a community from a volunteer/unpaid standpoint. AEDCE considers anyone who is not employed as a full-time economic developer as an eligible nominee for the Volunteer of the Year award.
The 2025 Recipient is Darryl Treat with the Greater Searcy County Chamber of Commerce.
This award recognizes a volunteer or paid economic development practitioner that is considered to be a premier leader in the field. Recipients are well-regarded and acknowledged for their long-standing commitment to the economic development profession. The Maria Haley Lifetime Leadership for Economic Development Award is the highest honor one can receive from AEDCE.
The 2025 Recipient is Raymond Burns, CCE of the Rogers Lowell Chamber.