Beth Rhinehart elected to ACCE board of directors

Bristol, Tenn. (July 27, 2026) — Beth Rhinehart, president and CEO of the Bristol TN/VA Chamber of Commerce, has been elected to serve on the board of directors for the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), an Alexandria, Va.-based association of more than 9,000 professionals who work for and with more than 1,300 chambers of commerce.

Members of ACCE’s board of directors represent more than 50 organizations, including many of the world’s largest and most influential regional chambers of commerce.

“We are pleased to welcome Beth to the ACCE Board of Directors,” said Sheree Anne Kelly, ACCE president and CEO. “Beth brings a wealth of leadership experience and commitment to strengthening chambers and the communities they serve. At a time when chambers are driving innovation, fostering economic opportunity and building resilient communities, the insight and perspective of dedicated volunteer leaders are invaluable. We look forward to the impact she will make in helping advance ACCE’s mission.”

"Beth's election to the ACCE Board of Directors is a tremendous honor and a reflection of the exceptional leadership she has provided to our Chamber and our entire region," said David Crockett, chair of the Bristol Chamber Board of Directors. "For more than a decade, she has championed businesses, built meaningful partnerships, and elevated the Bristol Chamber's influence on both the state and national stage. We are incredibly proud to see her expertise recognized by her peers across the country, and we know she will represent Bristol and the chamber profession with distinction."

Rhinehart has served as president and CEO of the Bristol TN/VA Chamber since 2015, leading one of the nation's highest-performing chambers and helping position Bristol as a model for regional collaboration and economic leadership. During her tenure, the chamber has maintained its prestigious Five-Star Accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, expanded its advocacy efforts across Tennessee and Virginia, launched innovative workforce and leadership development initiatives, strengthened partnerships that drive economic vitality, and recently embarked on a transformational capital campaign to renovate its historic headquarters. Under her leadership, the chamber has continued to elevate Bristol's reputation as a vibrant business community and a leading voice for regional prosperity. She also serves on the ACCE Foundation Board of Directors.

The mission of ACCE is to support and develop chamber professionals to lead businesses and their communities. ACCE identifies and analyzes trends affecting communities, shares best practices, and develops benchmarking studies, in addition to providing other tools to help chamber leaders manage and improve operations at their organization and achieve the highest impact in their communities.

# # #

About ACCE

Established in 1914, ACCE is an association of more than 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 the Bristol TN/VA Chamber of Commerce

Established in 1909 and located in the heart of downtown, the Bristol Chamber of Commerce represents businesses in Bristol, Tennessee, Bristol, Virginia and the surrounding Tri-Cities Region. With a mission of advancing economic vitality, the Bristol Chamber holds the prestigious Five-Star Accreditation from the United States Chamber of Commerce and is the oldest accredited chamber in Tennessee and the second oldest accredited in Virginia. For more information, visit www.bristolchamber.com.