Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Wins Inaugural Impact Award

The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce received the first-ever 2026 Conference of State Manufacturers Associations’ Impact Award at the conference’s annual meeting this week, the NAM announced.

• COSMA’s members serve as official state partners of the NAM, focusing on manufacturing priorities at the state level, while elevating federal policy from the ground up in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

The recognition: The new award honors special accomplishments and service to the industry over the past year. A selection committee comprised of previous COSMA honorees chooses the recipient.

The impact: The Minnesota Chamber earned the inaugural distinction for uniting the state’s business community and offering manufacturers timely solutions and resources to help them navigate pressing cost and regulatory issues.

• “Often, businesses struggle to know how or when to respond to pressing issues in their community, but the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce’s considered leadership met the moment,” said New Jersey Business & Industry Association President and CEO and COSMA Chair Michele Siekerka. “Despite unprecedented difficulties, the Minnesota Chamber struck the right balance.”

The NAM says: “When the moment called for a stronger public voice, Doug and the Chamber rallied business leaders to step forward with courage and clarity, focused on the values that make our country exceptional and our industry strong: free enterprise, competitiveness, individual liberty and equal opportunity,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons.

• “Manufacturers and the broader business community are fortunate to have their leadership—and their example to follow.”

The honoree says: “On behalf of Minnesota’s manufacturers, I’m honored to accept this recognition from COSMA and the NAM,” said Minnesota Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Doug Loon.

• “I’m proud to work alongside Minnesota’s manufacturers every day. Their ingenuity and hard work punch far above their weight—powering our economy and shaping the quality of life we all enjoy.”

The NAM congratulates Loon and the entire Minnesota Chamber of Commerce team on this well-deserved award!

Also at COSMA: The NAM announced yesterday that the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry received the 2026 COSMA Leadership Award.