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The chamber won the award in 2000 and 2006, when it was known as the Award for Excellence. It will face the Tulsa Metro Chamber in Oklahoma among chambers with revenues of more than $2 million.
The Tulsa chamber also has won twice before, local officials said.
The winner will be announced next month at the American Chamber of Commerce Executives' annual convention in Milwaukee.
This year, the national group invited chambers whose leaders think they've had exceptional years to apply in each of four revenue categories, according to its website. The awards are intended to recognize excellence in operations, member services and community leadership, according to the site.
This year, the Hilton Head chamber submitted a three-ring binder of information, including details about:
• Its use of emergency marketing funds from the Town of Hilton Head to keep tourists coming last year during the recession.
• Its program in which businesses work with local schools to help teachers get supplies or services.
A panel of chamber professionals reviews and scores all applications, and the top two applicants in each category will be interviewed in Milwaukee, according to the site.
In recognition of its duel with Tulsa, the local chamber is sending its fellow finalist a kilt made with the red tartan of Hilton Head's Heritage PGA Tour tournament, and some Lowcountry food -- likely shrimp. In return, the Tulsa chamber is sending a cowboy hat and steaks.
Hilton Head Chamber President and CEO Bill Miles said his organization is able to compete for an award against chambers such as Tulsa's, which covers a larger geographic area, in part because many potential members join the organization.
He compared his chamber's selection as a finalist to Butler University, a small school in Indiana, earning a berth in college basketball's Final Four.
"It's pretty special," Miles said. "... We've been consistently good."
