As the chambers in the West move into 2019 and the years beyond, the W.A.C.E. Board believes that the Association’s role in helping our members succeed has never been more needed or important.
“Our 2019 program priorities will ensure that chambers have the tools and the expertise to successfully position their organizations as action-oriented change makers,” said 2019 W.A.C.E. Chair Todd Sanders, president/CEO of the Greater Phoenix (AZ) Chamber.
Embracing the New Brand
Among W.A.C.E.’s most high-profile initiatives during 2019 will be:
• Continuing to promote messaging of the new chamber brand with the roll out of “The Chamber Is” ad program; and
• Assisting chambers to embrace the 3Cs—being a catalyst for business growth, a convener of leaders and influencers to get things done, and a champion for a thriving community.
Priority Efforts
At the heart of the Association will be the delivery of professional development training programs:
• An Executive Leaders workshop will be held in conjunction with the Association’s May Board meeting in Salt Lake City (UT).
• The 6th annual Political Action Boot Camp and 2nd annual Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Boot Camp will be program highlights this year.
• Academy, which is now in its 17th year, will be held in Sacramento (CA), August 4–7.
• A bonus webinar by the Emerging Leaders Council will be offered on April 10 and a four-part series of webinars will be presented during September–December.
• Planning has already begun for the Association’s annual conference February 5–7, 2020 in Portland (OR).
Mentoring, Resources
With all of the turnover in the chamber business, the Association’s mentoring program for new chamber CEOs is needed now more than ever and will be enhanced during the year.
“We’ll also continue to expand the content on the Association’s website, with particular attention to providing resources in the ‘members only’ section and continuing our Chamber Leadership podcasts,” said W.A.C.E. President and CEO Dave Kilby. “The organization’s focus on research and data collection will also continue and will start in just a few weeks with our annual Chamber CEO Salary and Benefits Survey.”
Volunteer Leaders Training will continue to be offered around the West, often in partnership with state or regional chamber groups.
As Insider went to press, several details, including program locations, dates and leadership assignments were still being finalized. A complete action plan will be announced to the membership in March.