In This Issue—Sharing Some Comments

Dave Kilby

After taking a look at the content presented in this issue of the Insider, I thought I’d offer up some comments.

Awards

This has been a challenging year like no other, but make no mistake about it, there have been MANY success stories among our members and 2020 has been a time for chambers to shine!

Now you have an opportunity to be acknowledged and recognized for those successes and your accomplishments. I encourage you to apply for our many awards—from the various communications and outstanding program awards to our individual awards like the Executive of the Year or the Staff Person of the Year.

The deadline is November 6.

Workforce Boot Camp

As 3C chambers—Catalysts for business growth, Conveners of leaders and influencers to get things done and Champions for a thriving community—one of the most important issues facing all of us (now and in the future) is workforce.

An outstanding Workforce Boot Camp has been developed by W.A.C.E. Vice Chair Kami Welch, president and CEO of the Arvada (CO) Chamber, and a team of industry leaders.

I encourage you to sign up today and get ready for three great sessions on October 21, October 28 and November 4. If you can’t attend “live”—no worries. These sessions will be recorded and available for you to listen in and share when the time is right for you and your team.

Around the West

We hope you like the new “Around the West” feature in the Insider. Our intention is to showcase the many great efforts and programs being done by our members.

I’ve long been a believer that the answers are out there, but probably are NOT in your backyard, at the chambers next door or even in your state. We also believe that you should NEVER have to start from scratch. W.A.C.E. allows you to expand your “community” and find the answers you need from your peers.

The “Around the West” content will be curated by W.A.C.E. Vice President Jennifer Johnson. We’d appreciate it if you would add Jennifer to your chamber’s e-newsletter distribution list, so she can stay up to date with the good things you’re all doing.

Resilience

I strongly encourage you to read Nancy Hoffman Vanyek’s guest commentary. It’s loaded with great “survive and thrive” advice for chambers of all sizes. And frankly, I think you should consider sharing it with members of your board.

Stay safe. Stay in touch. Stay strong.

Dave Kilby is president and CEO of W.A.C.E. and executive vice president of corporate affairs at the California Chamber.