(From left) Glenn Morris, ACE, president/CEO of the Santa Maria Valley (CA) Chamber, with the Pettit Award. Josh Cross, president/CEO of the Atascadero (CA) Chamber, with the Hammer Award. Zeb Welborn, president of the Chino Valley (CA) Chamber, with the 2022 Executive of the Year Award. Colin Diaz, ACE, IOM, president/CEO of the Tempe (AZ) Chamber, with the Steve Rose Memorial Scholarship Award.Lorraine Clarno, ACE (left), president/CEO of the Discover Kalispell (MT) Chamber and 2023–2024 W.A.C.E. Board Chair, presents outgoing Board Chair Jeremy Harris, ACE, IOM, president/CEO of the Long Beach Area (CA) Chamber, with a plaque in honor of his service leading the organization over the past year.The new recipients of the Accredited Chamber Executive Designation were recognized at the conference receiving a certificate and pin. Attending the presentation are (from left) Zeb Welborn, ACE, Bobby Spiegel, ACE, of the Corona (CA) Chamber; Brittany Quick-Warner, ACE, of the Eugene Area (OR) Chamber; Dave Jochum, ACE, of the Longview (TX) Chamber; and Candace Carnahan, ACE, of the Grand Junction Area (CO) Chamber.Kimberly Medina (left), VP of development and operations for the Fort Collins Area (CO) Chamber, receives the Hathaway “Staff Person of the Year” Award from Erik Williams, community development director of the Vail Valley (CO) Partnership.Kami Welch, ACE (left), accepts the Outstanding Chamber Program Award on behalf of the Arvada (CO) Chamber for their B.O.L.D. Arvada program from Jeremy Harris, ACE, IOM, 2022–2023 W.A.C.E. Board Chair.(From left) Jeremy Harris, ACE, IOM, presents 10 Year Services Awards to Allison Walden, SVP of resource development for the Tulsa (OK) Regional Chamber; Lisa Farquharson, president/CEO of The Dalles (OR) Chamber; and Eli Matthews, president/CEO of The Chamber of Medford & Jackson County (OR).The W.A.C.E. Board awarded the honor of Life Membership to (from left) Cindy Roth, Pat Patrick and Diane Schwenke.Emerging Leaders Council Member Molly Schiff (left) presents the First Place Newsletter Award to Quirina Arana, special events coordinator, and Nick Adcock, president/CEO, of the Greater Riverside (CA) Chambers.Emerging Leader Council members Natalie Leighton (left) and Jessica Penman (right) present the First Place Video Award to Kira Zavala and Ashley Cates from The Chamber of Medford & Jackson County (OR).The staff of the Greater Irvine (CA) Chamber accept the award for Outstanding Achievement in Overall Communications.The new members of the Emerging Leaders Council were announced and presented with their certificates during the Monday lunch session. A full list of council members can be found at https://www.waceonline.com/emergingleaders.htmlOpening speaker Justin Patton set a tone of kindness for the Conference with his presentation on “Empowering Leaders to Communicate with Stronger Presence & Trust.”Erica Orange opens the final day of the conference with an informative presentation on “Thinking Technologies.”2022–2023 Board Chair Jeremy Harris, ACE, IOM (right) presents a plaque to Dave Kilby to thank him for his 35 years of service to the chamber of commerce industry.Economist Chris Thornberg provides an informative presentation on the current economy and the importance of “Controlling the Economic Narrative.”
