Chambers of commerce increasingly face growing pressure to deliver more value with limited staff and resources. Members expect personalized communication, relevant programming, and digital experiences that feel modern and intuitive. At the same time, chamber teams must juggle membership management, event coordination, sponsorships, advocacy, communications, and reporting.
That’s why more organizations are investing in modern chamber management technology to improve efficiency without sacrificing the personal relationships that define successful chambers. AI can help automate repetitive tasks, streamline workflows, improve communication, and uncover valuable insights that support smarter decision-making.

​Every chamber is working to help its community thrive. That work is rewarding, but it is also getting more complex. Boards are asking more questions. Staff teams are managing more responsibilities. Members want to see clear value. In that environment, good information and practical tools matter.
That is exactly why W.A.C.E. continues to invest in resources that help our members lead with more confidence.

Chamber management is perhaps one of the only professions where an individual is expected to be a marketing strategist, a government affairs advocate, an event producer, and a non-profit financial manager all in the exact same week. For professionals new to the chamber world, or those stepping into expanded executive roles, navigating these overlapping responsibilities can be a demanding transition.

​Just over two months from now, the W.A.C.E. Chamber Professionals Leadership Academy will convene again in San Francisco.   New executives, staff members advancing their careers, and Chamber pros sharpening their saws will gather to participate in three days of learning, networking, and sharing all with the goal of helping them better deliver on the promise of a high-impact local Chamber in their community.
The Academy Committee works to ensure that the program content is current, relevant, and that courses are led by faculty who bring experience and subject matter expertise to their presentations.    This year’s program includes both new/enhanced courses and new faculty.

​Two years ago, W.A.C.E.’s board made the decision to become a fully independent association with dedicated staff leadership.    At that time, the board created a formal three-year strategic plan with four key imperatives and several programs and activities designed to address industry needs and increase member value.
As W.A.C.E. moves into the final year of that current Strategic Plan, we are proud of the meaningful progress made toward strengthening the Chamber profession and supporting Chamber leaders across the West. Grounded in our mission to “Lead and Promote the Development of Chamber Professionals,” the plan was designed around four strategic imperatives that continue to guide our work and priorities.

Chambers of Commerce across the country are facing a major challenge: membership retention. In our latest WACE webinar, "Keeping the Ones We’ve Got," industry experts Doug and Bill Holman from Holman Brothers Membership Sales Solutions, alongside Brooke Nunn and Jessica Guerrero from the Temecula Valley Chamber, dove deep into the strategies that move a chamber from "chasing renewals" to "fostering loyalty."
Here are the key takeaways from the session to help your chamber thrive.

​The final webinar for the 2025-2026 season has been updated to ensure that we’re addressing real issues that impact local chambers today. Initially envisioned as a preview of sabbatical and similar strategies to give Chamber professionals a chance to reset or recharge, the program now has been broadened to look at the root causes of the stress and pressure that leads to the need for the recharge.