As we put the finishing touches on the W.A.C.E. annual conference, we have added three final breakout sessions to the lineup. These sessions focus on pillars of chamber work: infrastructure stability and community identity, and on an ongoing challenge:  non-dues revenue.  If you are looking for practical takeaways to help your members navigate the energy transition, better position your region for investment, or you're considering alternative revenue programs, you'll want to prioritize these additions.

All three programs are presented by Strategic Partner/Investor members of WACE.

Josh Cross, W.A.C.E. Conference Committee Chair
President & CEO, Atascadero Chamber of Commerce
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As Conference Chair for the 2026 W.A.C.E. Annual Conference, IGNITE Mind, Chamber, Soul, I could not be more excited to welcome our chamber community to Tucson, Arizona this February. This year’s conference is intentionally designed to spark energy, creativity, and connection in every dimension of your professional and personal life. Our theme reflects a commitment to ignite three essential elements of chamber leadership.

In the Chamber industry, the tools we choose are more than just software—they are the engines that drive member engagement and keep our operations running smoothly. To understand how our peers are navigating the digital landscape, we recently surveyed Chamber professionals about their Technology Ecosystems. The results provide a clear picture of the industry’s current digital preferences and emerging trends.

The W.A.C.E. Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of our scholarship awards for the 2026 W.A.C.E. Annual Conference!
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Through the generous support of the Foundation, these scholarships provide financial assistance to chamber professionals, enabling them to attend our premier annual event for high-level professional development and networking.

Jill Rowland-Lagan, ACE, CEO, Boulder City Chamber of Commerce and Nevada Welcome Center

​Chamber of commerce executives operate in uniquely demanding environments. They are expected to be tireless connectors, advocates, visionaries, and problem-solvers, often simultaneously. From managing member expectations and community politics to navigating economic uncertainty and limited resources, the role can feel relentless. Unsurprisingly, burnout has become a significant contributor to executive turnover across chambers nationwide. Yet within this challenge lies an opportunity: to reframe stress not as a personal failure, but as a signal to lead differently, more sustainably, and with renewed purpose.

Our latest member survey reveals a complex picture of our business environment. While over half of our members (51%) still describe their local business environment as "Friendly," there is a significant undercurrent of concern regarding the direction of the state and nation.

When the economic winds shift, Chamber of Commerce leaders are often among the first to feel the change. They sit at the intersection of business sentiment, public perception, and organizational sustainability.   News reports about economic trends, political impacts, and public sentiment are mixed and it can be difficult for Chamber leaders to plan for the near-term, let alone for the future.

The W.A.C.E. Nominating Committee convened over the past few months and is submitting the following slate of members for service as officers and members of the Board of Directors of the association.  All members listed below have been contacted and have agreed to serve. 

Our Chamber Snapshot surveys provide a timely look at trends in the Chamber Industry. In October, we asked Chamber industry leaders about membership trends they are seeing in their organization. Check out the results below, and be sure to participate in our November Snapshot Survey on Chamber Issues & Outlook.