Academy 2024 Features Industry Expert Faculty

W.A.C.E.’s Academy is the premier professional development experience for individuals charged with leading local Chambers of Commerce.  Designed to ensure Chamber professionals have a solid foundation in both operations and programs, Academy is led by a steering committee tasked with ensuring the curriculum is on point and the faculty are recognized experts in their subject areas.

The Steering Committee recently announced the faculty for 2024, featuring returning faculty and new presenters.   Leading the training courses this year will be:

• First Year:
  • Dave Kilby, WACE President Emeritus:  Chamber Overview & Trends
  • Molly Alcorn, Attorney at Law:  Legal Basics
  • Kristen Miller, President & CEO, Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber:  Budget Preparation & Monitoring
  • Kami Welch, President & CEO, Arvada Chamber:  Marketing & Communications
  • Allison Walden, Sr. VP of Resource Development, Tulsa Regional Chamber:  Membership Sales & Recruitment
  • ​Whitney Diver-McEvoy, President & CEO, Yountville Chamber:  Board & Committee Development
    
    
• Second Year
  • Julie Hartwig, President & CEO, Greater Issaquah Chamber:  Financial Policies & Procedures
  • Tallia Hart, President & CEO, Healdsburg Chamber:  Revenue Development
  • Michael Guymon, President & CEO, Tucson Metro Chamber:  Representing Business with Government
  • Chris Romer, President & CEO, Vail Valley Partnership:  Keeping Your Chamber Relevant
  • Katie Stice, President & CEO, Rancho Mirage Chamber:  Membership Retention
  • ​TBA:  Policy Development
    
    
• Third Year
  • Mary Beth Sewald, President & CEO, Vegas Chamber:  Dealing with the Media
  • Amy Shields, Executive Director, ACCE Foundation:  Staff Develoment & Management
  • Glenn Morris, President & CEO, WACE:  Intro to Economic Development
  • Wendy Laros, President & CEO, Kona-Kohala Chamber:  Strategic Planning
  • Jim Johnson, President & CEO, Pearland Chamber:  Everyday Ethics
  • Mark Turner, Mayor, Morgan Hill:  Personal Leadership Development
    
    

“I am excited about the team that Chris Romer and the Academy Steering Committee have recruited for the 2024 Academy,” said W.A.C.E. President Glenn Morris. “We take the responsibility to ensure Academy lives up to members’ expectations as the premier professional development program for Chamber leaders.”

Academy Steering Committee Chair Chris Romer said, “I highly recommend W.A.C.E.’s Academy to any chamber executive. Academy is an invaluable investment for Chamber leaders and staff … this three-year program is a ‘must attend’ experience.”
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Registration remains open with early-bird pricing in effect through June 28.   To register, start at www.WACEOnline.com/academy.html, or reach out to W.A.C.E. CEO Glenn Morris at [email protected].

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