WACE is fortunate to have the support of the WACE Educational Foundation.   The Foundation’s purpose is to raise funds that can be used to support Chamber professionals to advance their professional development through participation in WACE programming.
As part of that mission, the Foundation Board allocated funds to support scholarships for individuals attending the 2024 Academy. After a careful review of the applications submitted this year, the following Chamber professionals have been awarded $500 scholarships to apply toward Academy tuition.

​On May 16, 2024, the Western Association of Chamber Executives (WACE) hosted a pivotal workshop in Austin, Texas, focusing on workforce development. There were three focus areas around workforce development: housing & homelessness, transportation & childcare. Chambers of Commerce across the country have the opportunity to create solutions and make a meaningful impact in each of these areas and can make significant strides in their progress by learning how other communities are addressing these challenges. 

Running a Chamber of Commerce is like running any business, and in some cases much more difficult. The compensation of Chamber of Commerce executives and corporate CEOs can be viewed through several lenses, including their roles, responsibilities, skills, and the impact they have on their respective organizations and communities.
Here are some arguments in favor of higher compensation for Chamber of Commerce executives:

As we learn of changes in Chamber key leaders, we will share them here to welcome new colleagues, salute those who are wrapping up careers or moving on, and encourage networking and peer connections.   During the past few months, WACE is aware of the following changes … if there are others that should be shared with the membership, please share them with us at [email protected]. 

​Four months  … a blink of an eye – or an eternity, depending on your perspective!
From my perspective, the four months I’ve served you as the WACE CEO has been a blink, but an incredibly busy and fast paced blink.    I thought it might be interesting to share some of the highlights.   Based on some of the questions I’ve gotten from members, it might also be helpful to touch on what is changing and what is not with WACE!  So, here it goes …