The Board’s Executive Committee recently approved the appointment of the following individuals to serve as members of the 2024 Nominating Committee:

• Kami Welch, Arvada Chamber (chair)
• Angie Anderson, Glenwood Springs Chamber
• Sheri Heiney, Prescott Chamber
• Chris Romer, Vail Valley Partnership
• Molly Schiff, Santa Maria Valley Chamber and current Emerging Leaders Chair
• Glenn Morris, WACE

​The W.A.C.E. Bylaws (Article VI – Elections and Appointments) charge the Nominating Committee with two responsibilities, e.g. recommending a slate of candidates to serve on the W.A.C.E. Board of Directors, and nominating a slate of officers to lead the Board during the next fiscal year.

​I’m thrilled to invite you to our Annual Conference in Henderson, Nevada, from February 5-7. This year, we’re embracing the theme Curiosity Inspires Community, a powerful reminder of the role curiosity plays in our work and our lives. Registration opens this month, and I can’t wait for you to experience what the Conference Planning team, led by Chair Candace Carnahan, have in store.

W.A.C.E.’s Annual Conference is the highlight of our programming each year. With a mission focused on providing high value professional development, it’s critical that our conference continue to raise the bar in terms of content and experiences.  
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At the same time, it is important to the Conference Planning Committee that we keep the price of the conference as low as possible, even in the face of rapidly increasing costs. Sponsorships are one way that we seek to create an incredible experience at an affordable price.

W.A.C.E. is fortunate to have a number of strategic partners who regularly step up to provide some of the income needed to produce our annual conference. Maybe even more impressive, however, is the number of local Chambers and regional Chamber organizations who also step forward as “Chamber Champion” sponsors to help underwrite the conference for their peers and colleagues.

Spend a little time visiting with local Chambers and it quickly becomes evident that there are many who are doing incredible work on behalf of their members and their communities.   Whether it is delivering innovative and impactful programming, increasing the effectiveness of their communications, or making a real difference as catalysts, conveners and champions, the creativity and resourcefulness of local Chambers is noteworthy.
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One of the key tenants of WACE is recognizing excellence and sharing it within the community to inspire Chambers everywhere to step up their game.   “When I first started in Chamber work, I had some great mentors who told me that R&D in the Chamber industry means “rip off and deploy,” shared Glenn Morris.   “Seriously, one of the reasons I was successful as a Chamber CEO was the willingness of peers to share and work collaboratively across communities.”

WACE’s mission calls on us to lead and promote the development of Chamber professionals.   Through programs like the WACE Academy, Annual Conference, and others, we seek to ensure Chamber professionals have the opportunities necessary to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to be effective catalysts and change agents in their communities.
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The Accredited Chamber Executive designation recognizes those Chamber professionals who have committed themselves to ongoing professional development and have achieved a level of excellence in their ability to lead a local Chamber of Commerce.