 As chamber professionals, we hear it from our members every day: the talent gap is real. According to the U.S. Chamber’s 2025 New Hire Readiness Report, a staggering 84% of hiring managers believe high school students are not fully prepared to enter the workforce. Furthermore, 92% of employers agree that high schools need more business-focused curriculum.
To meet this challenge head-on, W.A.C.E. is proud to highlight a transformative new initiative: AP Career Kickstart.
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Your state legislative session is in full swing. Committee hearings are underway, bills are advancing and dying, and the window to influence outcomes is narrow. For chamber executives, this is the most consequential time of year: the decisions made in your state capitol over the next few months will shape the business environment your members navigate for years to come. The good news? Chambers of every size can make a real difference. Here are five practical steps you can take right now.  For nearly two years, the Academy Committee has been evaluating the program’s curriculum, design, and graduation requirements. The intent of the review was to ensure 1) the curriculum continues to be both foundational and relevant, 2) to strengthen the connections between cohort members beyond the program, and 3) to more directly connect Academy graduation and the W.A.C.E. Accredited Chamber Executive recognition.
 The economic landscape is shifting faster than ever, and for chambers of commerce, staying relevant means more than just hosting legacy mixers. In a recent WACE webinar, representatives from three award-winning chambers shared how they moved beyond "chambery things" to identify community pain points and turn them into clear value stories.
The session featured insights from the Grand Junction Area Chamber (CO), the Santa Maria Valley Chamber (CA), and the Walnut Creek Chamber (CA), all recipients of the 2026 Outstanding Local Chamber Program award and recently recognized at the W.A.C.E. Annual Conference.  In our latest W.A.C.E. Snapshot Survey, we took a deep dive into the engine room of our organizations: the Board of Directors. From board size to "Give or Get" policies, the results show a landscape of chambers that are leaning into leaner governance and mid-career leadership.
Here are the key takeaways from this month's data. Kira Zavala, ACE, IOM President & CEO, Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce  Stepping into the role of Chair for the 2026 WACE Emerging Leaders Council is both an incredible honor and a full-circle moment in my chamber journey.
I still remember being new to the industry and applying for a WACE scholarship. In my essay, I wrote about my hope to one day give back to the organization that was investing so deeply in my growth. Today, I have the privilege of doing exactly that, and it is something I do not take lightly. Glenn Morris, President/CEO, W.A.C.E.
There has been a lot of discussion lately among Chamber leaders about how—and if—we are actually using AI. Most of us have played around with it a little, but there’s still a lot of "wait and see" happening in our industry. I get it. We all have enough on our plates without trying to figure out the latest tech trend. I know I’ve personally gotten really excited about the potential of one tool or another, but then when I get back to desk, the to-do list takes over and by the time I turn back to the new idea, I’ve forgotten what I thought I understood and it feels overwhelming to get started again. But I think there’s a bigger leadership piece here. Our members look to us to be the voice of the business community, and that means we need to be out in front of the tools that are changing how work gets done.  There is something unique about the way chamber professionals come together, and the shared understanding of the weight—and the reward—of community leadership. As we wrap up the 2026 W.A.C.E. Conference, the numbers offer a clear picture of an industry that is both deeply rooted and actively evolving. Here is a look at the data that defined our time together and what it says about where we are headed.
 For decades, membership dues were the bedrock of Chamber of Commerce sustainability. However, our latest snapshot survey confirms that the "dues-first" model is officially taking a back seat to innovative, non-dues revenue streams.
 W.A.C.E.’s “Leader to Leader” column poses timely questions to Chamber leaders across the Western region to provide valuable insight and ideas to our readers.
This month, we asked: What is one piece of advice you received from a fellow Chamber executive that fundamentally changed the way you run your Chamber? |
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