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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.
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 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?  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 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!
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. Leading With Purpose: Creative Ways Chamber Executives Can Combat Burnout and Reclaim Meaning1/2/2026  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.
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