You know that moment. A business owner pulls you aside. Not to discuss membership. Not for a ribbon cutting. But because they’re genuinely unsure. Unsure about the economy, or tariffs, immigration. Unsure about your city council, or county commission—the future of your community. Unsure about what comes next.
In moments like that, they’re not asking us to predict the future. They’re asking us to help them navigate it.
Our business members feel it every day when they’re deciding whether to hire, invest, expand, join the local Chamber—or just hold on.
But this is when Chambers matter most. When things feel unstable, communities look for clarity. When conversations get divisive, they look for trusted conveners. And when businesses don’t know what’s next, they look to you for leadership.
As W.A.C.E. reaches the end of our three-year strategic plan, we are focused on what’s next.
W.A.C.E. is going to Ignite THE MIND this year.
AI is here. It’s changing how we communicate, analyze data, engage members, and run our organizations. W.A.C.E. will focus on helping chambers help themselves--and your members—move from curiosity to confidence—so AI becomes an asset, not an obstacle.
Also, W.A.C.E. will continue to IGNITE the mind through Academy—but a reimagined Academy. More to come on these exciting changes.
W.A.C.E. offers invaluable resources to Ignite YOUR CHAMBER.
Across the West, chambers, EDOs, and DMOs are asking important—and uncomfortable—questions about partnerships, alignment, and mergers. These are conversations about relevance, efficiencies, and impact. A new “Chamber Mergers, Partnerships & Collaboration Playbook” from W.A.C.E. to help navigate this area will be available to members in the coming days. W.A.C.E. will be a place where those discussions can happen honestly and thoughtfully.
Finally, W.A.C.E. will Ignite THE SOUL.
Because at the end of the day, chambers are about people. People leading organizations. And people building communities. This year, we’ll add even more value through deeper partnerships with the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. We will continue our growing partnerships with state Chamber associations as we have with Colorado, Montana, California and others.
Together, with our partners, we will present a “Government Affairs Toolkit”—practical, flexible, and designed so chambers of all sizes can engage confidently and responsibly in advocacy.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve this tremendous community of Chamber professionals as the W.A.C.E. Board Chair. I’m grateful to lead alongside you, and I’m excited for the year ahead. John Brewer 2025 W.A.C.E. Board Chair President & CEO Billings (MT) Chamber
John Brewer, WACE Board Chair
