Strategic Plan

W.A.C.E. Strategic Plan

The W.A.C.E. strategic plan serves as a roadmap for advancing the goals of the Association and serving Chambers of Commerce throughout the Western Region and beyond. It outlines our commitment to inspiring excellence in Chambers of Commerce through education, leadership development, relationship building and staying innovative with our business model. Through our strategic plan, W.A.C.E. aims to ensure the Association is well-positioned to serve our members, and meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.

Mission

Lead and promote the development of Chamber professionals.

Vision

Inspire excellence in Chambers of Commerce.

Values

Leadership: Set direction and lead with intention.
Excellence: Promote prominence through high-quality programming.
Education: Empower Chamber professionals with relevant knowledge and skills.
Connection: Build relationships through meaningful shared experiences.
Inclusiveness: Provide a welcoming approach that encourages diversity.

Strategic Imperatives

Imperative 1: Provide Chambers with Best Practices in Industry Standards through Education and Resources

Continue to refine training programs

Continue Academy
Review/Refine Academy Plus
Expand Webinars
Continue Annual Conference

Expand and update best practice resources

Update Resource Library
Refresh and Continue Chamber Performance Surveys
Schedule monthly Survey Central programming

Share examples of Chamber successes

Publish monthly Newsletter
Continue to update Research/Best Practice Toolkits

Imperative 2: Advance the Chamber Leadership Pipeline

Empower current staff through expanded volunteer leadership opportunities

Launch new committee structure with wider member participation
Develop a Board prospects process to identify new and diverse leadership candidates
Grow Emerging leaders

Attract new professionals to the Chamber industry through advocacy and PR outreach

Update Career Opportunity Bulletin and broaden distribution
Create Chambers as a Career PR Toolkit
Update CEO - First 90 Days, Succession Planning Toolkits; Expand to apply to all Chamber staff

Provide professional recognition and credentialling that highlights excellence and accomplishment

Refresh member recognition/awards program
Update Accredited Chamber Executive (ACE) criteria and process
Explore ways to highlight excellence in publications, at events, etc.

Imperative 3: Create Opportunities to Foster Relationships within the Chamber Industry

Expand member networks through intentional event programming

Continue to include intentional networking elements in Conference & Workshop programming
Schedule regional/market workshops/events

Facilitate enhanced peer support systems

Create and Share subject matter experts Referral Lists
Refresh Peer Group program
Update new member onboarding process

Imperative 4: Innovate the W.A.C.E. Business Model

Rebuild WACE internal capacity through expanded volunteer roles and additional professional staff/contractors

Evaluate staffing needs and determine which can be done by volunteers, temps/contractors, or professional staff
Develop and implement an operating procedure manual
Evaluate opportunities to automate tasks to reduce staff processing

Grow Non-Dues Revenue

Grow number and value of business/partner members
Grow number and value of sponsorships associated with Annual Conference, Academy, and other WACE programming
Explore opportunities to pursue mission-supporting grants
Develop and implement an investment policy/procedure

Grow Membership

Identify and approach target list of potential new members
Update member retention process

Refresh communication chanels and image

Audit waceonline.com and create schedule for updating content
Audit existing communication tools (Newsletter, Social Media, PLUS SurveyMonkey, MailChimp, Personify, Cvent) and develop a strategy to maximize effectiveness
Continue to implement W.A.C.E. Style Guide across platforms and tools
Audit 3C Messaging/Ad Wizard and update as appropriate