Helping You Stay Ahead of Change

Think about how different your job is today than it was five years ago. How has your community changed? Demographics, local economy, political winds, tools at our disposal, shifting local sentiment, how people gather and connect, and the changing state of your region’s opportunities and challenges are all likely different in some ways.  

We Have a Unique Window of Opportunity

With all this change, the business community continues to have unprecedented opportunity. Annual public opinion poll, the Edelman Trust Barometer, just released its 2024 findings. A critical insight for chambers and our members:

Business is the most trusted major institution beating out government, media and NGOs.

We can leverage this momentum for innovation, catalytic leadership and bridging divides within our communities. We’ve never had more inertia as a profession. We want to help you take advantage of this unique time in our industry’s history.

Inspiration for Innovation, Plus Data and Info to Help You

We’ve created one, go-to place for the latest data and leading insights to help drive your strategies and tactics. This portal combines the latest insights from our organization, plus the most relevant and timely thought leadership from experts beyond our industry who are pillars in their respective fields. You can find all of this in our new Thought Leadership and Research Center.

One area we’ve increased data and analysis is via Chamber Industry Pulse Surveys like this one that looks at how chambers are leveraging their foundations. We host one each month, with insights on topics like DEI, talent initiatives, workplace flexibility, chamber software tools, and more. Check them all out.

Gain Support from your Board for Innovation & Leadership

Sometimes chambers struggle with board adoption of innovation, new efforts or welcoming nearly any change. To support you, we aim to help your board of directors see the big picture, including national and global trends for chambers of commerce. To do this, we’ve launched a hub for chamber boards. Sometimes a third-party validator like ACCE can help push your board into a new way of thinking.

We’ve also launched a Board Management Resource Guide filled with tips and tools to help you get the most from your volunteer leadership.

If you’d like to discuss how ACCE can support your board meetings with presentations or facilitated strategic discussions, just reach out to me and I’d be happy to share more. 

Support Funding Your Work

One of the most frequent questions I’m asked is, “How do we get the funding we need to pursue innovations and bold, new initiatives?”

One of the leading revenue generators that allow chambers to fund innovations, sustain the organization and deliver more impact is leveraging a 501(c)(3) foundation. We’ve just launched a brand-new Chamber Foundations Resource Guide to help you with tools, tips and resources for a thriving revenue model.

Fee-for-service is another avenue chambers are using to fund their work. Our new non-dues revenue series continues on March 27. The series will highlight four different chambers that are leading innovative non-dues revenue programs making a positive impact in their community and their chamber's bottom line.

And More Coming Later this Year

We’ve already launched the initial work to construct Horizon 2.0. Like our original Horizon Initiative, it will identify the greatest influences that will affect chambers, our members and communities in the future.

ACCE is also launching a public opinion poll later this year to assess the value chambers bring to their members and communities.

We want to support you and your efforts. How else can we help you? I’d love to know. Contact me anytime. My favorite thing is brainstorming with and helping you. Let’s talk soon.
 
All my best,
Sheree Anne Kelly
 
[email protected]
703-998-3540

Sheree Anne is the head of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) representing more than 10,000 industry professionals. ACCE serves the community via professional development, innovative problem solving, best practices, and industry thought leadership.