CACCE August 2024 E-Newsletter
The mission of CACCE is to equip Chamber of Commerce professionals with leadership skills and tools
to build innovative Chambers.
Registration is OPEN - 2024 Annual Management Conference
The CACCE Board of Directors is pleased to invite you to join us for our
2024 Annual Management Conference:
 
Wednesday - Friday, November 20 - 22, 2024
The Chetola Resort
Blowing Rock, NC

This conference is geared toward Chamber Executives and their senior staff members - and we'll have plenty of opportunities for you to network with your peers! Check out our conference sessions below:

  • 2035: The Next Horizon for Chambers of Commerce
  • GrowthZone 2024 Chamber Survey Results
  • National Election Update & Analysis
  • Policy Outlook for 2025
  • Building Better Boards
  • Bridging Generations in Small Business Leadership
 
One item we're particularly excited about is our Welcome Reception on Wednesday evening at the Perry Car Barn. We have been invited to visit the exclusive private showroom of Chip Perry, founder of AutoTrader.com. You will not want to miss this exclusive peek at his private car collection! Many thanks to Jeff Fishback and his team with Purchasing Alliance Solutions for sponsoring this special event for us!

Be sure to CLICK HERE for more information and to register!

2024 ACCE CHAMBER OF THE YEAR
Congratulations to Greater Winston-Salem, Inc. ...
the 2024 ACCE Chamber of the Year!

Greater Winston-Salem Inc. has been named the 2024 Chamber of the Year, in an awards competition held by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) recognizing the best organizations in the industry. Exceptional chambers that earn the award have demonstrated organizational strength and made an impact on key community priorities. The award recognizes excellence in operations, member services, and community leadership. “This is a remarkable achievement for our team and a definitive indicator of the transformative community impact we can make through leadership, vision, and collaboration, ” says Mark Owens, President and CEO of Greater Winston-Salem Inc. “When we launched as Greater Winston-Salem Inc. four years ago, we set a strong vision for a thriving business community, economic growth, and equitable access to educational and career opportunities for all. We are leading the way in changing how Chambers of Commerce serve and lead in their communities, shifting to meet the needs of today’s employers and workforce. We’ve achieved this by building on a legacy over 100 years in the making since the inception of the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce. I am incredibly proud of our results and this recognition from ACCE.”
CACCE August 2024 Webinars
Tuesday, August 20 – 10:00am
 
Introduction to Long Consulting Group
West Long, Managing Member
Join us to learn more about Long Consulting Group’s CoreCare program that places emphasis on preventative health and day-to-day care but in a more meaningful way than the wellness approach of yesteryear. The program is designed to serve large groups, small groups, 1099 contractors and the direct pay individual. A plan or plans that can serve all the membership regardless of size has been a huge challenge for our chamber community. The platform is customizable and allows the inclusion of internal safety, EAP, and DEI programs as well.  

CLICK HERE to register for this meeting. Once you complete the short registration form, the system will share the Zoom meeting link, and you can add it to your calendar. The meeting will be recorded and shared with the membership in case you aren’t able to join us on that day.
Tuesday, August 27 – 2:00pm
 
Ambassador Training Program – Opelika (AL) Chamber
Ali Rauch, President & CEO
Are you looking to create an Ambassador Program for your Chamber or looking to re-vamp your current program? Do you struggle with how to get your Ambassadors up to speed on how to talk about your Chamber? Do you have relevant roles, policies, and expectations for your Ambassadors? Be sure to join us as we hear from Ali with the Opelika (AL) Chamber – and new ACCE Chamber of the Year! – about their program and how they handle Ambassador orientation.

CLICK HERE to register for this meeting. Once you complete the short registration form, the system will share the Zoom meeting link, and you can add it to your calendar. The meeting will be recorded and shared with the membership in case you aren’t able to join us on that day.
CACCE - All Things Chamber Webinar Series
CACCE is pleased to partner with Teri Smiley and Starfish Partnerships for our All Things Chamber Webinar Series. This is perfect for new staff members or a refresher for current staff.

The All Things Chamber bundle provides pre-recorded material, averaging a hour per module, plus downloadable notes pages of the slides and additional PDF documents. Participating chambers will have access to the website through December 2025.

The fee for the program is $195 per chamber. CLICK HERE to register. Participating chambers will also be invited to a private Facebook group for Q&A and connecting with fellow chamber members across the country. 
Associate Member News
The Revenue Benchmark Analysis for Economic Development
Convergent Nonprofit Solutions has created a new analytical tool to help chambers and economic development organizations uncover revenue potential and fundraising strategies. Learn more from General Manager Brian Abernathy in the latest episode of the "The Difference" podcast. Listen: https://lnkd.in/dHSDRfnY
Are you really the voice for business in your community? With the South Carolina legislature returning January 14th and the North Carolina General Assembly reconvening for the long session on January 15th now is the perfect time to assess your advocacy program and make plans for next year. Need help taking stock of where you are and where you need to be? Take our free online advocacy assessment or schedule a 30 minute call with our team.
CACCE is pleased to welcome a new Associate Member:

North Carolina Employee Ownership Center    
Anne-Claire Broughton, Executive Director
919-306-2090
The North Carolina Employee Ownership Center serves as the central hub for information and resources around employee ownership in North Carolina. Employee ownership is a business model in which employees collectively own a percentage of the business for which they work. For more information about the program, please see below:
The Employee Ownership Ambassador Program is launching soon, and this a program where experts, business owners, and employee ownership thought leaders will take participants on a deep dive into succession planning via employee ownership. We will cover the basics of employee ownership and then spend a week each on Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs); Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs); and Worker Cooperatives. It is a four week program involving one hour a week of Zoom presentations and one hour a week independent learning. Live sessions will take place in August and September. If interested, you can register for the program HERE
Gallup research shows that when people focus on their strengths, they are more engaged, are happier at work and have a better quality of life. Imagine a workplace where everyone understands their unique strengths and how to leverage them for greater success. As a certified Gallup CliftonStrengths Coach, I can work with individuals and staff teams as well as larger groups including boards, leadership classes and your members through workshops or conferences. The CliftonStrengths assessment is a powerful tool that helps people identify their natural talents and develop them into strengths. Ready to elevate your staff teams, board of directors, leadership programs and member workshops? Contact me at teri@starfishpartnerships.com to explore how we can unlock the potential of your groups.
YGM
Anissa Starnes, IOM, Chief Impact Officer and Executive Recruiter with YGM will be overseeing the President and CEO Executive Search for the Blowing Rock Chamber in North Carolina. The position is not officially posted yet, but she anticipates the job posting being live on or before August 26. Interested parties should contact Anissa at anissa@ygmtrc.com for more information in the interim. The position will be open due to the upcoming retirement of long-time President & CEO, Charles Hardin who will retire at the end of December 2024.
CACCE Member News
Aiken Chamber
The Chamber will host their State of Our Community event on August 21 at Aiken High's new performing arts center. The theme of the event will be "Power of the Penny," and the keynote speakers will be Aiken County Council Chairman Gary Bunker, City of Aiken Mayor Teddy Milner, Aiken County Public School District Superintendent Dr. Corey Murphy. The event will also feature a Taste of Aiken and a golf cart giveaway.
Asheboro/Randolph Chamber
The Chamber is pleased to welcome Adam Deathe as their new President & CEO.
Beaufort Regional Chamber
Megan Morris, a native Beaufortonian, has been chosen to lead the Chamber. The announcement was made by 2024 Chair Nick Mesenburg, Site Manager for MCAS Beaufort. The Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve her appointment as president in July. She has been serving as interim president since November 2023. Click here for the full press release.
Lancaster County Chamber
The Chamber and The Lancaster News are thrilled to host two upcoming Candidate Forums, designed to provide candidates running for various local, state, and federal offices the opportunity to highlight their platforms. These forums will feature a diverse group of candidates, providing voters a valuable opportunity to hear directly from those seeking office. One will be on September 17th in Indian Land, SC, and the other will be on September 24th in Lancaster, SC.
Fountain Inn Chamber
The Chamber announces the establishment of the Fountain Inn Chamber Foundation, a 501c(3) nonprofit organization committed to serving our community. With a clear mission and a bold vision, the Fountain Inn Chamber Foundation aims to make a lasting impact on Fountain Inn and its residents. “We are excited to launch the Fountain Inn Chamber Foundation,” said Marnie Schwartz-Hanley, President of the Chamber & Chamber Foundation. “Our commitment to education, entrepreneurship, and leadership will create a brighter future for Fountain Inn for years to come."

The Chamber hired LaunchGVL Intern & Fountain Inn High School Junior, Kyla Ingold as a summer intern. Kyla will be continuing her role during the school year by learning more about communications and social media marketing as she decides where she would like to go to college after graduating in 2026.
Greater Raleigh Chamber
Registration is now open for the Chamber’s 136th Annual Meeting: A Late Afternoon with the Greater Raleigh Chamber - Season 2 on September 5 featuring a celebration of the year’s accomplishments and a special segment on the vibrant Triangle restaurant scene with Gina Stephens of Raleigh Magazine and Scott Crawford of the Crawford Hospitality brand.
Greater Summerville/Dorchester County Chamber
We are excited to share the AI for SMBs Conference on September 17 in Summerville, SC, held in partnership with the Chamber. Hosted by GCM, Summerville's Small Business of the Year 2023, whose CEO Zach Giglio many of you saw present at our annual conference in October. Zach is also a faculty member at the U.S. Chamber Institute for Organization Management on AI and has worked with and trained multiple chambers across the country on AI and understands our operations and goals. Click here to learn more about the conference. The official flyer can be found here.
Greenville-Pitt County Chamber
The Greenville-Pitt County Regional Collaboration Summit is scheduled for August 14. This will be a half-day event dedicated to bringing together panelists, speakers, and attendees from various corners of eastern North Carolina. This event serves as a platform to delve into unique topics of significance, providing attendees with an opportunity to broaden their perspectives beyond their local vicinity. Through insightful presentations and discussions, participants will gain valuable insights into the collaborative efforts of regional agencies, thus contributing to the advancement of the future landscape of eastern North Carolina. Click here to register.
North Carolina Chamber
VIRTUAL, September 10 at 3 p.m.
As PFAS and “forever chemicals” dominate headlines, do you know what it means for your business? Politics has overshadowed science, and it could create liability you have not considered. Join us on Tuesday, Sept. 10 for the next NC Manufacturing Council to gain more insight into PFAS, the environmental and health concerns, current state of PFAS regulation and litigation, and practical steps that manufacturers can take to identify and manage PFAS-related risks. While this programming is exclusive to NC Chamber Cornerstone and above members only, we are thrilled to open this session only to the public. Register here.
 
RALEIGH, October 18
Registration is now open to the public for Women Lead NC, a premier leadership and professional development event in the Southeast. Discover the latest tools and strategies to supercharge your career, enhance personal well-being, and achieve professional fulfillment. Expanded for an elevated experience with bigger names—soccer legend Mia Hamm and futurist Crystal Washington as keynote speakers—we expect a sold-out crowd of 1,000+ female professionals and their male allies. Secure your early-bird ticket or reserve a table for 10 for your team and guests! If you would like to promote your products and services as part of our largest, most interactive exhibit hall showcasing growth-oriented organizations and women-owned businesses, call for exhibitors is still open. Register here.
 
Child Care Breakdowns Costing North Carolina $5.65 Billion in Lost Economic Activity Each Year
A new statewide report released by the NC Chamber Foundation estimates insufficient child care availability is costing North Carolina $5.65 billion in lost economic activity each year. The report is the latest in the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s Untapped Potential series, which has previously measured the economic impact of child care breakdowns in twelve other states. Read more here.
 
The NC Chamber will launch its annual Coolest Thing Made in NC contest the first week of August. We hope you'll nominate and support your favorite made-in-NC product throughout this competition, which generates public awareness and appreciation for our state's manufacturers and creators. Sign up here to receive alerts when nominations open.
Rocky Mount Area Chamber
The Chamber is proud to announce that Norris Tolson has joined our team to spearhead Special Projects relating to Economic Development initiatives. With a distinguished career in both the public and private sectors, Tolson brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this critical role. Click here for the press release.

The Chamber is hosting a Healthy Connections event on August 22 at the Word Tabernacle Church. Topics to be covered include advanced care planning, care coordination, and prevention & education.
Wilmington Chamber
The Chamber is hosting the Annual Women's Professional Development Luncheon on August 28 at the Wilmington Convention Center. The keynote speaker will be Leah Wong Ashburn, CEO of Highland Brewing in Asheville, NC.
Additional Updates for our CACCE Members
ACCE
Events and Communications Conference - Registration Open
Join us for ACCE’s Events and Communications Conference, October 16 through 18 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. We will welcome both new and more experienced professionals from chambers of all sizes working in the events, programs and communications areas. Learning and discussion will take place in workshops, general sessions, smaller breakouts, and peer-led roundtables. CLICK HERE for more information and to register.

Mark your calendars for #ACCE25 scheduled for July 22 - 25, 2025 in Philadelphia, PA. Check out the video here for the new host city!


Bob Harris Resource - Guide to Governance
Please CLICK HERE for Bob's latest material on Guide to Governance: Board Performance.


IOM - 2025 Winter Institute Scholarship Application
We are thrilled to announce that the scholarship application for 2025 Winter Institute is now open! The application can be accessed HERE. The deadline to apply will be Friday, August 9 at 5:00pm ET. All applicants will be notified of their application status prior to registration launching.