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GACCE September 2025 E-Newsletter
The mission of GACCE is engaging, educating, and empowering chamber professionals.
| | Make Plans to Join Us in Albany! | | |
The GACCE Board of Directors is pleased to invite you to join us at our 2025 Board Development Conference to be held:
Thursday & Friday, November 6 & 7, 2025
Hilton Garden Inn Downtown
Albany, GA
This conference is designed for the Chamber Executive and your incoming volunteer board leadership - you can invite your incoming chair, Executive Committee, and/or your full Board.
Our event this year will feature the following sessions:
· Board Basics: Your Guide to Governance - Jeremy Arthur, Auburn University
· Workforce Best Practice: West Alabama Works - Donny Jones, West Alabama Chamber
· What Does Success Look Like: Advice & Lessons Learned - Panel Discussion
· Power Update: Leadership & Organizational Development - Kim Greene, Georgia Power Company
· Preparing Your Community for Disasters - Chris Clark, Georgia Chamber
CLICK HERE for the full agenda and to register!
| | GACCE - September 2025 Webinar | | |
We have a new webinar with Convergent Nonprofit Solutions scheduled for the following:
Thursday, September 18 - 10:00am
Maximizing Chamber Value: Non-Dues Revenue & Sustainable Growth
Annette Medlin, Convergent Nonprofit Solutions
Discover innovative strategies to grow your Chamber’s impact and financial resilience. In this webinar session, we’ll explore proven approaches to generating non-dues revenue and questions you should be asking your staff and volunteer leadership. Learn how to diversify your income streams, reduce dependency on dues, and build long-term sustainability for your Chamber and its members.
To register for this meeting, please CLICK HERE. 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.
| | GACCE - 2026 Conference Dates & Locations | | |
We are excited to announce the dates & locations for our 2026 conferences…please be sure to save these on your calendar for next year:
2026 GACCE Staff Development Conference
for all chamber staff members
Monday – Wednesday, March 9 – 11, 2026
Hilton Garden Inn and Dalton Convention Center
Dalton, GA
Hosted by the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce
2026 GACCE Executive Leadership Conference
for Chamber Executive Directors, Presidents, CEOs, and senior staff members
Tuesday – Friday, July 7 – 10, 2026
Jekyll Island Club Resort
Jekyll Island, GA
2026 GACCE Board Development Conference
for Chamber Executives and their incoming volunteer board leadership
Thursday & Friday, November 5 & 6, 2026
Fairfield Marriott/Hilton Garden Inn and Georgia National Fairgrounds
Perry, GA
Hosted by the Perry Area Chamber of Commerce
We will set the registration fee for each event once we finalize the catering needs for each conference.
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Georgia Chamber Foundation's Q2 2025 Newsletter
The Georgia Chamber Foundation's Q2 2025 newsletter spotlights key initiatives advancing small business growth, student entrepreneurship, and civic engagement across Georgia. Click here to read more.
| | GACCE Associate Member Updates | | | | |
GACCE is pleased to welcome a new Associate Member:
Georgia HEART
Ben Saylor, President & CEO
Rylee Headrick, Director of Marketing & Communications
770-250-5971
bsaylor@georgiaheart.org
rheadrick@georgiaheart.org
The Georgia HEART Hospital Program is helping rural and critical access hospitals take advantage of an exciting opportunity to increase their funding and their ability to provide for the health care needs of thousands of Georgians. Find out more below:
https://www.georgiaheart.org/
We will schedule a Zoom meeting soon for Ben and Rylee to share more about their program with our members.
A healthy community starts with a healthy workforce – and that begins with access to top-quality healthcare. Through the Georgia HEART Rural Hospital Tax Credit Program, Georgia taxpayers can receive a 100% state income tax credit for their contributions to eligible rural hospitals. It’s a simple yet powerful way to enhance the financial health and patient services of rural communities across the state.
In response to recent legislative changes, Georgia HEART has launched a new October 1 Application for the 2025 tax year. This option is designed for taxpayers—including pass-through businesses—who prefer to submit payment at or near year-end. Applications submitted through this form will be sent to the Department of Revenue on 10/1/25, with a payment deadline of 12/31/25. This later deadline gives businesses additional flexibility to align their giving with year-end tax planning, while still receiving the full benefit of the HEART tax credit program. Learn more at georgiaheart.org.
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Indus Travels at ACCE 2025: Turning Travel into Tangible Revenue Opportunity That Can Generate $40,000+ Annually
Last month, Indus Travels was proud to participate in the ACCE Conference as a Silver Sponsor, where we had the pleasure of hosting an exclusive and insightful breakaway session. Our guest speaker, Paul Farmer, CEO of the Monterey County Business Council, shared powerful insights drawn from his 13+ years of experience running successful chamber travel programs. He revealed how travel has become a reliable revenue stream—generating over $40,000 annually for his organization—while also significantly boosting member engagement and retention. Paul also shared practical, real-world tips that helped make his program one of the most successful in our network—strategies you can easily apply to kick-start or enhance your own travel offerings. Following Paul, Saeed Parker, Regional Manager at Indus Travels, explained how our proven, turnkey system—refined over more than a decade—removes the guesswork and complexity from launching a profitable travel program. Whether you're just getting started or looking to scale, our model is designed for effortless success.
🎥 Watch the full session here.
📩 Ready to explore the possibilities? Contact Mr. Dhruv Raval, Regional Manager, on 866 978 2997 ext. 844, or email dhruv@indus.travel to find out how to bring these benefits to your chamber.
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Applications for the Executive Leadership Program for Nonprofit Organizations (ELPNO) opens
ELPNO is a week-long program taking place Jan. 11-16, 2026, at the University of Georgia’s J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development. This Fanning-lead program is designed to have an impact on nonprofit professionals who can influence intermediate and long-term decision-making around mission, strategy, substantial programming, and policy. Applications for the program are reviewed on a rolling admissions basis and will be reviewed as they are submitted. Learn more and apply today: https://www.fanning.uga.edu/elpno/
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How Destination North Myrtle Beach is leveling up its advocacy to deliver even more for local businesses.
We’ve recently expanded our work with Destination North Myrtle Beach, moving from legislative session support into a year-round partnership. Even with a strong advocacy program already in place, they’re using our framework to keep their efforts member-driven and focused on what matters most to local businesses. It’s a great example of how chambers—whether building from scratch or refining established programs—can grow their impact and the value they deliver to members. Want to explore what this could look like for your chamber's advocacy program? Click here to schedule a quick 10 minute chat with us.
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Compliance Tracker Newsletter - September 2025
This month’s Compliance Tracker Newsletter summarizes compliance deadlines for September 2025 and highlights additional upcoming deadlines. Click here for the newsletter.
As always, if you have any additional questions or need additional information associated with these topics of other HR related topics, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
William Peterson, MBA, FABC
229-347-6289
will.peterson@onedigital.com
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Ready for 2026? Let’s Talk!
This year is flying by and planning for 2026 starts now. If you are interested in telling your Chamber's story with bigger impact AND growing your non-dues revenue, now is the perfect time to connect and explore how partnering with PSP Group can take you to the next level! Schedule a discovery call today with Eli (eli@mypspgroup.com) or Kenny (kenny@mypspgroup.com).
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Last Call for 2025 Board Retreat Facilitation!
Only ONE opportunity left for Chambers ready to align their boards and set a winning strategy. As Jim Tunison, President of the Aiken Chamber, SC shared:
“Tammy’s chamber background and industry knowledge were instrumental in guiding our board through board training and a new strategic plan- one our members overwhelming approved.”
Don’t wait – secure the final 2025 retreat date today! tammy@soarnonprofitsolutions.com
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Chamber friends — I’d love your input!
After 30+ years at the Walton Chamber, as I move toward half-time in 2026 and grow Starfish Partnerships, I want to be sure the trainings and resources I create truly support YOU. If you haven’t already, please take this quick survey by September 12th for a chance to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a 1-Hour Coaching/Consulting Session. Winners will be drawn the week of September 15th!
Survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWC8TNY
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts! If you need help with a membership blitz, board retreat, or staff retreat, I’d love to discuss it with you! You can book a discovery call here: https://tidycal.com/teri1/discovery-call.
Teri Smiley, Owner, Starfish Partnerships
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UNLOOP by YGM is the smarter way to plan, sell, and track your sponsorships — no spreadsheets, no chaos. From real-time sales tracking to online contracts and sponsor FOMO when they see who else is buying, UNLOOP by YGM helps you sell smarter, not harder all while increasing your revenue.“UNLOOP by YGM's sponsorship website is a game-changer. The interface is incredibly intuitive—easy for chamber staff to update and even easier for sponsors to navigate and make purchases. It streamlines the entire process. This is the kind of tool that gives your chamber a competitive edge!”
— Tiffany Fulmer Ott
👉 Sponsor Sales Demo: [Watch Now]
👉 Admin Demo: [Watch Now]
Click here to sign-up for UNLOOP by YGM.
| | GACCE Chamber Member Updates | | Brian Dill has announced his resignation as the Chamber's President & CEO effective August 31. The Chamber's Board of Directors have unanimously approved the promotion of Rhyne Owenby to President of the Chamber. Rhyne’s relationship driven approach to chamber operations has been the driving force behind record membership levels and strong, value-added programming. This appointment is effective September 1st. | | |
Chattooga County is proud to announce its participation in the 2025–2026 Georgia FLEX (Foundational Leadership and Entrepreneurial Experience) program, a statewide initiative that empowers high school students to develop real-world entrepreneurial and leadership skills through hands-on learning and community engagement. Cindy Rivers McGraw, Executive Director of the Chamber, attended the 2025 FLEX Implementation Workshop, where they engaged in collaborative training sessions, learned best practices from successful program sites, and worked alongside their teams to map out tailored plans for launching or enhancing their local FLEX programs. This hands-on workshop ensures each community begins the school year equipped with the tools and strategies needed for a strong and sustainable implementation. Click here to learn more.
| | The Chamber hosted a dynamic August Network Luncheon, sponsored by Northside Hospital Cherokee and catered by Chick-fil-A Ellijay. Boxed lunches from Chick-fil-A made it easy for participants to grab a meal and focus on connecting. This month’s program featured a creative “speed networking” format, designed to spotlight our local nonprofit organizations. Attendees had the opportunity to connect directly with nonprofits, learn about their missions, and discover the incredible work they are doing to serve our community. We are grateful to our sponsors, participants, and all who joined us to make this luncheon a success—and we’re thrilled to share that we received rave reviews from both participants and attendees! | | Greater North Fulton Chamber | |
The Chamber is grateful to all who made the BOLD Leadership Summit a success! A special thank-you goes out to our generous sponsors for helping bring together such an inspiring community of leaders. The BOLD Summit featured keynote speakers Mercedez Jackson and Parita Kuttappan, who shared powerful insights on energy, resilience, and leadership. Their messages continue to inspire us as we look ahead to what’s next.
| | Join us for GLOW: Swing and Social, hosted by Gwinnett’s Leadership Organization for Women. This refreshing evening brings women together for casual conversation, friendly competition, and meaningful networking, so dress golf casual and come ready to swing. | | |
The Chamber and its Board of Directors are excited to announce that Gloria Boyer will be stepping into the role of President and CEO of the organization, effective immediately. Gloria brings a wealth of knowledge to this role, having been with the Chamber for over three years, managing both the day to day operations of the Chamber, as well as serving as Director of Tourism and Events. Her unique understanding of the organization, combined with her deep commitment to Harris County, makes her the ideal candidate to lead the Chamber into its next phase of growth. Click here to read more.
| | The Chamber continues to expand its leadership and entrepreneurship initiatives. This fall, we’re launching our first year with the Georgia FLEX Program in partnership with Henry County Schools and Creekside Christian Academy. Our Chamber Mentorship Program is also kicking off its second cohort, supported by a series of case studies highlighting the success of our inaugural group. We’ve strengthened our partnership with BRIDGE to provide ongoing access to expert business support, and we’re excited to debut the EmPOWER her Coffee Hour series, monthly gatherings designed to inspire and connect women in business and leadership. | | Milledgeville-Baldwin County Chamber | |
Milly Means Business – The Chamber’s New Podcast! We’re excited to announce the launch of Milly Means Business, the official podcast of the Chamber, created in partnership with Baldwin High School’s College and Career Academy. Our first two episodes were released in August, and new episodes will be dropped on the 1st and 3rd of each month. Tune in for community spotlights, business insights, and inspiring stories that keep you connected to Milledgeville and Baldwin County. Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and iHeartRadio!
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The Chamber's Businesswomen’s Purpose Alliance recently hosted its Bougie Express Health & Wellness Expo—the third installment in the Alliance’s popular “Bougie Series,” which also includes the Bougie Brunch and Bougie Lunch. Nearly 200 women gathered for a vibrant afternoon of inspiration, interactive wellness activities, and local business showcases. The Bougie Brunch celebrated women’s leadership and community impact, while the Bougie Lunch sparked dialogue around professional growth and collaboration. Building on that momentum, the Bougie Express spotlighted whole-person health, delivering fresh energy and becoming one of the Chamber’s most talked-about women’s events to date. Together, the series demonstrates the power of purpose-driven programming to strengthen women leaders, businesses, and the broader community.
| | Hearts for Heroes is Paulding County’s annual tribute to veterans, first responders, military personnel, and public safety officers. Hosted by the Chamber since 2020, the event is held around Veterans Day and has become a cherished local tradition. This year’s celebration will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at New Season Church. The day will feature live music, student programs, vendor booths, kids’ activities, and valuable resources for veterans and their families—including a veteran's job fair. A highlight of 2024 was the moving ceremony honoring fallen Deputy Brandon Cunningham, along with a community art project that created a lasting tribute for the Paulding County Sheriff’s Department. More than just a gathering, Hearts for Heroes is a symbol of gratitude—uniting businesses, civic groups, sponsors, and residents to honor the everyday heroes who serve and protect our communities. | | |
The Chamber hosted the Small Business Administration on August 7th. Chamber Members, as well as citizens from surrounding communities, gathered at the Chamber to hear speakers from the SBA talk about the work the SBA does, loan opportunities for small businesses, and the process of contract work for the federal government.
| | Other Updates of Interest | | GACCE - Disaster Fund Grants | |
We are pleased to share information on a new grant program for our chamber members – GACCE Disaster Fund Grants. GACCE has created a Disaster Fund to assist our members in times of natural disasters. GACCE member chambers that need assistance after a natural disaster may apply for a grant from this fund if they meet the following criteria:
- The Chamber has suffered financial losses due to direct damage to their building and/or a disruption in normal operations as a result of a natural disaster;
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The Chamber is located in a county that has been declared a federal disaster area (grant applications received from chambers in a community that has not been declared a federal disaster area will be reviewed at the discretion of the GACCE Executive Committee);
- The Chamber is a current paid member of GACCE; and,
- The Chamber has at least one full-time employee.
CLICK HERE for the grant application.
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The U.S. Chamber Foundation's Institute for Organization Management has announced their 2026 program dates. CLICK HERE to see the sites and dates for 2026.
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