2026 VACCE Spring Conference

for all chamber staff members

Wednesday - Friday, March 18 - 20, 2026

George Washington Hotel

Winchester, VA

Hosted by the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber of Commerce

We are excited to share the following sessions scheduled for the event:

• Welcome to Chamber World: Orientation & Inspiration
• Behind the Curtain: Top of Virginia Regional Chamber
• Boundaries & BINGO! - Anissa Starnes, YGM
• The Psychology Behind Events: Creating an Emotional Connection - Cally D'Angelo, Collective Edge Agency
• Trends & Influences: How External Forces Shape Chambers and Communities - Sheree Anne Kelly, ACCE

We will also have breakout sessions on the following topics led by your VACCE peers:

• New Revenue Realities - Successful Chamber Programs
• Beyond Job Fairs - Workforce Development that Works
• Marketing & Communications - Telling Your Chamber's Story
• Chamber Leadership Programs - Building Leaders Your Community Needs 




CLICK HERE for more information and to register.

We have scheduled a complimentary webinar with a new VACCE Associate Member for the following:

Wednesday, February 11 – 2:00pm

Introduction to Kami 
Julie Robinson, Strategic Account Executive

As a platform built to simplify collaboration, communication, and learning, Kami aligns closely with the work chambers do every day. We will share tools that boost productivity, streamline workflows, and support professional development—helping chambers better serve their businesses, educators, and local partners. You can find out more about Kami at https://www.kamiapp.com/.

CLICK HERE to register for this 30-minute meeting. Once you have completed the short registration form, the system will send you the information to connect to the meeting, 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.

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We have scheduled a complimentary webinar with a new VACCE Associate Member for the following:

Wednesday, February 24 – 9:00am

Introduction to Sierra Learnership Collaborative, LLC
Sierra Collins, Founder & CEO

Sierra Learnership offers outstanding leadership development through its speaking, training, and coaching services. Tailored for youth and adult learners, their programs are designed to foster lifelong personal and professional growth. Find out more here.

CLICK HERE to register for this 30-minute meeting. Once you have completed the short registration form, the system will send you the information to connect to the meeting, 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.

Chamber Day at the Capitol and Old Dominion Assembly Legislative Reception

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Chamber Day - 9:30am

Old Dominion Assembly - 6:00pm

Omni Hotel Richmond

Join more than 500 business leaders, policymakers, and Chamber executives from across the Commonwealth for a full day of insight, strategy, and collaboration. As a new administration takes office, this year’s program will focus on the business community’s top priorities outlined in Blueprint Virginia 2035 - including workforce, competitiveness, trade, innovation, and regional growth. CLICK HERE for more information and to register.

Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy

Legislative Watch

Virginia imports more electricity per capita than any other state, and data centers use lots of electricity. Bringing more electricity generation online in Virginia is essential to supporting economic growth and reducing the Commonwealth’s reliance on more expensive imported electricity. Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE) is following several bills at the General Assembly that will accelerate building needed electricity generation and storage capacity in Virginia from two of the most affordable, fastest-to-market, and cleanest sources available: solar generation and energy storage. CLICK HERE to read more.

Lumin Strategies

Lumin Strategies is now a Virginia-based company looking forward to broadening our support to you and your members with the high level of service, responsiveness, and strategic support that has defined our past engagements. As I take on the role of President & CEO, Brian Francis will continue supporting the team as a Strategic Advisor, and I’m deeply grateful for his mentorship and continued guidance. If you're ready to start advocacy work, reach out to us at bfox@luminstrat.com.

WiseChoice / Anthem

Celebrating Our Inaugural Certified MEWA Advisors for 2025

We're thrilled to recognize our inaugural Certified MEWA Advisors for 2025, highlighting their exceptional dedication and expertise in Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements (MEWAs). This prestigious designation enhances their professional visibility and credibility.

Meet Our Advisors:

- Meagan Tyler (Virginia Farm Bureau, Richmond, VA)

- Richard (Drew) Pollard (Business Solutions Inc, Salem, VA)

- Philip Showalter (W D Campbell & Son Inc, Lynchburg, VA)

- Drew Forte (Choice Financial Group LLC, Winchester, VA)

- Kent Rhodes (Manry-Rawls LLC, Franklin, VA)

- Burman Clark (Muneris Inc, Narrows/Roanoke, VA)

- Clay Craddock (Mid-State Insurance Agency Inc, Lynchburg, VA)

Each advisor receives a Certified MEWA Advisor badge and a personalized email signature, demonstrating their expertise and bolstering client confidence.

Please join us in congratulating these outstanding professionals on their exemplary achievements. Their journey is a testament to the impact of passion, dedication, and the pursuit of knowledge in fostering a brighter future for all.

ChamberRVA

ChamberRVA’s 2026 Annual Meeting will bring together business and community leaders to celebrate the year’s accomplishments, recognize leadership, and look ahead to the priorities shaping our region’s economic future. In addition to convening the business community, ChamberRVA continues to advocate on behalf of employers through a member-driven public policy agenda focused on economic growth, workforce development, education and childcare, housing, infrastructure, and a competitive business climate. Together, these efforts reinforce ChamberRVA’s role as a leading voice for business across Greater Richmond.

Culpeper Chamber

We're thrilled to share that our President/CEO, Amy Frazier, has successfully completed her third year at the Institute for Organization Management - the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce! Amy spent an incredible week in Tucson, Arizona, learning from top-notch instructors and networking with 250+ chamber and association leaders from across the country. Since 1921, the Institute has been the gold standard for training association, chamber, and nonprofit leaders. This four-year program brings together the best and brightest for intensive week-long sessions covering everything from leadership and advocacy to marketing, finance, and membership strategies - all aimed at helping organizations like ours run stronger and serve our community better. We're proud of Amy's dedication to professional growth and excited about how this continued learning will benefit our Chamber and the entire Culpeper business community!

Fredericksburg Regional Chamber

The Chamber will host their 5th Annual Intern Expo, "Oh, the Places You'll Go" on February 11. The Intern Expo serves the entire Fredericksburg region (PD16), bringing together employers, students, and educators for a meaningful workforce development experience. This event is the only event of its kind in our region, offering students hands-on career exploration and direct access to businesses providing internship and early career opportunities.

Hampton Roads Chamber

The Chamber is celebrating 225 years of serving the regional business community! As we mark our 225th anniversary, we are celebrating more than a historic milestone, we are reaffirming our role as a convener, advocate, and catalyst for regional economic growth. Guided by a proud past, strengthened by the present, and focused boldly on the future, this anniversary is an opportunity to engage and collaborate. We invite our fellow chamber colleagues to engage with us on social media as we feature throwbacks, celebrate milestone memberships, and highlight Chamber value! We are grateful for the past 225 years and look ahead with optimism to many more years of shaping the region’s future.

Highland County Chamber

The 66^th Highland County Maple Festival will be held March 14 – 15 and 21 – 22, 2026. Enjoy free sugar camp tours, unique artisans, all-you-can-eat pancake meals, famous maple doughnuts, entertainment and more! www.highlandcounty.org/maple-festival

Louisa County Chamber

Our community was featured recently on ABC World News that ties in workforce development, K-12 and all around lifting up the community. Click here to see the story.

Montgomery County Chamber

The Chamber will be hosting the 2026 Women’s Leadership Conference on March 5^th at the Inn at Virginia Tech. This year’s theme is Winning Mindsets: Writing your Own Playbook, emphasizing the paths that you are able to forge for yourself, your business, or your professional career. Keynote speaker will be Lauren Sisler, she is an ESPN sports broadcaster and author of “Shatterproof”. 

The Chamber announced the “Chamber Challenge” to celebrate Montgomery County and VA 250 anniversaries and to promote Buy Local. To participate, you must submit 250 retail receipts from any Montgomery County business between now and Dec 1 for a chance to win $2500. 

Patrick County Chamber

Patrick County and community partners are celebrating the successful completion of Phase 1 improvements to the Mayo River Rail Trail, made possible through a Seed Grant from the Appalachian Gateway Communities Initiative (AGCI).The Appalachian Gateway Communities Initiative (AGCI) is a program launched in 2007 by The Conservation Fund to help towns bordering public lands develop their economic potential while preserving their natural and cultural assets. Click here for the full press release.

Virginia Peninsula Chamber

On January 6, we kicked off the LEAD Higher Class of 2026 at Christopher Newport University with a dynamic day of learning and connection. CNU faculty Dr. Kat Callahan, Dr. Willy Donaldson, and Lacey Grey Hunter, M.Ed. introduced participants to key leadership topics they’ll explore throughout the year. The class also dove into DISC assessment insights with Owen Van Syckle, Founder of The Van Syckle Group and Sales Acceleration Academy, and participated in a powerful structured networking experience led by Dr. Alvean Lyons, CEO of A.L. Inc. - encouraging meaningful conversations beyond titles. We wrapped up the day with a warm welcome from Holly Koons at the Mary M. Torggler Fine Arts Center and a celebratory reception with President Bill Kelly, CNU faculty and staff, Chamber leaders, and program alumni.

On Tuesday, January 27, the Chamber hosted its first Rising Tide event of 2026, focusing on “The Hampton Roads Playbook”. The Playbook is Hampton Roads’ game plan to build on the industries that define us and to strengthen the cross-cutting drivers that fuel long-term growth. With this Playbook, Hampton Roads is on offense—designing our own projects to improve the economy rather than waiting for opportunities to arrive. The event brought together leaders from Defense, Energy, Aerospace, and Logistics to share knowledge and expertise, including Fred Pasquine of Fairlead, Kenneth Magee of Virginia Natural Gas, Rosemary Baize of Altair Strategies, and Chris Gullickson of The Port of Virginia.

West Point Chamber

VACCE is pleased to welcome Sam Drewry, President, and the West Point Chamber of Commerce as our newest VACCE member!

ACCE

The #ACCE26 Annual Convention has been set for July 20-22, 2026 in New Orleans, LA. Please click here for more information.

IOM - Summer Sites Scholarship & Webinar Recording

We are excited to announce that the scholarship application for 2026 Summer Sites Scholarship is open now! All students, both first-year and returning, are eligible to apply for Institute scholarship funds. If you plan to attend multiple summer sites in 2026 and wish to apply for scholarships at each site, please indicate this when prompted. All applicants will be notified of their application status before registration opens. The application will close at 11:45PM ET on February 8, 2026. Registration for each site will not open until February 25, 2026. CLICK HERE to apply!

IOM recently hosted a webinar featuring Hardy Smith on the topic of Success Tips for Working With Volunteers. CLICK HERE for the recording.

VA250 Partnership Program

As you may know, 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of American Independence, the nation’s semiquincentennial. Virginia's American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250) is calling on all Virginia businesses to join our movement to educate, engage and inspire Americans to recommit to the values inherent in citizenship, all while helping their brand capitalize on the energy of this once-in-a-lifetime moment. By signing up to be a Commemorative Partner, Virginia companies join the effort to celebrate our democracy by remembering our shared past. This program is free of charge, and we provide all the necessary tools for Commemorative Partners to engage employees and customers in unique and inspiring VA250 experiences. 

Virginia Unclaimed Property

Virginia Unclaimed Property has reached out to chambers across the state through the Department of Treasury regarding funds chambers could have listed to claim. Be sure to check your Chamber against their claim search by using https://www.vamoneysearch.gov/app/claim-search. Your Chamber may have a substantial amount of money available to claim.