Chambers of Commerce across the country are facing a major challenge: membership retention. In our latest WACE webinar, "Keeping the Ones We’ve Got," industry experts Doug and Bill Holman from Holman Brothers Membership Sales Solutions, alongside Brooke Nunn and Jessica Guerrero from the Temecula Valley Chamber, dove deep into the strategies that move a chamber from "chasing renewals" to "fostering loyalty."
Here are the key takeaways from the session to help your chamber thrive.

​The final webinar for the 2025-2026 season has been updated to ensure that we’re addressing real issues that impact local chambers today. Initially envisioned as a preview of sabbatical and similar strategies to give Chamber professionals a chance to reset or recharge, the program now has been broadened to look at the root causes of the stress and pressure that leads to the need for the recharge. 

As chamber professionals, we hear it from our members every day: the talent gap is real. According to the U.S. Chamber’s 2025 New Hire Readiness Report, a staggering 84% of hiring managers believe high school students are not fully prepared to enter the workforce. Furthermore, 92% of employers agree that high schools need more business-focused curriculum.
To meet this challenge head-on, W.A.C.E. is proud to highlight a transformative new initiative: AP Career Kickstart.

This advertorial was provided by Biz X Politics.

Your state legislative session is in full swing. Committee hearings are underway, bills are advancing and dying, and the window to influence outcomes is narrow. For chamber executives, this is the most consequential time of year: the decisions made in your state capitol over the next few months will shape the business environment your members navigate for years to come.
The good news? Chambers of every size can make a real difference. Here are five practical steps you can take right now.

For nearly two years, the Academy Committee has been evaluating the program’s curriculum, design, and graduation requirements.    The intent of the review was to ensure 1) the curriculum continues to be both foundational and relevant, 2) to strengthen the connections between cohort members beyond the program, and 3) to more directly connect Academy graduation and the W.A.C.E. Accredited Chamber Executive recognition.

In our latest W.A.C.E. Snapshot Survey, we took a deep dive into the engine room of our organizations: the Board of Directors. From board size to "Give or Get" policies, the results show a landscape of chambers that are leaning into leaner governance and mid-career leadership.
Here are the key takeaways from this month's data.

Stepping into the role of Chair for the 2026 WACE Emerging Leaders Council is both an incredible honor and a full-circle moment in my chamber journey.
I still remember being new to the industry and applying for a WACE scholarship. In my essay, I wrote about my hope to one day give back to the organization that was investing so deeply in my growth. Today, I have the privilege of doing exactly that, and it is something I do not take lightly.