Expanded 2025-2026 Webinar Series

W.A.C.E.'s webinar series for 2025-2026 features an expanded line-up, including two seasons, each with a unique set of topics.

Fall 2025 webinars included three sessions focused on current themes impacting both Chambers and their members.    The Spring 2026 Season will add three additional sessions that explore operational challenges facing Chambers.

Chambers may subscribe to the full six-session series (best value!), either "season," or individual sessions.   Details about registering are provided below.

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2025-2026 Webinar Schedule

All webinars will be held 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. PST. All sessions will be recorded and links to the recordings will be shared with Chambers that are registered for the session shortly after each session.

Expand the accordion for a description of the session and list of panelists/presenters.

Spring 2026

March 11th:  The Local Chamber - Creating a Compelling (and obvious) Value Story

The pace of change in the economy and in our communities continues to accelerate.   Do you find that what your members need from you seems to be constantly changing as well?

This session will explore ways that successful Chambers keep their value proposition current, compelling, and clear.   We'll dig into strategies to communicate the value Chambers provide in ways that drive engagement and investment.

Presenters include representatives from Chambers which were recognized with the Outstanding Local Chamber Program award at the recent 2026 Annual Conference.    They will share how they determined needs in their community, developed programs to address those needs, and how they used the programming to communicate value to their members and stakeholders.    Chambers represented on this panel include:

• Grand Junction Area Chamber (CO)
• Santa Maria Valley Chamber (CA)
• Walnut Creek Chamber (CA) (invited)

April 8th: Keep the Ones You Got - Member Retention Strategies that Work

Signing up that new member feels great and is important to the continued effectiveness of your Chamber.   But, it's just the first step.   Even more important is to keep that member coming back year after year, and to ensuring they do so because they recognize the value of the Chamber.

This session will explore strategies that work in building an effective retention program for your Chamber.

Led by WACE Strategic Partner member Holman Brothers Membership Sales Solutions and local Chambers who routinely deliver exceptional member retention results.

May 13th: Leading through Complexity - Sustainable Strategies for Chamber Professionals

Initially envisioned as a preview of sabbatical and similar strategies to give Chamber professionals a chance to reset or recharge, this session has been expanded to look at the root causes of the stress and pressure that leads to the need for the recharge.    The program will feature four Chamber professionals sharing strategies to overcome four specific challenges facing local Chambers, including:

• Alignment:  opportunities to stop duplication and optimize resources
• Funding:  strategies to grow your pie to overcome financial overwhelm
• Leadership:  capacity building, peer networks, and professional development
• Work-Life Integration

Presenters will share actionable strategies and concrete resources that help Chambers overcome these challenges and create working environments that are productive and impactful, but also sustainable from both a financial and human perspective.
Panelists include:

• Renay Sehgal Mehta.  Vice President, Chino Valley Chamber
• John Tayer.  President/CEO, Boulder Chamber
• Kami Welch, ACE, IOM.  President/CEO, Greater Arvada Chamber
• Kira Zavala, ACE, IOM.  President/CEO, Roseburg Chamber

Fall 2025

September 10th: Preparing your Members for Disasters - Resources and Best Practices for Chambers

Is your Chamber ready to respond to the next disaster, because it's not a matter of if it happens, but when?  Equally important, are the businesses in your community prepared?

Is your Chamber the go-to established community leader who will be turned to when the next hurriquake/fire/pandemic hits?  Are you ready to lead when you're most needed?  This session will prepare you to do exactly that.

Your Chamber needs to take the steps now to position itself to be the resource that your members and community.   Our presenters will introduce resources that you can share with your businesses, as well as lessons learned from their work educating businesses about preparedness strategies.   Learn concrete steps you can take to strengthen your connections, your community position, your communication leadership, your readiness to accept unexpected resources and responsibilities, and more. 

​Presenters:

• Gail Moreton, Business Resilience Manager, Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
• Lorraine Clarno, President/CEO, Kalispell Chamber
• John Bwarie, CEO, Alhambra Chamber

October 8th: Tariffs 101: Helping Members Navigate Uncertainty and Risks

We're hearing a lot about the changing landscape of tariffs and their potential impact on businesses engaged in trade and on the overall economies of our communities.    Chambers are being looked to by our members and others for information about what the current state of play is, and how to navigate this new environment.

Join us for this discussion featuring key subject matter experts as well as a local Chamber directly involved in these discussions.   Presenters will share the most current information as well as resources that you can use to help your business members understand their options and make decisions.
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​Presenters:

• Susanne Sterling, Senior VP, International Affairs, CalChamber
• John Murphy, Senior VP, Head of International, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• Celeste Wilson, Government Affairs Manager, Long Beach Area Chamber

November 12th: AI - Real World Use Cases for Chambers

You've heard the pitch - AI is here to help!   You're ready for that help, but maybe you're not sure exactly how to start and in what ways AI tools can specifically help you deliver on your Chamber's work more effectively.

This session will highlight specific use cases Chambers have implemented.   Applications highlighted include solutions aimed at membership, grant writing, issue research, advocacy & leadership communication.   We'll get into the details about why, how, and so what.   

Presenters include:

• Daniel Brooks, VP Business Advocacy, Billings (MT) Chamber
• David Jochum, Chief Operating Officer, Longview (TX) Chamber
• Jennifer Mellor, Chief Innovation Officer, Greater Phoenix (AZ) Chamber
  
• Kevin Ferrasci O'Malley, President/CEO, Wilsonville Area (OR) Chamber
  
• Craig Turner, Founder & President, Momentum AI / Executive Director, Niagara USA (NY) Chamber

Recordings of the Fall Webinars have been sent to all subscribers; if you did not receive and would like a link, please contact Glenn Morris or Nancy Lindholm.

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Registration, Pricing, etc.

Register for the webinar package that best fits your Chamber's needs by choosing the appropriate button.   Webinar registration fees are based on your level of W.A.C.E. membership.   Make sure you login to the Member Portal when registering.​

Full Six-Session Series

Fall Season (3 sessions)

Spring Season (3 Sessions)

• Tier 1 Members: $240
• Tier 2/3 Members:  n/c
• Future Members:  $480​​

• Tier 1 Members:  $150
• Tier 2/3 Members:  n/c
• Future Members:  $300​

• Tier 1 Members:  $150
• Tier 2/3 Members:  n/c
• Future Members:  $300

Membership Tiers:   Unsure about which Tier is currently assigned to your Chamber?   Click here to find out.

To register for an individual session, select it on our Event Calendar and then register from that link.

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Joining a Webinar Session

.Dial in and log in information will be sent to all registered participants no later than the Monday prior to each webinar.   Reminders will also be sent the morning of the webinar.   A recording of the webinar and any slide decks/presentation materials shared by the presenters will be shared with registered members shortly following the session.

Questions about the Webinar Series & registration can be directed to Glenn Morris, President/CEO of W.A.C.E., at [email protected].

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