From Sheree Anne

Is Your Chamber Future Ready?

Chambers of commerce have been so successful in leading change in their communities that community leaders are turning to their chambers more frequently with different and higher expectations. As we continue to build momentum and earn trust, how do we prepare our organizations for the future?

In this issue of Chamber Executive, we are sharing ACCE President & CEO Sheree Anne Kelly's keynote from the 2024 ACCE Convention in Dallas. Watch this 20-minute presentation on how to ensure your chamber is future ready, both inside and out.

Key takeaways include:

• On workforce and talent challenges, chambers have moved beyond traditional skills training and work-based learning opportunities to focus on broader issues that present barriers to workforce participation – issues like access to affordable child care and income-aligned housing.
• Smart chambers of commerce are leveraging data to gain a greater understanding of how the business community they serve is changing. Since the pandemic, there has been an uptick in entrepreneurial activity. Chambers need to adapt to ensure they are addressing the needs of their business communities.
  
• We frequently talk about the key role chambers play as conveners. In our current politically charged climate, many chambers are being asked to act as unifiers. Chambers can bring people together and bridge divides.
• Membership revenue continues to flatten or decline. More chambers are exploring new revenue streams, adjusting their membership models and leveraging 501(c)(3) foundations to fund their community impact work.
• Chambers are also realizing the need to provide more workplace flexibility in order to attract and retain top talent. Employee expectations are changing, so we must consider this when setting policies. Our second annual workplace flexibility survey shows that 64 percent of chamber employees prefer some sort of hybrid work. That’s up 8 percent from last year. Chambers are exploring staff centric policies to meet changing expectations, from summer Fridays and no meeting Mondays, to four-day work weeks and monthly wellness activities.