W.A.C.E.'s Chamber Leadership Podcast

In this episode we are joined by Lorraine Clarno , ACE, 2023-2024 Board Chair and Whitney Diver McEvoy , Board Chair Elect as they reflect on the Association's past year and set intentions and inspiration for the year ahead.  

Glenn Morris, ACE , President/CEO of the Santa Maria Valley (CA) Chamber and W.A.C.E. Board member, joins us  to discuss the role of chambers in economic development and how that may look now compared to chambers of the past. Listen now!

What is one of the most prominent needs in your community and what are you doing to address it?  The last few years have unearthed some seismic shifts in our communities, and in this episode Tempe (AZ) Chamber President/CEO Colin Diaz, ACE shares his belief that Chambers are uniquely positioned to lead the charge in addressing them.  This is a generational moment, and who chambers work with and ho...

This week's podcast features special guest Zeb Welborn , ACE, President of the Chino Valley (CA) Chamber. Zeb shares with us a goal setting strategy that his chamber has seen success with and walks you through the step-by-step process using his first years at the chamber as a case study. Listen now.

On this episode, we interview John Bwarie from Stratiscope, a community engagement, marketing and association management firm. John discusses the local chambers’ roles in responding to community crises, building resiliency, and connecting your community.

On this episode, we discuss the important role Chambers fill when dealing with a community emergency or natural disaster. Many Chambers are considered their community’s hub for important information, when an unexpected event strikes, those expectations only increase for key community organizations like chambers of commerce.

On this episode of the Chamber Leadership podcast Jim Johnson from the Pearland (TX) Chamber of Commerce joins us. Jim talks about the importance of professional development in the industry and the program that won their chamber the “Chamber of the Year” award at the latest ACCE Conference.

Nick Ortiz with the Western Association of Chamber Executives (W.A.C.E.), announces the relaunch of the Chamber Leadership podcast and reviews the importance of Chambers of Commerce and the business community in advancing growth in their regions.

In this week's episode Dave Kilby sits down with Nick Ortiz , the new President/CEO of W.A.C.E. Nick discusses his background, experience, passion for the Chamber Industry, the future of chambers and reflects on the impact W.A.C.E. has had on him personally and on his career.

In this week’s episode, Dave Kilby , President of W.A.C.E.,  offers wisdom and reflection as he looks ahead towards retirement and the future forward.

This week, Dave Kilby , President of W.A.C.E., shares words of wisdom from Chamber Industry Champions.  Hear advice and tips for communicating value from some of the best in the business. Listen now!

In this episode  Dave Kilby , President of W.A.C.E., answers more of your questions! This week’s topics include should board members serve on multiple chamber boards at the same time, tips for getting off to a good start with a new board chair and tips for a successful government affairs program. Have a question that you would like answered on a future episode? Email  dave.kilby@calchamber.com . 

In this episode Dave Kilby , president of W.A.C.E., is joined by Eric Peterson from executive search firm Waverly Partners to discuss turnover in the chamber industry. Eric shares trends in the executive search process and offers application and interview tips for job seekers.

In this episode Dave Kilby is joined by Terri Cole , CCE, President/CEO of the Greater Albuquerque (NM) Chamber as she reflects on her 45 year chamber career and shares the secret to longevity with one organization. Cole also offers advice to new CEOs, the biggest changes in the Chamber Industry over the years, what’s holding chambers back from success and so much more. Listen now!

With the 2022 elections in the rearview mirror, the need for a “sane” center has never been more clear.  In this episode Dave Kilby , President of W.A.C.E., discusses the opportunity for chambers to fill this need and help get business-friendly candidates elected while stressing the importance of learning to do so correctly. Sitting on the sidelines is simply no longer an option. You, your members...

In this episode Dave Kilby , President of W.A.C.E., answers more of your questions! This week’s topics include installation dinners and swearing in ceremonies, the ideal timing for board retreats/planning sessions, and recommended frequency of dues increases. Have a question that you would like answered on a future episode? Email dave.kilby@calchamber.com . 

In this week’s episode we look at the high turnover seen in the chamber industry over the last few years. Dave Kilby , president of W.A.C.E., discusses the importance of rewarding loyalty and talent with promotions from within and emphasizes the importance of employment contracts and regular benefits audits. Don’t let your chamber be an employer of last resort with continuous turnover, listen now!

W.A.C.E. celebrates 100 episodes of the Chamber Leadership Podcast’s best practices, chamber industry trends and advice with the debut of the new Board Basics – Board Resource Page . Dave Kilby , president of W.A.C.E., discusses how the project came about as well as the importance of making listening and delivering an important part of your chamber culture.

In true film industry fashion this week’s episode is a sequel to episode 78 “Movie Wisdom for the Chamber World”. Dave Kilby is once again joined by Chris Romer , ACE, IOM, President/CEO of the Vail Valley (CO) Partnership, as they share 10 movie quotes that relate to life as a chamber professional. Themes range from the classic “Gone with the Wind” to a more modern blockbuster “Top Gun: Maverick”...

In this episode Dave Kilby , President of W.A.C.E., answers more of your questions! This week’s topics include open board meetings, board term limits, single slate elections and “turf” in areas with competing chambers. Have a question that you would like answered on a future episode? Email dave.kilby@calchamber.com . 

In this week’s episode Dave Kilby , President of W.A.C.E., provides follow up to episode 74 with 7 more tips to help Chamber CEOs not only survive but thrive in the chamber industry. Listen now!

This week Dave Kilby , President of W.A.C.E., debuts a new format and answers questions submitted by some of our members. Topics covered include membership drives, having a chair-elect and who “owns” funds generated by committees. Have a question you want answered? Submit your question for a future “Ask Dave” segment to dave.kilby@calchamber.com.  

In this week’s episode Dave Kilby is joined by Diane Schwenke , President/CEO of the Grand Junction Area (CO) Chamber and long time chamber executive. Diane shares the secrets to her career longevity at one chamber while reflecting on the biggest changes and challenges to the chamber industry during her tenure.

In this week's episode Dave Kilby , President of W.A.C.E., dispels 6 chamber myths that can pop up unexpectedly at any board meeting and offers best practices to combat them.

In this episode Dave Kilby is joined by Mark Turner , President/CEO of the Gilroy (CA) Chamber and longtime W.A.C.E. member as he discusses the 4 potential disruptive forces that can wreak havoc on a business community and your community at large. He also shares valuable insight into what is most important for a chamber when managing a community crisis based on his own experience.