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

In this episode Dave Kilby is joined by Kyle Jacobson, VP of Government Relations for the Lubbock (TX) Chamber, to discuss his new book “Advocacy Basics for Chambers: The ABC’s of Government Relations”. Jacobson stresses the importance of advocacy and how you can move your chamber from sitting on the sidelines to playing in the game. He also emphasizes why chambers need to take advantage of advocacy as an opportunity to shine as a voice for your members while bringing value to your community. Is advocacy the missing ingredient for your chamber?

Inspired by a quote from the movie “The Departed”,  W.A.C.E. President Dave Kilby shares that, while it takes courage and requires getting out of our comfort zones, chambers of commerce need to play a leadership role in shaping the future of their communities.

Dave Kilby, president of W.A.C.E., discusses principles from the book “Excellence Now: Extreme Humanism” by Tom Peters and how they apply to the chamber industry. Over the last year the importance of professional development during challenging times is more apparent than ever. Professional development offers ROI for not only you but also your organization. We have seen a direct correlation between chambers who invested in their staff and those chambers who are coming out of this pandemic successful and more relevant than ever.

There is currently a lot of change and transition in our industry. Each week our office receives new job announcements and new job opening listings. This week Dave Kilby, president of W.A.C.E., shares reminders and proven suggestions on chamber CEO survival basics and discusses the art of being successful in the chamber industry. 

In this episode Dave Kilby is joined by Mick Fleming, longtime chamber champion and former CEO of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). Mick provides background on the ACCE task force and process that led to the publication of the Horizon Initiative as well as a broad overview of the influences that will shape the future of the chamber industry. While many of the specifics and tactics have changed since the initiative was first published, you will find that many of the strategies and ideas are more relevant than ever. 

Chambers around the West are, even during the pandemic, doing great things that really matter and make a difference to their members and communities. In this episode Dave Kilby, president of W.A.C.E., provides some examples and discusses 6 foundational key ingredients these successful chambers share. Chambers have the opportunity to lead and take action as the problem solvers in their community and now is the time to quit talking and start doing just that.

In this episode Dave Kilby is joined by special guest Brad Hicks, President/CEO of the Medford & Jackson County (OR) Chamber, as he reflects on his 28 year career with the chamber and shares wisdom, guiding principles for success in the chamber industry, and what’s next for his career.

It is normal for chambers to want to know how other chambers are doing in terms of membership and retention especially during these unprecedented times. Dave Kilby, president of W.A.C.E., shares data from a recent opinion poll and discusses why the data is so hard to pin down. With many chambers holding off on dropping past due members and adding large numbers of potential members to their databases pinpointing exact numbers of dues paying members can be tricky. What we do know is over the last year chambers have shown their value and as we approach the light at the end of the COVID tunnel it is time for chambers to unapologetically and consistently tell their story, communicate value and make the ask for membership. 

While most chambers have been vocal about the need for PPE and PPP, vaccination campaigns do not seem to be as common. In this episode Dave Kilby discusses the reasons chambers may or may not choose to get involved and spotlights two chambers, the Grand Junction Area (CO) Chamber and the Lodi District (CA) Chamber, who have used their status as a trusted resource in their community to lead successful vaccination campaigns. The chamber is Courage and it is time for us to roll up our sleeves and get to work!

In this episode Dave Kilby is joined by Academy faculty member B Gorman, from B Great Leadership, to discuss  how chamber professionals can battle burn out by prioritizing and establishing boundaries that protect not only their own health and well-being but the chamber’s focus and mission as well.