To get a general sense of the content for CCA's annual conference, you can peruse the agenda from the previous year's event. In addition, members can access presentations, documents and photos in the password protected Member Information Center (MIC).
Pick-up your conference name badge and materials in the Taff Room. Please take a moment to say hello to some of our sponsors and settle in for a fun event. Check-in for Hotel Colorado sleeping rooms begins at 3 p.m.
Our challenges require thought leadership to explore ideas and solutions. Cathi Hight is a chamber industry thought leader, speaker and consultant. She provides unique perspectives and strategies to help organizations of all sizes manage constant change, maximize their strengths and resources, and effectively communicate their value propositions. Cathi will kick-off the conference with an interactive exercise to help attendees get the most out of the time they're investing together, and come away with at least one solution ready to be deployed.
Tracks: Chamber Industry Best Practices, Peer-to-Peer Learning & Development
It is an honor to have Governor Jared Polis joining us to share a few brief remarks.
Chambers typically find it easy to have programs and events in their annual program of work. Yet, adding “initiatives” to that list is often a daunting task for Chambers. Find the grit and determination to use initiatives in elevating your Chamber. By reviewing some strategic initiatives of Chambers across the country, we’ll highlight the process of implementing initiatives, the selection of the right initiatives, and the benefits for your Chamber.
Tracks: Leadership, Advocacy, Strategy
Thanks to Glenwood Canyon Brewing Company for hosting this event and for being one of our conference sponsors.
The brewery is located at 402 7th Street, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601.
After the reception, conference attendees will gather into small groups of six (6) for dinner at one of a dozen restaurants in downtown Glenwood. Dinner is on your own, but an ACCC board member will serve as an ambassador for each small group.
Do you wish you had unrestricted revenue to use however you wanted? What if we told you that you already had that revenue source? And that you could use it to start new programs or to serve your members better or to increase staff benefits? What if we told you how you could develop a plan for earned income based on who you and your chamber are, on what you do, and on what you already know? You may be surprised at how valuable your current assets are. The challenge is simply to look at them as the potential gold mine they are. Many chambers refine and enhance their current programs and services by providing value-added benefits that create new income sources through new payer markets. Learn how to shift your thinking toward optimizing the opportunities you already have available to you.
Tracks: Non-dues revenue
In this interactive session, chambers of all sizes will share how innovation has helped them build capacity, improve member engagement, drive revenue, lead on important issues, achieve incremental growth. No achievement is too small to be celebrated, and sometimes we achieve the most from making the smallest adjustments.
Tracks: Communications, Technology, Capacity Building through Incremental Growth
Back by popular demand, Elizabeth Garner will share an overview of population and demographic trends in Colorado that are affecting the businesses we serve today, and that will inform business decisions for tomorrow.
The demographic make-up of Colorado will have a significant impact on Colorado’s labor force, job growth, housing, and education over the next decade. This session will present the most significant population trends in the state and how to be prepared to leverage them for the future. The State Demography Office develops population forecasts and associated components by age and county through 2050. These can be used to develop scenarios and plan for the future.
Tracks: State Resources & Information
Laura Rodriguez will share up-to-date information on Colorado's economic outlook, the state's priorities and strategies for economic growth, and resources for chambers of commerce and the businesses they serve.
Tracks: State Resources & Information
Ed Sealover, the Colorado Chamber's VP Strategic Initiatives and Editor, The Sum & Substance will give a preview of initiatives coming out of a coalition of business groups and NGOs led by the state chamber.
Tracks: Business Issues
Chambers can no longer sit on the sidelines. Hear from the best of the best of how all chambers can get involved in the process and ensure a positive business environment for the businesses we serve.
Monique Thierry, Vice President of the Congressional and Public Affairs for the eight-state Southwest-South Central Regional office; Loren Furman, president & CEO of the Colorado Chamber of Commerce; and Lisa Hough, president & CEO of Adams County Regional Economic Partnership will have a conversation on how chambers can make an impact locally, at the state level and nationally.
Tracks: Advocacy, Leadership, Community Impact
In 2022, the Arvada Chamber launched its B.O.L.D. 2026 initiative--a five-year regional economic strength and resiliency initiative developed in consultation with private and public sector leaders and partners in Arvada, Jefferson / Adams Counties, Metro Denver, and the state of Colorado. Hear from Kami Welch, CEO of the Arvada Chamber about the process for preparing to embark on this ground-breaking initiative, the $ millions raised to achieve it, and progress thus far.
Tracks: Business Issues, Leadership, Advocacy, Foundations, Non-Dues Revenue
Terri Hayes, CEO of the Tri-Lakes Chamber will lead a discussion with Jonathan Singer, former state representative and director of Government Affairs for Boulder Chamber, and Candace Carnahan, CEO of the Grand Junction Chamber on how to develop a rapport with elected office-holders and government officials, and communication strategies for developing a good working relationship with individuals even when there disagreement on the approach to doing what's best for the community.
Tracks: Advocacy, Government Relations, Communications
Join colleagues and peers for a reception at 5 p.m. followed by a group dinner and awards ceremony. Celebrate and learn from the successes, achievements and creativity of chamber pros from across the Colorado.
This will be your last chance to bid on Silent Auction items which were donated by your chamber peers. All proceeds go to supporting the ACCC Scholarship fund which helps chambers with limited budgets offset the expenses associated with attending our conference.
Be sure to pick-up your silent auction items and settle-up with the conference registration staff. Thank you for bidding: All proceeds go to supporting the ACCC Scholarship fund which helps chambers offset expenses associated with attending our conference.
How have expectations around value changed? What motivates members to engage with you? How do members define “meaningful engagement"?
Even before the pandemic, engaging a higher percentage of members was a challenge due to diverse interests and needs, busy schedules, and meeting ROI expectations. The pandemic disrupted business, impacted the livelihood for people, and changed expectations to engage. After conducting numerous surveys, insights on why members engage, how they define “meaningful engagement”, and what would increase their engagement have been identified. As you prepare to re-engage your members, stop and consider what to bring back, do differently, or create new.
In this session, you’ll explore:
• The different motivations for members to join, engage, and renew.
• Insights from member surveys on why they engage, “meaningful engagement” and what would increase engagement.
• How to provide value and meet changing expectations.
Tracks: Membership recruitment and retention, Value Proposition
How to build capacity and align human resources to achieve your mission and goals.
Learn from a human resources professional whose experience includes Aspen Ski Company as well as Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park and Iron Mountain Hot Springs - two of Glenwood Springs’ largest (and continuously growing) attractions, where has played a key role in effectively designing and building productive teams. This interactive and conversational session will provide insights, tips and strategies that chambers of any size can use to build efficient and effective teams to accomplish their goals.
No stranger to chambers of commerce, Eric is a current member of the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association (GSCRA) Board of Directors and past chair. Under his leadership, the GSCRA successfully navigated the pandemic, Grizzly Creek Fire and mudslides.
Tracks: Capacity Building, Team Engagement, Operations
Rich Millard, CEO of the Royal Gorge Chamber Alliance will lead a discussion with other chamber pros who have recently completely re-evaluated their value proposition, re-branded to reflect their true mission, and made the leap to tiered membership. If you've been thinking of making a change--large or small, now's your chance to ask what the process was like, how buy-in was achieved, and what the results have been so far.
Tracks: Value Proposition, Leadership, Advocacy, Strategy, Operations
Is your chamber embracing change or stuck in the past? This session will examine industry research, brand positioning, opportunities for chamber impacts, and a look at what chambers “need to be” as we move into the future. Fasten your seat belts – remaining/being relevant could mean you are in for a bumpy ride.
Tracks: Value Proposition, Leadership, Strategy, Change Management, Advocacy
There is a hunger among the next generation of business leaders to be involved, proactive and to have a positive impact in their communities. How are you engaging young professionals and emerging leaders in your chamber? Hear from an inspiring panel of chamber pros led by Angelica Salinas, director of membership for the Steamboat Springs Chamber about some of the programs and initiatives chambers are executing in order to meet the expectations of the next generation of business leaders.
Tracks: Membership Development, Strategy, Communications, Events
Take one last minute to connect with your peers, and please complete the post-conference evaluation survey so that we can capture your feedback while it's fresh. Safe travels!
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