Professional Development Organizations for Chamber of Commerce Professionals

MCCE (Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Executives) The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Executives is the professional, statewide organization of chamber executives. The purpose of MCCE is to enhance the personal growth, development, management effectiveness, and professional image of the chamber of commerce executive. Those members who serve as professional staff of chambers of commerce in Minnesota are eligible for membership. Dues are based on chamber size and are set by the MCCE Board of Directors each year. MCCE sponsors an Annual Meeting in January/February and a Fall conference in September. These semi-annual programs are designed to sharpen management skills by introducing new concepts and by sharing experiences with other chamber executives. MCCE also leads a delegation of local chamber and business leaders to Washington, D.C. to participate in the U.S. Chamber Small Business Summit. In June of each year, MCCE sponsors a Mini-Institute; a daylong program designed for chamber executives and their staff and especially tailored to smaller chambers of commerce and new chamber executives. A monthly newsletter and a website keep members informed of MCCE activities and serves as an informational link among local chambers of commerce in Minnesota. www.mnchamberexecutives.com.

Contact: Jennifer Byers MCCE 400 Robert Street North, Suite 1500 St. Paul, MN 55101-4901 Phone: (800) 821-2230 or (651) 292-4673 [email protected]

Regional Chamber Organizations: Chamber executives within Minnesota have found an advantage in working within geographical regions to maintain an ongoing communication link to strengthen their own professional and organizational growth. Established groups include the Southwest Minnesota Chamber Executives, the Southeast Minnesota Chamber Executives, the Central Minnesota Chamber Executives, the Metropolitan Council of Chambers of Commerce, the Northeast Minnesota Chamber Executives and the Northwest Chamber Executives. Membership is open to all chamber executives within the established geographic regions. Regional group meetings vary from monthly, quarterly, to on-call. Meetings may include guest speakers on chosen topics, as well as information sharing on common issues.

Contacts:

Southwest: Anne Johnson, Redwood Falls Area Chamber and Tourism [email protected]; 507-637-2828

Southeast: Della Schmidt, Winona Area Chamber of Commerce [email protected]; 507-452-2272

Central: Teresa Bohnen, St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce [email protected]; 320-251-2940

Metropolitan: Deb Rydberg, Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce [email protected]; 763-441-3110

Northeast: Bud Stone, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce [email protected]; 218-326-6619

Northwest: Carrie Johnston, Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber [email protected]; 218-847-9202

Minnesota Chamber of Commerce The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce is the state's largest and premier business organization, representing more than 2,300 businesses of all types and sizes across Minnesota. The Minnesota Chamber will proactively lead the business community statewide to:  Advance nonpartisan, pro-business, responsible Minnesota public policy that creates jobs and grows the economy  Provide member services to address evolving business needs  Be nonpartisan

Nearly all local chambers of commerce have joined the statewide organization because of the range of services and benefits it provides. Local chambers are essential grassroots partners in the success of the Minnesota Chamber and the statewide business community. www.mnchamber.com

2 Contacts: Bill Blazar, Interim President [email protected] Jennifer Byers, Vice President [email protected] Minnesota Chamber of Commerce 400 Robert Street North, Suite 1500 St. Paul, MN 55101-4901 Phone: (651) 292-4650 or 800-821-2230

United States Chamber of Commerce The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business organization representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions. Our members range from mom-and-pop shops and local chambers to leading industry associations and large corporations. They all share one thing in common—they count on the Chamber to be their voice in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Chamber provides its state and local chamber members with educational programs, individual counseling, statistical surveys, publications and other services that keep them updated in such areas as chamber management, chamber law and government regulations.

Contact: Doug Loon, Vice President Regional Affairs & Advocacy U.S. Chamber of Commerce - Midwest Region 11010 Prairie Lakes Drive, Suite 125 Eden Prarie, MN 55344 Phone: 952-832-9151 Fax: 952-832-9454 [email protected]

Institutes for Organization Management: Institute is a program of the National Chamber Foundation’s Center for Leadership Development, an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Whatever stage you’re at in your chamber career--relatively new in the field, mid-career professional, or a seasoned executive-- Institute can enhance and advance your career. Institute is hosted at 5 locations throughout the year.

The complete Institute program consists of four consecutive levels. Courses are taught by top chamber executives, as well as business and academic leaders, and are held at some of the nation’s most prestigious colleges and universities. Topics range from budgeting to lobbying state legislatures; from executive protocol to managing diversity. Participants earn CEU and undergraduate college credits, as they progress through the program. Institute offers several enrollment options, including selective enrollment, accelerated programs, and the Institute for Advanced Management for graduates of Institute and chamber of commerce executives with ten or more years of experience.

Locations:

Midwest: University of Wisconsin Madison (June) Southeast: University of Georgia, Athens (June) West: Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles (July) Northeast: Villanova University (July) Winter: University of Arizona, Tuscon (January)

Institute.uschamber.com

Contact: Institutes for Organization Management National Chamber Foundation 1615 H Street, NW Washington, DC 20062 Phone: (202) 463-5570 Fax: (202) 463-5651.

MACE Mid-America Chamber Executives (MACE) is made up of chamber professionals belonging to their state chamber executive organization or state chamber of commerce in the six-state area of Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. MACE is the go-to organization for chamber news, resources and networking in the Upper Midwest and is served by a board of directors. MACE offers a number of resources including two highly regarded surveys, a compensation and benefit survey and an operations survey. An annual conference is hosted in Sioux Falls each May. MACE has also recently started an Advocacy Alliance to focus on regional policy issues. www.midamericachamberexecutives.com

Contact: Larry Dowell, executive director [email protected] Chad Kulas, assistant executive director [email protected] c/o Dowell Management 380 Jackson Street, Suite 287 St. Paul, MN 55101 612-564-9551

4 ACCE

The Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) is a national association uniquely serving individuals involved in the management of chambers of all sizes. ACCE's mission is to support and develop chamber professionals to lead businesses and their communities. ACCE currently has more than 7,500 professional members in 1,200 chambers of commerce. These professionals represent local, regional, and state chambers of commerce of all sizes across the United States and Canada.

Chamber executives and professionals hold positions requiring leadership, vision and strong management skills. Devoted to helping chamber executives and their staffs play a significant leadership role in their communities, ACCE was established in 1914 to enhance the professional growth, career development and management effectiveness of chamber executives and professional staff. ACCE offers a wealth of information, professional development, management techniques and best practices through its award winning publications, online education, conferences and networking. ACCE also works diligently to upgrade the economic status and professional standing of those active in the chamber field. www.acce.org

Contact: Mick Fleming, president ACCE 330 Braddock Place #300, Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 998-0072