ACCE Convention Notebook 2008 - (Page 55)

Beyond the Horizon Some of the highest priorities in ACCE’s Road to Excellence Strategic Plan concern research and benchmarking. Members clearly want more—more synthesized data, more reliability, more focus on the future and more timely. Early this year, the Operations and Management Survey was released, maximizing the impact of a nearly 50% increase in participation. Smaller public policy and best practices surveys have also become more signiﬁcant in the management lives of chamber professionals. Chamber Support Services Consultants-on-Demand While most ACCE programs are accessed by the “many,” some are chosen by few, or at least by individual chambers. At the direction of the strategic planning task force in 2006, we have recruited a cadre of outstanding consultants and practitioners to assist chambers in addressing their challenges and opportunities. What kind of consultants and what kind of programs? Strategic planning, applied benchmarking research, executive recruiting services, regional strategies, government relations, branding/image building, membership development, fundraising readiness, executive coaching and many more. These services are meant to be contracted between individual “preferred provider” consultants and distinct chambers. Each provider has been vetted for quality, product design and practical chamber knowledge. A Chamber Membership Means ACCE’s original research and reporting now goes farther. Hundreds of chambers have utilized the results of the “Schapiro Study” on chamber value. Likewise, media and chambers have snapped up our research that juxtaposed chamber membership and high placement in the national “Great Place to Work” rankings. Two white papers, one on regionalism and sustainable development and another on the role of chambers in restoring prosperity to weaker economic markets, were also published this past year. Of course, the research done a few years ago that led to the “Leading Businesses. Leading Communities” National Chamber Image Campaign continues to produce results, with hundreds of chambers still using the related messaging, ads and kits. Retirement Plan Enhancement After 60 years in the employee beneﬁts business, ACCE knows retirement and insurance programs. Nine months ago, ACCE transitioned its largest plan for chamber employees to a new retirement plan provider, The Principal Financial Group. This transition has required extensive investment of staff and consulting resources, as well as the dedicated attention from the eight chamber leaders who compose the ACCE Beneﬁts Trust. Taking it to the Streets Part of the two-way information ﬂow for ACCE comes as a result of staff outreach around the country. Speeches, meeting participation, ﬂy-drives to numerous regions, individual chamber visits…it’s all a part of our work in imparting and ingesting important information. Over the past twelve months, staff has visited chambers in 31 states—AL, AR, AZ, CA, CT, DC, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, MT, NC, NJ, NY, OH, OK, ONT, PA, SC, TN, TX, WI, VA, WV. We also met you when you came here; dozens of chambers routinely invite ACCE staff to participate in portions of their DC Fly-In programs. The Power of Partnerships Through exclusive relationships with supportive partners, ACCE offers chambers and members of chambers outstanding opportunities to save on quality products and services, including low-cost printing, liability insurance and international travel. Over the past twelve months, staff has visited chambers in 31 states ACCE Convention 2008: INNOVATE! 55

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of ACCE Convention Notebook 2008 - DEMO

ACCE Convention Notebook 2008 - DEMO Contents Schedule at a Glance Westin and Convention Center Maps On-Site Convention Information Keynote Speakers Issue Forums: Speakers Regional Strategies Forum 2008: Schedule Convention Schedule/Session Detail Destination Innovation Map Destination Innovation Workshops Notes ACCE Year in Review Official Corporate Sponsors Convention Sponsors & Exhibitors Exhibitor Index Exhibit Hall Map 2008–2009 ACCE Board of Directors ARS Board of Directors CGEF Board of Directors FBI Board of Directors Benefit Trustees CCE Commission ACCE Division Chairs ECD Supporters List CPG Chairs 2008 CCE Class ACCE Staff Top 10 Member Benefits

ACCE Convention Notebook 2008 - DEMO

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