ACCE News
ACCE News Archive
January
1/2/2008 New Year brings two new corporate sponsors to ACCE
ACCE is pleased to announce that 48HourPrint.com and Empower Marketing have become official corporate sponsors.
1/3/2008 Update: ACCE's bid for the 2011 World Chambers Congress
Alexandria, VA — In November, ACCE President Mick Fleming and Los Angeles Area Chamber President Gary Toebben, CCE, travelled to the World Chamber Federation's headquarters in Paris, France, to formally present the letter of intent to bid. They also presented a preliminary description of the conference plan which calls for an exciting and creative way of combining ACCE's annual meeting with the 2011 World Chambers Congress.
1/3/2008 ACCE reminds members to be cautious when dealing with unfamiliar companies
Alexandria, VA — As chambers enter the new year, ACCE reminds members to urge their members to be very cautious when considering purchasing or using the services of a company with which they are not familiar. Sometimes the offers can be quite deceptive, creating major headaches.
1/9/2008 ACCE Launches Consultants-on-Demand Program
Alexandria, VA — As part of its Chamber Solutions Strategy, as outlined in the 2006-2009 Road to Excellence Strategic Plan , ACCE introduces its Consultants-on-Demand Program - advice-driven support and services for your chamber’s specific needs.
1/9/2008 2008 ACCE Awards Program brochure is in the mail
Alexandria, VA — The 2008 ACCE Awards program brochure, Rewarding Excellence in the Chamber Professi on, is in the mail.
1/15/2008 IRS Issues Final Draft of Form 990
Alexandria, VA — The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued its final draft of the Form 990 on December 20, 2007. The new form, which will need to be used beginning with the 2008 tax year (returns filed in 2009), includes a number of changes recommended by ASAE and many other tax-exempt organizations last summer.
1/17/2008 ACCE Announces Staff Promotion
Alexandria, VA — ACCE is pleased to announce that Tamara Philbin has been promoted to chief operating officer. Previously, she was ACCE's senior vice president (benefits division).
1/23/2008 Joan Riehm, celebrated civic leader and friend to many chambers, passes away
Alexandria, VA — Joan Riehm, immediate past chairwoman of the Alliance for Regional Stewardship (ARS), died on Sunday, January 20, in Louisville, Ky.
1/23/2008 Planned Website Upgrade Scheduled for Sunday, January 27
Alexandria, VA — On Sunday, January 27, ACCE will be experiencing some website outages which may affect your login settings.
1/23/2008 24th Annual ACE Awards: Call for Judges
Alexandria, VA — ACCE is looking for volunteers to judge the 24th Annual Awards for Communications Excellence. By serving as a judge, you can review dozens of creative and tested ideas that may inspire your own communications projects.
1/29/2008 LA_Chamber_Statement
1/29/2008 ACCE Mourns Rusty Hammer's Passing
Alexandria, VA — It is with great sorrow that ACCE announces that Rusty Hammer, ACCE Life Member and former president and CEO of both the Sacramento and Los Angeles (CA) Area Chambers of Commerce, passed away on Monday, January 28, in San Jose, California.
1/31/2008 Memorial Service For Rusty Hammer Announced
Alexandria, VA —
February
2/1/2008 CGEF Announces New Chairman and Treasurer
Alexandria, VA — Dan Colantone, CCE, president and CEO of the Greater Akron (OH) Chamber of Commerce, has been named the new chair man of ACCE’s Community Growth Educational Foundation (CGEF). Raymond Burns, CCE, president of the Rogers-Lowell (AR) Area Chamber of Commerce and former CGEF board member, has been elected treasurer.
2/6/2008 ACCE Convention 2008: INNOVATE! brochure is in the mail
Alexandria, VA — The initial brochure for ACCE Convention 2008: INNOVATE! is in the mail and on its way to your chamber's mailbox.
2/6/2008 Participation Has Its Rewards
Alexandria, VA — Norma Dunwody, president and CEO of the Culpeper County (VA) Chamber Commerce and Jeremy W. Nails, president and CEO of the Morgan County (AL) Economic Development Association know the rewards of participation. They are each the lucky winners of a $500 gift certificate to The Sharper Image as a result of participating in the recent ACCE member organization update.
2/14/2008 RH_Book
2/14/2008 Just Published: 'When Cancer Calls...Say Yes to Life' by Rusty Hammer
Alexandria, VA — Rusty Hammer's book, When Cancer Calls . . . Say Yes to Life , is now available for purchase.
2/20/2008 Ford Foundation Renews Support of The Regionalism & Sustainable Development Fellowship
Alexandria, VA — ACCE is pleased to announce that this outstanding program has been funded for another two years by the Ford Foundation, and assisted by the Alliance for Regional Stewardship and the FutureWorks research firm. Their support is allowing ACCE to recruit another 50 Fellows, who will be trained in the practices and principles of building lasting, regional economic prosperity.
2/27/2008 Will 2008 Mark Your 25 Years of Service to the Chamber Profession?
Alexandria, VA — If you'll be celebrating 25 years of service to the chamber profession in 2008, then please update your ACCE member record by Friday, March 14 , so that you can be recognized.
2/29/2008 Support ACCE's Bid for the 2011 World Chambers Congress
Alexandria, VA — ACCE, in conjunction with the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Council for International Business, LA Inc., and other partners, is bidding to attract the World Chambers Congress to Los Angeles in 2011 . How can chamber CEOs help?
March
3/3/2008 How does your chamber compare in membership, revenue, & expense to the national average?
Alexandria, VA — You’ll only know if you participate in ACCE’s Annual Chamber Operations Survey, due Friday, March 21!
3/4/2008 ACCE launches PolicyClearinghouse.org
Alexandria, VA — ACCE is proud to announce the launch of PolicyClearinghouse.org, a new informational website to help chamber professionals understand important state and local policy issues.
3/11/2008 Do the Best Companies Join Chambers of Commerce?
Alexandria, VA — The best places to work tend to belong to their local chamber of commerce, according to a recent study by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE).
3/13/2008 ACCE Announces Call for Life Member Award Nominations
Alexandria, VA — The nominating period for recommending individuals for induction into ACCE Life Membership, the chamber profession’s highest personal honor, is now open. Nominations must be submitted by May 2, 2008.
3/26/2008 ACCE Presents New Official Corporate Sponsor: Six Disciplines
Alexandria, VA — Six Disciplines, the first complete strategy and execution program for small and midsize businesses, has become an official corporate sponsor of ACCE, as well as the titanium sponsor of the 2008 ACCE convention taking place in Pittsburgh, Penn., July 30-August 1 .
3/26/2008 New Consultant Service Added to ACCE's Consultants-on-Demand Program
Alexandria, VA — In order for organizations to better communicate their value to their members, businesses and the community at large, ACCE and preferred provider, Quixote Group, present a Consultants-On-Demand program that extends the National Chamber Image Campaign to individual chambers.
April
4/2/2008 2007-08 Chamber Operations Survey: Online Results Report To Be Available in May
Alexandria, VA — The 2007-08 Chamber Operations Survey Online Results Report will be available, at no charge, to ACCE members who participated in this year's survey on Friday, May 2. Non-participants will be able to purchase the on-line report on Friday, May 9.
4/8/2008 ACCE Announces 2008 Convention Keynote Speakers
Alexandria, VA — During ACCE Convention 2008: INNOVATE, hear from four outstanding keynote presenters who will share their insights on where we are today and what the possibilities are for tomorrow.
4/15/2008 Grow: White Paper on Street Light Technology
Alexandria, VA — As featured in BusinessWeek, Robert Grow, a former ACCE/Ford Foundation Regionalism and Sustainable Development (RSD) Fellow has published a white paper on improving street light efficiency. The BusinessWeek article is quoted below. For some more interesting thoughts on improving street light efficiency, check out Grow's white paper, which is linked within the article.
4/15/2008 Regional Strategies Forum Keynote Speakers Named
Alexandria, VA — At the Regional Strategies Forum on July 29 and 30 in Pittsburgh, PA , find out how to identify and mobilize those partners to bring sustainable, dynamic, profitable growth to your region.
The forum features three important keynote presentations by regional planning experts: Bruce Katz, Vice President and Director of the Metropolitan Policy Program of The Brookings Institute; Dr. Mark A. Weiss, Chairman and CEO of Global Urban Development, and Richard C.D. Fleming, President and CEO of the St. Louis (MO) Regional Chamber and Growth Association; Petra Todorovich, Director of America 2050, Regional Plan Association.
4/15/2008 ACCE Board Considers Succession Planning and Interim CEO Services
Alexandria, VA — Charles Van Rysselberge, CCE, ACCE Board Member and President/CEO of Charleston (SC) Metro Chamber of Commerce was charged with researching an interim CEO program that is successfully being offered by United Way of America and developing a plan of action to organize a program to identify chamber retirees who could be called upon to fill in as an interim CEO and support succession planning for those Chambers that develop a vacancy. His research will be used to determine if ACCE could or should offer a similar program.
4/15/2008 Stand Out From the Crowd with ACCE's JobWatch Offer
Alexandria, VA — Get a "Featured Job" upgrade (a $99 value!) when you post a job on ACCE's JobWatch TM
4/28/2008 Justin Horan, former chamber of commerce executive and ACCE chairman, passes away
Alexandria, VA — Justin Horan, former chamber of commerce executive, ACCE chairman, and devoted family man passed away on April 21, 2008. He was 81.
4/28/2008 Justin Horan, former chamber of commerce executive, passes away
Alexandria, VA — Justin Horan, former chamber of commerce executive and devoted family man, passed away April 21, 2008. He was 81.
May
5/5/2008 2007 Business Tax Estimates
Alexandria, VA — ACCE recently posted a comparison study of the state and local taxes businesses paid in 2007. The study includes comparative data from all 50 states and also includes information on the amount of tax paid related to the level of service provided.
5/7/2008 ACCE Selects Regional Sustainable Development Fellows
Alexandria, VA — ACCE has selected 50 business-civic leaders to participate in its Regional Sustainable Development (RSD) Fellowship, funded by the Ford Foundation and conducted with the support of research consulting firm, FutureWorks, as well as The Alliance for Regional Stewardship. Beginning in the fall of 2008, three groups of Fellows will begin the 12-month program in order to create a regional action plan that will address barriers to creating a sustainable economy and healthy environment.
5/22/2008 ACCE Selects Regional Sustainable Development Fellows(1)
Alexandria, VA — The American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) has selected 50 business-civic leaders to participate in its Regional Sustainable Development (RSD) Fellowship, funded by the Ford Foundation and conducted with the support of research consulting firm, FutureWorks, as well as The Alliance for Regional Stewardship
5/22/2008 National Site Selection Magazine Once Again Ranks RCGA Among Top 10 Economic Development Organizations in North America, Top 4 of Major Metros
St. Louis, MO — The St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association (RCGA) has once again been named one of the “Top 10 economic development organizations in North America”, according to the just-released annual national ranking in Site Selection magazine. This is the 2 nd consecutive year -- and the 3 rd time since 1998 -- that the RCGA has been ranked in the Top 10.
5/27/2008 Long-time ACCE Leader, Harvel, Takes on New Role
Arkadelphia, AR — Paul Harvel is the new president and CEO of the Economic Development Corp. of Clark County. He is the former president and CEO of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce and was also president and CEO of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce.
5/28/2008 2008 National Summit on American Competitiveness held on May 22 in Chicago
Alexandria, VA — The US Department of Commerce’s second annual National Summit on American Competitiveness was held in Chicago last Thursday, May 22, 2008. High level government officials, CEOs/Chairmen of Fortune 500 companies and Ivy League professors speculate whether or not the United States will remain on top in the world marketplace. This year’s Summit explored how to bolster the business climate, strengthen the entrepreneurial spirit, and utilize free trade agreements to encourage growth of our companies at home. The Summit also highlighted how states and regions are successfully driving economic transformations and adapting to the challenges of the 21 st Century worldwide economy.
June
6/2/2008 ACCE Receives Record Number of Life Member Nominations
Alexandria, VA — The Life Member Award recognizes decades of management excellence, community leadership and unselfish commitment to the betterment of the chamber profession.
6/11/2008 Keith Kafer, CCE - ACCE Honorary Member Passes Away
Alexandria, VA — Long-time chamber executive and ACCE Honorary Member, Keith B. Kafer, CCE died suddenly on Saturday, June 7, 2008.
6/12/2008 ACCE's Bid for the 2011 World Chambers Congress: Update from Stockholm
Alexandria, VA — Before a standing room-only crowd, members of the committee from all over the globe listened to proposals from Los Angeles (United States) and Mexico City (Mexico). Each contender did their best to convince the audience why their chamber, their city, and their country made them worthy to host the congress.
6/12/2008 ACCE Convention 2008: We feel your pain at the pump!
Alexandria, VA — Due to the spike in gas prices, ACCE will take $25 off your 2009 membership dues for every full registered attendee your organization sends to Pittsburgh. The early bird registration deadline expires tomorrow, Friday, June 13.
6/24/2008 Life Member Award Recipients Named
Alexandria, VA — ACCE chairman of the board, Douglas Kinsinger, CCE, will present M.J. Arts, Harold Van Sumeren and Richard Upton, CCE, with the award at the Awards Show on Friday, August 1, during ACCE’s national convention in Pittsburgh.
July
7/10/2008 Bids Open July 16 for this Year's Silent Auction
Alexandria, VA — Introducing a new twist on the annual silent auction! This year, you can bid online at our special eBay website.
7/10/2008 2008 Chamber of the Year Award Finalists Named
Alexandria, VA — The American Chamber of Commerce Executives announces the finalists competing for the 2008 Chamber of the Year award, the nation’s only award recognizing the dual role chambers have in creating both leading businesses and communities. This year's award is being sponsored by Microsoft.
7/10/2008 Two New Convention Hotels Added
Alexandria, VA — The room blocks at the Omni William Penn Hotel and the Westin are sold out . ACCE secured additional rooms at two hotels that are within walking distance of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, where most of the convention sessions will take place.
7/17/2008 ACCE's New Publication: 'A Guide to Intercity Visits'
Alexandria, VA — ACCE’s newest publication, A Guide to Intercity Visits , explains the value of these programs and provides a detailed guide for how to get a program started. If you already lead an intercity visit, this publication is full of ideas and helpful advice.
7/17/2008 Here We Come, Milwaukee: ACCE Convention 2010
Alexandria, VA — ACCE is pleased to announce that it has accepted Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s bid to host the 2010 ACCE Convention.
August
8/6/2008 2008 Chamber of the Year Winners Announced
Alexandria, VA — The American Chamber of Commerce Executives is pleased to announce the winners of the 2008 Chamber of the Year award, the nation’s only award recognizing the dual role chambers have in creating both leading businesses and communities. The award is sponsored by Microsoft Corp.
8/15/2008 ACCE Presents New Certified Chamber Executive Designees
Alexandria, VA — During the Annual Convention held in Pittsburgh, Penn., this year, ACCE officially presented the 22 Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) designees from the Class of 2008. These chamber executives have earned the only national certification for chamber professionals.
8/15/2008 2008 Chairman's Award Presented at ACCE Convention
Alexandria, VA — On Friday, August 1, 2007-08 ACCE chairman of the board, Douglas S. Kinsinger, CCE, presented Roy Williams, President and CEO of the Greater Oklahoma City (OK) Chamber of Commerce, and John T. Long III, IOM, CCE, CAE, President and CEO of the St. Petersburg Area (FL) Chamber of Commerce, with the prestigious Chairman’s Award.
8/25/2008 ACCE Chairman Mark Eagan Takes the Helm at the Albany-Colonie (NY) Regional Chamber
Alexandria, VA — ACCE Chairman Mark Eagan has been named as the new president and CEO of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce. He will succeed retiring president and CEO Lyn Taylor.
8/25/2008 Alliance for Regional Stewardship Announces New Chairman-Elect and Treasurer
Alexandria, VA — Richard C.D. Fleming, President and CEO of the St. Louis (MO) Regional Chamber & Growth Association and Charles Van Rysselberge, CCE, President and CEO of the Charleston (SC) Metro Chamber of Commerce, assume new roles on the Alliance for Regional Stewardship board of directors.
8/26/2008 ACCE Announces 2008-09 Board at Annual Convention
Alexandria, VA — During ACCE's annual meeting in Pittsburgh, Penn., Mark N. Eagan, CCE was presented as the 2008-09 board chairman. In addition, several chamber executives were elected to the board.
September
9/8/2008 Second Class of RSD Fellows To Start Program
Alexandria, VA — The week of September 15, 2008, in Long Beach, Calif., 55 chamber executives and other business/civic leaders from cities across the United States will start the Regional Sustainable Development (RSD) Fellowship. For the next 12 months they will be trained in the practices and principles of building lasting, regional economic prosperity.
9/15/2008 Whidden and Sundwick Join ACCE Staff
Alexandria, VA — Rachel Whidden is ACCE's new meetings coordinator and Evan Sundwick has joined the communications team as communications and web coordinator.
9/15/2008 U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Upcoming International Trade Leadership Program
Alexandria, VA — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce invites chambers of commerce from across the country to participate in their One Voice for Trade summit taking place in Washington, DC, December 3-5, 2008. The event is hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and TradeRoots .
9/26/2008 Are you LinkedIn?
Alexandria, VA — ACCE has created a pilot LinkedIn group to explore how this social networking site might help you better connect with your peers. Visit this page to join the group: http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/149168 .
9/26/2008 Now Taking Orders: Chamber Operations Fundamental Statistics Report
Alexandria, VA — ACCE is now taking orders for a new Chamber Operations Fundamental Statistics Report which allows organizations to compare themselves to similar chambers within their respective dues category.
October
10/3/2008 Diversified Investment Advisors: Message about your retirement savings account
Purchase, NY — Peter J. Kunkel, president and CEO of Diversified Investment Advisors, offers a perspective on Diversified's financial strength and stability, as well as presents comments to the questions that many retirement plan participants have raised as a result of the market's recent volatility.
10/7/2008 ACCE Member Alert: Employment Scam
Alexandria, VA — ACCE was informed by a member about a job scam targeted toward chamber employees.
10/17/2008 Chambers' YP Groups 'Young'
Alexandria, VA — Sixty-six percent of chambers’ young professionals’ groups were started within the past two years, according to the results of ACCE’s October 2008 survey about chambers’ young professionals (YP) programs. More than 180 chamber professionals responded to the survey. The survey results, available online, include a directory of chamber YP programs.
10/23/2008 Citistates Group's Curtis Johnson Joins Alliance for Regional Stewardship Board
Alexandria, VA — Curtis Johnson, president of the Citistates Group, a network of journalists, speakers and civic leaders focused on building competitive, equitable and sustainable 21st century metropolitan regions, has been elected to serve on the board of directors of the Alliance for Regional Stewardship.
10/23/2008 Ford Foundation Grant Supports Five Regional Sustainable Development Fellows
Alexandria, VA — A cadre of business-civic leaders from Southeastern Michigan and Northwestern Ohio has been selected to join a class of 50 leaders who are participating in the 12-month Fellowship for Regional Sustainable Development (RSD), funded by the Ford Foundation and conducted with the support of research consulting firm, FutureWorks, as well as the Alliance for Regional Stewardship.
November
11/5/2008 Oldest Known ACCE Member, Oliver 'Ollie' Zinsmeister, Passes Away
Alexandria, VA — Oliver "Ollie" Zinsmeister, the oldest known living Certified Chamber Executive (CCE), and quite possibly, the oldest known member of ACCE, passed away on Sunday, November 2. He was 97.
11/11/2008 Better Business Bureau Warns of Phishing Attack That Traps Consumers and Businesses
Arlington, VA — Better Business Bureau (BBB) is alerting consumers and businesses about a phishing scheme that uses both e-mail messages and blog posts directing recipients and viewers to register software with BBB. BBB wants the public to know that such messages and posts are not coming from any element of the BBB System, and that this attack has not affected BBB computer systems or networks nor has any data been compromised.
11/13/2008 Scams Targeting Chamber Members
Alexandria, VA — The Greater Albuquerque (NM) Chamber of Commerce (GACC) alerts the chamber community about a scam that has hit its membership. The scam, variations of which have struck communities across the country in the past, involves a company claiming to be affiliated with the local chamber and soliciting advertising dollars.
11/26/2008 ACCE and Sprint offer Practical Tech to members
Alexandria, VA — ACCE and Sprint, one of its official corporate sponsors, are jointly offering a free incentive to members. Practical Tech: Using New Technologies to Supercharge Your Small Business is an 80-page book full of tips and strategies to streamline business operations and provide more value to the customer. Chambers can use the book as an educational tool, recruitment incentive, or retention bonus. For more information on how you can get your free carton (168 copies) of Practical Tech , contact Angela Reiter at areiter@acce.org .
December
12/8/2008 ACCE's Newest Official Corporate Sponsor Offers Affinity Program
Alexandria, VA — ACCE is pleased to present its newest official corporate sponsor, Corporate Research International (CRI). CRI performs "mystery shopping" for some of the largest corporations in the world. With the help of chambers of commerce, CRI is, for the first time, going to offer this type of invaluable research to smaller businesses throughout the United States and Canada.
12/10/2008 ACCE offers widget featuring state and local public policy information
Alexandria, VA — Get the latest state and local public policy information with our widget! It's similar to displaying an online news feed to your website, except this widget contains information written specifically for chamber professionals and their members by Ian Scott, policy manager for ACCE, and several guest contributors.
12/12/2008 Cook Joins ACCE
Alexandria, VA — Jacqui Cook has joined the ACCE staff as the organization's new Vice President of Finance. In this position, Cook will serve as the chief financial officer for ACCE and related entities. Cook has more than twenty years experience in areas including financial accounting and forecasting, human resource management and financial statement reporting.
12/20/2008 ACCE's Holiday Schedule
Alexandria, VA — ACCE's offices will be closed Thursday, December 25 and Friday, December 26.