8:30am - 10:00am Registration and Exhibitor Set Up

10:00am - 10:15am Welcome

10:15am - 11:00am Strong Chambers of the Future

Speaker: Jeremy Arthur, CCE, IOM
Our chambers face a host of issues that affect our relevance and viability.  A recent survey indicated several key trends and issues that impact chambers now and will have implications for the future of the industry.  This session will discuss many of these trends and ask questions designed to be answered by your local chamber and its leadership.  The discussion goal is to look at these industry questions to ensure we are ahead of the curve, deliver value to our partners, work for a competitive marketplace for our members, and look at innovative programs that are changing many of the traditional approaches to chamber management.

11:00am - 12:00pm Chambers as AI Thought Leaders

Craig Turner, Momentum for Chambers
In this session, we'll explore the evolving role of chambers of commerce as AI thought leaders. Learn how your chamber can lead the conversation on AI adoption, ethics, and its role in business growth. We’ll discuss opportunities for positioning your chamber as a key resource for members looking to navigate the AI landscape and ensure your organization is at the forefront of innovation.

12:00pm - 1:15pm Lunch - ACCS Innovation Center: Workforce Solutions 

Kailah Dozier, Houston Blackwood, Michael Barnette, Linda Williams
Hear from a panel of  ACCS Innovation Center team members, workforce development leaders, and fellow chamber leaders on how they are collaborating on working, real world solutions to the workforce challenges our businesses and communities are facing. Learn how the Skills for Success program is playing a vital role in meeting industry needs through fast, short term certification training. You’ll hear firsthand how this innovative approach is transforming the way Alabama prepares its workforce for success.

1:15pm - 2:15pm A Volunteer's Perspective: What Your Volunteer Leadership Wants You to Know

John Marshall, Ben Harrison, Lisa Miller; Facilitator: Paige Hutto, IOM
Hear a facilitated, frank discussion on what your volunteer leadership needs from you as a professional, how to build a partnership with your board, and how to navigate change and challenges as a cohesive team.

2:15pm - 2:30pm Break by Alabama Trucking Association - Visit Our Exhibitors

2:30pm - 4:00pm Body Working: The Nonverbal Side of Networking

Mitch Isaacs, Shafer Leadership Academy
Networking events offer valuable opportunities to build connections, but they can also feel overwhelming. Who should you approach? What should you say? How do you exit an awkward conversation smoothly? More importantly, how can you tell when someone is ready to move on? Join us for BodyWorking, a session focused on mastering the nonverbal side of networking. Learn to recognize subtle cues that reveal when to engage, when to step away, and how to build stronger, more confident connections—without saying a word.

4:00pm - 4:15pm Break by Funding Solutions - Visit Our Exhibitors

4:15pm - 5:15pm Building Authentic Connections: A Membership Recruitment and Retention Strategy

Beth Morrison, IOM
We will discuss the power of building genuine relationships, and how they work for membership organizations. We will review the basic principles and provide examples of the emotional bank account. We will parallel the strategies and culture used to build loyalty in other organizations and how to make it work for ours.

5:15pm Day 1 Closing

6:45pm Alabama Chambers Night of Champions Reception

7:15pm Alabama Chambers Night of Champions Dinner
Speaker Mike Jordan, Alabama Power; Introduced by: Darlena Battle, Alabama Power

Close out Day 1 with an evening of celebration as we honor chamber professionals, chamber organizations and the great work happening by chambers across our state.

8:00am Day 2 Kickoff

8:00am - 11:30am Fusion - Leading Multigenerational Teams

Mitch Isaacs, Shafer Leadership Academy
Fusion: Leading Multigenerational Teams is an interactive experience designed to help leaders navigate the complexities of a diverse workforce. Using Shafer Leadership Academy’s  innovative Generational Game Board, participants will explore the social, political, and economic influences that shaped the working attitudes of different generations.

11:30am - 12:30pm Lunch

12:30pm - 1:15pm Sponsor Spotlight Session

1:15pm - 2:15pm A View from the "New" Seats: "Unseasoned" Chamber Executives Panel

John Mark Freeman, Michelle Epling, Joy Perry; Facilitator: Meredith Drennen, IOM, AACC
Hear from a panel of “unseasoned” professionals and the challenges they have faced, successes they’ve celebrated, and lessons they’ve learned during their first years leading their chamber.

2:15pm - 2:30pm Break

2:30pm - 3:30pm Using AI to Enhance Member Relations, Value and Recruitment

Craig Turner, Momentum for Chambers
Discover how AI can revolutionize member engagement for chambers of commerce. This session will explore practical AI tools and strategies to enhance member relations, increase the perceived value of membership, and improve recruitment efforts. Learn how AI can streamline personalized communications, provide actionable insights, and create a more impactful membership experience.

3:30pm - 4:00pm Conference Conclusion