The Road to Excellence: 2006-2009 Strategic Plan

ACCE has arrived at an exciting time in its organizational history. 

Energized from the accomplishments of the previous 3-year plan, ACCE is now driven to even higher levels of performance in order to help those who dedicate their professional lives to making their communities and economies succeed. 

The previous strategic plan, written in 2002, focused on rebuilding ACCE.  The new plan focuses on building our members. 

From providing more professional development and recognition opportunities; to improving print and electronic communication between ACCE and members; to expanding grant acquisition efforts to bring more revenue for new initiatives, ACCE is positioning itself as the “go-to” organization for chamber professionals. 

Our customer base has grown by nearly 40 percent in the number of member chambers and regional associations.  Over this same period, the number of professionals being served has risen from 4,000 to nearly 7,000.  Serving both a wider and deeper market of chamber professionals increases our effectiveness at a time when member expectations have risen and new demands must be met.  Although the work is exciting, it is also challenging. 

In the coming months and years, ACCE will be called upon to address the ever-changing, complex challenges of running a chamber.  Now is the time to focus on building up our members’ capacity, knowledge and skills so they may have the necessary resources to lead businesses and lead communities. 

Top Ten New Initiatives In This Plan

1. A closer relationship with state and regional chamber executive groups for education and knowledge transfer.
2. A “smart” Web site, with the capacity to “remember” members and direct each visitor to specific information sources targeted to their personal needs and likes.
3. Expansion of educational programming into economic development and event management, while enhancing our offerings in government relations practices.
4. Future-focused trend information, to bolster the already valuable historical data.
5. Crafting more education offerings around the “body of knowledge” and career pathways.
6. Fostering of more virtual communities centered around peer interaction via e-vehicles.
7. Customization and expansion of the national chamber image campaign to serve the needs of individual members.
8. "Consultants-on-demand” to address management, capacity and efficiency issues in specific departments at the chambers where help is needed/requested.
9. Enhanced career support for those seeking to move forward in the industry and greater assistance to chambers searching for new talent.
10. Ramp-up of the convention experience for ACCE’s major event, offering the unparalleled speakers, educational content and network opportunities.

Plus, many other innovations and the highly-valued programs developed in recent years to serve members’ needs. 

View the 2006-2009 Strategic Plan brochure.

Request a copy of the full Strategic Plan.