The GACCE Region 4 group recently met to share ideas and best practices.  We hope other regions participate in regional meetings in 2018.

Stella Tokar with B.O.L.D. Consulting is leading the search for the Chamber's next President & CEO. For more information, please see the GACCE Job Page.

The Chamber is seeking a new President. For more information, please see the GACCE Job Page.

The Chamber is seeking a new Vice President. For more information, please see the GACCE Job Page.

Tim Chason with The Chason Group is leading the search for the Chamber's next Vice President of Tourism Development. For more information, please see the GACCE Job Page.

Believe Greater Dalton is searching for a Project Manager. For more information, please see the GACCE Job Page.

Tamaka Hudson retired as Executive Director of the Chamber on November 24. The Chamber is now seeking a new Executive Director. For more information, please see the GACCE Job Page.

President & CEO of the Greater Columbus Chamber, Brian Anderson talks about looking forward as a Chamber and a community in celebrating the 100th anniversary of Fort Benning in 2018.
Click here to watch the video.

The Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education is excited to once again offer College Access Grants to chambers of commerce across Georgia.  To see who won the grants for 2017, please click here. These $3,000 mini-grants are available to help chambers leverage their visibility, voice, and influence to encourage more of their community to go to and stay in college.  Details regarding the application and grant guidelines can be found here and by contacting Merrill Wilcox at mwilcox@gpee.org or 404-223-2463.  Examples are also available of what types of projects have been selected in the past.  Proposals are due January 15, 2018.  Only a limited number of grants can be awarded, so apply today for this $3,000 grant to support college access in your community!

POWER 10 and The Chason Group are hosting a free webinar titled "The Strategic Initiative" on Thursday, December 7 from 1:00 - 1:30pm. If your Chamber has big ideas that sit on a shelf due to lack of funding or plans, this webinar will give you a push in the right direction. Join us to learn how to expand program, increase funding, and produce results that matter. Click here for more information and to register to attend this free virtual event.

GACCE is pleased to welcome Skip Johnson as our newest Associate Member.  You may reach Skip at skipperjo@aol.com or 770-490-4396.  He speaks on a variety of topics including leadership development, cultural experience, coaching, and customer service. He is also the author of the Amazon inspirational book Grateful for Everything.

Annual registration for Georgia corporations will be open beginning January 1, 2018 until April 1, 2018. You may link directly to the registration page here. There are also videos you can share with your members to walk them through the process of annual registration:

Dawn Saraney has been named the new Membership Services Coordinator for the Chamber.

The Chamber has announced President & CEO, Brandon Beach's resignation. Brandon will be pursuing his position with the North Fulton CID full-time, as Executive Director. Brandon will carry out his duties as President & CEO of the chamber through January 1, 2018. In the meantime, the Chamber and Executive board will begin the national search process for his replacement.

The Chamber has named Courtney Bernardi, an Oconee native, as its next President. Bernardi, who begins her new role on December 1, currently serves as CEO for Johns Creek Advantage, the economic development organization for the city of Johns Creek, GA.

Jennifer Garcia of Newnan has joined the Chamber as Member Engagement Manager. Her responsibilities include membership program retention and sales, customer service, event planning, fundraising and assisting with social media marketing.

Bill Mitchell will be retiring from his position as President as of December 31, 2017. Michele Johnson, currently Senior Vice President, will assume the role of President starting January 1, 2018.

The Chamber is pleased to introduce  Brince Manning, our new Regional Manager, who will work in the SE Regional office. Brince is a sharp young man who brings a great deal of legislative, political and chamber experience to the U.S. Chamber and Regional office.  He comes to us directly from the JAX Chamber, where he served as Government Affairs Manager responsible for establishing relationships with elected officials at all levels of government, formulating and executing the chamber's policy agenda, and managing the chamber's federal and state PACs and endorsement program. Prior to joining the JAX Chamber, Brince spent more than 3 years in various legislative and political roles including serving as the campaign manager for the Preston Smith for Attorney General (GA) and Westmoreland for Congress (GA) campaigns.