VACCE September 2022
E-Newsletter

The mission of VACCE is to equip Chamber of Commerce professionals with leadership skills and tools to build innovative Chambers.
VACCE Recognizes Lifetime Achievement
Two VACCE Members Receive Lifetime Awards

Joyce Waugh, President & CEO of the Roanoke Regional Chamber, and Debbie Jones, President & CEO of the Prince William Chamber, were recognized with “VACCE Lifetime Achievement Awards” by VACCE at our Annual Awards Dinner held August 18 in Chester, VA, during our 2022 Executive Leadership Conference. 

The awards were presented on the occasion of these executive’s announced retirements. The award recognizes outstanding performance in the field of Chamber of Commerce management in the Commonwealth of Virginia and is presented to individuals who have exhibited characteristics that make him or her a leader both in their chamber and community. Outstanding achievements; effectiveness in addressing challenges; professionalism; program development and implementation; fiscal management; stature in the community; and other special qualities are considered in the award process.  

CLICK HERE for the official press release. Congratulations Joyce and Debbie!

VACCE September 2022 Webinar
Virginia Small Business Health Alliance

Monday, September 12 - 10:00am

The Virginia Chamber will be launching a new healthcare program – the Virginia Small Business Health Alliance – aimed at companies with 2-50 employees, and we want to give you a chance to hear more about the program as it will include an affinity piece for our local chambers of commerce. Click here for the PDF that Barry DuVal, President & CEO of the VA Chamber, shared with us during our VACCE Executive Leadership Conference in Chester, VA. He indicated you could share this information with your business members. The program will be officially launched in Q1 of 2023, but we want to give you an opportunity to ask a few questions and get some clarification on the program.  

CLICK HERE to register for the meeting. The meeting will be recorded and shared with the membership afterward.
Virginia Chamber Update
2022 Virginia Veterans and Military Affairs Conference

September 14, 2022 | 9:00am - 2:30pm
Greater Richmond Convention Center

The Virginia Chamber Foundation, Virginia Veterans Services Foundation, and Virginia Department of Veterans Services are pleased to present the third annual Virginia Veterans & Military Affairs Conference and presentation of the V3 Awards. Government leaders, military leaders, and industry experts will come together to discuss how we can support Virginia’s military bases and veteran community through partnerships and make the Commonwealth the best state for our military families. 

CLICK HERE for more information and to register for the event.
VACCE Associate Member Updates
Sharon Scott with Fully-Engaged has been retained for the executive search for the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber's Executive Director position. For more details and to apply, please see the VACCE Careers page.
Do More for Your Members
Members want more benefits from their Chamber - what if you could offer complete customizable health insurance to all members?
MyHealthily is here to help you! We create all the marketing, launch in as little as 2-weeks to members, over 130 carriers, complete health insurance including ancillary with worksite benefits, and the Chamber receives non-dues revenue for every enrollee. You get more support, and members get a much needed benefit! Get started today by scheduling a call to learn more!


Follow These 5 Tips to Optimize Your Facebook Page
Not all social media platforms are created the same, which means each platform needs to be optimized in a unique way. Learn how you can optimize your business's Facebook page.

Click here to read the blog.
Please help us welcome Karen Long as our new Director of Operations. She will handle our planning logistics as well as serve as a resource in Chamber research.
VACCE Member Updates
Botetourt Chamber
Phoebe Giraudeau is our new Member Relations Coordinator at the Chamber. Phoebe was born and raised in Roanoke, VA and has a love for the area and those within. Currently she is attending Virginia Western Community College, pursuing an Associate degree in Applied Science: Visual Design. Following her graduation this upcoming Spring, she hopes to apply the knowledge she gained while in school to benefit the Chamber.
ChamberRVA
The Chamber will host College Jam 2022 presented by RVA NOW, a ChamberRVA program, on September 28 at The Foundry at Historic Tredegar. College Jam isn't just any career fair - it's an opportunity to show off the best of RVA and our business community in a fun, high-energy environment right on our iconic riverfront. This year's Jam will allow employers and their representatives the chance to bring their own unique flair to their experience. Businesses will have the option to reserve a 6-foot table where students can visit, or they can skip the set-up to take advantage of the atmosphere and share job opportunities over a game of cornhole overlooking the James River.
Charlottesville Regional Chamber
The Chamber is hosting the Minority Business Alliance anniversary gala on September 9. The Chamber's Minority Business Alliance is celebrating a decade of impact in the business community with an evening filled with dinner and dancing. The 2022 MBA JF Bell Vanguard Award will be presented along with several MBA Endurance Fund grants. The 2022 United Way of Greater Charlottesville-MBA grant recipients will also be recognized.
Greater Augusta Regional Chamber
The Chamber's Foundation is excited to kick off another year of Leadership Greater Augusta on September 1. We have another outstanding cohort of area existing and emerging leaders. Our facilitator is Jason Boron with Leading Strong LLC, whom many of our VACCE colleagues had the pleasure of learning from at the March 2022 Staff Development Conference. The full list of participants can be found here
Hampton Roads Chamber
The Chamber is gearing up for a busy fall events calendar. Our 7th Annual B2B will take place in Suffolk this year on September 13. We will be hosting a Legislative Reception on the 15th in Norfolk and the Strome Business Series 2022 Entrepreneur Forum in partnership with Old Dominion University Strome College of Business on the 20th. The 2022 State of the Region Address will take place the first week of October on the 4th in Norfolk.

Recently, we hosted our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Workshop which was a highly attended event with a dynamic panel of experts. We continued the important DE&I conversation and attendees had the opportunity to gain new insight, strategies and resources from each of our presenters. We also had the privilege of welcoming Tom Barkin, President & CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, for our Chamber Leadership Series. Tom spoke on the Fed’s actions to contain inflation and what he is keeping an eye on in this economy. 
Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber
The Chamber will host their Golf Tournament 2022 on Friday, September 16 at Massanutten Resorts Woodstone Meadows Golf Course. The Captain's Choice tournament will be a great way for our members to network in a more casual setting.
Highland County Chamber
Highland County’s annual Hands & Harvest Festival returns October 7 – 9, 2022. Celebrate the beauty and bounty of fall in our rural mountain community, featuring a Harvest Trail with farm tours, music from The Original Rhondels, a Street Dance with clogging and square dancing, seasonal food, crafts, and much more for the entire family. The Chamber is currently seeking arts & crafts vendors. If you or anyone you know is interested, the online application with full details is available at https://tinyurl.com/3a3y4fhu. Learn more about the Hands & Harvest Festival’s offerings at www.highlandcounty.org/hands-harvest-festival.
Lexington Rockbridge Chamber
The 28th Rockbridge Beer and Wine Festival returns to Lime Kiln Theater on Saturday, September 10 from 12-6pm. The event will feature live music and unlimited tastings of regional wines, cider, and craft beer.
Louisa County Chamber
The Chamber and Louisa Forward Foundation offer several opportunities this fall to learn, connect, and share:
  • Louisa Biz Expo - Thursday, Sept. 15 at Fifty-Third Winery between 4 pm – 7 pm, a business-to-business expo providing exhibitors the opportunity to showcase their services and connect with potential clients, partners, or referral networks. Open and free to the public.
  • The Chamber Challenge After Party & Awards Ceremony - Tuesday, Oct. 4 at Cooling Pond Brewery 5 pm – 7 pm. All are welcome to network with leading energy-related businesses and other Chamber member businesses. 
  • 7th annual Quad County Business Summit - Wednesday, Oct. 12 will bring together businesses from the counties of Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Orange, and others from Central Virginia for a half-day of networking opportunities. The Summit will also include a keynote speaker, local business owner panel discussion with Q&A, and the Annual QuadTank, a winner take all pitch competition. 
  • 4th Annual Nonprofit Summit - Friday, Oct. 21 at Shenandoah Crossings Resort - Staff and volunteer leaders for any nonprofit organization/agency throughout the Central Virginia area are invited to attend. Please help us spread the word to all organizations across Central Virginia. We offer in-person attendance and ZOOM participation. We ask that no more than 2 from each organization attend in-person. There is no limit to ZOOM participation.
Powhatan Chamber
Angie Cabell, Executive Director, has announced her departure from the Chamber effective in October.

Tickets are available for the 19th (mostly) Annual Festival of the Grape on Saturday, October 1, 2022 in the historic Courthouse village of Powhatan County. 30 alcohol vendors, 65 arts and crafts vendors along with great music, food and friends, this annual event does not disappoint.
Scottsville Community Chamber
VACCE is pleased to welcome Deborah Smith, President, and the Scottsville Community Chamber of Commerce as a new VACCE Member.
National Updates
ACCE
 
The Summer 2022 edition of Chamber Executive Magazine is now out - click here for more information. 
Bob Harris - Guest Article
 
Click here for Bob's latest article - Association/Chamber Business Model. 
WACE Chamber Leadership Podcast
 
Click here for the episode - More Survival Tips for Chamber CEOs.
In this episode, Dave Kilby, President of W.A.C.E., provides a follow up to help Chamber CEOs not only survive but thrive in the chamber industry. Listen now!