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At this year’s ACCE Annual Convention in Philadelphia, three standout chambers of commerce took home the coveted “Best in Show” honors during the annual Awards Show. These awards spotlighted the most impactful communications projects submitted to the 2025 Awards for Communications Excellence (ACE) program. The ACE program has long served as a benchmark for excellence in chamber marketing and communications. For over 40 years, ACCE has celebrated innovation and creativity in messaging, storytelling, and outreach strategies that strengthen community engagement […]

Twenty-six outstanding chamber of commerce professionals have joined the distinguished ranks of Certified Chamber Executives (CCE), the highest honor in the chamber industry. These leaders were formally recognized for their achievements during the Awards Show last week at ACCE’s Annual Convention in Philadelphia. Established more than four decades ago, the CCE designation represents the pinnacle of professional excellence in chamber leadership. It is the only internationally recognized certification program exclusive to the chamber of commerce field. The rigorous CCE program […]

We’re thrilled to celebrate the announcement of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE)’s 2025 Chamber of the Year award winners! The honors were revealed on Wednesday, July 23, during the awards show at ACCE’s Annual Convention in Philadelphia. As the proud sponsor of the 2025 Chamber of the Year award, GrowthZone was honored to be there in person to applaud and congratulate this year’s exceptional recipients. The Chamber of the Year award recognizes chambers that have demonstrated excellence in […]

The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Annual Meeting & Expo is where the association community comes together—and 2025 will be no exception. This year’s event promises powerful learning, meaningful connections, and practical solutions that will shape the future of associations. Whether you’re looking to stay ahead of trends, find tools to boost member engagement, or connect with peers who “get it”—the 2025 ASAE Annual Meeting is the place to be. And yes, we’ll be there, and we’ve got big […]

This past January, our entire Go-To-Market team came together for an inspiring kickoff meeting—a time to align, grow, and fuel our passion for serving our customers.   Our core values—Collaborate, Learn, Integrity, Modernize, Best—aren’t just words; they’re the foundation of how we work together every day. By leaning into teamwork, continuous learning, and innovation, we’re not just setting goals—we’re strengthening our commitment to delivering the best for our customers. With shared purpose and unstoppable energy, we’re ready to take on […]

If you’ve been working on WiFi for the last 14 months, a return to the office may be jarring. Association professionals made the pivot from usually predominantly people-centric office spaces to recreate what they could online.  Work styles and relationship equity helped many get things done. As we face another change now, in the return to offices, the future of work looks different. It’s hybrid, just like the future of events. A Deloitte study showed 61% of executives are focusing […]

Navigating challenges can be daunting, but having access to the right tools and resources makes a significant difference. To support associations and chambers, this list highlights available free or widely applicable resources that can help organizations communicate effectively, streamline productivity, and maintain operational continuity. Communication Tools for Better Connectivity Effective communication is vital for associations and chambers. These tools can help you stay connected with your team and members: RingCentral – Free video conferencing for nonprofit organizations. Google Workspace (limited […]

“Leverage the strength that you have: that no one else can be you.” – Todd Wheatland When it comes to association marketing, differentiation is key. Identifying what makes your brand unique is critical to a successful strategy. The GrowthZone Marketing Toolkit is a collection of three critical resources developed specifically for association professionals. It includes: Marketing Plan Basics: A practical guide for writing your association’s marketing plan. Member Surveys: The 3-step process for gathering actionable data from your members. How to Conduct a […]

Low-cost (and free) ideas to retain employees & improve morale. There is a direct relationship between staff morale and retention. By focusing on a changing workforce culture and developing a retention strategy, associations can prevent (or at least manage) turnover. Time off and latitude in determining work schedules can be a significant contributor to staff morale and employee retention. 6 Ideas for Time Off and Flexible Work Schedules Give employees the option of working an altered schedule that accommodates family, […]

If you’ve invested in discovering your association’s VP (value proposition), and it’s been around for two or more years, you may feel like it’s time to put new life into it – to verify that your message is still relevant and that your organization delivers on the value you promote. GrowthZone AMS offers a comprehensive suite of productivity tools that allow association pros to do more in less time. Member needs and your organization’s strengths can change over time. Here […]

The next era of the association world is dependent on recruitment, engagement, and renewals of young professionals. This article covers two aspects of membership certain to appeal to this generation. Access to Exclusive Information The ability to quickly access exclusive content such as legislative policy updates, original research, and proprietary content is an excellent selling point. Training and Education Associations should plan to regularly host workshops, online training, and peer-to-peer learning designed to help members develop professionally. Young professionals are […]

You don’t have to be a math person to determine your organization’s renewal rates. Follow this simple 1-part formula to see how your association is doing! RENEWAL RATES: (the percentage of members that renew their membership over a given period of time) (# of Renewals) ÷ (Eligible Members) = Renewal Rate Example: At the end of 2018, 3,000 members were up for renewal and 2,825 renewed.  2,825 ÷ 3000 = .94  Renewal Rate = 94% Important Info: The # of […]