Michigan Association of Chamber Professionals

08/14/2026

Thank you to the Ga***rd Area Chamber of Commerce for hosting our Northern chamber regional meeting. It was an insightful, informational and therapeutic gathering on a perfect summer Friday!

08/07/2026

That’s a wrap on the MACP CEO Summit 2026!

What a great few days of leadership, learning, connection and camaraderie among chamber leaders representing 21 Michigan communities. There’s something special about bringing chamber CEOs together to share ideas, challenges, wins and a few laughs with people who truly understand the work.

A special thank you to Kara B**r, Bethaney Tobias Pung and the volunteer leaders of the Battle Creek Chamber for your incredible hospitality and generosity. You made us feel right at home in Battle Creek!

Thank you as well to our sponsors, Indus Travel and jobs, for helping make these connections possible. We appreciate your partnership with MACP and chambers across Michigan.

And a huge thank you to the speakers, contributors and leaders who shared their expertise and experiences with us:

Ryan Tarrant • Janelle Smith • Jodi Owczarski • Alex Sejdinaj • Dave Doetsch • Grace Gavin • Mallory Avis • Kara B**r • Jennifer Heinzman • Niki Devitt • Thomas Paden • Mark Allen • Rachel Gorman • Jean Jernigan • Katie Chuba • Sydney Lawson • Stacy Ziarko • Jennifer Boettcher • Heather Neuhaus • Tara Tomcsik • Joe Bauman • Magen Samyn • Kathy Zhu • Wendy Block • Jim Holcomb

Most importantly, thank you to every CEO who showed up ready to participate, share openly, ask questions and learn from one another. The value of this Summit comes from what everyone is willing to put into the room—and this group delivered.

We’re heading home with new ideas, stronger relationships and plenty of inspiration to make our chambers—and the communities we serve—even better.

That’s the power of Michigan’s chamber community. See you in Holland for CEO Summit 2027!

07/24/2026

Chambers are the champions of the ultimate economic development strategy: "Buy Local."

The Retailers Association new Buy Nearby study shows what could happen if Michigan residents redirected just 10% of their remote purchases to local retailers:

➡️ More than 14,000 new jobs
➡️ $1.1 billion in added value to Michigan’s economy
➡️ $1.7 billion in additional economic activity

For every dollar spent at a local Michigan business, another 78 cents in economic activity is generated.

Local chambers of commerce have understood this multiplier effect for years. Through shop-local campaigns, community gift certificates, business directories, holiday promotions and storytelling, chambers help residents connect their everyday purchases to the health of their hometowns.

These programs deserve more than applause. They deserve participation, partnerships and investment.

At the MACP conference this October, we’ll highlight how chambers are strengthening and reinventing their shop-local initiatives and how we can turn occasional campaigns into year-round community habits.

A small shift in where we spend can create a significant shift in our state's economic future.

Thanks to our friends Association of Retailers and Sector Consultants. See the full results at https://www.retailers.com/retailer-resources/buy-nearby-study-2026

07/22/2026

Tonight was a night for Michigan on the national stage at Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Convention in New Orleans!!

Congratulations to:
🏆 Charlevoix Area Chamber of Commerce – Communications Best in Show Finalist
🏆 Detroit Regional Chamber – Communications Best in Show Winner
🏆 Lisa Hoyt – Career Membership Sales Award
🏆 Huey Gray – Career Membership Sales Award
🏆 Nikki Devitt – Board Chair Award for Visionary Volunteerism
🏆 Howell Area Chamber of Commerce – Chamber of the Year Finalist
🏆 Jackson County Chamber of Commerce – Chamber of the Year Winner

Detroit Regional Chamber Howell Area Chamber of Commerce Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce Charlevoix Chamber

07/21/2026

We’re on the watch for these chambers at tonight Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Awards! Sending good vibes to Howell Area Chamber of Commerce and Jackson County Chamber of Commerce!

Watch tonight for updates!

07/21/2026

Congratulations to Nikki Devitt from the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce on receiving the ACCE Board Chair Award for exceptional volunteerism and serving as an important voice for small and medium sized chambers across the country. An exceptional honor on a national stage!

07/15/2026

ACCE Fellowship for Talent Development Applications are now available. https://secure.acce.org/pages/fellowship-program/

Chambers with interest in developing resources for talent and workforce development are encouraged to apply.

Chambers of commerce are increasingly tasked to mobilize efforts to improve the cradle-to-career talent pipeline in their communities. The ACCE Foundation has opened the application for the 12th cohort of its Fellowship program to help chambers take the first step or deepen their i...

07/03/2026

Congratulations to our Michigan delegation at the Southeast Institute for Organization Management in Athens, GA. And special recognition to Abigail Turnbull Barroso from the Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce for graduating this exceptional 4-year program!

Novi Chamber of Commerce Katie Chuba Jennifer Boettcher

06/11/2026

MACP is on the road this summer-- have you signed up to join us for lunch? See dates and locations here: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/macp-regional-meetings-4396433?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=creatorshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=odclsxcollection&utm-source=cp&aff=escb

06/11/2026

Final reminder! Only five days left to complete your chamber compensation survey. Responses are due June 15.

Complete the survey and receive a free report by July 15. Non-respondents can access the report for $150.

Visit the following links to submit your data:
Executive Compensation (https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/VwPUUFX)
Staff Compensation (https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/jLyIFuC)