6:00am - 9:00am Breakfast for hotel guests

10:00am - 11:00am Board Meeting

10:00am Registration Opens

12:30pm - 1:40pm Conference Opening Session
Remember Our Why: The Eleven86 Story
Speakers: Marquis Forge & Patty VanderWal

As chamber professionals we often get so caught up in the mechanics and day to day, it is easy to forget our why. Hear from an Alabama Made success story on how he is building a business, shaping lives, changing communities, and giving back.

1:45pm - 2:45pm Breakout Sessions I

Leading the Way: Embracing Purpose Over Preference
Speaker: Loren Gibson

In today’s fast-paced world, many individuals and organizations often find themselves caught in the whirlpool of preferences, which can lead to blurred vision and, ultimately, uncertainty. Embracing purpose over preference is not just a mantra; it’s a strategic approach that can lead to authentic leadership, innovation, and actions that impact your organization and ultimately your community.

Stakeholder Engagement Strategies: Building Stronger Connections with Members & Volunteers
Speaker: Craig Johnson, TMP, CLDP, MCT

Effective stakeholder engagement is the foundation of a thriving Chamber of Commerce. In this interactive session, you will learn practical strategies to strengthen member relationships, set and manage expectations, and build a sustainable volunteer base. Through real-world examples, group discussions, and simple planning exercises, you will explore how to deliver value to diverse stakeholders, communicate with transparency, and inspire members and volunteers to stay connected and engaged. Participants will leave with actionable tools they can immediately apply to enhance their chamber’s impact and community presence.

2:45pm - 3:00pm Break - Sponsored by Alabama Trucking Association - Visit Our Exhibitors

3:00pm - 4:00pm Breakout Sessions II

Creating Success for Chamber Professionals
Speaker: Hardy Smith, IOM
In this session Chamber professionals will learn how to benefit from a personal SWOT analysis, why being an effective communicator is critical to career success, how to future proof your career, and how to be the best you.

4:00pm - 4:15pm Break Sponsored by Alabama Trucking Association - Visit Our Exhibitors

4:15pm - 5:00pm Sponsor Spotlight Session
In this fast-paced “speed dating” session, you will have a chance to meet our sponsors and vendors to learn about their programs, products, and initiatives and how they can work in your chamber and community.

5:00pm - 6:30pm Cocktails & Conversations

6:30pm Dinner

6:00am - 8:30am Breakfast for hotel guests

8:30am - 9:30am Breakout Sessions 3

45 in 45: Events with Heather Lebischak, IOM
This is your chance to share and learn from your peers as Heather facilitates the sharing of 45 ideas, tips, and best practices for chamber and community events. Come prepared to share your best thoughts in one minute or less.

45 in 45: Membership with Kristy Drake, IOM
This is your chance to share and learn from your peers as Kristy facilitates the sharing of 45 ideas, tips, and best practices in membership recruitment, retention, and management. Come prepared to share your best thoughts in one minute or less.

9:30am - 9:45am Break Sponsored by Alabama Trucking Association - Visit Exhibitors

9:45am - 10:45am Breakout Sessions 4

Building A Culture That Keeps Your Top Talent
Speaker: Tim Chason
Here’s the picture…it is time for your Nominating Committee to meet and decide on next year’s officers, board members, and committee chairs.  A group of business and community members is sitting around the conference room table to choose “leaders” for these positions.  You have developed a potential list of names.  Now visualize putting titles and decision-making authority by those names.  Are they really the strongest business leaders in the community?  This session will focus on reasons why leaders, who also have the authority to make financial and policy decisions on behalf of their company or organization, are not running to the chamber’s conference table to serve.  There will be insights into how chamber executives can bring the top leaders in a community back to the table and engage them in shaping the community’s future.

Rolling in the Revenue
Speaker: Teri Smiley, IOM, GCCE
Non-dues revenue isn’t just nice to have—it’s the secret sauce that helps chambers roll with the punches, expand impact, and serve members in fresh, creative ways. Whether you're a fundraising rockstar or just starting your non-dues journey, it’s time to roll up your sleeves… and find the funds.

Help I'm New Here!
Speakers: Anissa Starnes, IOM & Paige Hutto, IOM
Open to any chamber professional that has serve for one year or less, we will unravel the mysteries of industry jargon, career development, maintaining boundaries, and where to go on those days when you need a helping hand or sympathetic ear.

10:45am - 11:15am Break Sponsored by Alabama Trucking Association - Visit Exhibitors

11:15am - 12:15am Breakout Sessions 5

Chamber Board Challenges and Governance Practices
Speaker: Hardy Smith, IOM
This session will be a facilitated conversation that will provide answers to questions about board challenges and opportunity to benefit from engagement by Chamber peers.

Exploring Innovative Revenue Streams for Chamber Success
Speaker: Anissa Starnes, IOM
In this session, attendees will discover innovative strategies to maximize non-dues revenue. You’ll hear about successful revenue initiatives and engage in interactive discussions to share best practices. Join us to gain actionable insights and creative approaches that ensure financial growth and sustainability for your organization.

12:20pm - 1:00pm Networking Lunch

1:00pm - 1:15pm Celebrating America's 250th Birthday in Alabama
Speaker: Natalie Steed
Learn how you can lead the charge and join the conversation as communities across the country celebrate our nation’s upcoming Sesquicentennial.

1:15pm - 2:05pm Roundtable Topic Discussions - "What's Your Problem?"
Join one of several tables set up across the room for a tabletop discussion around topics such as leadership programs, revenue generation, AI, etc. You will have a chance to visit two tables for 25 minutes each.

2:30pm Depart for Community Tour
Rolling Around Tuscaloosa
Our hosts Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama and Visit Tuscaloosa have a fun filled afternoon planned for us around Tuscaloosa. So sit back and let’s roll through town taking in the sights and sounds of T-Town.

5:00pm Evening Reception

Evening Dinner on your own

6:00am - 8:30am Breakfast for hotel guests

8:30am - 9:30am Alabama Workforce: Navigating the Landscape
Speaker: Donny Jones, CCE, IOM
The landscape of workforce development across Alabama is changing, expanding and growing. Learn how your chamber can play an expanded role in workforce development, who the key players are, and what the future may look like.

9:30am - 9:45am Break Sponsored by Alabama Trucking Association - Visit Exhibitors

9:45am - 10:30am Rolling with Technology
Speaker: Karla Roper

Are you rolling with the rapid changes in technology—upgrading software, adopting new platforms, and managing countless accounts? If someone peeked inside, would you be more embarrassed by your cloud storage or your storage closet? In this session, we’ll explore practical strategies to navigate the growing demand for digital services within your organization. You’ll learn how to streamline accounts, organize information, manage costs, and strengthen security—so your digital operations run as smoothly as your mission.

10:30am - 11:00am Silent Auction Closes & Break

11:00am - 12:00pm Time to Roll: Mastering the Clock
Speaker: Teri Smiley
Feeling like your schedule is rolling over you instead of with you? In this super practical session, you'll learn how to take back control of your time with simple strategies you can actually stick to. From setting priorities to managing interruptions, we’ll explore how to move from chaos to clarity—and keep the momentum going.  Let’s be honest: the conference energy is high now, but what happens when you get back to the office? Will this just be another great idea that turns into a book on the shelf, or will you actually roll it into your daily routine? This session will give you tools to immediately implement what you've learned—so your time works for you, not against you. It’s time to stop spinning your wheels and master the clock.

12:00pm Conference Closing Session: Know Before You Go