IACCE 2008 Fall Conference

What is Fall Conference?

In the fall, IACCE executives and staff come together for one large conference for three days.  Traditionally during the beginning of November, the conference travels around the state to different locations.  Local, regional and national guest speakers offer insight into some of today's most pressing issues including board relations, non-dues revenue, HR, political issues, and much more.  In addition, conference attendees can network with other chamber executives and staff from Illinois and surrounding states as well as meet vendors from across the US.  

Full Brochure: Download a 4 page PDF file of the conference!

Registration Forms:  Registration forms for the Fall Conference 2008 are here! 

When and where are we going to be in 2008?   

November 5-7, 2008:  Decatur, IL at the Decatur Conference Center and Hotel.

Decatur Conference Center and Hotel
4191 West US Route 36
Decatur, IL  62522
217-420-8711 or 217-422-8800

www.hoteldecatur.com
info@hoteldecatur.com
Where is the hotel?  Map

Directions

I need to stay over night...  What do I need to do?  Where should I stay?

If you will be staying overnight, Decatur Conference Center and Hotel is holding a block of rooms for IACCE until two weeks before the Fall Conference.  Call 217-420-8711 or 217-422-8800 or visit www.hoteldecatur.com for more details. The cost is $70 + tax per night!

Who is speaking at the Fall Conference and what is the agenda?

The agenda is being created and speakers are being looked at now for the 2008 conference.  Would you like to recommend someone you've heard? Let us know!  info@iacce.org or Liz@iacce.org. 

Bob Harris, CAE

IACCE is excited to welcome Bob Harris back to Illinois for the 2008 Fall Conference!  Want to know more about Bob...  Read his bio!  Bob's web site is http://www.nonprofitcenter.com.  Bob will be joining the conference on Friday morning for the following sessions:

2008 - The Year of the Policy Manual:  The new IRS Form 990 queries the organization about several recommended policies.  For many staff members, it creates confusion by what makes a good policy?  Or the policy manual is lost or outdated.  A course on creating a policy manual and how to streamline unwieldy policies.

• Top 25 policies in an association
• Elements of a policy
• Developing and Updating a policy manual
• Who creates policies
• By laws or policies?
• IRS suggested policies

Six Operating Manuals for Every Association:  Improve efficiency, member service, board confidence and staff understanding with the six manuals for managing an association or chamber.  The purpose of each manual with resources and case studies.  Based on the belief that a nonprofit organization can be as efficient as any franchise.

• Leadership Orientation Manual
• Procedures Manual
• Personnel Manual
• Style Guide
• Emergency Management Manual
• Policy Manual

Cathi Hight

IACCE is excited to welcome Cathi Hight to Illinois for the first time!  Want to know more about Cathi...  Read her bio!  Cathi's web site is http://www.hightperformance.com/.  Cathi will be joining the conference on Thursday for 2 sessions to be announced! Her general sessions are proudly sponsored by Pioneer Press/Sun Times Group. Want to get a hold of Pioneer Press/Sun Times Group?  Check out their contact information below!

Executive Strategies for Getting and Keeping Members

Where should we invest our resources to gain the highest return? Which prospects are better to recruit? Can I forecast which members will renew or churn? What are the secrets to member retention?

A retention plan is more than a collection plan. It’s an ongoing process that helps you understand your member base, the current and evolving needs of members, and how you can retain more of your best members. In this seminar, you’ll explore how to make retention a long-term strategic solution for your organization.

Specific agenda items:

• Rate your chamber on using member retention strategies

• Enhance the member acquisition and retention model

• Explore how Member Intelligence leverages the capability of your membership software

• Realize how Member Relationship Management increase revenues and retention rate

• Discover how you can recruit for retention

• Recognize ways to increase member engagement
• Explore how to remain relevant to your members

Retention Overview—Measuring Your Score

The name of the game is member retention. Most organizations describe their retention plan as “sending out annual renewal notices,” but retention is more than paperwork—it’s a proactive and ongoing process. Member Relationship Management and Member Experience Management are important new concepts that organizations must embrace to successfully recruit and retain members.

In this presentation, you’ll explore the challenges and myths around member retention, how retention impacts your bottom line, ways to increase engagement, and strategies to develop loyal members that renew year after year after year.

Specific agenda items:

• Rate your organization on using member retention strategies
• The myths around member retention
• What’s a member really worth?
• Explore the difference between satisfied and loyal members
• The importance of recruiting for retention
• Why you should practice Member Relationship Management
• The four components of an effective retention plan

How do I register?

Great question! We welcome all chamber of commerce executives and staff members from across Illinois and invite other state executive and staff members to participate.  Registration forms for the Fall Conference 2008 are here! 

What about the Live and Silent Auction? What do I do? Where can I get the silent auction form?

IACCE is proud of the silent auction that funds the scholarship fund.  100% of proceeds from this auction goes to the funding of scholarships annually through IACCE to members.  In 2008, we will introduce a formal live auction! Make sure you are part of it!

You can download the form here!  Remember...  bring a copy of the form with you and save a copy for yourself.  IACCE also recommends you fax a copy of the form (if you know what you are bringing ahead of time!) to 217-522-5518 so we can make sure we have enough tables for all the cool items!  Remember, the holidays are only 6 weeks after the Fall Conference and these baskets would make great gifts!  Remember to bring your checkbook.  IACCE also accepts credit cards.  Thank you to all who intend on bringing something and bidding!  Download Form.

How do I Sponsor the Fall Conference?

We are excited to be able to offer a great package for sponsors and vendors for the Fall Conference.  IACCE has sponsors, vendors, and corporate members from across the state and country who are interested in doing business with IACCE's members...  Chambers of Commerce in Illinois! If you are interested in sponsoring the IACCE Fall Conference in 2008, please download 2008 IACCE Corporate Sponsor/Exhibitor Form.

Who is Sponsoring the Fall Conference?  Who will be there as a vendor?

Are there Scholarships available?

Of Course!  IACCE is dedicated to its membership and offers scholarships for each of its events, conferences, and seminars.  Visit www.iacce.org/scholarships.php to download the application and send it in today!

What else is there to do in Decatur?

Each city has a strong chamber of commerce, and Decatur is no different!  Chamber executives from across Central Illinois will be hosting IACCE during the 2008 Fall Conference with our head host, the Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce. 

• Greater Decatur Chamber:  http://www.decaturchamber.com/
• Decatur CVB:  http://www.decaturcvb.com/

For more information, please contact IACCE President, Elizabeth Kerns at 217-522-5512 x 223 or via e-mail at Liz@iacce.org.  To view current plans for the next scheduled Learn from the Masters or Fall Conference, please click on the conference selection to the left.  If you are looking for past conference materials OR photos, please select "Past Conferences & Photo."