Five Things The Chamber Did For Your Business: August 3 – August 7, 2026

This week, The First Thing looks a little different! Our Chamber team traveled to San Francisco for the Western Association of Chamber Executives (W.A.C.E.) Academy, an annual professional development program designed specifically for chamber professionals. The Academy brings together Chamber leaders from across the West to learn from industry experts, exchange ideas, explore emerging trends, and discover new ways to better serve their members and communities.

Investing in professional development like W.A.C.E. Academy helps our team bring fresh ideas, proven strategies, and new perspectives back home to Murrieta and Wildomar. From strengthening member engagement and embracing new technology to learning how other Chambers are tackling shared challenges, we returned energized and inspired to continue growing alongside our business community.

For this special edition, we’re sharing five key takeaways our team brought home from W.A.C.E. Academy:

1. From Patrick: I have been a huge advocate for professional development in all industries, but especially in The Chamber World. This year that resonated with me more than ever. From seeing our staff engage in the opportunities presented to being able to share my knowledge and experience to the next generation of Chamber Leaders, this year was very special and powerful.
2. From Timarie: My main Takeaway from Academy was the importance of documentation in ensuring operational efficiency at a Chamber. I also really enjoyed connecting with other Chamber staff and understanding how different chambers function.
3. From Tina: My biggest takeaway from W.A.C.E. Academy was truly the entire experience, from the courses and resources to the connections I made along the way. As the newest member of my Chamber team, the deep dive into all things Chamber was incredibly valuable and gave me knowledge, tools, and relationships I’ll continue to lean on as I grow in my role.
4. From Maritza: One of my biggest takeaways from Academy this year was the importance of going beyond the surface level when serving our members. It reinforced that strong member retention comes from intentionally building relationships, listening to evolving needs, and being willing to rethink long standing programs and processes to ensure they continue to provide meaningful value to our community.
5. From Laura: My biggest takeaway from W.A.C.E. Academy was the importance of building a strong foundation and being intentional about what our Chamber will be known for. Keeping our Chamber relevant means sharing meaningful member stories by embracing storytelling and highlighting community vitality to showcase the true impact of the work we do.

We’re grateful for the members, partners, and community leaders who continue to show up, connect, and support one another. Whether you’re joining us at an event, building new relationships, championing a fellow business, or simply staying involved, your engagement helps create a stronger and more vibrant business community. Together, we’re continuing to make Murrieta and Wildomar great places to live, work, and grow—and we’re excited for what’s ahead!