2026 TCCE Chair's Conference

Description

Don’t Miss This Essential Leadership Experience!

Hosted by the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives

This dynamic one-day conference is designed specifically for incoming Chamber board chairs, officers, executive teams, and CEOs, equipping leadership teams with the tools, insights, and strategies needed to strengthen governance, clarify roles, and drive meaningful results together.

Held each October, this highly practical program prepares volunteer leaders to confidently step into the board chair role while giving Chamber CEOs the opportunity to work side-by-side with their board leadership to align priorities, elevate performance, and strengthen the partnership that powers every successful chamber.

Whether your goal is to sharpen board effectiveness, build stronger leadership alignment, or keep your chamber’s momentum moving forward, this program is built for you and your leadership team.

TCCE Chair’s Conference 2025 – Agenda

Thursday, October 15th

8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

8:00 - 8:30 AM    Registration + Breakfast Buffet Opens

Welcome and informal networking over breakfast

8:30 - 8:45 AM     Welcome from TCCE Executive Director (2 minutes)

Chelsie Kramer, Executive Director, TCCE 

Opening Remarks & Conference Kickoff (5 minutes)

Emcee: Chester Jenke, President & CEO, Seguin Chamber of Commerce

8:45 - 9:45  AM    Better Together: Building a Strong Chair-CEO Partnership 

(60 minutes)

Dave Kilby, Author & Chamber Leadership Expert 

Understanding the chamber’s role, defining leadership responsibilities, and creating the partnership that drives success.

50-minute presentation

10-minute Q&A

9:45 - 9:50  AM    Sponsor Spotlight

9:50  – 10:50 AM    Governance That Works: From Fiduciary Duty to Strategic Foresight

(60 minutes)

Dave Kilby, Author & Chamber Leadership Expert

Kelly Hall, CCE, IOM, President & CEO, Longview Chamber of Commerce; author of From Foresight to Action™

From fiduciary responsibility and board fundamentals to strategic foresight, explore what effective governance looks like in practice.

50-minute presentation

10-minute Q&A

10:50 - 11:10 AM    Coffee & Networking Break (20 minutes)
    

11:10 - 11:50 PM    The Good, the Bad & the Ugly of Chamber Foundations

(40 minutes)

Kelly Hall, CCE, IOM, President & CEO, Longview Chamber of Commerce

RaDonna Hessel, CCE, IOM, President & CEO, Grapevine Chamber of Commerce

with Dave Kilby, Author & Chamber Leadership Expert

Just because your chamber can have a foundation, does that mean it should? When does a foundation strengthen your chamber, and when does it create more complexity than value? Explore structures, opportunities, pitfalls, and hard-earned lessons from chamber leaders who have been there.

20-minute primer + audience-driven conversation and Q&A

11:50 - 12:05 PM    Lunch Served + Sponsor Remarks from Indus

(15 minutes)
    

12:05 - 12:50 PM    What I Know Now: Lessons from Past Chairs

                                   (45 minutes)

Past chamber board chairs share what they learned in the hot seat—the 

surprises, challenges, wins, and advice they wish they had when their term began.

Facilitated by the Gulf Coast Chamber Executives (GCCE)

35-minute panel

10-minute Q&A

12:50 - 1:05 PM    Coffee & Networking Break (15 minutes)

1:05 - 1:50 PM    More Than Events: The Chamber's Role as the Voice of Business 

(45 minutes)

Becki Womble, CCE, IOM, ACM, President & CEO, Bastrop Regional Chamber of Commerce

Jonathan Packer, CCE, President & CEO, Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce

How chambers can champion the business community, navigate difficult issues and lead with credibility when it matters most.

                                  40-minute panel

                                  5-minute Q&A

1:50 - 3:20 PM     Board Blind Spots: What Great Chamber Leaders See Coming

Every board has blind spots. This interactive closing session takes a deeper dive into the leadership, communication, team dynamics and strategic habits that separate boards that simply function from those that truly lead.

Brian Brandt, President, Core Insights

Coauthor, The Ambassador's Journey and Blind Spots: What You Don't Know CAN Hurt You

3:20 PM        Closing Remarks

The State of Chamber Compensation: What the 2026 TCCE Data Tells Us

An exclusive first look at compensation, benefits and workforce trends across Texas chambers.

Chester Jenke, President & CEO, Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce; TCCE Board Member & Chair's Conference Chair

Hotel Block: Reserve your room HERE at the host venue, the South Shore Harbour Resort & Conference Center, for $139.00: