Chamber Bootcamp 2026: Meet the Speakers Who’ll Take You from Basics to Badasses
Chamber Bootcamp 2026: Meet the Speakers Who’ll Take You from Basics to Badasses
This year’s Mid-America Chamber Executives (MACE) Conference is all about cutting through the clutter and mastering the skills that make chambers thrive — from selling memberships and building killer events to creating loyal sponsors and leading with authenticity.
April 29–May 1, 2026 Hilton Garden Inn Downtown | Sioux Falls, South Dakota
🔗 Register now: https://tinyurl.com/MACE-Registration
It’s time to gear up for three days of tactical takeaways, energizing speakers, and top-tier connections. Here's who’s headlining this bootcamp:
Dan Meers – Courageous Leadership: Living a Life of Influence
Wednesday, April 29 | 2:15–3:15pmWhen your job involves leaping from stadium rafters in a mascot suit, courage becomes part of your DNA. Kansas City Chiefs’ beloved KC Wolf, Dan Meers, shares his incredible story of surviving a 75-foot fall and the powerful life and leadership lessons born from it.🎥 Watch the teaser video here
Amy Hager, CAE, IOM – Sales Without the Pitch: For Chamber Pros
Thursday, April 30 | 9:15–10:15am No scripts. No pressure. Just real conversations that convert. Amy Hager will show you how to simplify your sales approach, build authentic connections, and close more conversations with confidence — all without the awkward pitch.
Nina Meehan – Story Power: Stop Explaining. Start Closing.
Thursday, April 30 | 12:45–1:45pm Forget boring presentations. Nina Meehan is here to help you communicate with clarity, inspire action, and tell the kind of stories that close deals and drive results. Bonus: Catch her breakout “Events – Make Them a Must Attend” right after her keynote🎥 Watch the teaser video here
Kyle Butler – Workforce Programming: Building Stronger Talent Pipelines
Thursday, April 30 | 4:00–5:00pmWorkforce is one of the biggest challenges facing chambers — and Kyle Butler knows what’s working. As Senior Manager of K–12 Programs at the U.S. Chamber Foundation, he’ll share proven strategies for engaging business, education, and community to strengthen your local talent pipeline.
Patrick Kirby – Lead Like a 5th Grader: What Kids Know About Leadership That Adults Forget
Friday, May 1 | 9:20–10:20amWhat if your best leadership instincts were actually from the playground? In this fun, fast-paced keynote, Patrick Kirby taps into boldness, curiosity, and creativity to help you lead with less stress and more joy — just like a 5th grader would.🎥 Watch the teaser video here
Erik Therwanger – Leading Through Chaos
Friday, May 1 | 10:30–11:30amIn uncertain times, leadership makes the difference. Drawing on decades of experience as a U.S. Marine and business strategist, Erik Therwanger will close out the conference with high-impact tools to help you lead your team, communicate clearly, and drive powerful results — even in chaos.🎥 Watch the teaser video here
Breakout Sessions – Tactic-Focused and Actionable
Thursday, April 30 | 1:45–3:45pmChoose your track and dive deep into key chamber strategies:
• AI Tools & Innovation – Patrick Kirby, Do Good Better Consulting
• Capital Campaigns – Ali Rauch, President/CEO Opelika Chamber of Commerce
• Can’t-Miss Events – Nina Meehan
• Workforce Development – Kyle Butler, US Chamber Foundation
• Boards That Work – Travis Toliver & Dave Minor
Panel Lineup – Peer Power on Full Display Membership Panel
Thursday, April 30 | 10:15–10:45am
Following Amy Hager’s keynote, this panel dives into what’s really working for chambers when it comes to member recruitment, retention, and value-building.
President’s Panel (Annual Meeting)
Thursday, April 30 | 11:15am–12:30pmSeasoned chamber execs share unfiltered insights on what’s ahead and how they’re navigating it.
MACE Conference Highlights
• 30 Ideas in 30 Minutes
• MACE Awards
• Happy Hours, State Breakfasts & Socials
• Live Auction & Evening Entertainment
Ready to Enlist?
This is your call to action. Whether you’re a rookie, a veteran, or somewhere in between — Chamber Bootcamp 2026 is your chance to recharge, realign, and walk away with the tools to lead your chamber like a badass.
Register now: https://tinyurl.com/MACE-Registration
