In today's episode, we're joined by Justin Groenert, Chief Strategy Officer of the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership in Indiana. We discuss why advocacy is one of the most important value-adds a chamber can offer, how chambers can separate advocacy from politics, what it takes to build strong relationships with elected officials, and how collaboration can help communities move major regional projects forward.

Takeaways

• Advocacy is a core part of helping businesses succeed, not just an optional chamber function.
• Chambers can start small by showing up, listening to members, and building relationships with local officials.
• Strong advocacy work depends on collaboration between members, board leaders, elected officials, and regional partners.
• Programs like statehouse visits, roundtables, and policy-focused events can give members valuable access to decision-makers.
• Large community wins often happen when chambers bring the right people together around a shared goal.
• Chamber leaders can learn a lot from peers, Institute, and the broader chamber network.

Chapters

00:00 Why Chambers Need a Seat at the Table
00:31 Introduction to Beyond the Ribbon Cut
01:15 Introduction to the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership
03:55 Member Expectations After a Regional Merger
05:54 Justin’s Journey from Government to Chamber Work
12:34 Why Advocacy Matters for Chambers
17:30 Building an Advocacy Program from Scratch
22:50 Collaboration and Major Regional Wins
31:45 Starting Advocacy as a Small Chamber
35:14 Relationships as the Core of Advocacy
36:20 Final Advice for Chamber Leaders
38:44 Closing Thoughts

Facebook: @evvregion

Instagram: @evvregion

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/evansville-regional-economic-partnership

About Diagonal
Diagonal builds software shaped around the way chambers actually work. Our all-in-one platform helps chambers spend less time on administrative work and more time serving members, growing local businesses, and strengthening their communities.

Learn more about Diagonal: Diagonal for Chambers

In today's episode, we're joined by Rachel Gorman, President and CEO of the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce in Michigan. We discuss Rachel’s journey from chamber intern to chamber president, what it takes to navigate a leadership transition, how boards can approach succession planning, and why chambers should think proactively about the future of their organization before change becomes urgent.

Takeaways

• Chamber succession planning should start before a transition becomes urgent.
• Leadership transitions work best when boards are engaged, transparent, and intentional.
• A strong chamber identity should outlast any one leader, staff member, or era.
• Past board chairs and longtime leaders can be valuable resources during times of change.
• Future chamber leaders need to clearly communicate their interest, readiness, and vision.
• Chambers can lean on peers across the industry for guidance, collaboration, and support.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce
03:45 Rachel’s Journey from Intern to Chamber President
09:55 Lessons Learned Outside the Chamber
14:09 Succession Planning for Chamber Leadership
21:01 Winning Over the Board and Longtime Members
25:14 What to Keep and What to Change
27:47 Where Chambers Should Start with Succession Planning
30:11 Building a Simple Succession Plan
32:08 Final Advice for Chamber Leaders

Facebook: @MuskegonLakeshoreChamber

Instagram: @muskegon_lakeshore_chamber

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/muskegon-lakeshore-chamber-of-commerce

About Diagonal
Diagonal builds software shaped around the way chambers actually work. Our all-in-one platform helps chambers spend less time on administrative work and more time serving members, growing local businesses, and strengthening their communities.

Learn more about Diagonal: Diagonal for Chambers

In today's episode, we're joined by Dom Provenzano, Marketing, Communications, and Member Relations Manager at the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce in New York City. We discuss how chambers can rethink member retention, use CRM data more intentionally, build smarter touchpoints throughout the membership year, and explore practical AI tools that help teams focus their time on the members who need it most.

Takeaways

• Member retention should be an ongoing strategy, not just a renewal reminder.
• Personalized touchpoints help members understand the value they receive throughout the year.
• Good CRM habits make it easier to identify member needs, risks, and opportunities.
• AI can help chambers analyze data and prioritize outreach, but only when used carefully and responsibly.
• Clear, simple communication can often be more effective than overly designed emails.
• Strong chamber relationships start with helping members feel seen, supported, and remembered.

Chapters

00:00 Using AI to Build a Retention Dashboard
01:11 Introduction to the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce
04:22 Dom’s Journey into Chamber Work
08:49 Lessons from IOM
11:45 Why Member Retention Deserves More Attention
14:45 Building a Year-Round Retention System
19:59 Keeping Member Outreach Personal at Scale
27:57 Using Drop Risk to Prioritize Retention
30:48 Member Communications That Actually Resonate
36:06 Consistency, Voice, and Breaking Through the Inbox
37:36 Final Advice for Chamber Leaders
41:34 Closing Thoughts and Resources

Facebook: @sichamber

Instagram: @sichamber

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sichamber/

About Diagonal
Diagonal builds software shaped around the way chambers actually work. Our all-in-one platform helps chambers spend less time on administrative work and more time serving members, growing local businesses, and strengthening their communities.

Learn more about Diagonal: Diagonal for Chambers

In today's episode, we're joined by Bob Thomas, Chief Operating Officer and Integrator at the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. We discuss how chambers can bring more discipline and focus into their operations, what it means to run on an operating system like EOS, how statewide and local chambers can work together, and why strong chamber leadership starts with clarity, alignment, and community-focused decision-making.

Takeaways

• Chambers can create more impact when they focus their resources around a clear mission.
• Operating systems like EOS can help chamber teams set goals, track progress, and stay aligned.
• The best-run chambers make space for leadership instead of trying to be everything to everyone.
• Member value becomes stronger when communication, programs, and services are more intentional.
• Chambers of all sizes can benefit from stepping back, identifying what is getting in the way, and focusing on what matters most.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Michigan Chamber of Commerce
04:33 Bob’s Journey into Chamber Leadership
08:23 Understanding the Integrator Role
10:15 Bringing Focus Through EOS
12:22 Scorecards, Rocks, and Accountability
16:28 How Members Feel the Difference
18:56 Rethinking Events and Member Offerings
21:56 Lessons from Michigan Chamber Professionals
24:23 What Chamber Leaders Need Help With Today
26:40 Common Operational Mistakes
28:35 Where Chambers Should Start

Facebook: @michiganchamber

Instagram: @mi_chamber

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/michigan-chamber-of-commerce

About Diagonal
Diagonal builds software shaped around the way chambers actually work. Our all-in-one platform helps chambers spend less time on administrative work and more time serving members, growing local businesses, and strengthening their communities.

Learn more about Diagonal: Diagonal for Chambers

In today's episode, we're joined by John Nyhan, President of the Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce in New Hampshire and Chair of the New Hampshire Association of Chamber Executives. We discuss the chamber’s role in workforce development, how Hampton is connecting students with career pathways, the impact of trade-focused training programs, and why chambers can serve as powerful community facilitators beyond traditional events and membership work.

Takeaways

• Workforce development is an important part of the chamber’s role in the broader community.
• Chambers can help connect schools, businesses, families, and local partners around career readiness.
• Student-focused career pathways can open doors beyond the traditional four-year college route.
• Programs can start small and grow with the right partnerships, funding, and measurable results.
• Parent engagement and clear data are key pieces of helping students understand their options.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce
04:12 The Role of Workforce Development in Chambers
06:40 Connecting Education and Career Pathways
09:40 The Impact of the Business Leads Fellowship
12:26 Building Trade Skills and Career Readiness
15:03 Engaging Stakeholders in Workforce Programs
17:50 The Importance of Parent Engagement
20:46 Measuring Program Success and Data Utilization
23:20 The Role of Chambers in Community Engagement
26:28 The Hampton Seafood Festival and Community Involvement
29:06 Advice for Smaller Chambers

Facebook: @hamptonchamber

Instagram: @hampton_area_chamber

TikTok: @hamptonarea_chamber

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hampton-area-chamber-of-commerce

About Diagonal
Diagonal builds software shaped around the way chambers actually work. Our all-in-one platform helps chambers spend less time on administrative work and more time serving members, growing local businesses, and strengthening their communities.

Learn more about Diagonal: Diagonal for Chambers

In today's episode, we're joined by Brianna Dye, Community Engagement Coordinator at the Olive Branch Chamber of Commerce in Mississippi. We discuss how small chambers can build a stronger marketing system, create consistent content, use social media as a member benefit, and find practical ways to engage the community without needing a large staff or complicated setup.

Takeaways

• A strong marketing system can help chambers create more consistent value for members.
• Social media can become more than promotion — it can be a real member benefit.
• Small chambers can create engaging content by capturing what they’re already doing.
• Consistency matters, but it becomes easier with a simple plan and repeatable process.
• Traditional and digital media can work together to reach different parts of the community.

Chapters

00:59 Introduction to the Olive Branch Chamber of Commerce

03:18 Brianna's Journey to Community Engagement

05:54 The Importance of a Marketing System

08:16 Creating Engaging Content for Social Media

10:20 Consistency in Content Creation

11:44 Leveraging Traditional and Digital Media

11:44 The Value of Community Engagement

13:47 Tactical Tips for Small Chambers

16:13 Preview of ACCE Session on Marketing Strategy

Facebook: @obchamber

Instagram: @olivebranchchamber

TikTok: @obchamberofcommerce

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/olive-branch-chamber-of-commerce

About Diagonal
Diagonal builds software shaped around the way chambers actually work. Our all-in-one platform helps chambers spend less time on administrative work and more time serving members, growing local businesses, and strengthening their communities.

Learn more about Diagonal: Diagonal for Chambers

In today's episode we're joined by Marianne Cohen, executive director at the Malden Chamber of Commerce. We discuss all things multi-chamber events, virtual and online programming, the future of in-person events, and challenges and reflections on chamber leadership.

Takeaways

• Successful multi-chamber events expand networking opportunities and member engagement.
• Chamber collaboration and resource sharing benefit members and contribute to the success of small businesses.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Malden Chamber of Commerce
• 06:48 Best Practices for Multi-Chamber Events
• 12:01 Initiating Multi-Chamber Collaboration
• 18:16 Virtual and Online Programming
• 23:37 Collaborative Events Beyond Multi-Chambers

Learn more about the Malden Chamber:
www.maldenchamber.org
Facebook: @MaldenChamber
Instagram: @MaldenChamber
LinkedIn: @MaldenChamber

About Diagonal
Diagonal builds software shaped around the way chambers actually work. Our all-in-one platform helps chambers spend less time on administrative work and more time serving members, growing local businesses, and strengthening their communities.

Learn more about Diagonal: Diagonal for Chambers

In today's episode, we're joined by Clint Knight, Director of Workforce Development at the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development in Ohio. We discuss how chambers can approach workforce development, why chambers are uniquely positioned to connect employers and educators, how Richland is building student-facing programs, and practical ways chambers can start small, measure success, and create real impact for their business community.

Takeaways

• Workforce development can play a much bigger role in chamber work than many leaders realize.
• Chambers are uniquely positioned to bring the right community partners into the conversation.
• Practical ways to think beyond traditional job fairs and hiring events.
• Student engagement can create surprising opportunities for both young people and employers.
• Useful starting points for chambers considering workforce development for the first time.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to the Richland Area Chamber
• 03:23 Understanding the Business Community
• 06:09 Clint's Journey into Chamber Leadership
• 08:47 The Importance of Workforce Development
• 11:40 Tactical Approaches to Workforce Development
• 14:19 Measuring Success in Workforce Initiatives
• 17:21 Engaging Students and Employers
• 19:50 Innovative Programs for Student Engagement
• 22:45 Advice for Chambers on Workforce Development
• 24:59 Starting a Workforce Development Program
• 27:25 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Events

Learn more about the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development:
https://chooserichland.com/

Facebook: @richlandareachamber
Instagram: @richlandareachamber
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/richland-area-chamber-of-commerce

About Diagonal
Diagonal builds software shaped around the way chambers actually work. Our all-in-one platform helps chambers spend less time on administrative work and more time serving members, growing local businesses, and strengthening their communities.

Learn more about Diagonal: Diagonal for Chambers

Beyond the Ribbon Cut is an exploration of the real work and impact of chambers, aiming to provide practical and useful insights for chamber leaders. Every week we interview a new chamber leader to hear their stories and dive into their chamber. In this introductory episode, host Ted Wind shares his journey of discovering the importance of chambers and what this pod is all about!