Conference Agenda

Wednesday, October 14th

10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Pre-Conference Pick-Me-Up

Start your conference experience early at the brand-new Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce (205 Main Avenue). Before registration opens, stop by to explore the new facility, connect with fellow attendees, and enjoy refreshments from Livonia's and Fizz Co., with options for both coffee and non-coffee drinkers.

If you're arriving around lunchtime, downtown Clear Lake offers a variety of great dining options just steps away from the conference venue. Browse the full list of local restaurants here: View Clear Lake Restaurants

12:00 p.m. - Exhibitor Set-Up

12:30 p.m. - Registration Open

1:00 p.m. - Official Welcome

Barb DenHerder, IACC Board Chair
Stacy Doughan, President & CEO, Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce | Host Community

1:30 p.m. - Ask Like A Leader:  Why the Best Leaders Stop Performing and Start Listening

Speaker: Lauren Ready

Description: Rock legends didn’t become iconic by memorizing a script. They practiced, learned to read the room, listen to their bandmates, and respond in the moment. Leadership works the same way.

In this energizing keynote, Lauren Ready invites Chamber leaders to shift from needing to have all the answers to asking the questions that bring clarity, trust, and momentum. Using her Question Lens™ method, Lauren connects storytelling, leadership, and community impact — to help teams find their rhythm, uncover blind spots, and lead with clarity. In the end, you'll be reminded how to lead with confidence that’s authentic, not performative.

2:30 p.m. - Ask Like A Leader: Workshop

Speaker: Lauren Ready

3:30 p.m. - Break

3:45 p.m. - From Solo Act to Supergroup

Speaker: Robert Medler

Description: Would you rather join the Beatles or the Temptations? Big things rarely happen alone. Whether you’re tackling workforce challenges, advocating for policy, driving economic development, or addressing a community issue, success often depends on bringing together organizations and individuals with different priorities, personalities, and agendas. And just like a great band, a successful coalition needs the right players, a shared purpose, clear roles—and someone who can keep everyone playing from the same set list.

This interactive session explores the art and strategy of building coalitions that actually work. We’ll examine how to identify the right partners, find common ground among competing interests, establish trust, manage strong personalities, navigate disagreements, and keep people engaged when the spotlight moves elsewhere. Participants will leave with practical strategies for turning a collection of interested organizations into a coalition capable of making some serious noise.

5:00 p.m. - Adjourn

6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. - Evening Reception | Surf Ballroom | Coordinated by Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce

Join us for an unforgettable evening at the historic Surf Ballroom. Attendees will enjoy a guided tour, meet Jeff Nicholas, President of the Surf Ballroom nonprofit, and experience Not Fade Away, the immersive theater attraction that brings the venue's rich history to life.

The evening will also feature live jazz and local favorites from GeJo's and Starboard Market, with dinner and dessert showcasing some of Clear Lake's most beloved flavors.

Want to keep the night going? Explore the Clear Lake Events Calendar for activities happening around town, or head to TAP'd for Wednesday night karaoke and fully embrace the Lead Like a Rockstar spirit.

Thursday, October 15th

7:15 a.m. - Registration Open

8:00 a.m. - Welcome

8:15 a.m. - Rock Your Ages: How Every Generation Defines Value, Connection, and Community

9:00 a.m. - Break

9:15 a.m. - Generational Roundtables

After the panel, attendees will break into small groups to tackle a real-world generational challenge facing chambers today. Each table will develop practical solutions and share their ideas with the full group, turning the conversation into actionable takeaways.

10:15 a.m. - Break

10:30 a.m. - Ethics Unplugged: Rocking the Gray Zone When the Rulebook Isn’t Enough

Speaker: Robert Medler

Description: It may not be illegal – but does that make it ethical? Chamber professionals regularly face situations where the rules don’t provide a clear answer. Conflicting interests, board and member expectations, confidentiality, favoritism, organizational politics, and professional relationships can quickly push us into the ethical gray zone. In this interactive session, we’ll turn up the volume on ethics and explore real-world dilemmas where judgment matters more than the rulebook. Learn practical ways to recognize ethical risks, navigate competing obligations, and make decisions that keep you – and your organization – on the right side of the stage.

11:30 – 11:45 AM – Break

11:45 – 12:45 PM - Debi Durham

12:45 – 1:45 PM - Lunch & Roundtable

2:00 p.m. - End of Conference