By Tamara Fleischhaker
Our team recently traveled to Philadelphia for the ACCE (Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives) Annual Convention, where chamber leaders from across the country gathered to share ideas, explore new strategies, and challenge each other to think bigger about how we can drive growth and prosperity in our communities.
Philadelphia provided a fitting backdrop for these discussions. The city’s history of leadership and resilience, combined with its ongoing efforts to innovate and grow, set the stage for practical conversations about how chambers can better serve their communities and position them for long-term success.
Common themes from the ACCE ’25 convention:
Talent Development – Chambers everywhere are wrestling with workforce gaps. We saw creative ways to prepare the next generation of leaders and connect young professionals with meaningful opportunities.
Downtown Revitalization – From arts-driven corridors to the reuse of historic buildings, cities are finding ways to blend culture and commerce to energize their cores.
The Power of Storytelling – Chambers are leaning into authentic storytelling by using video, social media, and digital platforms to highlight wins and build community pride.
At ACCE ‘25, we also discussed the cultural principles of innovation. We were reminded that innovation doesn’t depend on big budgets or futuristic tools—it depends on culture. The way we empower each other, ask for help, gather feedback, and collaborate creates the foundation for organizational creativity. Some key Innovation Principles:
- Look for innovation everywhere.
- Prioritize iteration and feedback.
- Embrace passions, curiosities, and skills.
Innovation isn’t a spontaneous act. It’s a process that can be cultivated, structured, and embedded into the everyday work of our chambers. Like any other business function, it requires focus and discipline. Still, change is never easy. Human nature resists it, and generational differences often add friction. Yet history—and even pop culture—reminds us that innovation is constant. Progress has always been about daring to make possibility real.
What This Means for Ocala – We didn’t just attend sessions. We came home with strategies. Expanding our talent pipeline, strengthening our downtown, and continuing to build an Ocala Metro where businesses and families thrive are top priorities. The challenges we face are not unique, but our strengths here in Ocala are.
Philadelphia reminded us of bold visionaries who built something enduring. In the same way, Ocala’s story is still being written—and together, we get to be the authors.
