HOST AN EVENT WITH IMPACT

PROVIDE VALUE TO YOUR MEMBERS

Events can enhance your chamber’s reputation and elevate your leadership

Being a reliable source of information for your members and community about the economic benefits of clean energy will elevate your chamber’s position as a leader in your region and help draw more businesses to you.

There are many opportunities within the clean energy and climate sector to engage your members, community, policymakers, and the media. These events can also serve as great potential for non-dues revenue.

  • ISSUE BRIEFINGS: Demonstrate the importance of clean energy with policymakers and business leaders by hosting a conversation on clean energy production or manufacturing. You can also incorporate these subjects into your chamber’s existing events.

  • SITE TOURS: Invite your members and community leaders to learn about clean energy technology and development.

  • RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONIES: Whether it’s for a new EV charger or a solar installation, ribbon-cuttings are a great way to promote your businesses and elevate your chamber’s profile.

  • SUSTAINABILITY OR INDUSTRY CONFERENCES: Convene business leaders, civic changemakers, and subject matter experts to chart a path forward for sustainable growth.

  • COMMUNITY EVENTS: EV “ride and drives” or car shows, networking opportunities, and other community events are a fun way to promote businesses and engage the public in clean energy opportunities.

  • AWARDS & RECOGNITION EVENTS: Celebrate business achievements in sustainability, clean energy, or climate action.

  • ADVOCACY DAYS: Visit the Capitol to tell elected officials how a strong clean energy policy will benefit your community’s economy.

Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind boat tour.

Largest utility-scale solar installation east of the Rockies in Spotsylvania County, Virginia.

CHAMBERS IN ACTION

Click below to see examples from around the country.

  • Columbus Partnership CEO Alex Fischer discusses the importance of addressing climate change with Midwestern mayors in this Power A Clean Future Ohio webinar.

  • More than 130 business leaders joined the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut for a bipartisan panel on the economic opportunities of offshore wind. Business, industry, political and environmental leaders heard from a high-powered panel of experts, including Senator Paul Formica who made a major announcement on offshore wind development:

    "We need to be a player in the game. We can develop New London and we have an opportunity ... to really focus on this new and emerging industry. Two-thousand megawatts is realistic and I think it sends a clear message that we are ready to jump into this industry and support it with everything that we have." CT State Senator Paul Formica

  • The Greater Eureka Chamber of Commerce hosted a member-exclusive “Conversations with Leaders” event to provide updates, answer questions, and discuss the significant business opportunities and economic benefits of offshore wind.

  • In collaboration with the Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI) and the Center for Houston's Future, the Greater Houston Partnership’s annual conference, The Future of Global Energy, explores Houston’s role in leading the energy transition.

    “As global energy demands increase, we face a critical question: How do we balance economic growth with the need to reduce carbon emissions? This conference is where industry leaders, policymakers, innovators, and academics gather to find solutions.”

  • The Knox County Chamber of Commerce in Ohio hosted an expert panel to discuss an upcoming solar development in the county, raising the question: How might solar energy benefit Knox County?

    “As we talk about solar, it's really about energy independence, right? And we certainly see gas prices fluctuate pretty wildly over the past couple of years. International issues come into play.” Brian Dicken, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce VP, Advocacy & Strategic Initiatives

  • The Loudoun Chamber of Commerce hosted a forum to explore innovative energy solutions, addressing the region’s rising power demands driven by data centers and electrification. The Chamber convened key stakeholders, including Dominion Energy, government officials, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to discuss strategies like small modular nuclear reactors, advanced battery storage, and district energy systems. The event emphasized the urgency of enhancing energy efficiency and integrating new technologies to bolster Northern Virginia’s grid resilience and economic growth.

  • The Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce’s annual Regional Economic Summit clearly outlined the chamber’s support for clean energy development—including offshore wind—as they work to create a stronger, more diversified and more sustainable economy.

    “The Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce has been a proponent of clean energy since 2013. Our community understands the importance of our environment and the role it plays in our economic success. Off-shore and on-shore wind projects as well as solar projects are important to our region and the health of our economy.” Karen Brown, Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce President and CEO

  • Co-hosted by the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce and First Solar, this virtual event, “The Multi-Billion Ohio Solar Industry and its Benefits to Ohio Communities” attracted over 125 chamber and business leaders across the state. Attendees heard from industry experts about the vast economic benefits utility-scale solar offers Ohio communities, including the opportunity to create thousands of jobs.

  • When the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando asked its membership what it was looking for from the chamber, the leadership found a desire to have in-depth discussions on topics of interest to CEOs and other business leaders.

    The result was an intimate gathering of its top investors—the CEO Series. On October 25, the chamber worked with CICE on a sold-out event as part of the CEO Series titled “Running a Sustainable Business and its Impact on Our Community!”

    “Our members were extremely engaged in this discussion as sustainability is a topic they care about and want to learn how to implement in their own business,” says Alejandra Escobar, vice president of the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando, who led the event for the chamber. “I think everyone in the room walked out with at least one way they can increase sustainability, but also improve their bottom line.”

Issue Briefings

  • Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE) and the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA) organized a guided boat tour of Dominion’s Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind installation. Tailored to chamber of commerce executives and business and economic development leaders, participants got direct access to cutting-edge technology and insights into the rapidly growing offshore wind economy from industry experts.

  • The Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce partnered with CICE to host a Ohio Wind Tour attended by the Ohio Governor’s office, Toledo Blade, and municipal and business leaders. The day-long tour spotlighted a region of Ohio where several wind farms are already constructed and have been operating for several years. It provided a close look at how wind projects generate economic activity reaching far beyond the boundaries of wind farms into businesses, school districts, local governments, and communities.

  • 115 local chamber of commerce and business leaders boarded a boat in Massachusetts for a 30-mile journey to tour America's first offshore wind project, the Block Island Wind Farm. With offshore wind development growing along the eastern seaboard, it was a fun opportunity for chamber leaders to learn about the tremendous economic benefits this new industry offers.

  • The Salt Lake Chamber partnered with the Utah Governor’s Office of Energy Development on a multi-year initiative showing off Utah renewable energy projects.

  • Hosted by the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, Ohio chamber and economic development leaders gathered to tour First Solar’s solar manufacturing facility and discussed how to best navigate conflict with utility-scale solar development.

    “When there’s conflict surrounding any kind of development, it can be a tough issue for chambers to engage in. However, focusing on the chamber’s mission will help guide chamber staff, their board of directors and legislative committees to not waver in their efforts to support business growth in their communities.” Brian Dicken, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce VP, Advocacy & Strategic Initiatives

  • In one of the country’s most climate vulnerable areas, the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce is leading its community, recently organizing a trip to learn from the chambers and cities still recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian.

    The trip included more than thirty business and government leaders, including St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch and ten other city officials. Tampa Bay Times reported on the trip.

    “We don’t know what we didn’t know and that was why we started this effort too. Our CEO understands we must be leaders in our community by taking the precautions needed for this type of event.” Christie Bruner, St. Pete Chamber VP of Advocacy

  • As part of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC)’s 2024 Economic Future Forum in Spokane, WA, IEDC hosted a Clean Energy Innovation & University Walking Tour through Spokane's vibrant South University District, a dynamic crossroads for innovation, education, arts, and commerce in a diverse and evolving neighborhood. This burgeoning hub of innovation, includes the Catalyst Building, Scott Morris Center for Energy Innovation, and SP3NW, launched to build and support a flexible infrastructure for resilient entrepreneurship.

Site Tours

  • The San-Cap Chamber of Commerce celebrated Sanibel Island’s first public EV charging station with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

    “This is an important step for the future of our destination, offering confidence to drivers of electric vehicles that they will find the infrastructure they need to charge their cars while experiencing our destination. We are grateful for our partners who have worked for several years to make this possible.” John Lai, San-Cap Chamber President & CEO

  • The Currituck Chamber of Commerce joined Leeward Renewable Energy (LRE), the American Clean Power Association, and Verizon for a ceremonial ribbon-cutting to celebrate the completed construction of LRE’s 100 MW Oak Trail Solar project. The chamber's endorsement underscores the project's alignment with local economic development goals and reflects the chamber's broader mission to encourage initiatives that deliver substantial economic benefits and sustainable development.

    “Currituck County is excited to have a renewable energy project like Oak Trail Solar in our community. The project helps us on a number of fronts and supports funding for essential services that keep our community strong. LRE’s collaboration and values have built good relationships in Currituck County, and we’re looking forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Oak Trail Solar.” Josh Bass, Currituck Chamber of Commerce President

  • The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber is embracing the coming electric-vehicle revolution. Officials held a 2023 ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new ChargePoint station.

    “Ninety-five percent of the people that come to visit us every year come by car. So as more and more people purchase electric car, we’re going to need to have these chargers. So we’re really trying to get ahead of it. Our stated goal is to become the electric vehicle charging hot spot of South Carolina,” said Karen Riordan, President and CEO of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremonies

  • The Delaware State Chamber’s annual “Developing Delaware” conference is a dynamic event inspiring the future of economic development across the state. The 2024 conference featured presentations on the economic opportunities of clean hydrogen and offshore wind.Item description

  • The Georgia Chamber's annual Future of Sustainability event brings together business leaders and sustainability experts to share strategies for developing a competitive advantage while working towards conservation goals.

  • Sustainability is not just a buzzword for businesses in Cleveland — it is a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and growth. The Greater Cleveland Partnership annual Sustainability Summit convenes business, civic thought leaders, and changemakers committed to sustainable growth, underscoring the chamber’s commitment to building a Great (and Green) Region on a Great Lake.

  • The Raleigh Chamber’s Sustainability Conference brings together regional business executives, elected officials, and community leaders for an important conversation focused on sustainability for the Research Triangle region. The conference highlights companies leading their industries in sustainability practices, with a special emphasis on actions being taken in the community to create an environmentally sustainable future for Raleigh and the region.

  • The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce hosted an annual Sustainability Summit sponsored by the Sustainable Energy Fund. The one-day conference features topics including federal policy, economic development, best practices, and clean energy issues.

  • The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce’s annual Energy Summit & Trade Expo features a comprehensive lineup of speakers, panelists, and exhibitors who speak to current trends in renewable energy and tech and present a road map and strategies for businesses large and small.

    “This event is a testament to our commitment to fostering innovation and sustainability within our community. By bringing together industry experts, business leaders, and innovators, we aimed to create a collaborative environment where cutting-edge ideas can flourish. There were so many impactful discussions and connections at this pivotal and timely summit. - Brooklyn Chamber President & CEO Randy Peers.

  • The Clayton Chamber of Commerce convened regional business executives, elected officials, and community leaders for a vital conversation: "Scaling Sustainably: Growing Your Business and Doing More with Less." The event focused on sustainable business practices and environmental leadership and included an optional tour of Novo Nordisk’s API Manufacturing Facility.

Sustainability or Industry Conferences

  • The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce hosted the Cape’s first EV car show as part of a larger effort to educate business leaders and consumers on emerging clean transportation technologies and the opportunities that they provide to businesses, employees, and customers.

  • The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber’s 2024 Golf Classic was electrifying! The theme was electrification and there was no shortage of opportunities to discuss electric vehicles, clean energy solutions for North Carolina, and other energy priorities for the business community.

    North Carolina is attracting a growing wave of new clean energy companies, including several that have made it a key part of what's becoming known as the EV “Battery Belt" in the Southeast. The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro has been focusing on accelerating innovation and highlighting this growing sector of North Carolina's economy at their annual golf tournament was an engaging way to highlight the recent successes of the clean energy business community.

  • “Ride & Drive” events are a fun and engaging way to educate your members and community about electric vehicles. Plug in America is a national nonprofit that provides practical, objective information to help consumers select the best plug-in vehicle for their lifestyles and needs. Contact them to help coordinate a Ride & Drive at your chamber.

  • The Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce & Industry hit the streets to celebrate Clean Energy Efficiency Day on October 2. Volunteers hit the streets, canvassing every business in downtown Newburyport to promote energy efficiency, perform on-site energy assessments and help local businesses connect to available programming and rebates. The event was headlined by a proclamation at City Hall.

Community Events

Interested in partnering on an event?

Reach out to info@chambersforinnovation.com to see how we can help.