At NAWB’s annual conference, The Forum, President and CEO, Brad Turner–Little, was joined on the main stage by Sheree Anne Kelly , President and CEO, Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) and Nathan Ohle, President and CEO, International Economic Development Council (IEDC) where they discussed the powerful results that stem from collaboration between chambers of commerce, economic development organizations and workforce boards. The three industry leaders committed to work together over the next year to lift impactful examples of collaboration so that all three networks can have ready approaches to learn from and experiment with in their respective communities.
Ohle commented that “thriving economies are built on collaboration, especially at the local level. Together, ACCE, IEDC, and NAWB, along with our respective memberships, are committed to showcasing the power of local partnerships and driving economic success through shared vision and intentional collaboration.”
“Aligning key stakeholders around a shared vision of regional prosperity is a powerful tool for creating vibrant and growing economies,” Kelly said. “This agreement is a commitment from our associations to encourage increased local partnerships, share best practices and showcase how collaboration leads to stronger workforces and thriving communities.”
“At NAWB, we believe the future of workforce and economic development lies in breaking down silos and building strong, local partnerships,” said Turner–Little. “This collaboration with ACCE and IEDC is about more than just alignment—it’s about action. Together, we’re creating a united front that empowers communities to innovate, share what works, and drive real, lasting impact for workers and businesses alike.”
About ACCE:
Established in 1914, ACCE—the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives—serves more than 9,000 leaders from 1,300 chambers of commerce, including 93 of the top 100 metro areas in the U.S. Hundreds of other businesses and organizations, like convention and visitors bureaus and economic development organizations, are also ACCE members. Members look to ACCE for best practices, industry trends, corporate partners, networking, and new ideas to advance the interests of their communities.
About IEDC:
The IEDC is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,500 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers typically work for cities, counties, states, public-private partnerships, and chambers of commerce and promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities, by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth, and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members are engaged in the full range of economic development experiences.
About NAWB:
The National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) represents and advocates for the more than 570 workforce development boards across the nation. By collaborating with business leaders, educational institutions, and economic developers, workforce boards create tailored programs that address the evolving needs of local businesses, jobseekers, and communities. As the only association dedicated to supporting workforce development boards, NAWB actively engages with policymakers on Capitol Hill to shape workforce strategy and strengthen partnerships with education, economic development, labor, and business.
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