The two biggest reasons to become involved with the Association of State Chamber Professionals are:
Information & Involvement
Virtually everything that we do can be traced back to one of these two values.
Information
Because we are not competing against each other from state to state, the members of ASCP are free to share information as needed. This sharing can be as simple as calling up a peer from another state and asking how they handled a situation, to using this web site and all its levels of information, to attending the yearly ASCP conference. At the end of the day, you can walk away with vital feedback and tips that can help you do a better job.
Involvement
It’s one thing to bring a body of knowledge into a job, but quite another to take that knowledge and make it grow. By being involved with your peers at ASCP, you have a vehicle with which to expand your abilities and skills. To do this, however, you need to become involved with your peers — both short term and long term. Being a member of ASCP allows you to gain that national involvement that can mean the difference between doing a good job, and doing a fantastic job! (Say “fantastic” like Zig Ziglar would and you’ll know what we’re talking about!)
If you would like to become involved in ASCP and take advantage of its many benefits, please complete and submit our online Membership Application form.
Testimonials
As a national association, the ASCP is committed to furthering the growth and development of its members throughout the country. But don’t take our word for it. Read what actual members are saying about the benefits they’ve experienced with their ASCP membership.
Kevin Carmichael – Vice President of Investor Engagement, Georgia Chamber of Commerce
I’ve been associated with ASCP for about 5 years now. This is my 3rd conference and what I’ve found in attending the conference is that not only are you broadening your network with like minded peers and being able to discuss issues that affect specific chambers of commerce, you’re also getting activity and engagement into the CEOs that are associated with all these chambers of commerce.
Joyce LaRoche – VP of Member Services and Program Development, Maine State Chamber of Commerce
I attended my 1st ASCP conference in 2003 in Big Sky, Montana. I had a very specific reason for attending that conference in terms of learning about other state chambers. I continue to come back every year. Every year I come back to the conference, I always walk away with something new. I always go back home to my state chamber with a good report to present to my president with different ideas.
Aaron Miller – Vice President of Investor Relations, Kansas Chamber of Commerce
I would say the number one reason I come back every year is to reaffirm what I’m doing and why it’s important that I come here and talk to my peers in other states and make sure we’re on the right path to being successful in membership. All those state chambers were willing to help me and get me on the right path.
Tricia Smith – Senior VP of Events & Politica Fundraising, Colorado Association of Commerce & Industry
I would encourage new employees to state chambers to get involved with ASCP. Not only new employee but those who may have shied away from this conference because it’s just a wealth of knowledge and really a think tank for one another to help each other out as a support system nation wide.
Ed Troha – Vice President, North Carolina Chamber
I continue coming back to the ASCP conferences because it’s a great group of professionals willing to share ideas on what’s working and what’s not working. I find it very valuable. We all have a job to do to make our organizations stronger financially and this is the one place you can come to learn to do just that.
Kelly Boutwell – Directory of Member Involvement, Mississippi Economic Council, Jackson, MS
I just finished up my first month at MEC. I’m excited and feel empowered and scared all at the same time. That said, I can’t imagine how I would feel right now had I not attended the ASCP Conference first. I have much to learn and do here in Mississippi, but I’m confident I’ll get it done with the support of the ASCP.
Barry Kennedy – President, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce, Lincoln, NE
I don’t remember how exactly I decided to go to my first meeting, but it probably was one of the best things I ever did. I would highly recommend anybody that is in that (State Chamber) arena now to make ASCP a part of their educational process.
James Berringer – Vice President of Membership, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce, Lincoln, NE
Probably whats most important to me is we’re all not in competition with each other. There are 50 states in the union. We can all get together, at least just once a year and speak to each other and share ideas. We’re sharing ideas and not in competition with each other.
Lew Ebert – President and CEO, North Carolina Chamber of Commerce, Raleigh, NC
Thirty years ago I started in this business in Pennsylvania, spent a little time in Kansas, and every step along the way this organization, ASCP, has been a pretty integral role in helping me understand what are the important trends in the business, what are the best ideas we can come and compare notes on and move forward.
