Arvada, CO – The Greater Arvada Chamber of Commerce was honored with two prestigious awards at the Western Association of Chamber Executives (W.A.C.E.) Annual Conference, held in early February in Las Vegas. Additionally, Greater Arvada Chamber President and CEO Kami Welch was officially introduced as the 2025-2026 Chair of the W.A.C.E. Board of Directors. The event brought together nearly 400 chamber professionals representing 21 western states and Canada, reinforcing the importance of collaboration and innovation within the chamber industry.
The Greater Arvada Chamber received the Outstanding Chamber Program (Large Chamber) Award for its Advocacy Network, a dynamic initiative designed to empower business leaders to influence local policy and stay informed on critical legislative issues. With a growing network of over 120 business and community leaders, the Advocacy Network provides opportunities for engagement through quarterly briefings, legislative updates, direct interactions with elected officials, and public testimony on key business issues.
The Chamber also took home the award for Best Website (Large Chamber), recognizing its recently redesigned platform that serves as a vital resource for local entrepreneurs and business leaders. The Arvada Chamber’s website aims to be the first, frequent, and favorite stop for the business community, offering tools for business development, advocacy insights, and opportunities for connection. By facilitating access to events, programs, and economic development resources, the website strengthens the business ecosystem in the Arvada area.
“We are incredibly honored to be recognized for our efforts in both advocacy and digital innovation,” said Kami Welch, President and CEO of the Greater Arvada Chamber of Commerce. “Our mission is to support local businesses through resources, education, and policy engagement, and these awards reflect our commitment to making a lasting impact in our community.”
As part of the conference, Kami Welch was also introduced as the 2025-2026 Chair of the W.A.C.E. Board of Directors. W.A.C.E. is a leading organization dedicated to the education and professional development of chamber executives and staff, representing over 800 chamber professionals across the western United States and Canada. Kami’s leadership will help shape the future of chamber excellence, further strengthening the impact of chambers across the region.
Additionally, Kristy Howell, Greater Arvada Chamber Director of Member Experience, graduated from the W.A.C.E. Academy, a premier three-year professional development program designed to provide chamber professionals with essential knowledge and leadership training. The Academy, established in 2003, has become the leading training program dedicated exclusively to chamber professionals in the West.
The Greater Arvada Chamber aims to set the standard for chamber excellence through innovative programming, strong advocacy, and strategic leadership. These recognitions further affirm the Chamber’s role as a driving force for business success and economic development in the region.
About the Greater Arvada Chamber of Commerce
The Arvada Chamber of Commerce is a community of businesses, organizations, and local leaders working together to solve challenges, foster meaningful connections, and develop the next generation of talent and leadership. Our work – driving action on conversations, resources, and large-scale initiatives that businesses can’t tackle on their own – is central to the long-term success of our community as a whole. When you play a part, we all thrive.
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