Lubbock Chamber Director of Membership Development Laura Mendoza, recently received a Certificate of Completion in Advanced Chamber Management from a three-year regional professional development program through the Center for Chamber of Commerce Excellence (CCCE).

“I had the privilege of not only completing this course work and receiving my Advanced Chamber Management Certificate, but I also met some great professionals in the Chamber world.  I have established relationships with amazing colleagues to whom I can call on for support. It was an immense learning experience and I am grateful for the opportunity,” Laura says.

 By completing the Fundamentals of Chamber Management I, and Advanced Chamber Management II, CCCE provides chamber professionals with an opportunity to update management and/or staff skills by studying with professional peers as they review the latest techniques and trends in the industry. Attendees are also able to build relationships with other chamber professionals from Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana and receive insights from highly regarded professionals who deal daily with chamber-related issues.

“I learned a lot about membership development and networking with businesses. I learned more about what different businesses might be looking for and how to address the small business vs. the larger business, because they are each important,” Laura recalls.

In cooperation with the University of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies, the CCCE Board of Regents sets the curriculum and strategic direction for the program. The Board is made up of representatives from the state chambers, state executive chamber associations, and local chamber leaders of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Laura says she learned so much about membership recruitment and engagement, and was able to implement things she learned into her daily life. She said she also now has great resources is able to go back and reference them when needed.

“It’s exciting to complete the program. I know this is just the first of many programs I will get to take part in and I am glad I was able to finish as part of the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce,” Laura recalls.

Laura said she really enjoyed meeting new people. She said you keep the same group of people for three years so you learn a lot about them and the area they work in. She said she made some good friends and built up her professional network across Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.

“I would absolutely recommend this program. You learn real-life ways to feel accomplished from people that have done or are doing the same job,” Laura says