AI for chambers became real for me while leading a chamber with a small team, real member expectations, and a constant need to create more capacity. This is what that work looked like in practice.
Today, I will officially update my LinkedIn profile to FORMER interim executive director with the Niagara USA Chamber of Commerce.
That's right – the work is done, and I am thrilled to hand over the reins completely to Ryan Guerinot, who has absolutely hit the ground running in his first two weeks as full-time executive director.
For me, personally, after running a combination of Buffalo Niagara ITGO, World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara, working with the World Trade Centers Association, and now the chamber, tomorrow will be different.
For the first time in a very long time, I have only one job: growing Momentum AI.
Meanwhile, I am excited about new products and programs we are launching imminently, now that I have time to actually tell people about them.
In addition, another amazing opportunity is coming up that just a few people know about – news on that soon.
So, it is an exciting time.
As for the Niagara USA Chamber, I'm not going far.
Staying Connected to the Chamber
I've been invited back onto the Board of Directors (which, interestingly, will immediately make me Past Chair!), and have already been appointed as chair for the chamber's foundation. I'll still be involved.
That is great, because anyone who has ever worked for a chamber of commerce will tell you that the people make it worth it.
Even though we are doing business all over the country, I am glad I will still have lots of reasons to keep engaging with my network here in WNY.
So what am I most proud of that we accomplished over the last year and a half?
A Stronger Sense of Community
First, community.
For starters, we are a strong advocacy chamber.
We have been for a long time, and we are good at it.
However, our brand needed more of a sense of community.
We worked hard at making that happen, and with our Quick Connects, our AI Roundtable, moving our awards gala to a luncheon, expanding Small Business Expo and driving more conversation here on LinkedIn, I believe we've created a more accessible place for people to network, learn – and most importantly – do business.
Meanwhile, the days of joining the chamber of commerce because "you're supposed to" are gone. People need to get something out of it.
That is why the opportunity to be part of something is tremendous value, and our attendance shows it.
Looking Toward the Future
Second, looking ahead. If our community, or any community, wants to attract business investment going forward, we need to be thinking into the future.
I am pumped about the reception we have been getting with our monthly AI Roundtable and AI trainings, putting this powerful technology to work for businesses large and small.
If you are still trying to wrap your head around what AI means for your company, we have another AI Roundtable coming up on Monday at 8 a.m. at Platter's in NT.
But, also, looking ahead means changing the way we do business at the chamber. This is what Momentum AI is doing with chambers around the country, but it started here. Over the last year, we used AI to:
Clean up our database Optimize our communications (64% open rate on newsletters!) Create automations for admin tasks (so Ryan can spend less time on that, and more time out in the community!) Completely redesign our web site for 2026 and beyond Strengthen our social media (6x LinkedIn followers from two years ago) Develop membership prospecting lists … and a whole host of other daily time-saving, performance-driving AI solutions.
Why?
Because right now, we have a staff of one.
In practice, AI allows us to accomplish so much more than one person can in the real world.
For the last year and a half, I have been doing it.
There's no way I could've run the chamber and grown Momentum AI the way it's growing without systems and automations.
Now, those systems are in place.
As a result, it is a beautiful thing.
Telling the Chamber's Story
I had a conversation the other day with an exciting NYC start-up, and over the course of the call we got to talking about what we do at Momentum AI.
In that conversation, the question – which I get all the time – was, "What does a chamber of commerce do?"
For me, this is akin to asking, "What does Target do?"
Chamber professionals can rattle off a mission statement with the best of them. However, the answer to that question is different for every single person or company that walks through the door.
In many ways, the easiest answer is, "Whatever you need."
Maybe that is why I appreciate the chamber and AI connection so much.
Ultimately, it is an education process, and over the last 16 months, we have worked on it.
If you've been to a Quick Connect networking lunch or breakfast, you've heard my spiel on the chamber, and the value that members get by being a part.
Explaining Chamber Value
For some, it is networking, introductions and referrals.
Others value being part of the bigger business community's conversation.
For many, it is being seen among the community's decision-makers, or even finding leadership opportunities.
One of my favorites is surrounding yourself with business expertise… Like I say often, "No matter what crosses your desk, someone at the chamber has already been through it, and is a phone call or e-mail away."
Saying It Clearly
We can't just assume that people know that the chamber is the place to get those things.
Therefore, we have to say it loudly and consistently.
Have we gotten everyone? Is there widespread understanding of what the Niagara USA Chamber does?
Not yet. However, more and more people are getting it and inquiring, and that makes me happy.
There are other, more detailed, wins that we've had over the past two years that mean a lot to me.
Finishing the Work
Those wins include stronger relationships in the eastern part of the county and stronger board processes that created a more solid foundation for the organization.
They also include continued advocacy wins on anti-business proposals from Albany and new financial systems we built to modernize the chamber.
But, thematically, these three above are what have me hanging up my cleats feeling good about what we've accomplished.
I am not going to call out everyone who supported this work, because LinkedIn has a limit of 40 tags in a post.
But I do want to thank, and give all kinds of credit to, Heidi Urban, my friend and our board chair.
She was supportive after I recruited her to be my vice chair and then, two months later, asked her to step in as chair when I stepped down to take the interim responsibilities.
She has been fantastic in the role, and the Niagara USA Chamber has a bright future as a result of her efforts.
I appreciate Heidi's support to implement all of the things I talked about above. We definitely approached the last 18 months differently, and that does not happen without leadership's go-ahead.
The Niagara USA Chamber is in good hands with Ryan – I'm excited to see what he does with the opportunity.
And if you're a Niagara County business that hasn't plugged into the chamber yet, this is a great time to do it. Come to a Quick Connect. Stop by an AI Roundtable. Meet Ryan. Meet the members. See where you fit. Get more leads and referrals.
As for me, if you want to talk about AI… Full steam ahead!
You know where to find me.
Originally published on LinkedIn as "Becoming a Former Interim Executive Director."
FAQ: AI for Chambers
How can AI help chambers of commerce?
AI can help chambers manage databases, improve communications, automate administrative work, support events, identify prospects, and give small teams more operational capacity.
Why does AI matter for chamber leadership?
AI matters for chamber leadership because it can help small teams serve members more consistently, tell the chamber story more clearly, and create capacity for community engagement.
What is the best first step for chambers using AI?
The best first step is to identify repetitive work, member communication gaps, and data problems, then choose a practical AI use case that saves time or improves member value.
If your chamber wants to turn AI into stronger member value, explore MemberBoost AI or Momentum AI training for chambers.