FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lori Banzhaf, Tucson Metro Chamber Executive Vice President Graduates from Professional Development Program

Tucson, AZ (February 18, 2016) –Lori Banzhaf, executive vice president at the Tucson Metro Chamber, was among the 29 chamber executives to graduate February 5 from Academy, a professional development program presented by the Western Association of Chamber Executives (W.A.C.E.).

Academy is an interactive three-day (three-year) training program on chamber management essentials designed for today’s chamber executives and staff professionals.

“All good organizations have some kind of constant improvement program in place.  The Academy sponsored by W.A.C.E. is a first-rate professional development program.  We are very pleased that Lori has successfully graduated.  Academy provides well-rounded instruction in all aspects of chamber of commerce management.  The fact that it is a three-year training regimen speaks volumes to the dedication that Academy graduates have to their professions,” said Michael Varney president and CEO of the Tucson Metro Chamber.

During the three-year Academy program, graduates participated in 18 three-hour classes and must have successfully completed additional independent study outside of the classroom.

“We congratulate all of the graduates and their chambers for having the vision to invest in professional development,” said W.A.C.E. President Dave Kilby.

W.A.C.E is an association of chamber of commerce executives and staff professionals designed to promote and enhance professional development. With approximately 850 members from seventeen Western states and Canada, W.A.C.E. is the largest state or regional association of chamber of commerce executives in the United States.