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Guest article from Pat McGaughey, chambermentor.com When it comes to joining your Chamber it's: Connect. Build. Grow. When it comes to attending your State Chamber Conference it's: Celebrate. Commiserate. Educate. Celebrate. There's no better place to celebrate your successes in your chamber or association than at the annual state or regional conference. It's affirmation from peers who know and understand the value of what you have done and becomes motivation to do even more when you return. Never miss being in a room with industry winners. Commiserate. Chamber and Association professionals are in the business of helping others. It's in our DNA. We have a hero complex especially after someone has been a hero for us when we were down. State conferences have consistently been the best "therapy" for organization professionals needing help since time immemorial. Educate. Even if the conference agenda doesn't appear to have what you think you need, just remember the concept for tiered dues was born out of an elective Institute class on Microsoft Access! Online training is awesome but it doesn't allow you to escape your surroundings to seek answers, breathe and think without distractions. The cost is like any membership or any training program; if you do or if you don't? What does it cost a business if they don't join your chamber and what will it cost if you miss the next dynamic coming from your state association? Plan now and budget for your 2020 conferences and just go.