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The London Chamber of Commerce team recently joined Chamber professionals from across Ontario for the 2026 Chamber Executives of Ontario (CCEO) Annual Fall Conference, held September 14–16 in St. Thomas, Ontario.

Hosted by the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce, the three-day conference brought together Chamber leaders and professionals for meaningful conversations, professional development, networking and the exchange of ideas focused on strengthening Chambers and the communities they serve.

From discussions around artificial intelligence and leadership to communications, member engagement, revenue growth and community development, the conference provided practical insights and fresh perspectives for Chamber professionals navigating an evolving business environment.

This year’s conference featured a strong lineup of speakers, workshops and peer-learning sessions.

One of the opening keynote sessions by Darrell Keezer, explored AI for Chamber executives, looking at practical ways organizations can use artificial intelligence to improve efficiency, strengthen their market position and support future growth.

Sessions throughout the conference also addressed important areas such as time management and leadership, membership retention and recruitment, board relations, revenue generation, events, strategy and engagement with young professionals and women in business.

The conference also created opportunities for Chamber executives to learn directly from one another through interactive table discussions and panels featuring some of Ontario’s fastest-growing Chambers.

A highlight of the final day was a keynote presentation from Roger Caesar, World Champion Public Speaker, focused on effective communication and the importance of moving beyond simply presenting information to creating messages that genuinely connect.

Our own COO, Kristen Duever, also had a memorable conference moment, winning the fastest-answer challenge and receiving a signed book from Roger Caesar.

Another important conversation featured Mary Rowe of the Canadian Urban Institute, exploring how Chambers can help connect business, government and community partners to address local challenges and support long-term economic and community prosperity.

These conversations reinforced something we believe strongly at the London Chamber: Chambers are more than business organizations. They can serve as conveners, connectors and catalysts for stronger communities.

Beyond the formal sessions, some of the greatest value of the CCEO Conference came from the relationships built throughout the three days.

Connecting with Chamber professionals from communities across Ontario provided opportunities to share experiences, challenges, ideas and best practices that can ultimately help us create even greater value for our members here in London.

We extend a sincere thank you to the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce for their outstanding hospitality and for creating such a welcoming and engaging conference experience.

We would also like to thank Anderson Craft Ales for generously donating the silent auction gift presented by the London Chamber of Commerce team during the conference.

Bringing the Learning Back to London

Professional development opportunities such as the CCEO Fall Conference allow our team to continue learning, challenging our thinking and exploring new ways to serve our members and the broader London business community.

We returned to London with new ideas, stronger relationships and renewed energy around the role our Chamber can continue to play in connecting businesses, advocating for our community and creating opportunities for growth.

We look forward to putting those insights into action.

Learn more about the London Chamber of Commerce, upcoming programs and opportunities to connect with London’s business community at business.londonchamber.com/events

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