CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXECUTIVES OF ALBERTA
About CCEA:
Chamber of Commerce Executives of Alberta ("CCEA") is a Chapter of CCEC.
All members of CCEC based in Alberta will automatically receive a complimentary membership with CCEA.
CCEA Rep on the CCEC Board of Directors:
Dawn LeMaistre, Okotoks & District Chamber of Commerce
Chapter Committee:
Chair: Marilyne Aalhus, Airdrie Regional Chamber of Commerce
Vice Chair: Dawn LeMaistre, Okotoks & District Chamber of Commerce
Past Chair: Shelly Nichol, St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce
Ex-officio: Sacha Knorr, Alberta Chambers of Commerce
Wendy Bosch Thomas, Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce
Jennifer Garries, Leduc, Nisku and Wetaskiwin Regional Chamber of Commerce
Wendy Buyar, Lacombe & District Chamber of Commerce
Alberta Chamber Executive of the Year:
Awarded to the chief staff person of a Chamber of Commerce / Board of Trade for outstanding performance, commitment to the Chamber Network, and community leadership.
This award recognizes exceptional Chamber leaders from across Alberta with proven excellence in:
- Chamber management and operations;
- Membership retention, engagement and growth;
- Delivering innovative programs and services;Â
- Community leadership; and
- Contributing to the Chamber Network
Nominee Eligibility:
- Must be the chief staff person of a Chamber of Commerce / Board of Trade in Alberta.
- Must have achieved 3 years of consecutive employment by March 3, 2026.
- Must be a member of CCEA and the Alberta Chambers of Commerce.
- Award nominations must be submitted by a peer. Self nominations are not accepted.
- The current President of CCEA is not eligible.
Chamber executives who are the sole employee are eligible and encouraged to apply!
Nominations and voting is closed for 2026.
Congratulations to the 2026 Alberta Chamber Executives of the Year!
CCEA Summit:
Join us for the professional development conference for Chamber staff in Alberta! You can expect to learn best practices from your peers, explore trends impacting Chambers, and have lots of opportunities to strengthen relationships with your Chamber peers.
Summit 2026 will be in St. Albert from June 11-13
For more information or to register, visit the CCEA Summit event page here.
Chambers Plan Bursaries To Attend CCEA Summit
Chambers Plan is providing 15 $500 bursaries! Applications are closed for 2026.
Bursary Eligibility:
- Applicants must be employed with a Chamber of Commerce or Board of Trade in Alberta.
- Applicants must be members of CCEA and CCEC. Membership is available free of charge.
- Chambers that have not received a bursary to attend Summit in the past will receive stronger consideration.
Eligible Expenses:
The bursaries may be awarded each year, up to a maximum amount of $500 to cover conference registration fees, hotel accommodations and travel expenses. Eligible travel expenses may include flights, parking, meals and fuel. We will not pay mileage, but will accept fuel receipts as an eligible travel expense.
Legacy Bursary Program To Attend CCEC's National Conference:
CCEA and Chambers Plan are providing bursaries for Alberta Chamber professionals to attend the CCEC national conference in Victoria, BC on October 27-28, 2026.
CCEA will be providing 1 $1000 bursary.
Chambers Plan will be providing 3 $1000 bursaries.
Download the bursary information package here.
Bursary Eligibility:
- Applicants must be employed with a Chamber of Commerce or Board of Trade in Alberta.Â
- Applicants must be members of CCEA and CCEC. Membership is available free of charge.
- Chambers that have not received a bursary to attend CCEC in the past will receive stronger consideration.
- Applicants must have approval to attend the event from their Board of Directors. A letter of support from the Board Chair, or other Board representative must accompany the application.
Eligible Expenses:
The bursaries may be awarded each year, up to a maximum amount of $1000 to cover conference registration fees, hotel accommodations and travel expenses. Eligible travel expenses may include flights, parking, meals and fuel. We will not pay mileage, but will accept fuel receipts as an eligible travel expense.
Bursary Application Timeline:
Applications are due by July 24, 2026. Successful recipients will be notified by August 7, 2026.
Legacy Bursaries:
Our Legacy Bursaries recognize the outstanding contributions of Chamber executives who have made a lasting impact on their Chamber, the broader business community, and the Chamber Network. We are proud to honor:
- Irven Snider (Ponoka & District Chamber of Commerce & Alberta Chambers of Commerce)
- Pat Tenney (Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce)
- Peggy Lapinski (Alberta Chambers of Commerce)
- Cindy Lapinski (Rocky Mountain House & District Chamber of Commerce)
- Kelly Carson (Cochrane & District Chamber of Commerce)
Past Chamber Executive of the Year Award Recipients:
2026 - Dianna de Sousa - Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce & Lisa Dressler - Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce (TIE)
2025 - Dawn LeMaistre, Okotoks & District Chamber of Commerce
2024 - Sarah Freeman, Bow Valley Chamber of Commerce
2023- Shelly Nichol, St. Albert & District Chamber of Commerce
2022- Marilyne Aalhus, Airdrie Regional Chamber of Commerce
2020- Monica Bartman, Lacombe & Marley Henneigh, Drumheller (TIE)
2018- Sharon Anderson, Camrose
2017- Tracy Acorn, ACC
2016- Dionne Chambers, Fort Saskatchewan
2015- Jennifer Garries, Leduc
2014- Pat Tenney, Lloydminster
2013- Sherri Buckle, Cold Lake
2012- Terri Kemball, ACC
2011- Lisa Kowalchuk, Medicine Hat & Tim Creedon, Red Deer (TIE)
2010- Darleen Bohnet, Spruce Grove
2009- Dan Pearcy, Grande Prairie
2008- Cindy Petersen, Rocky Mountain House
2007- Pat Tenney, Lloydminster
2006- Lorna Hunt, Airdrie
2005- Iris Yanish, Leduc
2004- Tracy Gagnier, Cold Lake
2003- Irven Snider, Ponoka
2001- Cindy Mork, Hinton
2000- Pamela Brace, Spruce Grove/ACC
