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CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXECUTIVES OF ALBERTA

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About CCEA:

Helping Chamber Managers build a better Alberta!

CCEA is a Chapter of CCEC. All members of CCEC based in Alberta will automatically receive a complimentary membership with CCEA.

Questions? Contact Alberta@CCEC.biz

 

Chapter Committee:

Chair: Marilyne Aalhus, Airdrie Regional Chamber of Commerce

Vice Chair: Scott Robinson, Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce

Past Chair: Shelly Nichol, St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce

Dawn LeMaistre, Okotoks & District Chamber of Commerce

Sacha Knorr, Alberta Chambers of Commerce

Norman Leach, Greater Parkland Regional Chamber of Commerce

Summit - Professional Development Conference

Join us for Summit 2025 - the professional development conference for Chamber professionals in Alberta! You can expect to learn best practices from your peers, explore trends impacting Chambers, and have lots of opportunities to strengthen relationships across the Alberta Chamber Network.

2025 Event:

Our conference is taking place from July 9-11, 2025 in Lacombe, AB! Registration is $300 + tax per person.

Download the draft Summit conference program here.

For more information, including venue details, hotel room block information, and to register for the event, visit the event page.

CCEA Legacy Bursaries

CCEA provides bursaries as a legacy to honor the memory of Chamber Executives we have lost:

  • Irven Snider (Ponoka and Alberta Chambers) 
  • Pat Tenney (Lloydminster Chamber)
  • Peggy Lapinski (Alberta Chambers)
  • Cindy Taschuk (Rocky Mountain House Chamber)
  • Kelly Carson (Cochrane & District Chamber)

These bursaries provide support for Alberta Chamber Executives to attend the CCEC national conference.

2025 Bursary Program:

The CCEC national conference will be in Mississauga, Ontario on October 7 & 8, 2025. For more information, visit the event webpage here.

New this year, Chambers Plan and CCEA have merged their bursary applications to simplify the application process. CCEA is offering five $1000 bursaries, and Chambers Plan is offering three $1000 bursaries. 

For detailed information about the bursary program, download the bursary guide here.

Applications are due by July 4, 2025. Successful recipients will be notified by July 18, 2025.

Bursary Program Eligibility:

  1. Applicants must be employed with a Chamber of Commerce or Board of Trade in Alberta. 
  2. Applicants must be members of CCEA and CCEC. Membership is available free of charge.
  3. There is a limit of one bursary awarded per Chamber. Chambers that have not received a bursary to attend CCEC in the last 3 years will receive stronger consideration.
  4. 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.

Bursaries are awarded at the discretion of CCEA and Chambers Plan, and we reserve the right to not award any bursaries from the submissions received. 

2025 Bursary Application Form

Congratulations to our Alberta Chamber Executive of the Year!

Dawn LeMaistre - Okotoks & District Chamber of Commerce

With a deep commitment to chamber excellence and a passion for elevating business communities, Dawn LeMaistre has been proudly serving as the Executive Director of the Okotoks & District Chamber of Commerce for the past four years, where innovation, collaboration, and meaningful member engagement are always at the forefront.

Under Dawn’s leadership, the Okotoks Chamber has experienced transformative growth and recognition, recently being named the 2024 Medium-Sized Chamber of the Year. Membership has seen a consistent net monthly increase in membership over the past 18 months.  This combined with seeking new value-added elements for her local members by partnering with the Chamber PERKS app, the Okotoks Chamber continues to give value to membership, bringing the organization to its highest membership level in five years. The Chamber has also expanded its team, now supporting one full-time and two part-time staff members — a testament to its strengthened financial position and Dawn’s strategic direction.

A proud and active participant in the broader chamber network, Dawn has made significant contributions to the Alberta Chambers of Commerce (ACC), Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC), and Chamber of Commerce Executives of Canada (CCEC). She has been an engaged voice in policy development and a consistent presence on the policy floor, advocating for meaningful change and representing the voice of local business at provincial and national levels.  This combined with her continued involvement with weekly, monthly, and quarterly engagements and in-person events with each of these networks and her board position with the Alberta Chapter of CCEA, she continues to work hard to make things better for her colleagues throughout the province.    

Dawn has also played a pivotal role over the past 2 ½ years with a pilot project of ACC, helping to shape and develop the new Chamber Platform, including a CRM and website solution designed to enhance chamber operations for fellow chambers across the province. The Okotoks Chamber's feedback and participation have been instrumental in the platform’s evolution and functionality — an example of Dawn's forward-thinking leadership and dedication to strengthening the chamber network.

Innovating the way chambers engage with members, Dawn led a shift away from traditional monthly meetings toward seven high-impact signature events, including an annual Business Celebration Gala, the largest Trade & Lifestyle Show in the Foothills, and two new monthly FREE networking events for her members to get engaged.  She has also prioritized regional collaboration by partnering with nearby chambers on events such as golf tournaments, political forums, and AGM support — fostering unity and stronger connections across the business community.

In 2024, Dawn proudly earned her Accredited Chamber Executive (ACE) designation, which was awarded at the CCC AGM in Halifax, marking a significant personal and professional achievement. Outside of her chamber role, Dawn remains deeply invested in her community as a Rotarian with the Okotoks Rotary Club, where she co-chairs the beloved annual Soapbox Derby, and sits as a director for the local Junior B Hockey organization. 

Dawn’s vision, dedication, and collaborative spirit make her an outstanding candidate for Executive of the Year. Her unwavering commitment to chamber excellence continues to inspire peers and create real, lasting impact in her community.

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