July 2026 MCCE Board Member Newsletter Article

Laura Stein

Aug 03 2026

Built to Adapt:
Why Strategic Chambers Thrive Through Change

Jennifer Harmening
President
Burnsville Chamber of Commerce\

I’ve come to appreciate one simple truth in the Chamber industry: no matter how carefully we plan, change is inevitable.

Every year, my self-review to the Board starts about the same way: “Our theme for the year was this…but what actually happened was that.”

The first time I said it, I laughed it off. Surely next year we’d get back to “normal.”

We haven’t.

Looking back, the years that felt the most disruptive… staffing changes, office moves, COVID, major road construction, new legislation or an unexpected opportunity that suddenly became a priority … also became some of our most innovative and transformative. None of us would have chosen those challenges, but each one made our organization stronger.

This year, our “something new” came up just last week. We are transitioning next week to a new CRM platform. It wasn’t part of the original plan, but we believe the long-term benefits for our members and our staff will far outweigh the short-term disruption we’ll experience this summer.

So how do we position our organizations to thrive instead of simply react?

I’ve come to believe that resilient Chambers intentionally build a culture where change isn’t feared—it’s expected.

  • We have to become comfortable with uncertainty, whether it’s brought on by our own decisions or circumstances beyond our control.
  • We have to provide stability for our staff, boards, and communities, even when everything around us feels unsettled.
  • We have to stay grounded in a clear mission and organizational strategy that gives us the confidence to adapt without losing our direction.

Today, that may mean embracing new technology, exploring artificial intelligence, rethinking long-standing programs, or discovering new ways to deliver value to our members. Not every new idea will be the right fit, but organizations that:

  • remain curious
  • evaluate opportunities thoughtfully
  • adapt intentionally

are the ones that continue to grow.

Adapting doesn’t mean saying yes to everything. In fact, some of our best leadership decisions involve choosing what not to do. The key is having a clear strategy that helps us recognize when it’s time to stay the course—and when it’s time to take the leap.

As Chamber professionals, we don’t have the luxury of standing still. Our communities evolve. Our members evolve. The way we serve them must evolve, too.

The good news is we don’t have to predict every challenge that’s coming. We simply need to build organizations—and mindsets—that are ready for whatever comes next.

Because in the end, the Chambers that thrive aren’t the ones that avoid change. They’re the ones that are built to adapt.