 | The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce was proud to be represented on the national stage as Jeff Lonsbrough, Vice President, Membership Sales & Engagement, presented to a packed room of over 200 attendees at the 2025 ACCE Annual Convention—the premier gathering for chamber professionals across the country. Jeff co-led the session “Membership Retention Strategies That Work” on Wednesday, July 23, providing practical, data-driven insights from the Toledo Chamber’s successful approach to building lasting member relationships. His presentation highlighted the Chamber’s intentional, all-staff commitment to retention and showcased our region as a model for engaging and retaining business members at all levels. |
What Jeff Shared with Chambers Nationwide
With more than 2,000 members spanning businesses of all sizes and industries, the Toledo Chamber has developed a multi-tiered, member-first strategy focused on long-term engagement. In the session, Jeff shared key takeaways, including:
Jeff also emphasized the importance of internal culture: “Retention is a team sport,” he explained, noting how every department plays a role in strengthening member connections.
Why This Matters
By sharing the Chamber’s retention playbook with professionals from across the U.S., Jeff not only elevated our region’s reputation but contributed to a broader conversation about how chambers can better serve and sustain their member communities. His presentation showcased the Toledo Chamber’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and measurable impact.
“We are incredibly proud of Jeff and the leadership he displayed at this year’s ACCE Convention,” said Wendy Gramza, CCE, President & CEO of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce. “His passion for member success and his data-backed approach to engagement are making a real difference—not just here in Toledo, but for chambers everywhere.”
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Congratulations to Jeff on a successful presentation and for representing the Toledo Region with distinction!
📩 Want to learn more about getting engaged and making the most of your membership?
Contact Jeff at [email protected] or visit toledochamber.com.
With more than 2,000 members spanning businesses of all sizes and industries, the Toledo Chamber has developed a multi-tiered, member-first strategy focused on long-term engagement. In the session, Jeff shared key takeaways, including:
- Setting expectations from day one: Personal onboarding and clear communication of benefits tailored to each business.
- Intentional first-year touchpoints: Strategic outreach at 3, 6, and 10 months to guide new members.
- Retention-minded events: Free, accessible events designed to connect members early and often.
- Segmented retention strategies: Custom retention plans for sole proprietors, business-level members, and investor-level members—each supported by a dedicated staff structure.
- Optimized invoicing processes: A structured, proactive billing system that prevents members from slipping through the cracks.
- Member visibility and engagement: Celebrating milestones, offering features, and creating leadership opportunities to deepen member value.
Jeff also emphasized the importance of internal culture: “Retention is a team sport,” he explained, noting how every department plays a role in strengthening member connections.
Why This Matters
By sharing the Chamber’s retention playbook with professionals from across the U.S., Jeff not only elevated our region’s reputation but contributed to a broader conversation about how chambers can better serve and sustain their member communities. His presentation showcased the Toledo Chamber’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and measurable impact.
“We are incredibly proud of Jeff and the leadership he displayed at this year’s ACCE Convention,” said Wendy Gramza, CCE, President & CEO of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce. “His passion for member success and his data-backed approach to engagement are making a real difference—not just here in Toledo, but for chambers everywhere.”
________________________________________
Congratulations to Jeff on a successful presentation and for representing the Toledo Region with distinction!
📩 Want to learn more about getting engaged and making the most of your membership?
Contact Jeff at [email protected] or visit toledochamber.com.
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