BetterCulture’s First Year Free Initiative is a one-time opportunity for ACCE chambers designed to help chambers easily launch local programs in their communities.

Here is what you get by participating in First Year Free:  

• Complimentary Access to On-Demand Content – Your chamber will gain free access to up to $10,000 of video-based leadership and professional development curriculum that you can use to enhance your local programming.
• Member Impact + Non-Dues Revenue – BetterCulture programs help chambers bring valuable training experiences to members while also generating significant non-dues revenue.
• Versatile Curriculum – BetterCulture content fits a wide range of programs—from Future Leaders and Leadership Programs to Executive Roundtables—all designed to foster meaningful member engagement and strengthen your community.
• Plug-and-Play Simplicity – With study guides, facilitator guides, and unlimited support from BetterCulture, ACCE Chambers can deliver innovative and impactful programs with minimal time and effort. 

There is no catch! There is an information sheet here with some very basic requirements (alongside some small requests/recommendations) for chambers that decide to participate, but First Year Free is risk free with no strings attached.

For the past three years, over 80% of chamber executives we meet with express interest in our turnkey solution to launch local programs. However, after our initial call, they often get pulled in many directions, making it hard to re-engage. We see this First Year Free model as a major incentive for ACCE chambers to take action and make 2025 the year they launch their new local program. BetterCulture only benefits if your chamber launches a new program, has a great experience, and wants to become a paid partner to renew/repeat the program in future years. This initiative is a win for chambers, BetterCulture, and the local communities that benefit from the new local programs being offered.

The only cost in the first year is purchasing a Study Guide for each program participant, priced at $20 per guide and available on Amazon. These guides are crucial for maximizing the impact of the programs.

Chambers generate significant non-dues revenue through First Year Free in three ways:

1. Program Fees – Chambers charge members a fee to participate in their new programs. 
2. Sponsorships – Chambers might pursue sponsorships for local programs.
3. Philanthropy/Grants – Some chambers also pursue philanthropic or grant funding.

During First Year Free, BetterCulture receives no portion of program fees, sponsorships, or grants, enabling participating chambers to earn significant non-dues revenue (many chambers are earning $20,000+ of revenue their first year alone!).

After the first year, Chambers receive special pricing that reflects a 70%+ discount off BetterCulture’s retail pricing, making it easy to secure 1-2 sponsors to fully cover the cost. This means chambers can generate non-dues revenue with just one new program. As you bring on more sponsors, participants, or programs, your revenue opportunities continue to grow, providing even greater financial benefits for your chamber.

By signing up for “First Year Free”  there is no requirement to continue your program beyond your first year. Of course, we’d love for you to continue to work with us after the first year but there is no commitment required until the end of your first year.

At the end of the first year we will meet with you to determine if you’d like to continue your programming. If you do, we will send you an invoice and new licenses for continued use of our content. 

There are two main on-demand BetterCulture products that chambers utilize to launch new programs in their communities: a leadership curriculum called the On-Demand MindSet Leadership Program; and a professional skills (aka a “Soft Skills”) curriculum called the 20 Tenets of Culture. Both products consist of short on-demand videos (usually 3-5 minutes in length).

Absolutely! Below you will find links to view some sample videos for both of our programs:

• On-Demand MindSet Leadership Program 

• 20 Tenets of Culture

Chambers recognize five key benefits from BetterCulture’s content:

1. Addresses a Universal Challenge – BetterCulture tackles a critical issue for all businesses: building and sustaining a successful workplace culture. By launching programs related to workplace culture, chambers are able to fill a common education gap and bring significant value across their member businesses.
2. Proven, Not Theoretical – Developed within a company recognized five times as Omaha’s #1 Best Place to Work, BetterCulture’s content has trained thousands of leaders over the past decade, with 97% rating it as “outstanding.”
3. Turnkey & Easy to Implement – With BetterCulture, chambers receive everything needed for success, including high-quality study guides, facilitator instructions, and on-demand video content—making it simple for even small chambers to launch programs.
4. Appeals to a Broad Audience – BetterCulture content is applicable across industries and works for everyone, from first-time employees to executive leaders.
5. Generates Repeatable Non-Dues Revenue – BetterCulture programs not only add value for members but also create lasting non-dues revenue opportunities through repeatable, adaptable programs.

There are four types of programs chambers can consider launching through this initiative:

• Future Leaders Programs – These programs, often called “Future Leaders” or “25 Under 25,” are designed to recognize and develop young community members, even those not yet in the workforce. Chambers can partner with local high schools or colleges to recruit participants and seek sponsorship from businesses or economic development entities interested in fostering young talent.

• Rising Stars Programs – Geared toward young professionals, this program offers a true development opportunity, focusing on leadership skills rather than just social events. Chambers can engage businesses to nominate up-and-coming employees for an 8-12 month cohort, building a prestigious class for young professionals.

• Leadership Programs/Alumni Programs – Whether you’re launching a new leadership program or enhancing an existing one, BetterCulture’s content can add leadership skills training to programs typically focused on networking or civic engagement. Additionally, chambers can use the content to create leadership alumni programs, re-engaging past participants. NOTE: If you already have a leadership program that you don’t want to change, consider launching a “Leader Lab” program geared toward businesses that want to develop employees’ leadership skills (but within shorter sessions that require less chamber coordination and less employee time away from work). 

• Executive Roundtables – Chambers can use BetterCulture’s content to engage executive-level leaders through roundtables or business breakfasts, offering new, valuable programming for this crucial membership segment.

Some chambers are opting to simply gather a group of community members once or twice a month and playing BetterCulture’s videos and facilitating group discussions at their program sessions.  Alternatively, and because the videos are hosted in an online learning platform, many chambers opt for a “flipped” classroom approach where participants watch videos in-between sessions then come to class ready to discuss.  

BetterCulture’s free consultation will help you design a program that is a perfect fit for your chamber and your members. 

Both products come with a detailed Study Guide and a Facilitator’s Guide, and with other suggested activities to help a facilitator maximize the impact of local programs.

Physical Study Guides are required and are available on Amazon for $20/Guide.

Facilitator’s Guides are available in digital format for free, or you can purchase physical copies for $50/guide (recommended). 

BetterCulture will provide you with this information during your onboarding call.

Yes, BetterCulture provides support in three key ways:

1. Onboarding Training – We provide onboarding sessions for your program coordinator(s) to support design, logistics, and planning.
2. Facilitation Training – We train your session facilitator(s) to ensure they’re confident and well-prepared to lead.
3. Unlimited Support – Throughout the year, chambers have access to a dedicated support email and unlimited virtual support from the BetterCulture team.

Community Size and Annual Pricing:

• Under 10,000 people: $4,000/year – Includes 20 licenses to BetterCulture content.
• 10,000 – 50,000 people: $6,000/year – Includes 30 licenses to BetterCulture content.
• 50,001 – 100,000 people: $8,000/year – Includes 40 licenses to BetterCulture content.
• 100,001+ people: $10,000/year – Includes 50 licenses to BetterCulture content.

You can add licenses at any time for $299/license; or can gain “Unrestricted Access”* for an additional flat annual fee (*terms and conditions apply; contact BetterCulture to learn more). 

There is! Our contract explains that there is no cost and no risk in your first year but also provides you with clear terms so you understand – in advance – what your options will be should you decide to continue your program in future years. 

After this free first year, BetterCulture will become a chamber member for any chambers that become paid partners of BetterCulture.  Also, as a remote chamber member, BetterCulture requests to have assistance in connecting with fellow chamber members through referrals from the chamber’s staff.