Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has invited Matt Harrington, CEO of the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce, to serve as faculty for the 2026 Northeast Institute for Organization Management. The Northeast Institute will be held July 27–30, 2026, at Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania.
Harrington, a Certified Association Executive (CAE), one of the highest professional credentials in the chamber and association industry, is a graduate of the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for Organization Management (IOM) program and previously served as faculty during the 2024 Northeast Institute.
During the 2026 program, Harrington will teach courses focused on chamber and nonprofit leadership, including:
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Recruit, Engage, and Retain Your Members
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Strong Chambers for the Future
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Keys to Delegation and Empowerment
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Culture of Innovation
Institute for Organization Management is an intensive leadership training program designed to enhance individual performance, elevate organizational effectiveness, and strengthen nonprofit and chamber leadership nationwide.
“Institute played a transformational role in my own development as a chamber executive,” said Harrington. “To now return as faculty and help develop the next generation of chamber and nonprofit leaders is both exciting and deeply meaningful. Strong communities require strong organizations, adaptive leadership, and leaders willing to continually grow; I’m honored and happy to help support that growth within our industry.”
Outside of his role as chamber CEO, Harrington is the founder of Harrington Brands, where he coaches leaders and executives, facilitates organizational and team development, and provides workforce training focused on leadership, communication, and organizational effectiveness.
He is also the co-author of Survival of the Hive: 7 Leadership Lessons from a Beehive.
Since its commencement in 1921, the Institute program has educated tens of thousands of association, chamber, and nonprofit leaders on how to build stronger organizations, better serve their members, and become effective business advocates.
Institute faculty members come from diverse backgrounds within the nonprofit and chamber industry, all with a shared commitment to providing high-quality education and professional development for chamber and association professionals. Faculty members play a critical role throughout the week by leading courses, sharing resources, and mentoring participants long after the program concludes.
“Institute’s faculty members are truly the experts in their respective fields,” said Raymond P. Towle, vice president of Institute for Organization Management for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “These individuals each bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Institute classroom that is unparalleled in nonprofit management.”
Institute for Organization Management is the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and is recognized as the premier nonprofit professional development program for association and chamber professionals, fostering individual growth through interactive learning and networking opportunities.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business organization representing companies of all sizes across every sector of the economy. Our members range from the small businesses and local chambers of commerce that line the Main Streets of America to leading industry associations and large corporations.
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Vermont Business Magazine