Last week’s convention of American Chamber of Commerce Executives that ended Aug. 4, exceeded attendance expectations, according to organizers.

Attendance hit 1,154—including 900 chamber of commerce executives from around the nation and 64 participants from international chambers of commerce. The Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau estimated that the convention would have an economic impact of $1.3 million from the 2,700 hotel bed nights and other spending by participants.

“Thanks to ACCE's convention here, we have now a thousand new ambassadors for the city of Sacramento. “And that kind of word-of-mouth is hard to put a price tag on. It's priceless,” said Matt Mahood, president and CEO of the Sacramento Metro Chamber, host chamber for the event.

Two years ago, the Metro Chamber convinced ACCE to hold its 2007 annual convention in Sacramento, working with the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“The convention has exceeded expectations in terms of facility, hospitality and the program,” said ACCE president & CEO Mick Fleming. “Chambers from around the country and around the world participated enthusiastically and greatly enjoyed their experience here. We’ve had nothing but favorable comments about the way they’ve been treated and the substance and the value of the program.”