So Professional Association of Customer Engagement (PACE) just bit the dust.
Below is a statement from PACE out today that confirms its demise. This result has been rumored since merger efforts with R.E.A.C.H. collapsed a few months ago. We will have more coverage on this in the coming weeks.
For those of you in the lead generation and direct-to-consumer marketing space DO NOT WORRY– R.E.A.C.H. is here for you and stronger than ever. We welcome former PACE members into our fold with open arms. Feel free to reach out ASAP as board seats and sponsorship opportunities are STRICTLY limited, even if membership roles remain open.
Dear PACE Members and Industry Constituents,
We are writing to inform you the Professional Association of Customer Engagement [PACE] will be ceasing day-to-day operations and member services. This was a difficult decision, but one we believe to be in the best interests of our organization and our supporters.
PACE has been serving the customer contact, experience, and engagement industries for over 40 years and we are proud of the work we have done. We have helped countless member organizations with education, certification, networking, self-regulation, government relations and community service, and we have made positive differences in the business of our members and the lives of their staff.
Like many Organizations across the U.S., PACE has not been immune from recent economic challenges. Due to setbacks experienced during the COVID pandemic that have continued to impact the industries we support, and the changing convention industry, PACE was never able to fully recover, despite the best efforts of its members. Our membership has continued to decline, and we have been unable to fund the initiatives that have made PACE an impactful cornerstone of these industries.
We understand this news will be disappointing to many of you. We want to sincerely thank every one of you for your support over the years. We could not have done what we have done without you.
The PACE Board of Directors is committed to making the transition as smooth as possible. Effectively immediately, all PACE meetings and services will cease. You can remove any standing calendar invites from your calendar.
We know this is a difficult time, but we are confident this decision is in the best interests of the PACE members and the industries we care so deeply about. We are grateful for your support, and we wish you all the best in the future.
If you have any questions associated with the “wind down” of PACE please email ggragg@bluechairllc.com.
Sincerely, PACE Board of Directors
More coverage of this soon.
For now though if you haven’t signed up to attend the summit next month you are REALLY missing out. A ton of R.E.A.C.H. board members will be there and you will have two solid days to learn about the law and other great companies in the direct-to-consumer marketing, debt collection, call center, telecom, carrier, lead gen industries.
Fun!
The numerous resources that PACE made available to its constituent membership was immeasurably helpful. And it is a sad day indeed.
PACE worked hard to abate the scope creep with respect to activities that fell under the TCPA with its policy stewardship and activity surrounding legislative guidance.
In addition, PACE played such an important role when it came to substantive actions and policy positions that assisted toward ensuring access to the numbering resources upon which companies rely upon for continued compliance with the TCPA (WDNC data).
It is a sad, day indeed. I look forward to seeing how REACH picks up these important and essential actions on behalf of the PACE constituency.
Wish some virus could wipe out telemarketers.