Clear LakeChamber of Commerce

2011 Vision & Direction

History

• Starting in July 2010, your board of directors began having meetings, discussing the sustainability of the current business model.

• By September these meetings produced a theory; we needed to become more focused on supporting business and economic development. This represented a shift from our “community organizing” roots

• We sat down to write a new vision statement with the goal of being the most effective business support organization in Lake County!

Vision Statement

The Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization dedicated to

developing, promoting, and serving your business and community. Our goal is to

sustain a unique and high quality of life by achieving economic vitality, with sensitivity

and respect for the environment by fostering economic opportunity and a favorable

business climate within the region.

Core Competencies

• Creating a strong economy• Promoting the community • Representing the interest of business with

government• Promoting political action for a favorable

business climate• Providing contact opportunities with decision

makers

Whats new for 2011

• New staff!• New web page! • New home!• New budget!• New dinner meetings!• New events!• New Value to our members!

New Staff

In December we hired Jenn Jensen as our visitor center manager.

Welcome Jenn!

Shifting from volunteer staffed visitor center will provide for more responsive service to our

members and visitors

New Web Page

Konocti Computers has began work on our new and improved Clear Lake Chamber of commerce page Our goal is to create a page that is simple to use

and a real resource to business, our members and area visitors

NEW PAGE GOES LIVE MARCH 15TH!

New Home

We are currently in negotiation with the Highlands Senior Center to renovate the building on

Lakeshore Drive @ Golf Road.We hope to begin renovation in early March for

completion and move in early summer 2011Both the Highland Senior Center Board of Directors

and your Clear Lake Chamber Board of Directors have approved the concept of this community

minded project.

Building Benefits• Renovating a blighted building helps:

– Support the senior community in Clearlake by helping Highlands Senior Center protect their asset

– Improve Lakeshore Drive– Builds a sense of camaraderie and involvement within the Chamber

based on the volunteerism involved to complete renovations– A grassroots, community driven project to revitalize Lakeshore Drive

independent of Taxpayer money with the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce and the Highlands Senior Center in the lead

• An ideal location that is convenient to tourists, boaters/anglers, and the business community

• Allows City of Clearlake to find another tenant, potentially generating income for the City

• City further benefits from fees for permits, etc.

New 2011 Budget

• Operating Budget Entirely Supported by Membership Dues & Events

• Special Events funded solely by fundraising efforts• A true “By Business - For Business” Organization• ZERO Government / Taxpayer Money• Treating this 501(c)6 corporation as a business instead

of a civic organization ensures Chamber can PROSPER• When the Chamber prospers, our members benefit,

our businesses grow, our community benefits, and we provide more value to our members

What the Budget Means

• Your Chamber is no longer beholden to City of Clearlake

• City of Clearlake can utilize funds in other areas

• The Chamber now Supports the City instead of the City Supporting the Chamber!

• Chamber can now lobby City Hall on behalf of its Business Members without a conflict of interest

New Dinner Meetings

Our goal is to add more content to our meetings with presentations and guest speakers.

While preserving our interactive experience we hope to give the members new information on products, services and programs pertinent to

business

New Events Planned• Business Expo

– Planned for February 2012– B2C & B2B Opportunities– Business Seminars– Keynote Speaker

• Pre-Season Chamber Gathering– Member Exclusive– Hosted by local member resort– Benefits go to Chamber– Wine & Dine Evening w/Entertainment– Overnight Stay, Entire Resort Reserved for Chamber

• US Angler’s Choice Tournaments– Seven Tournaments throughout the Season– Three are TOC’s with Dinner Banquets– Ten business sponsors at $1,000 each– Ten business sponsors at $1,000 IN-KIND TRADE each– Brings approximately One Million Dollars into our local economy in 2011!

New Value to our Membership

• Networking OpportunitiesMonthly Dinner meetings, Business Mixers, Grand

Openings/Ribbon Cutting, Facebook Page.• New Web Site is Under Development– B2C and B2B links– Member Directory– Chamber News– Relocation Resources– Business Startup Resources

New Value to Membership

• MarketingBusiness to Consumer (B2C),Business to Business

(B2B), Visitor Center referrals, Web Site, Weekly Email Newsletter, Monthly Membership Drawings, Featured Member Program, Member Referrals

• ResourcesMonthly presentations on useful, business pertinant information, mentoring, start up help.

• Political representing the interest of ALL business, big and small

in Lake County.

Chamber Office Staffed

• Our highest priority going into 2011 was to have dedicated office staff and regular business hours for our Chamber Lobby & Office

• Jenn Jensen was hired as our Office Manager in December, worked through our holiday closure, and has had a substantial positive impact on our daily operations

• A quick look at our New Members, Renewals, and Returning Members can all tell you that Jenn is doing a wonderful job!

New Members

Predator Pest ControlDiamond Cleaning Systems

Moose Lodge of Clearlake OaksChatoff Properties

Michael HornerHavy’s Restuarant

January RenewalsHighlands InsuranceHabitat for Humanity

Dr. Jack ElizaresFirst American Title

SAFE-BIDCODennis Fordham

Marie’s Lakeshore FeedWeed Tech

Thomas Hewlett, DDSLake County Association of Realtors

Swank’s BookkeepingHal & Donna’s Boat Haven

Tatonka TradingClearlake Veterinary Clinic

Donald & Alan Johnson

Find us on Facebook!

• Join the conversation, see your friends, grow our network

• Look up Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce• Like the page• Tell your Facebook Friends!

February Featured Members

A&B CollisionArtisan Handiworks

WalMartFor Yourself Massage

TherapyLakeshore Sports