the state of local chambers wcce regional meetings fall series 2009 madison, west bend, green bay,...
TRANSCRIPT
The State ofLOCAL CHAMBERS
WCCE Regional MeetingsFall Series 2009
Madison, West Bend, Green Bay, Eau Claire
Jim MorganWMC Vice President / WCCE Secretary-Treasurer
Demographics
Who Participated(2007 N=68 / 2008 N = 55 / 2009 N=72)
72
22
33
15
36 34
45
2226
38
19
0
10
20
30
40
50
%
0-100 101-250 251-500 500+
Chamber Members
200720082009
Demographics
Who Participated
12
5
37
20
13
1923 22
1820 20
12
25
40
15
05
10152025303540
%
0-5,000 5,001-10,000
10,001-20,000
20,001-50,000
50,000+
Community Size
200720082009
Demographics
Who Participated
25
13
38
29 2830
29
37
19 1722
13
0
10
20
30
40
%
<$100,000 $100,000-$250,000
$250,001-$750,000
>$750,000
Annual Revenue
200720082009
Demographics
Who Participated
121116
35 36
26
18
27 28 26
13 13
8
1317
0
10
20
30
40
%
Southwest Southeast Central Northwest Northeast
Location
200720082009
Demographics
Percent Income from Dues
76-100
51-75
26-50
0-25
%
0 10 20 30 40 50 60200720082009
Economic Outlook
Community Employment
In the next 12 months, do you anticipate your community employment will:
0
20
40
60
80
2007 2008 2009
IncreaseNo ChangeDecrease
Economic Outlook
Business ClimateWhat is the business climate going to be like in your
community in 6 to 12 months?
010203040506070
2007 2008 2009
Good GrowthModerate GrowthRemain FlatDecline
Economic Outlook
Wisconsin EconomyHow will the Wisconsin economy perform over the
next 12 months?
010203040506070
2007 2008 2009
Good GrowthModerate GrowthRemain FlatDecline
Economic Outlook
Where are we headed?
Is Wisconsin on the right track or heading in the wrong direction?
0
20
40
60
80
100
2007 2008 2009
Right DirectionWrong Track
Economic Outlook
State GovernmentThinking about the business climate in Wisconsin,
would you say that state government here is:
0
10
20
30
40
50
2007 2008 2009
Very pro-business
Somewhat pro-businessNeutral on business
Somewhat anti-businessVery anti-business
You Said It . . .
• Attempts to help are offset by taxes and regulations
• A business ended up not rebuilding because every time they went to Madison with a plan it was rejected
• Every tax seems aimed at business – it's difficult to grow and provide jobs when we face such a high tax burden
You Said It . . .
• Many people will claim to be pro-business but the tax items and legal issues in play don't feel very pro-business
• There is an impression given from the Legislature that the wallets of business have no bottom
• High regulation and high taxes have a negative effect on business
• Duh!!!!
Economic Outlook
What could state government do?
• Understand how businesses make expansion and relocation decisions
• Coordinate Incentives– Target job creation– Coordinate all the programs
• Lower Taxes– Decrease personal income taxes– Eliminate combined reporting– Lower corporate income taxes– Decrease spending before increasing taxes
Economic Outlook
Top Business ConcernsWhat are the top business concerns facing your
community (% mentioning):
3
7
9
9
89
61
61
21
11
0 20 40 60 80 100
Security
Energy
Globalization
Competition
Labor Shortage
Regulation
Taxes
Health Care Costs
Economic Slowdown
200720082009
Chamber Outlook
Membership Growth
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
2007 2008 2009
Increase
No change
Decrease
Chamber Outlook
Membership Growth• Personal contacts
• Better data/intelligence
• Allowing non-members to participate in some activities
• Playing up the promotional benefits – chamber offers cheap marketing
• Last out, first back in – going after the most recent drops
Chamber Outlook
Revenue Growth
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
2007 2008 2009
Increase
No change
Decrease
Chamber Outlook
Revenue Growth
• Combining “chambers”
• More benefits through social media
• Cause-related sponsorships
• Can’t be worse than last year!!
Chamber Outlook
Advocacy Growth
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
2007 2008 2009
Increase
No change
Decrease
• More board members attending more municipal meetings
• New strategic plan with increased advocacy as a tactic
• Will pick a small number of important issues and bang the drum
• Seeking more feedback from members on issues and then provide more advocacy for those issues
Chamber Outlook
Advocacy Growth
Chamber Outlook
Volunteerism Growth
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
2007 2008 2009
Increase
No change
Decrease
• Plan to add ambassadors and create member volunteer opportunities to help with large chamber events
• Offering volunteer hours as part of a companies contribution to the Chamber
• Increasing the size of our ambassador committee and planning to recognize our volunteers more
Chamber Outlook
Volunteer Growth
Chamber Outlook
Marketing “Re-evaluation”
• Including neighboring communities• Promotion in other parts of the state • Looking at more online, email, e-
newsletters, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, chamber TV show for cable online
• Advocacy• Planning a series of seminars – topics
include HR, IT, investing and succession planning
• “Good news" campaign
Chamber Outlook
Membership “Re-evaluation”
• Using board members and staff to personally contact all members at least twice a year
• Board now involved in retention calls
• Explaining to our members how the Chamber can help
• Doubled our ambassador committee
• Asked members to "sponsor" another member (25% discount)
Chamber Outlook
Program “Re-evaluation”
• Member-to-member discount program
• More networking opportunities
• Less people, less hours, more focus
• Analyzing the financial merit of every activity
Jim Morgan
Vice President, WMC
(608) 258-3401 x3053
Questions