2013 Annual Report

2013 Annual Report Shelby County Chamber

GREATER SHELBY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Chamber’s Mission:
To assist in building a strong economy by nurturing business, addressing business needs and developing a business environment that is attractive and stable.

Business Development & Support Group

• Established Small Business Work Group that met monthly to assist with program development.
• Hosted inaugural “Industry Appreciation Reception” in collaboration with The Shelby County Economic and Development Authority with 40 businesses in attendance.
• Held six “Go & Grow” professional development series workshops:
• Business Basics for Great Managers; Sell Yourself, Your Ideas, Your Agenda; Finding and Keeping Great; Talent Becoming a Strategic Thinker; Coaching Your Team to Greatness; Dealing with the Difficult.
• Established Existing Business & Industry Work Group that met monthly to assist with program development.
• Held four “Industry Tours” at: Bud’s Best Cookies, A.C. Legg, Inc., Morgan Creek Vineyards, Alabama Power Plant, Wilsonville.
• Held first annual Small Business Week that included:
  Small Business Nominee’s Reception,
  Small Business Persons of the Year Luncheon,
  “Capital Access” Seminar.
• Hosted “Making Sense of Social Media” seminar, a program of the Chamber’s Business Support Center with 26 participants.
• Developed, printed and distributed “How to Develop a Business Plan” as part of the Chamber’s Business Support Center.
• Hosted an “Introduction to Government Contracting” workshop as part of the Chamber’s Business Support Center program.
• Established a Shelby County Existing Business Team program that conducted 26 on-site interviews with industry leaders for information and feedback from area businesses.
• Developed a “Green Business” program with fi ve member businesses achieving the designation of a green business.
• Notarized 470+ Certifi cate of Origins for Shelby County companies.

Communications Group

• Created twelve issues of Business Connections, the Chamber’s monthly newsletter. Created, published and distributed a quarterly printed membership directory, Who’s Who of Shelby County Businesses.
• Communicated monthly with ShelbyOne shareholders to keep them informed on ShelbyOne progress.
• Hosted two ShelbyOne shareholder meetings.
• Informed the membership and the community of Chamber activities through Business Connections monthly newsletter, weekly GSC E-Business Connections, and the Chamber’s social media sites (Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter).
• Produced and distributed a new map of Shelby County with exclusive member-only advertising opportunities.
• Developed 2014 Business Plan relating back to ShelbyOne strategic plan.
• Responded to 1,700+ requests for business and community information.

Community Development Group

• Established Health Services Work Group that met monthly to assist with program development.
• Promoted the importance of healthy lifestyles to the business community through the “Health Focus of the Month” articles published in Business Connections.
• Coordinated and held “Healthcare Reform” workshop with 27 in attendance.
• Established Education Work Group that met monthly to assist with program development.
• Created a database of Shelby County public and private school principals that were contacted to coordinate dates for “Keeping it Real” launch.
• Created all materials associated with the “Keeping it Real” program including PowerPoint, worksheets and real-life scenario work boards.
• Launched the “Keeping it Real” program in five Shelby County schools with 984 ninth grade students participating in the program.
• Coordinated appropriate number of volunteers to manage the “Keeping It Real” program in each Shelby County School.
• Created process for a Student and Educator of the Year recognition program to be held in 2014.
• Hosted the April and September Membership Programs securing the keynote speakers and Showcase Feature business participants.
• Planned and implemented The Shelby County Chamber’s 24th Annual Golf FORE! Workforce Development Tournament.
• Planned and implemented The Shelby County Chamber’s 4th Annual Sporting Clay Shoot.

Finance & Administration Group

• Developed annual budget for Chamber’s operations.
• Maintained financial records for the Chamber’s General and Foundation funds.
• Handled invoicing procedures for all Chamber and Foundation programs.
• Reviewed Chamber By-Laws.
• Reviewed Employee Policies & Procedures Handbook.
• Planned and coordinated Annual Meeting of the membership.
• Reviewed all Event Analysis forms prior and post each event or program.

Governmental Affairs Group

• Established Governmental Affairs Work Group that met monthly to assist with program development.
• Held Montgomery Drive-In event with 18 attendees.
• Held a State of the County Luncheon featuring Shelby County Commission Chair Lindsey Allison.
• Established a process for a Chamber Public Policy Agenda.
• Created Public Policy Agenda for 2014.
• Held Washington Update Luncheon with Congressman Spencer Bachus.

Membership & Marketing Group

• Recruited 149 new members.
• Held 41 ribbon cuttings for Shelby County businesses.
• Planned and hosted 10 membership luncheon programs with an average of 185 attendees.
• Held two SpeedNetworking for Professionals events resulting in an average of 95 attendees.
• SpeedNetworking Times Five Chambers: with the Hoover Area, Homewood, Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills Chambers of Commerce.
• SpeedNetworking Times Four Chambers: with the Calera, Montevallo and South Shelby County Chambers of Commerce.
• Held four Business After Hours events with an average of 40+ attendees per event.
• Held four Membership Receptions with an average of 40+ attendees per event.
• Ambassador Program meetings.
• Redesigned new member packets using green-friendly folders and enhanced all marketing materials.
• Acquired member testimonials for use in marketing and advertising in potential member packets, Business Connections, and other marketing publications.
• Expanded promotional opportunities for member-only advertising utilizing ChamberMail program reaching 2,000 new Shelby County residents.

The Shelby County Chamber 2013 Business Plan, which was approved by Chamber’s Board of Directors 11/14/12, relates back to ShelbyOne, the Chamber’s five-year strategic plan, on an one year basis.  View the 2013 Business Plan in a PDF format by clicking this link.