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

jmorgan@wmc.org

(608) 258-3401 x3053

Questions