07-26-2006 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ch mber Successes TWIN CITIES NORTII CHAIVIBER OF COMMERCE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF 2004 -2005 Community Involvement • Contributed over $80,000 to non -profit community charities and schools within our service area through our charitable foundation. • Facilitated forums regarding local school referendums and repurposing of schools with the Mounds View District. • Participated in Business Retention and Expansion Programs through the state -wide Grow Minnesota program. • Expanded our service territory to include the City of Shoreview and Blaine. We now serve Arden Hills, Blaine, Columbia Heights, Fridley, Mounds View, New Brighton, Shoreview and Spring Lake Park. Business Advocacy • Facilitated forums and participated in discussions on the sale of the Bridges Golf Course in the City of Mounds View to Medtronic. • Monthly forums addressed important topics to businesses; including health care, transportation projects and funding for the local and metro area, fire code enforcement, education reform for K -12 and civil justice reform including job reference protection, joint /several liability and change and diversity in the workplace. • Refocused our Public Policy Committee to serve member interests, including expanding our role in economic development / tracking and advocating for specific legislative and municipal issues. • Increased public relations and legislative support by strengthening our ties with current members, city officials, media contacts, the Minnesota Chamber, and the Minneapolis Metro North Convention and Visitors Bureau. • Partnered with the Minnesota Chamber, the Metropolitan Coalition of Chambers and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Executives to increase and strengthen our policy positions, some of which include: Transportation Policy, School Referendum Policies, Joint and Several Liability Policy, Job Reference Policy, Workers Compensation and Health Care Reform. Member Involvement • Bi- monthly "Breakfast Club" networking group averages 30 -40 participants each meeting and offers members opportunities to market their products to other members. • Our "Annual Gala" had over 300 people in attendance and exceeded budget revenue forecasts. • Fall "Nine is Fine" Golf Outing and the "Chamber Challenge Golf Tournament" had record number of attendees and sponsors for last year, and exceeded all revenue forecasts. • Started the `Evening Exchange" Networking group which now averages 50 attendees per month. • Enhanced our Affinity Program with TDS Metrocom /US Link to offer additional telecommunication benefits to existing members, and began a program with AAA and ADP. • Recruited, retained and focused on eight member- driven volunteer committees including: Board of Directors, Gala, Golf. Business Affairs, Breakfast: Networking Club, Business /Education Partnership, Charitable Giving and Gaining Overs ight. Or °anizational Structure • Membership Growth was 9.5% over last year. • Exceeded overall revenue forecasts by $27,000 over budget. • Conducted a Board of Directors and Staff strategic planning session ro establish the priorities of the chamber short - term and long -term. • Restructured our organization to include the addition a Sales Director and Director of Events. • Continued to adhere to budget by cutting expenses and bringing in new revenue. • Developed a member/prospect database which has streamlined our operations ten fold. 5-