2011-12 Business Plan
Economic Development
Vice Chair: Skip Hill
Mission: The Economic Development Division will act as the primary agency for the development and expansion of our new and existing business member clients. We will provide the support needed to create a successful business environment, emphasizing quality of life within our
community.
Continued focus on the initiatives outlined in the Sanford Holshouser Report:
• Existing Business & Industry Support
• Business Recruitment
• Small Business/Entrepreneurial Development
• Downtown Development
• Sports Development
• Travel and Tourism Development
• Business Park Development
Strengthen relationships with the brokerage/development community:
• Host a “tour event” for the brokerage community to familiarize them with the Cary market.
• Attend sales/marketing meetings to develop stronger ties.
Increase “proactive elements” of marketing to recruitment candidates:
• Direct mail campaign to potential companies/clusters.
• Calling trips on prospects and site location consultants.
• Target smaller companies.
• Updating of Economic Development website.
• Explore the potential of “social media” relative to marketing our program.
Create a group of developers to meet with the Town staff for discussions relating to ways to improve the approval process within Cary.
Participate in and/or host meeting to keep the membership, Town and other interested parties abreast of economic development activities:
• Monthly Economic Development Committee Meetings at the Chamber.
• Quarterly Economic Development Governing Board Meetings.
• Monthly Meetings with Town Manager and Town Budget Director.
• Town Economic Development Commission Meetings (as scheduled).
Begin an active “handwritten” contact program with existing Cary based companies.
Plan and execute the biannual InterCity Visit conducted by the Chamber.
Continue support of/participation with ancillary economic development organizations:
• Heart of Cary Association
• Cary Sports Alliance
• SBA Day at the Chamber
• RTRP
• Wake County Economic Development
• NC Department of Commerce
Education Division
Vice Chair: Don McCorquodale
Mission: The Education Division will facilitate and champion business community involvement by promoting partnerships and innovative programs for the positive influence of our students, teachers and schools.
Recognition:
•Facilitate & expand the Honor a Teacher awards program which includes public & private schools
•Recognize area teachers with two Teacher of the Month presentations
•Award an area school with the Entrepreneurial Award in Education for best business practices
•Host a Cary area Principals’ Luncheon
•Host a Cary area Assistant Principals’ Luncheon
•Sponsor annual Wake County Teacher of the Year Ceremony
•Honor Cary area First Year Teachers with a plaque
Recruitment:
•Work on plan/lobby government to avoid further teacher/leadership shortage
•Offer chamber facilities for training sessions for area schools and counselors
Development:
•Organize Youth Leadership Cary 2011-2012
•Serve on the Cary area Business Alliance, help coordinate career fair & recruit business to mentor students
Communications and Building Relationships:
•Host sixteenth annual Education Golf Tournament to support local education initiatives
•Participate in the Wake Education Partnership through: serving on the Wake Roundtable Committee, sponsoring their Annual Campaign for Public Education
•Invite local leaders & university professionals to speak at meetings, Eye Openers, & forums to inform the membership on various education issues
•Research into honoring/recognizing new teachers with teacher welcome bags/gifts for the 2012-2013 school year
•Research into honoring a business or businesses that show significant support towards the Cary area schools
•Investigate adding Cary school information link on Cary Chamber website
Governmental Relations
Vice Chair: Steve Zaytoun
Mission: The Governmental Relations Division will establish and enhance relationships with governmental officials that affect Cary and its business community; provide information to and obtain input from our members on government issues relevant to them; recommend advocacy positions to the Chamber's Board of Directors, and communicate the Chamber's viewpoint to our membership, elected officials and the community at large.
Elections:
•Hold candidates’ forums for Town of Cary Mayoral, At-Large, and Districts B & D; and Board of Education Districts 5 & 8.
•Produce a Voter’s Guide for the October 2011 races.
Legislative Leadership:
•Encourage and invite the Town of Cary elected officials, staff, and Wake County’s Leaders to attend Cary Chamber events and monthly meetings.
•Help plan and coordinate the Federal Issues Forum, involving our federal delegation from the Triangle, along with the Triangle Chambers of Commerce.
•Host Annual Elected Officials Reception and Leadership Dinner for our elected officials.
•Create a concentrated local legislative agenda, including issues from a survey to members sent to gather governmental issues of interest.
•Create a regional legislative agenda in conjunction with the Triangle Chambers of Commerce and the Research Triangle Regional Partnership (RTRP).
•Present a federal legislative agenda at the annual Triangle Chambers DC Trip, planned in partnership with the Triangle Chambers.
•Maintain a leadership role in the Regional Transportation Alliance (RTA) and educate members on transportation issues.
Sustainability:
•Disseminate accurate and pertinent information on sustainability and environmental stewardship to the membership.
•Continue to support the Green Plus program and offer it to members, as an opportunity to increase awareness, offer certification, and access to a national on-line directory of like minded businesses.
•Reach out to the Town of Cary’s Sustainability Office to understand how the Chamber can assist in their efforts.
Government Services:
•Monitor legislation related to local, state and federal issues, such as healthcare, tax reform, transit etc. and present updates to the membership.
•Monitor Town Council meetings, and provide a link with minutes summary to members.
• Organize Leadership Cary 2011-2012, including a community service project.
•Continue to support Reality Check and their efforts.
•Meet quarterly with legislative issues forums
Member Business Services
Vice Chair: Brian Reid
Mission: The Member Business Services will communicate with the members and to the community the role, benefits and services of the Chamber with emphasis on recruitment, retention, and services. It will also provide educational opportunities and deliver resources and solutions to provide quantifiable value for Chamber Members.
Membership Development:
•Conduct Total Resource Campaign to increase membership base and promote sponsorship opportunities. Review and modify sponsor costs as needed to ensure involvement for all members
•Conduct Bi-monthly Chamber 101 sessions that educated new members and/or new employees of experienced members about the Chamber and its Program of Work
•Involve Board of Directors, Leadership Cary Graduates and Ambassadors to grow and retain membership base
•Maintain member contact and communication through Member Retention Plan with special focus on new members
Ambassador Program:
•Maintain volunteer group that will work with Board of Directors and staff on all Chamber events with focus on member retention through involvement
•Each new member will be assigned an Ambassador for follow up and guidance through the first year of membership
•Ambassadors will be called upon to work at Chamber Events including Golf tournaments, Eye Opener Breakfasts, Business Expo and attend ribbon cuttings. Ambassadors will be considered a vitally important extension of staff
Membership Services:
•Continue to promote the “Member to Member” benefits program increasing discount opportunities for members by members.
•Coordinate monthly Business After Hours
•Organize, promote and present Car Raffle and Auction
•Organize and promote annual Member Guest Golf Tournament
•Host “A Taste of Cary” Member Appreciation Party
•Organize, publicize and promote monthly Eye Opener Breakfast
•Continue the monthly Business of Women luncheons featuring speakers with topics specific to working women
•Organize, promote and present “Fore Ladies” Golf Tournament
Educational Services:
•Continue to expand the relationship with Wake Tech’s Business & Industry Center.
•Offer monthly Notary Classes
•Provide additional seminars and training to meet member needs.
•Continue to facilitate monthly private meetings between small business owners and a representative from the Small Business Administration
Marketing Showcase:
•Sponsor and present the Excellence Awards Luncheon in Spring to recognize achievements of both for profit and nonprofit ventures
•Present and promote the Business Expo offering members a day of networking and presentation of their goods/services in a business to business format
Communications
Mission: The Communications Division will represent each individual division and the Chamber as a whole by establishing the image that the Cary Chamber of Commerce strives to attain and
placing it at the forefront of the various communication mediums in the Triangle area.
•Produce the Commerce Review newsletter.
•Produce a Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide.
•Enhance the functionality of www.carychamber.com and launch new website.
•Maintain the weekly e-newsletter of events.
•Create invitations, brochures and other materials for each Chamber event.