2010 Annual Report & 2011 Strategic Plan
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Programs
HOT RODS
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ACCE NAmEs BowliNg grEEN ArEA ChAmBEr
#1 in the nation
Chamber of Commerce
Vision Statement
The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is the driving
force for South Central Kentucky’s business community.
Mission Statement
We provide valuable services to our partners, advocate
a positive business environment, and stimulate economic
development for South Central Kentucky.
Values Statement
Values are the standards that influence every aspect of our
lives. Values provide the direction to decisions that are made
by our organization. In all that we do, let us demonstrate our
core values:
Inclusiveness
We embrace behavior and actions that respect and honor
the background, diversity, and contributions of all in our
community.
Integrity
We believe in demonstrating the strength, moral principles,
honesty, and ethics that warrant the trust of the community.
Leadership
We believe that the community can only grow and prosper if
we have the courage to be bold in our vision and stand by our
convictions.
Service
We value a commitment to service and believe responsibility
and duty are imperative to enrich the community.
It is with great pride that I serve as the 2011 chairman of the Bowling
Green Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. This Chamber
has witnessed much success in the past few years, having previously
won the Chamber of the Year Award in 2009 from the American
Chamber of Commerce Executives and being named a 5-Star Chamber
by the United States Chamber of Commerce. I’m proud to be a part of
such an outstanding organization. I encourage you to read our 2010
Annual Report, found in this publication, to learn more about the many programs, events, and
initiatives that support the Chamber’s achievements.
As proud as I am of our successes in 2010, I’m excited for what’s in store for our Chamber in
2011. Our 2011 Action Plan and the Economic Development Long-Range Strategic Plan outline
our many goals for the year, including additional efforts to support small businesses. Eighty-five
percent of our Chamber partners are small businesses, which make significant contributions to
our local economy, and we want to show our appreciation and support for their work here. From
our CEO Roundtables to our Small Business Expo, you’ll see us emphasize the value of the small
business throughout the year.
My theme for the year, Aligning Business with Opportunity, represents the work I want to accomplish
during my term as chairman. Through events, resources, and programs, the Chamber provides
many benefits to help our partners connect with others. These connections build relationships and
lead to business success. Our goal is to provide a network for you to meet your business needs.
By taking advantage of this network, you are not only increasing your own business, but also the
economic impact within our community. You are Aligning Business with Opportunity.
Sincerely,
Rodney Rogers
2011 Chairman of the Board of Directors
Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of Commerce
I’m honored to serve as the new president and CEO of the Bowling
Green Area Chamber of Commerce, and I’m impressed by the
numerous compliments this Chamber receives from the residents of
South Central Kentucky. It’s overwhelming to witness the amount of
support the community gives this organization, and it’s obvious why the
Chamber is acclaimed as one of the best in the nation.
The entire partnership should be proud of the success the Chamber has achieved, including
being named the American Chamber of Commerce Executives’ 2009 Chamber of the Year and
a United States Chamber of Commerce 5-Star Accredited Chamber. Such achievements, along
with many other awards and designations, have helped set us apart in terms of organizational
and economic development leadership.
In 2010, the Chamber had a record-breaking year for economic development success,
participating in 21 economic development projects and announcing 1,653 new and retained
jobs, and a capital investment of more than $241 million for the South Central Kentucky region.
But the Chamber didn’t stop there. From supporting large industries and small businesses, hosting
numerous events and programs, and spearheading multiple initiatives, we continued to provide
excellent benefits to our partnership.
As I review the Chamber’s outstanding history, I’m eager to contribute to its continued success.
We have many exciting plans for 2011, and we’re looking forward to supporting our chairman,
Rodney Rogers, in his goals of aligning business with opportunity. With our volunteers, leadership,
and staff, 2011 is certain to be another success-filled year.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have, and I look forward to getting
to know you!
Sincerely,
Ron Bunch, CEcD
President & CEO
Chamber of Commerce
Rodney Rogers
D. Gaines Penn
Chairman
Board Chair-Elect
Stewart-Richey Construction, Inc.
English, Lucas, Priest and Owsley, LLP
Joe Natcher
Brad Howard
Immediate Past Chairman
Vice Chair
Southern Foods, Inc..
Independence Bank
John Mark Fones
Tommy Adams
Board Vice President
Board Vice President
Commonwealth Health Corporation
Charles M. Moore Insurance
William H. Borders II
Ron Bunch, CEcD
Board Vice President
President & CEO
Landmark Financial Advisors, LLC
Bowling Green Area
Chamber of Commerce
Barton Darrell
Dr. Nathan Hodges
Dion W. Houchins
Mark Iverson
Doc Kaelin
Bell, Orr, Ayers & Moore, PSC
Bowling Green Technical College
Houchens Industries
Bowling Green Municipal Utilities
Forever Communications
Todd Matthews
Amy Milliken
Reuben Netherland
Alex Nottmeier
Alan Palmer
Scott & Murphy, Inc./Scott,
Warren County Attorney
Stupp Bridge Company
Neal Turner Realty
Greenview Regional Hospital
Murphy & Daniel, LLC
Joy Rogers
Brad Taylor
Robbin Taylor
Kim Thomas
Alan Vilines
BB&T
Bowling Green Hot Rods
Western Kentucky University
Citizens First
Warren County Water District
Eric Walker
Regina Webb
Bruce Wilkerson
U.S. Bank
Regina Webb Salon & Spa/
City of Bowling Green
Regina Webb Academy
Janette Boehman
Jim Bullington
Joe Corcoran
Mark Cornwell
Joe Davis
Lisa Dunn
WBKO TV
RE/MAX Real Estate Executives
WKYU-FM
Canteen Service Company
Gerald Printing
U.S. Bank
Ann Elliott
Catherine Hamilton
Romanza Johnson
Lisa Lopez
Miles McDaniel
Jerald Manning
Crye*Leike Executive Realty
Hill-Motley Lumber Co.
Individual Partner
Commonwealth Health Corporation
Bowling Green Municipal Utilities
Individual Partner
Audrey Meany
Amy Milliken
Charles M. Moore, Jr.
Sue Parrigin
Clay Pendleton
Alan Read
Independent Sales Director,
Warren County Attorney
Charles M. Moore Insurance
Western Kentucky University
BB&T
Crye*Leike Executive Realty
Heather Rogers
Delane Simpson
Howard Surface
Tamara Vogler
Bill Waltrip
Monica Wardlow
Junior Achievement
of South Central KY
Coldwell Banker Legacy
Real Estate Group
Individual Partner
BB&T
City of Bowling Green
Republic Bank & Trust Company
Mary Kay® Cosmetics
Bruce Wilkerson
Barry Williams
Ron Wilson
Skip Wirth
David Wiseman
Tony Witty
City of Bowling Green
Commonwealth Broadcasting
Western Kentucky University
First Choice Home Medical
Houchens Insurance Group
Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
Ron Bunch,
CEcD
President & CEO
Dan Preston
Vice President, Economic Development
Tonya Matthews,
IOM, ACE
Vice President, Chamber Operations
R. Marc Elliott, CEcD, AICP
Brian McBroom
Miller Slaughter
Vice President, Property Development & Public Policy
CFO
Director, Regional Development
Crystal Cummings
Courey McCubbin
Jessica M.L. Thompson
Office Manager/Executive Assistant
Partnership Development Director
Communications Director
Lindsey McClain
Kelli Perkins
Melinda Rector
Program Director
Patnership Sales Representative
Database Administrator
Yvonne Franks
Destiny Sewell
Assistant to the CFO
Receptionist/Administrative Assistant
The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce experienced a successful year in 2010. Read on to learn more
about our achievements. Please refer to the 2010 Economic Development Annual Report, a separate publication, for
details on our economic development activities for the year.
EXISTING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
We remain committed to enhancing our business community through legislative efforts, special events, programs and
educational services, and additional Chamber programs.
Governmental Relations
To identify and advocate legislation and public policies affecting economic and
business issues, we
• Researched and proposed legislative priorities for the Chamber, a project of the Legislative Action Committee and the Agri-business Legislative Action Committee.
• Supported the passage of HB 104, a bill signed into law by Governor Steve Beshear, naming the Corvette the official sports car of Kentucky.
• Attended the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Chamber Day in Lexington in January,
kicking-off the 2010 General Assembly.
• Held a Legislative Preview with guest speakers Kentucky State Representatives Jim DeCesare, Jody Richards, and Wilson Stone, as well as Kentucky Senator Mike Reynolds. Insight Communications recorded the event and replayed it on Insight Channel 5.
• Sponsored South Central Kentucky Night in Frankfort to offer Chamber partners an opportunity to meet Governor Steve Beshear and state legislators.
• Held a Washington Update with U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, sponsored by
Jim Johnson Nissan and Jim Johnson Hyundai, with breakfast provided by Mariah’s Restaurant. Insight Communications recorded the event and replayed it on Insight Channel 5.
• Held a Legislative Wrap-up with Kentucky State Representatives Jim DeCesare, Jody Richards, and Wilson Stone, along with State Senator Mike Reynolds, at the Chamber. Insight Communications recorded the event and replayed it on Insight Channel 5.
• Hosted three Vote 2010 candidate forums: the U.S. Senate Race, the State Senate Race, and the Bowling Green City Commission Race with co-sponsors Insight Communications and WBKO TV. The forums were replayed on Insight Channel 5, WBKO-FOX and www.wbko.com.
Special Events
We held events throughout 2010 to recognize members of our business community and to show
our appreciation for the contributions they make toward our region’s economic success.
Small Business Appreciation
In support of small businesses throughout South Central Kentucky, we
• Hosted a Business Before Hours: A Small Business Expo to kick off Small Business Appreciation Week, which was held on May 3 through 7.
• Honored Thad F. Connally, III, president and owner of First Choice
Home Medical, as the 2010 Small Business Person of the Year at the Small Business Appreciation Luncheon.
• Organized an employee appreciation event for the First Choice Home Medical
employees.
• Held a Women in Business Breakfast to honor women’s contributions to the economy. Ann Smith of Mary Kay® Cosmetics was the speaker. The Medical SmallBusiness
Programs
Center and Harned, Bachert and McGehee, LLP sponsored the breakfast.
• Led the partnership-wide Chamber Golf Challenge with more than 130 players and volunteers participating. The event was organized by the Small Business Appreciation Committee.
Industry Appreciation
In support of our local industries, we
• Recognized October as Industry Appreciation Month.
• Named Fruit of the Loom, Inc. the 2010 Industry of the Year, honoring
the company, and others, at the 2010 Industry Appreciation Banquet.
• Conducted the annual Industry Golf Classic, sponsored by
Scott, Murphy & Daniel, LLC, in September at The Club at Olde Stone.
• Organized a Women in Industry Breakfast, honoring women’s contributions to the economy. Western Kentucky University’s Women’s
Basketball Coach Mary Taylor Cowles was the speaker. The Medical Center
and Regina Webb Salon & Spa sponsored the breakfast.
• Coordinated an Industry of the Year Employee Appreciation Event,
assisting Fruit of the Loom, Inc. in recognizing their employees. Canteen Service
Company and the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers sponsored the event.
Additional Chamber Programs
To continue to support our Chamber partners and recognize their dedication to furthering the business community in South Central Kentucky, we also
• Named Kelly Wiseman, individual Chamber partner, the Chamber’s ATHENA Young Professional, an award recognizing an emerging leader in the community who provides valuable service to his or her business or
profession and to the community.
• Named Anne Grubbs, enrichment and volunteer coordinator at Bowling Green-Warren County Community Education, the 2010 ATHENA recipient and honored her at the 2010 ATHENA
Luncheon at the Carroll Knicely Conference Center. Grubbs is the 25th person
to receive this award locally. This award honors the local business person who contributes most greatly to the community and the advancement of women in business.
• Awarded diplomas to 25 business leaders who graduated from the 2010 Leadership Bowling Green program. Johnston Boyd was voted the 2010
Bart Hagerman Leadership Award winner.
• Worked with the Leadership Bowling Green Alumni Association (LBGAA) to hold quarterly meetings on community topics of interest. LBGAA conducts
the STEP program, a high school leadership program led annually, and awards STEP scholarships.
• Partnered with Western Kentucky University to host Welcome Back WKU, offering
an opportunity for Chamber businesses to market their products and services to
Western students their first week on campus.
• Held monthly Business After Hours and Coffee Hours, providing networking and
business sponsorship and promotion opportunities for the partners.
The Leader in Me®
To increase the qualifications of our future workforce, we
• Researched The Leader in Me®, a leadership opportunity for youth based on Dr. Stephen Covey’s
7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
• Supported the Bowling Green Independent School District and Warren County Public Schools in the implementation of The Leader in Me® during the 2010-2011 school year.
• Produced a video and brochure to promote The Leader in Me® to the region. President’s Club Gold Level
Partner Southern Foods, Inc. sponsored the marketing materials.
• Awarded $500 grants to teachers at the Bowling Green Independent School District and Warren County Public Schools to help implement The Leader in Me® in the classroom. Ashley Furniture Home Store provided
the grants.
PARTNERSHIP AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
We are committed to developing our partners and enhancing the benefits we provide to them.
As part of our efforts, we
• Celebrated our year at Annual Dinner with nearly 700 partners attending. Chairman Joe Natcher
presented his 2010 theme My Chamber: South Central Kentucky Proud. The dinner included regional representation from partner counties.
• Hosted a Mid-Year Partnership Recruitment celebration for all new partners
joining the first half of the year.
• Conducted a year-round recruitment campaign, along with staff efforts. Recruited 113 new partners and concluded the year with a retention
rate of 86.6%, above the national average.
• Held 5 Minute Networking® sessions, speed-networking events designed to give individuals the opportunity to meet individuals, one-on-one, in 5-minute increments, sponsored by
Indian Hills Country Club.
• Celebrated continued growth and expansion in our community, coordinating 63 ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings during 2010.
• Supported our Chamber partners through the Chamber Ambassador program. The Chamber Ambassadors contributed nearly 4,000 volunteer hours to support our Chamber partners.
• Added four new partners to the President’s Club. More than 60 partners participated in the President’s Club during 2010.
• Received an Excellence Award from the Southern Economic HOT RODS
Open 2009 SeaSOn
Development Council, Inc. (SEDC) for our Chamber’s 2009 in New Downtown Ballpark
Economic Development Annual Report and a Merit Award
from SEDC for the Chamber’s Managing Up Seminar.
• Presented our 2010 Year-End Awards to Michelle Gorman and Audrey Meany (Volunteers of the Year), Charles M. Moore, Jr.
ACCE NAmEs BowliNg grEEN ArEA ChAmBEr
(Ambassador of the Year), and Todd Davis (Chamber Board
#1 in the nation
Volunteer of the Year).
• Produced a monthly television show with Insight Communications, interviewing local guests on Chamber and community topics.
• Contributed a monthly feature article to the regional community-interest magazine SOKY Happenings, sharing Chamber news with the region.
• Unveiled an updated version of the Buyer’s Guide online at www.bgchamber.com,
providing enhanced listings and information to the partnership and community.
• Introduced a Chamber iPhone® application, sponsored by Red Pixel Studios.
• Produced and distributed publications for our partners including the Bowling Green
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Visit iTunes® to download the Chamber app
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and South Central Kentucky Magazine, the Industry Guide, and the Chamber Connection newsletter.
To better serve our partnership, we encouraged Chamber staff to develop themselves and to continue to improve upon their roles as they serve the partnership. In 2010, we sent Chamber staff members to conferences and workshops by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute
for Organization Management, the Kentucky Association for Economic Development, the International Economic Development Council, and the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives to learn of new benefits and programs to offer Chamber partners.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
To continue to enhance the business climate within South Central Kentucky, we
• Awarded Work Ethic Seals to 62 graduating high school seniors. The Work Ethic Seal program
is designed to promote a good work ethic among local high school seniors. Eight scholarships were offered and five were awarded to students attending
Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green Technical College, or Daymar College.
• Assisted employees in completing programs through the Warren County Industrial Training Consortium, which provides training opportunities
for employees that will result in a better trained workforce for all
companies in our region.
• Hosted a Managing Up Seminar, during which Dr. Kerry Sauley of
Louisiana State University spoke to more than 100 participants, illustrating constructive communication skills and relationships within
the workplace. The Chamber partnered with the South Central Kentucky Regional Economic Development Partnership and the
Warren County Industrial Training Consortium for this event.
• Organized the Strategic Business Alliance, providing education resources and fostering business development through relationships and networking for small businesses and non-profit organizations.
Programs & Educational Services
In support of local programs and in an effort to boost educational
services, we
• Presented awards for Business-Education Partners who excelled at their partnerships during the 2009-2010 school year. The award winners were
• Spirit of Excellence Award - The Medical Center and Briarwood Elementary School
• Spirit of Teamwork Award - Bowling Green Municipal Utilities and T.C. Cherry Elementary School
• Spirit of Innovation Award - Holiday Inn University Plaza and Bowling Green High School
• Spirit of Excellence Award - Farmers National Bank and Alvaton Elementary School
• Spirit of Giving Award - Warren County Water District and North Warren Elementary School
• Spirit of Excellence Award - Barren River District Health Department and Dishman McGinnis
Elementary School
• Preparing for Our Future Award - SCA Personal Care and Warren East High School
• Named 35 Business-Education Partners at the “Business Education Partnership Kick-off” in September during which the participating schools and businesses established
plans to assist one another during the 2010-2011 school year.
Initiatives of the Bowing Green Area Chamber of Commerce are accomplished through one of three approaches:
board-driven, partnership-driven, or staff-driven. Partnership-driven initiatives are led and organized by Chamber
partners volunteering their time and talents to help meet these Chamber goals. To become involved with one of these
initiatives/committees, contact the listed staff representative at 270-781-3200 or visit www.bgchamber.com.
Regional Economic Development
Board Vice President: William H. Borders, II
New Business Attraction – Staff-Driven Initiative
Board Reps: Joe Natcher, Brad Howard
Primary Staff Rep: Ron Bunch, CEcD
Mission: To increase prosperity in South Central Kentucky through efforts creating new jobs in the region, with an
emphasis on higher-paying jobs.
• Continue management and marketing arrangements with the Inter-Modal Transportation Authority (ITA) to provide increased efficiencies for both organizations while supporting regional economic
development.
• Build upon the regional presence and recent economic development successes by revising the South Central Kentucky Regional Marketing Plan, including an updated target industry analysis.
• Optimize the competitive preparation with enhanced tools and staffing to more effectively carry out regional marketing and sales tactics, including a research focus.
• Enhance regional economic development opportunities for all partner counties through the Chamber’s international-award-winning Menu of Services program. Regional partner counties contracted for
the full menu of economic development services receive (but are not limited to) marketing promotion, recruitment and retention assistance, workforce development, product development, and
administrative support. Continue website promotion of available sites and efforts organized through the Regional Development Partnership and the South Central Kentucky Washington D.C. Fly-In.
• Strive to increase the number of prospects visiting South Central Kentucky by making direct, face-to-
face contact with site selection professionals and company representatives, as well as incorporating other successful methods for business recruitment. Utilize the proactive, aggressive tactics outlined in the revised marketing plan for South Central Kentucky.
• Promote the Kentucky Transpark, the region’s state-of-the-art crown jewel, by distributing the award-
winning economic development marketing materials, including the Kentucky Transpark brochure and
DVD (English, Korean, German and Japanese versions).
• Promote the newly revised www.southcentralky.com and new mobile site—m.southcentralky.com—
through a Treasure Hunt and additional contact with site selectors and other interested parties.
• Complete the regional profile.
• Assist in economic development efforts for downtown Bowling Green, offering technical assistance and incentive coordination to the Downtown Redevelopment Authority and the Warren County
Downtown Economic Development Authority to support business location, infrastructure/parking, and funding for quality-of-life projects and facilities.
Existing Industry Support – Staff-Driven Initiatives
Board Reps: Reuben Netherland, Alan Vilines
Primary Staff Rep: Dan Preston
Mission: To proactively enhance industry retention and expansion, evaluating the needs of existing business and industry to help them grow their operations.
• Continue to enhance regional successes through the Menu of Services to our regional partners, including those provided by the Chamber’s director, regional development.
Continued on next page.
• Visit with industry leadership to assess their needs. Provide follow-up and celebrate expansions.
• Utilize the improved client/existing industry communication tracking system for advanced record keeping and assistance efforts.
Business Development
Board Vice President: Tommy Adams
Existing Small Business Support -Board-Driven Initiative
Board Reps: Regina Webb, Eric Walker, Bruce Wilkerson
Primary Staff Rep: Dan Preston
Mission: To proactively enhance small business retention and expansion, and evaluate the needs of small business to help them grow their operations.
• Build and cultivate relationships with community resources including Small Business Development Center, the Innovation and Commercialization Center, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green Technical College, Daymar College, Mid-Continent University, the Barren River Area Development District, the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, Service Corps of Retired
Executives (SCORE), and Community Ventures Corporation.
• Collaborate with Western Kentucky University to investigate the establishment of an Angel Fund for developing and expanding small businesses, research potential for a regional business plan
competition, and incorporate a survey to determine needs and desires of regional businesses for professional programs and services.
• Determine areas in which the Chamber can help foster connections and/or function as a clearinghouse for the existing small business development resources established for South
Central Kentucky.
• Enhance www.bgchamber.com or incorporate a specific domain that provides a toolkit or decision tree mode for the small business person, allowing them to advance their knowledge and to connect with support and resources.
• Coordinate a regional Small Business Expo in conjunction with the April Chamber Coffee Hour to promote May Small Business Appreciation activities.
• Visit with Chamber partner small businesses to reiterate the small business benefits provided by the Chamber and within the community.
• Promote and partner with entities providing local small business workshops.
Entrepreneurship Support -Board-Driven Initiative
Board Rep: Dion Houchins, Alex Nottmeier, Alan Palmer
Primary Staff Reps: Miller Slaughter
Mission: To promote resources available and encourage business start-ups.
• Investigate the implementation of a One-Stop-Shop (cooperating with all entities providing entrepreneur and business support services) to assist a person with information and advice on
starting their own business.
• Enhance relationships with Junior Achievement and post-secondary education components, especially skill-oriented or technical training programs to enhance entrepreneurship.
• Create a communication and education campaign to promote the theme: We did it; You can too! that will advertise successful entrepreneur testimonies and resource materials.
• Determine areas in which the Chamber can foster connections and/or function as a clearinghouse for the existing entrepreneurship resources established for South Central Kentucky.
Legislative Action– Board-Driven Initiative
Board Reps: Mark Iverson, Kim Thomas
Chair: Tommy Adams
Primary Staff Rep: Marc Elliott, CEcD, AICP
Mission: To identify and advocate legislation and public policies affecting economic and business issues sustaining and enhancing a strong business environment.
• Meet with area elected officials, community leadership, and the Regional Development Authority to discuss community needs and priorities, and identify governmental affairs issues that meet the
Chamber’s Guiding Principles and that are critical to the business community.
• Create and distribute the South Central Kentucky Priority Needs List to legislators, the grassroots network, and Chamber partnership; promote the Chamber’s legislative agenda and publish a
legislative scorecard.
• Receive reports from the Agri-business Branch and the Metropolitan Planning Organization Technical Advisory Committee for legislation and infrastructure issues to include in the Priority Needs List.
• Conduct regional events connecting South Central Kentucky leaders to our legislators, promoting our regional needs and building relationships through events such as South Central Kentucky Night
in Frankfort and the South Central Kentucky Washington D.C. Fly-In.
• Produce a communication piece to be utilized by Chamber leadership that displays Chamber successes and legislative issues of interest.
• Provide the partnership with legislative updates and/or action alerts during the General Assembly to keep Chamber partners informed of legislative activity.
• Inform partners on candidate issues and platforms through events such as candidate forums.
Stephen Covey Leader in Me® – Board-Driven Task Force
Board Rep: Bart Darrell, Amy Milliken
Chair: John Mark Fones
Primary Staff Reps: Dan Preston, Tonya Matthews, Jessica Thompson
Mission: Utilizing the youth educational program based on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, increase
qualifications of our future workforce.
• Continue collaborating with the Bowling Green City and Warren County Public Schools to further advance The Leader In Me program in the school systems and promote successes.
• Communicate with regional counties about considering implementing The Leader In Me program.
Workforce Development – Partnership-Driven Initiative
Board Reps: Robbin Taylor, Dr. Nathan Hodges
Primary Staff Rep: Lindsey McClain
Chair: Barbara Johnston
Vice Chair: Lynn Hulsey
Workforce Development
Workforce Development
Chair: Barbara Johnston
Vice Chair: Lynn Hulsey
Mission: To help employers attract, recruit, retain, and advance qualified workers, and to help low-skilled, low-wage workers enhance in their skills, obtain jobs, and find opportunities for employment stability.
• Continue to convene/support employers through various workplace initiatives such as the Warren County Industrial Training Consortium and the Strategic Business Alliance.
• Communicate to business, industry, and other entities in the region awareness of existing educational resources and the value of the Consortium Supervisor Certificate Program.
Continued on next page.
• Develop an informational program to communicate to business, industry, and other entities in the region awareness of existing educational resources such as the National Career Readiness
Certificate and the Workkeys Job Profiling Assessment Program.
• Continue to enhance/expand the award-winning Work Ethic Seal Program regionally, helping prepare high school students for the transition from school to work and life beyond the classroom.
• Coordinate 30 Business–Education Partnerships, increasing resources and opportunities for each school and business while also building relationships with our future workforce.
Business Appreciation – Partnership-Driven Initiative
Board Reps: Todd Matthews, Joy Rogers
Mission: To coordinate activities and events which provide appreciation and awareness exposure to business and industry critical to our region’s economic success.
Small Business Appreciation
Primary Staff Rep: Lindsey McClain
Chair: Dalana Hall
Vice Chair: Ben Kadric
Small Business Appreciation
Small Business Appreciation
Chair: Dalana Hall
Vice Chair: Ben Kadric
• Facilitate Small Business Appreciation Week, emphasizing the economic impact of small business on
the region.
• Name the Small Business Person of the Year.
• Coordinate a partnership-wide Chamber Golf Challenge, providing a networking event for all Chamber partners.
• Produce a Small Business Benefits Manual, highlighting Chamber business development opportunities and the economic impact of partnership and participation on small business.
• Coordinate Small Business CEO Roundtable groups to provide small business owners and managers the opportunity to exchange experiences/advice and to receive topical information pertinent to
business growth.
Industry Appreciation
Primary Staff Rep: Lindsey McClain
Chair: Lori Wilson
Vice Chair: Ric Federico
Industry Appreciation
Industry Appreciation
Chair: Lori Wilson
Vice Chair: Ric Federico
• Facilitate Industry Appreciation Month activities emphasizing the economic impact of industry on the region.
• Name and recognize Industry of the Year.
• Coordinate an Industry Appreciation Golf Tournament, showing the Chamber’s appreciation of industry leaders in the region.
Organizational Development
Board Vice President: John Mark Fones
Partnership Development – Board-Driven Initiative
Board Reps: Brad Taylor, Doc Kaelin
Primary Staff Rep: Courey McCubbin
Retention Chair: Sarah Rascoe
Recruitment Chair: Daniel Tinsley
Retention
Recruitment
Chair: Sarah Rascoe
Chair: Daniel Tinsley
Mission: To encourage a continued, lifelong partnership between area businesses/organizations and the Chamber.
• Coordinate a year-round marketing plan outlined to promote the Chamber’s mission and successes to partners and non-partners, including promotion through social media outlets.
• Utilize technology to improve communication and convenience of services for the partnership. Continue to promote our newly enhanced Online Directory in the Partners Only section of
www.bgchamber.com, as well as our iPhone® application. Incorporate short videos in our marketing efforts to further enhance partnership efforts.
• Coordinate recruitment and retention effort to recruit 125 new partners and maintain a retention rate • Conduct quarterly partner orientations, reaching both new partners and new employees/management above the national average.
of long-time Chamber partners.
• Conduct an annual survey of the full-partnership via e-mail, and quarterly topic-specific surveys to all on the e-mail notification list to enhance communication and the Chamber’s programs and benefits.
• Provide networking events, leadership programs, special recognitions, and targeted publications to retain existing partners and celebrate new partners.
Strategic Area 1:
Pursue Proactive Regional Economic Development Marketing
Serve as the lead economic development marketing organization for the Kentucky Transpark, Bowling Green/Warren
County, and the South Central Kentucky regional marketing coalition.
• Support continued progressive phased development of the Kentucky Transpark while functioning as the primary marketing entity and providing advance prospect client services.
• Continue implementation of the South Central Kentucky Regional Marketing Plan--specifically pursuing target market
industries as identified in various analyses as most productive for our region. Achieve through client calls, prospect and suspect calls, public relations and advertising, trade shows, consultant events, strong relations with
the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, a strong local business calling program, and other means supporting marketing excellence.
• Continually update the marketing plan on a regular basis.
• Continue to develop and hone a deeper set of metrics by utilizing specialized software to track such factors as companies contacted, web user sessions, requests for customized information, sources of project leads, and company visits to the region as well as job creation, investment, and land sales.
• Continue to serve partner counties utilizing levels of the menu of economic development services to further the regional marketing approach and promote growth and expansion while tailoring services to the needs of individual counties.
• Maintain a unified family of marketing materials to utilize with prospects, including printed materials with statements of competitive advantage (proof points) that address our area assets and other attributes such as arts and tourism
and their economic impact. Promote www.southcentralky.com, the state-of-the-art South Central Kentucky economic development website, and the South Central Kentucky brand, including South Central Kentucky signage.
• Continually update www.southcentralky.com utilizing the latest technologies.
Strategic Area 2:
Foster Public Sector & Regional Economic Development Relationships
Recognize that the ITA and key public officials are important clients for the Chamber-led regional economic development
strategy as well as key partners for economic development success.
• Continue to strongly involve Warren County and Bowling Green governmental executive leadership and partner-
county judge executives and mayors in strategy implementation and include partner-county economic development
officials in regional marketing outreach events, including the biennial South Central Kentucky Night with the legislators.
• Continue clear client-handling protocols for regionalism efforts and host regional economic development best practice training sessions through the Director, Regional Development.
• Ensure that www.southcentralky.com includes site information and community profile information for our regional partners and the Kentucky Transpark; collect and promote numbers/facts supporting success related to regionalism
efforts resulting in job creation; educate the community on the benefits of regionalism; and produce South Central Kentucky signage to build awareness and recognition.
• Increase cooperative regional networking; partner on South Central Kentucky funding and legislative efforts.
Strategic Area 3:
Support Existing Business Development
Invest resources to retain and expand local businesses to generate wealth (from outside the region) through needs
identification and service referrals, and work to continuously improve the education and workforce development systems.
• Continue to implement our state-of-the-art needs assessment calling program for the largest and most rapidly expanding
Continued on next page.
regional employers based upon an economic development customer service model to assist with business retention and expansion needs to include industries, small business, and technology.
• Work to further improve the education and workforce development systems by providing awareness of current resources, identifying and communicating business needs, deepening business/education partnerships, investigating
sustainability programs, distributing a monthly electronic newsletter, expanding the Work Ethic Seal program, and coordinating business training opportunities. In addition, cooperating with Connected Nation, Inc., the Innovation and Commercialization Center (ICC), and the Center for Research and Development at Western Kentucky University (WKU) to provide business services and new economic initiatives.
• Work with WKU, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the ICC, SCORE, KCED, KAED, and other interested allies to support the expansion of entrepreneurial development resources, including deepening the local angel and seed capital network, entrepreneurial development planning support, and entrepreneurship forums.
• Communicate business infrastructure needs to the Metropolitan Planning Organization Technical Advisory Committee and local elected officials, and work to promote funding for regional utilities, roads, and Transpark infrastructure.
• Assist in efforts to support/promote economic development for downtown Bowling Green and offer technical assistance to the downtown redevelopment efforts to coordinate many aspects, including infrastructure/parking and funding for quality-of-life projects and facilities.
Strategic Area 4:
Serve Partner Business Needs
Meet Chamber partners’ business needs through programming, networking activities, and advocacy as well as
through economic development leadership.
• Continue appreciation and public awareness initiatives through programs and special events to foster and celebrate local business growth.
• Coordinate networking events for partners to connect with potential clients/customers and promote their businesses or organizations.
• Investigate the interest and benefit to partners of implementing an intercity visit program.
• Coordinate publications and programming for communications with and promotion of the partnership.
• Continue to advance legislative efforts affecting economic and business issues by using the Chamber Guiding Principles to determine public policy positions, communicating priority issues with elected officials and the Chamber partnership and utilizing grassroots networks.
Strategic Area 5:
Organizational Development to Enhance the Economic Development and
Chamber Missions
Embrace a long-term commitment to economic development excellence while continuing to be the preeminent chamber of
commerce within the area.
• Revise marketing, local communications, staffing, and technology plans for economic development and Chamber partner functions.
• Through economic development impact models and effective internal communications, state the value case for
economic development to the public sector, President’s Club, and partner investors, thereby increasing support for the programs.
• Coordinate ongoing partner recruitment and retention efforts by designating volunteers to assist with personal contact and follow-up when appropriate. Annually increase partnership revenue and obtain a retention rate that exceeds the national average.
City of Morgantown
Hart County Industrial Authority
As of January 2011
Bowling Green Area
Chamber of Commerce
®
710 College Street • P.O. Box 51
Bowling Green, KY 42102-0051
P: 270.781.3200 • F: 270.843.0458
Toll Free: 1-866-330-2422
www.bgchamber.com
info@bgchamber.com