Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives
Three Year Business Plan 2009-2012
Version 3.0

Critical areas of focus:

Ensure high quality professional development and growth opportunities to chamber executives, staff and affiliated members through conferences, regional seminars, small group meeting and other avenues.
Develop technical assistance and services as needed for local chambers both complimentary and fee based.
Increase communication level with members, board of directors, corporate partners and key investors.
Work to develop a grassroots network that maximizes the resources and strengths of local chambers both on policy matters as well as issues relating to growth and economic development.

Goal 1: Member Benefits and Services
Strategy 1: Retain KCCE member base

Maintain dues level for 2011-2012
R & D: Assess current dues structure
Redesign current member application into a brochure format
Focus on retention of members
Promote Association Membership and target chamber related organizations
Committee: Brad Schneider (chair), Lynda Bebrowsky, Brad Hall, Missy Gant

Strategy 2: Increase investments in KCCE services and programs

Continue to seek out new non-dues streams/affinity programs that will generate revenue for the association and be mutually beneficial to local chambers
Continue to make Affinity Programs a top item when talking with executives
Utilize developed marketing plan to promote Affinity programs and work closely with Kentucky Chamber Membership department
Continue to seek out and market resource partnerships
Committee: Lynda Bebrowsky (chair), Brad Schneider, Brad Hall, Deanna Herrmann, Mendi Goble, Cindy Banks
**This committee will assess the value of KCCE membership, inventory current and potential benefits, services & programs. (see separate Action Plan)

Strategy 3: Provide Technical Assistance and Services

Continue to provide consulting services, assisting with inquiries, start-ups and training
Promote Speaker Bureau to members and continue to add new speakers
Provide Executive Handbook for members only at cost of $35 each
Operational Tactic: Require travel reimbursements for facilitation/strategic planning and other technical help and speaking engagements for members
Operational Tactic: Require travel reimbursements plus cost of membership (roll into membership) for non-Members

Strategy 4: Promote opportunities for Excellence Awards, ACE Certification & Scholarship Programs

Promote Excellence Awards & ACE Certification for Spring Conference 2012
Awards categories & criteria need to be reviewed
Continue utilizing peers to judge awards
Continue working with committee to review scholarship applications
Work to increase scholarship fund for 2012 to provide additional scholarships for the ACCE Convention to be held in Louisville
Operational Tactic: charge one fee of $50 for 3 categories/$25 for each additional
Awards Committee: Dorothy White, Andrea Miller, Fran Jarrell & Sherry Mulkins
Scholarship Committee: Tonya Matthews (chair), Paula Fowler, Andrea Miller, Lance Allison (need one more non-board member)

Goal 2: Communications
Strategy 1: Continue frequent communications with board members
Continue monthly conference calls with 4 face-to-face meetings per year, plus retreat

Strategy 2: Improve communication tools for members
Tactic: e-News
Continue Idea of the Week in conjunction with Indiana Chamber Execs
Continue Tuesday Tidbits on a regular, every other week basis

Tactic: Social Media
Continue to promote current LinkedIn and Facebook groups (utilize discussion for questions)
Continue to use Twitter account to promote events & new members
Promote YouTube channel (share videos)
Committee: need to develop a Social Media Support committee to assist members with needs

Tactic: Website
Continue providing on-line resources for members
Ask members to link back to KCCE site
Promote members event to cross-sell/cross-share for ‘big speakers’ and other events
Operational Tactic: Continue trade-out for corporate partnership with The Web Guys
Committee: need to develop a Resources & Content Committee to review & update online resources

Strategy 3: Continue to improve communications with Corporate Partners and Key Investors
Include in member communications
Meet one-on-one annually
Provide opportunity for group to meet with board on yearly basis

Strategy 4: Conduct surveys
Social Media Survey (ie: what social media platforms are chambers using & what should KCCE use)
Benchmark Survey for Members (ie: salary, benefits, membership)
KCCE Membership (ie: what are our members looking for)
Executives Survey (ie: what skills do they have to offer)
Operations Survey (ie: board, membership, committees, events, nondues, etc)
Feedback surveys following events

Goal 3: Professional Development
Strategy 1: Develop and deliver high quality conferences
Host Spring Conference to be held April 26-27, 2012 in Frankfort at Kentucky Chamber headquarters in conjunction with Frankfort Area Chamber of Commerce
Promote ACCE Convention to be held August 1-4, 2012 in Louisville as the fall conference option
Begin discussions for the next Tri-State Conference with ICEA and CCEO (possibly Fall of 2013)
Continue Leaders Conference with Kentucky Nonprofit Network at three locations around state to focus on developing upcoming volunteer leadership within chambers
Operational Tactic: Sell KCCE polo shirts in conjunction with 2012 Spring Conference
Operational Tactic: Pre-pay only for attendees & exhibitors
Committee: Lance Allison (chair), Carter Hendricks, Fran Jarrell, Elaine Spalding, Nancy Spivey
** This committee will provide overall direction/focus on all professional development opportunities (see separate Action Plan)

Strategy 2: Develop and deliver high quality Boot Camp
Continue New Professionals Boot camp and market to chamber staff only
Offer mentorships to attendees utilizing past presidents and board of directors
Continue with one and a half day format to allow more time for topics, discussion and networking Operational Tactic: Charge non-members $50 to attend Bootcamp

Strategy 3: Workshops, Regional Meetings & Webinars
Provide regional meetings for executives to network and share ideas and issues relevant to particular areas of the state
Committee: Sherry Mulkins (chair), Amy Cloud, Stacy Mattingly, Vicki Steigleder, Dorothy Walker, DeeAnna Yates
Provide webinars on an as needed and timely basis
Increase/strengthen relationship with state and national affiliates and training providers to bring greater resources to bear for KCCE members. These include ACCE, US Chamber and NonProfit Resource Center.

R & D: Certification Workshops
      KCCE Institute – Body of Knowledge (ACCE program); work with other state associations
      US Chamber Accreditation
      ACE/CCE
      Chamber of Year

R & D: Best Practices of Chambers
          One-on-one mentoring/self-analyzing/assessment
          Operational Tactic: Utilize Past Presidents

Goal 4: Grassroots Advocacy
Objective: Develop a grassroots network that maximizes the resources and strengths of local chambers on policy matters, issues relating to growth, chamber operations and economic development
Conduct a Legislative Affairs/Briefing 101 in conjunction with Chamber Day 2012
Focus on educational efforts, utilizing new KyBizVoice.com website
Encourage members to utilize Frankfort Inside Out e-News sent on Fridays and participate in the Friday conference calls during the General Assembly
Continue working closely with the Kentucky Chamber on grassroots partnership
Publish Legislative Chamber Night Dates and DC Fly-ins
Continue to promote increase dialogue between KCCE members and Kentucky Chamber staff on policy issues
Promote advantages of Kentucky Chamber learning opportunities, including Policy Conference, Chamber Day and BSAM
Committee: Shelley Goodwin