The document discusses how chambers of commerce need to adapt to remain relevant in today's business environment. It notes that chambers can no longer rely on automatic membership renewals and must demonstrate a clear return on investment. The document suggests chambers focus on being an information gateway for their community, showcase members, improve communications, implement sustainable growth strategies, and offer value-adding programs and services to prove their continued importance.

1. Presented by Linda
Hershey

2. Darwin said: “It is not the strongest of the
species that survives, nor the most intelligent
that survives. It is the one that is most
adaptable.”

3. Are We Relevant? Can We
Adapt to Survive? The
answer must be YES!
IS THEIR STILL VALUE IN BEING
A CHAMBER MEMBER?
Schapiro “Credibility Continues to Grow for Local
Chambers
With permission of ACCE.
YES!
LINK TO Credibility Continues to Grow for Local Chambers by Schapiro

4. BUT,
With the growth of the Internet and
the increase of various networking
groups, your Chamber is no longer
the “only game in town”.
Chambers are no longer going to be
able to rely on their present
membership benefits as that era is
gone! The good old days of
automatic membership renewal are
just a memory Most business people
want to see a ROI for their
memberships when being asked to
renew and, very definitely, when
being asked to join.

5. WHY?
Our values as a society have changed The
"New Chamber of Commerce" must be
perceived as being a relevant “brand” of
resources and technology that help our
members market, network & manage their
organizations profitably. Encourage your
staff, board members, ambassadors, and
volunteers to walk in your members' shoes
and then add value to the membership
experience so that, at renewal time, the
answer to the ugly question "What did I get
for my membership dues?" will be
delivered with comfort, pride and a smile.

6. WHAT IS YOUR MEMBERSHIP MODEL OF THE FUTURE?
“Membership is not dead,” as author Sarah Sladek argues
in The End of Membership As We Know.
She outlines real, useful advice and plenty of examples for moving
your membership model into the future.
For example,
learn why organizational culture has an enormous impact on
recruitment and retention
what emerging member-prospects value and want
why and how to focus on member ROI instead of program ROI
how to craft and deliver compelling benefits rather than features
how to extend your reach
which emerging models are taking root and showing promise
Sarah L. Sladek is founder and CEO of the association consulting firm XYZ University in Maple Grove, Minnesota.
This article is excerpted from her new book, “The End of Membership as We Know It,”
available in the ASAE Bookstore. Email: ssladek@xyzuniversity.com
Sarah’s formula to forecast your existence based on your
present retention rate.

7. Baby Boomers (1946-1964);
Generation X (1965-1976);
Generation Y (1977-1991);
and Generation Z (1991 and
later).. Most of our nation’s
companies are vastly
unprepared for the loss of
their loyal Baby Boomer
leaders and need our
Chambers to take the lead on
workforce development,
leadership development, and
economic development.
When a Chamber can identify
what they truly bring to the
community, and can
communicate that out, they
become more than just
relevant…they become a
NECESSARY COMMODITY!
For the first time in the American
history, there are five generations in
the workplace with different
perceptions of work values and
attitudes, communication and
management expectations: Radio
Babies (born during 1930-1945);

8. Your Chamber needs to know what younger
generations care about because without
them your association will struggle to
survive. Ask your Chamber’s leadership to
spend time with younger generations. You
must have diversity on your Board!
Empower a group of influential emerging
professionals to act as your ambassadors.
Create focus groups with them.

9. LEAD LEARN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

10. She says in her article, Social Media: What has Your Local Chamber of
Commerce Done for You Lately? “A Chamber should ask the below
questions in regard to their efforts in online marketing and social media:
Is social media…
Providing value to their membership?
Bringing benefit to the Chamber business via brand awareness,
membership, membership loyalty, sales efficiencies, etc.?
Helping the Chamber business grow their membership?
Justifying the investment?
She goes on to say that “ Local networking meetings are being replaced by
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn groups, MasterMinds filled with people you
meet online, sales funnels, automated nurturing programs leveraging
technologies such as Infusionsoft, Campaign Monitor & Constant Contact.
All of these things are being integrated into marketing and business plans
of local businesses and bringing value to their bottom line. The issue is the
majority of Chamber organizations aren’t doing these things themselves. If
they don’t understand the technologies and art of using such how can they
connect with their members and potential target future members online?”
http://www.pammarketingnut.com/2011/05/social-media-what-has-
your-local-chamber-of-commerce-done-for-you-lately/Link to website

11. The Omaha Chamber of Commerce in Omaha,
Nebraska is considered one of the best chambers in
the country that understands the importance of
Social Media and how it can benefit its members.
Link to website
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start
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12. E Newsletter Story Sponsorship:
The Greater Chamber of
Omaha has a chat line!
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13. The Future of the Chamber of Commerce
Twelve Success Strategies & Best Practice by Michael D. Flint
To reinvigorate your organization and ensure that it is the most dynamic, respected, center of
influence in your community, you must implement and fine-tune the following:
http://chamberstrategies.com/chamber-white-paper.php
1. Become the “Information Gateway” for your Community
Make your website the “go to” resource for information about your
community. List all the key resources for ease of conducting business in
your community. The successful Chamber of Commerce will be the
automatic starting point for people looking for community information.
Once again, it’s reasonably simple and costs almost nothing!
2. Showcase your Members
Offer no-cost ways for your members to publicize and promote the
following important aspects of their businesses:
- new staff & promotions
- new product introductions
- accolades & awards
- special offers
- volunteer needs
- events, classes, etc.
3. Improve Communications with Members and the Community
Communicate the following on a regular basis:
- The Community Calendar which includes….
· Upcoming Chamber events
· Upcoming Members’ events
· Other community events
- Upcoming Chamber seminars and workshops.
- Members’ business news and publicity.
- Members’ discounts and special offers.
4. Implement the Sustainable Membership Growth Model
Your membership should grow by a predictable percentage each year.
This growth must be sustainable. We accept the axiom that if a
business isn’t growing then it’s gradually fading away. So .....
- Review and understand your community’s business and nonprofit
profile.
- Implement the Sustainable Membership Development Model.
- Implement the Sustainable Membership Retention Model.

14. 5. Use an online Contact Management System
This is pretty basic stuff today. You should know exactly what your
members are experiencing – how their business is doing, what their
challenges are, what they would like the Chamber to do, what issues
they are concerned about, etc. You should know exactly what is
happening between your membership and your staff and have a record
of these ongoing relationships.
6. Establish or Re-energize your Chamber Ambassadors Club
Do you have an “Ambassadors Club” program? If not, then you’re
missing an incredible, almost-no-cost opportunity to improve
membership retention and development, establish a pool of loyal
volunteers, and enhance the overall “membership experience” for all
concerned. Done correctly, using an integrated client contact system, it
gives you a wonderful window into what is actually happening with
your members.
7. Activate a Lead-Generation system for Members
Remember… most of your members joined because they wanted to
increase their business. Help them!
8. Offer Business & Executive Roundtables and Forums
Make sure you understand and are operating in sync with the pulse of
the business and nonprofit communities. You must listen carefully to
the issues and concerns of your community leaders – members and non-
members – and must be perceived by them as being empathetic,
proactive and involved in addressing those matters.

15. 9. Offer Meaningful Educational Programs
Your members are looking for ways to increase their business so
“meaningful” means offering seminars, workshops and educational
programs that deal with sales, marketing and business grow issues –
what the members want – in addition to the other financial and
administrative topics! Understand the sales and marketing profile of
your community. Tailor your educational programs accordingly.
10. Be Visible
Make sure your Directors, staff, and Ambassadors are visible at all
government meetings, public forums, city-wide functions, etc. Make
sure your Chamber is seen everywhere advocating for your members as
well as the overall financial health and well-being of your community.
Remember the cry ... “They’re everywhere! They’re everywhere!”? It’s
an excellent strategy.
11. Honor your Members & Community Leaders
Host functions that honor those in the community who are making
things happen (e.g. ”Businessperson of the Year”). Most of these
awards, naturally, will be to Chamber members but some should reach
outside and generate increased community interest and publicity (e.g.
“Student Entrepreneur of the Year”).
12. Build Solid Relationships
Effective relationships demand conversation, participation and
commitment. Establish various committees, advisory groups and panels
dealing with relevant issues and regularly ask members to participate.
Constantly offer opportunities to be involved and request feedback
whenever possible.

16. Are the Chambers still Relevant in the Age of Social Media? By Edward Warren
Five Leaps of Faith for Chambers by Frank Kenny
Race for Relevance: Five Radical Changes for Chambers of Commerce By Harrison Coerver & Mary Byers, CAE
The Real Value of Joining a Local Chamber of Commerce/The Schapiro Group 2007
The Real Value of Joining a Local Chamber of Commerce/ The Schapiro Group 2012
ACCE /Revenue Models: An Examination of Income Trends for Chambers of Commerce
http://frankjkenny.com/5leapsoffaith
http://midamericachamberexecutives.com/files/686.pdf
http://www.gotahoenorth.com/pdfs/ValueOfJoiningChamber.pdf
http://www.manateechamber.com/articles/SchapiroRelease2012.pdf
http://www.theoaklandchambernetwork.com/ACCE_RMWP_Insperity__1_.pdf
http://www.slideshare.net/smithelliottkearnsandco/are-chambers-of-commerce-still-relevant

17. How would The Perfect Chamber Look?
☼ For the first time in American History, there are five
generations in the workplace with different perceptions of
work values and attitudes.
☼ Radio Babies (1930-1945) Baby Boomers (1946-1964);
Generation X (1965-1976); Generation Y (1977-1991);
Generation Z (1991-and later)
☼ Break Attendees into groups according to their
generations and ask them to create their “Perfect
Chamber.”

18. Excerpt from Innovation, Status Quo, and The Group by Frank Kenny, Contributing Writer for The
National Chamber Review
☼ have engaged and active members, both online and in-person, intent on
mutual prosperity for themselves and the community;
☼ have a strong board of directors comprised of the top business and
community leaders;
☼ have a large budget, allowing her to hire and retain top talent, keep up
with technology, and explore opportunities;
☼ have a deep bench of volunteer members dependably working on various
committees and projects;
☼ be technologically advanced. It would leverage social media, digital
marketing, and the Internet to tell its story, build relationships, and bring in
substantial dues and non-dues revenue.