The 2015 Mace Chamber Operations Survey conducted by Larry Dowell covers various aspects of chamber operations, including governance, staffing, public policy advocacy, and financial practices. Key findings reveal trends in organizational structure, types of insurance held, levels of government members are advocated for, and the types of financial audits performed. The survey provides insights differentiated by state and budget size, highlighting areas of growth and challenges within chambers.

1. MACE
Chamber Operations Survey
2015
Larry Dowell | Dowell Management

2. Survey Categories
• Organizational Structure and
Function
• Governance
• Membership
• Communications
• Staffing & Continuing Education
• Events
• Public Policy and Political Action
• Financials
*Information is organized by state, budget
size, and year

3. Organizational Structure & Function

4. Governance
79%
95%
79%
7%
28%
79%
92%
67%
9%
34%
Directors & Officers General Liability Insurance Property Insurance Product Liability Insurance Professional Liability
Insurance
What types of insurance does your chamber carry?
2015 2013 2015 2013 2015 2013 2015 2013 2015 2013

5. Staffing & Continuing Education
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
2006 2008 2010 2012 2013 2015
6.5
years
Average employee
tenure is
Regardless of size
of chamber
Average number of staff

6. Public Policy & Political Action
24%
56%
80%
18%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Federal
State
Local
None
At which levels of government does your organization advocate
on behalf of members?

7. Financials
10%
29%
45%
16%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
None of the
Above
Audit
Review
Compilation
At the end of the last fiscal year, which of the following did your
organization perform?