The Independence Chamber of Commerce

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The Independence Chamber of Commerce

Annual Report

Our Business Our Business Is Is Business Business

2014

A word From Our Leaders

”The best journeys answer questions you didn’t even think to ask.” For me that quote sums up Chamber year 2014. I am proud of the work this 2014 executive board, the board and especially the chamber staff did. We learned a lot last year about how a Chamber can be relevant to what we all do as a community. Every member of the Chamber contributes to the community in their own unique way. The Chamber provides an important vehicle for Independence businesses to come together and take part in securing the future of the community. This year opened my eyes to the possibilities that can be ours as a business community if we work together. By working together we accomplished a number of great projects including re-tooling the Annual Business Expo, hosting business education classes and partnering with the Ford Foundation to provide support for the Independence School District. This partnership is particularly exciting since it will provide the next generation of our community with unparalleled educational opportunities. Additionally, SantiCaliGon took great strides this year and will continue to be a signature event for Independence. It provides an important platform in front of 308,000 guests for non-profits, entrepreneurs and storefronts. This is an exciting time to be a part of the Chamber. The journey is an adventure. Cindy McClain, 2014 Chairwoman of the Board “Our business is business.” As a Chamber of Commerce, it is important that we understand our mission as an organization. Our core purpose is to provide leadership that builds a business community of excellence. That is crucial to remember, because our business is business. And it is exciting and challenging, all at the same time. After 95 years in operation, the Chamber has a wonderful legacy of standing up for the business community while providing resources, networking, programs, and advocacy for its members. It’s an honor to have the privilege of helping lead the organization when such an incredible foundation has already been established. Opportunities abound as we partner with our membership, our mayor and city government, the school districts, other local and regional businesses, non-profits, private individuals and various local chambers. A rising tide lifts all boats and I’m excited because we are developing momentum. Your board of directors is engaged like never before and the leadership of the Chamber is intent upon enhancing our program of work to better suit the needs of the organization. I am looking forward to 2015 and the ongoing work of the Chamber, and I invite each member to get involved. We are creating our future. And we need you! Brad Speaks, 2015 Chairman of the Board

Core Purpose

2014 Board of Directors Bill Abernathy Bayer Crop Science

Dr. Michael Banks

Metropolitan Community College - Blue River

Sonci Bleckinger

Chair of Membership Services Committee

Central Bank of the Midwest

Jeff Dozier

Cindy McClain

Brad Speaks

To provide leadership that

McClain Enterprises, Inc.

Speaks Family Legacy Chapels

builds a business

Chairwoman

Mary McNamara Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal

Steve Potter

Blue Ridge Bank & Trust Co.

Wes Cowan

Charlie Shields

Space Center Kansas City

Truman Medical Center Lakewood

Kent Holiday

Stacie Short

Steve Kidwell

Eagle Materials, Inc.

Chair of Community Development Committee

Englewood Business Association

Chair of Small Business Development Committee

David Williams

Centerpoint Medical Center of Independence LLC

Gary White The Groves

Jonathan Zerr

Chair of Public Policy Committee

Kapke & Willerth, LLC

Dr. Jim Finley

Blue Springs School District

The Independence Chamber of Commerce will be the

Citadel Federal Solutions, LLC

premier business organization in Eastern Jackson

Ex-Officio Members Fort Osage R-1 School District

Vision

Stan Shurmantine Past Chair

Dr. Mark Enderle

community of excellence.

Corporate CopyPrint

Tom Weir

State Farm Insurance Mid-Continent Public Library

Alliant Techsystems

Tom Waters

Kim Downey Noble

Independence Center

Treasurer

Chair Elect

Hap Graff

Independence Chamber of Commerce

Robert Heacock

City of Independence

Dr. Dale Herl

Independence School District

Tom Lesnak

Independence Economic Development Council (IEDC)

County where public and private interests collaborate and are empowered.

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Organizational Structure In 2014, the programmatic functions of the Chamber were organized into five standing committees and ten subcommittees. This structure allows for major participation and involvement by members in charting the direction and delivery of programs, events, and services. Membership on the programmatic committees and subcommittees was open to all members in good standing.

Subcommittees

Membership

Ambassadors Subcommittee Business Expo Subcommittee Business Leadership Evening Subcommittee Education Subcommittee Golf Classic Subcommittee Halloween Parade Subcommittee Health Care Subcommittee L.E.A.D. Independence Subcommittee SantaCaliGon Subcommittee Transportation Subcommittee

Standing Committees Public Policy Committee Small Business Development Committee Marketing Committee Membership Services Committee Community Development Committee

Public Policy

Transportation

Health Care

Board of Directors

Executive Committee

Small Business Development

Business Expo

Membership Services

Marketing

Community Development

Ambassadors

Business Leadership Evening

Golf Classic

SantaCaliGon

LEAD Independence

Education

Over 150 Chamber members serve on a committee and/or subcommittee.

Halloween Parade

5

Adopted 2014 Budget Revenues Membership Dues Meetings Income Publications Event Income Program Income Total Revenue Expenses Meetings Expenses Events Expenses Programs Expenses Operating and Overhead Community Development Administration Total Expenses

Revenues

$251,849 $91,240 $8,700 $711,408 $47,700 $1,110,897

4%

23%

Membership Dues Meetings Income

8% 64%

Publications

1%

Event Income

$67,135 $423,467 $27,895 $48,336 $620,802 $153,810

Program Income

$1,051,151

Principal Payment on Debt

$24,000

Total Expenses and Principal Payment on Debt

$1,1075,151

Expenses 6% 51%

Meetings

40% 3%

Events Programs Operating and Overhead

6

Small Business Development Committee

Responsibilities: Developing additional capacities within small business members to positively impact and better participate in creating the environment and operational knowledge necessary to remain prosperous.

Goal

Increase the likelihood of success and prosperity for small businesses throughout Independence and Eastern Jackson County

Accomplishments • • • • • •

ifixitindepmo.com features more than 60 Chamber Members

Continued to plan and implement the monthly Small Business Continuing Education Series Successfully implement the first Eastern Jackson County Business Expo in collaboration with four other Chambers of Commerce Continued to present the Independence Mini Business Expo, with almost 30 participants Created online Home Improvement Services Guide, ifixitindepmo.com, to help Chamber Members offering home improvement services and/or products expand their online presence Continued to implement and enhance a monthly program to help small business members keep current on the changes, options, and opportunities associated with the use of technology to grow, manage, and market small businesses Successfully planned and implemented the first Business Development Day with over 50 participants

7

Membership Services Committee

Responsibilities: Overseeing the efforts to encourage greater stakeholder involvement, participation, and visibility in the activities of the Chamber and the Independence business community through networking, continuing education, guerilla marketing, and lead generation.

Goal

Ensure stakeholder involvement as well as benefit in and through the activities of the organization

Accomplishments • • • • • • • •

Continued to present the Independence Chamber Golf Classic with over 100 participants. Continued to hold monthly membership luncheons with just under 1,000 attendees over the year Held 12 Ribbon Cuttings during 2014 Held the second Annual Picnic on the Lawn as a membership appreciation day with over 150 attendees Continued to hold Business Leads Exchange, a monthly networking program to facilitate focused small group discussion about a relevant and timely business related topic Involved more members in the activities and offerings of the Chamber Revived Ambassadors Program with additional incentives Successfully planned and implemented a collaborative Business After Hours with Blue Springs and Lee’s Summit Chambers of Commerce

The Independence Chamber offers over 60 functions and activities a year for members to participate in

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dence Cham ber Members: $45 for half a table $80 for a ful l table Cost to Exhib it Non-Chamb for er $70 for half Members: a table $125 for a full table

For more informatio Alex at ale n or If you x@icham ber.biz, (81 are interested in dis playing at 6) 252-474 the Mini-B 5 or go to the Indep us endence Ch iness Expo, pleas e co amber we bsite at iCh ntact amber.biz

HARRY S. TRUMAN LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Nationally Known, A Local Gem

Contact Al

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alex@iCham ber.biz or (8 16

) 252-4745 210 W. Tru if you’d like man Rd. | to participat Independe nce, MO 64 e or have qu 050 | 816.2 estions. 52.4745 | iChamber.bi z

1 | DISCOVER INDEPENDENCE > EASTERN JACKSON COUNTY

Marketing Committee

Responsibilities: Overseeing and managing the utilization of social media, electronic communications, public relations, and publications to promote the offerings within the Independence business community and the Chamber as well as to highlight innovative and successful approaches in the practice of commerce.

Goal

Educate the community and membership about offerings and initiatives available through the Chamber and its members

Accomplishments • • • • • • • • • •

Continued to present a monthly newletter, The Chamber View Conducted Annual Membership Survey with over 200 responses and a 95% confidence level Planned and executed the second “In-The-City” Day with over 350 participants Increased Independence Chamber social media presence by over 200% from 2013 Added over 1,000 new “Likes” on Facebook Tripled Twitter Followers to 654 Increased Instagram followers to 122 Introduced insert for membership recruitment in Membership Directory Had articles about local business success published in traditional media outlets Updated and implemented new SantaCaliGon Days Festival Logo

95% of Independence Chamber Members would recommend joining the Chamber to a non-member

9

Community Development Committee

Responsibilities: Improving and promoting the quality of life in Independence through the planning and presentation of community events and leadership programs as well as assisting with the revitalization of older commercial corridors.

Goal

Enhance, as well as promote, the quality of life in Independence through the coordination and presentation of community activities and events

Accomplishments • • • •

Revisited and reinvigorated the L.E.A.D. Independence program, with 14 total participants Planned and presented the 66th Annual Halloween Parade with almost 90 floats and over 10,000 spectators in attendance For the 42nd year, planned and presented a successful SantaCaliGon Days Festival with over 300,000 attendees Continued to facilitate partnership with Ford Motor Company to develop Career Academies in Independence

The SantaCaliGon Days Festival had 308,000 attendees in 2014

10

Public Policy Committee

Responsibilities: Facilitating the creation, promotion, and advocacy of public policy positions important to the economic vitality of the Independence business community.

Goal

Ensure an active and visible presence for Independence area business interests in public policy debate that furthers or sustains a positive business climate at the city, county, and state levels

Accomplishments • • • • • •

Over 250 individuals attended the Monthly Legislative Briefings in 2014.

Developed a 2015 Legislative Agenda through public hearings to gain member input and feedback Collaborated with the Independence Economic Development Council to hold the 2014 Eggs and Issues Breakfast Held the second Annual Recognition & Awards Breakfast honoring the valor, service and bravery of local first responders with over 250 attendees Held “Independence Day” at the state capitol with representatives of local businesses and state officials Collaborated with Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce for a joint legistlative briefing Held “Pork and Politics” on the Independence Chamber of Commerce lawn with over 20 political candidates

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2015 Independence Chamber Staff Hap Graff

President & Chief Executive Officer

Trina Anderson

Member Engagement and Success

Kelo Berkstresser

Administrative Services Manager

Alexandra Colley

Vice President of Marketing & Member Development

Rhonda Dolan

Director of Membership Services

Lois McDonald

Vice President of Community Development

Steve Patton

Business Liaison to the Chamber

Kris Zerr

Director of Finance

Our Business Is Business

Our Business Is Business 210 W. Truman Road | Independence, MO | 64050 | iChamber.biz | PH: 816-252-4745 | FAX: 816-252-4917