Regionalism & Sustainable Development Program Memphis, TN February 9, 2007

Dave Adkisson President/CEO Kentucky Chamber of Commerce “Going Regional” Dave Adkisson President/CEO Kentucky Chamber of Commerce

What does it mean for a chamber to “go regional?” or How does a Chamber practice regionalism?

About Practicing Regionalism and Sustainable Development Assumptions About Practicing Regionalism and Sustainable Development

Sustainable Development Requires Building Bridges Across Traditional Boundaries (political, socio-economic, geographical, racial, etc.) 2. Local Economies are Inherently Regional in Scope 3. Most Local Issues of Consequence are Regional in Scope (i.e. Regions are Where the Action Is) 4. Regional Challenges Require Regional Solutions 5. Chambers are Well Positioned to be Regional Leaders

Four Tiers of Engagement Tier 1: The “Bigger Chamber” Model Tier 2: The Regional Facilitator Model Tier 3: The Regional Partner Model Tier 4: The Regional Alliance Model (Higher levels of engagement/commitment)

Early Questions: What is the Chamber’s appetite for going regional? What is the current climate for going regional? The public awareness The political will The landscape of regional organizations The relationships between regional leaders The availability of leadership for “going regional” What is the Chamber’s organizational commitment?

Tier 1: The “Bigger Chamber” Model Chamber works to establish a bigger footprint (i.e. expand its reach, extend its influence, claim a bigger service area)

Tier 2: The Facilitator Model The Chamber Adopts a Regional Mission The Chamber Creates its Programs Accordingly

Tier 3: The Regional Partner Model Chamber Actively Creates Partnerships to Accomplish Specific (Ad Hoc) Goals

Tier 4: The Regional Alliance Model The Chamber Collaborates with Other Sectors (Business, Government, Civic) Creates Permanent Regional Alliance Works to Institutionalize Regional Approaches

Tier 1: The “Bigger Chamber” Model Chamber works to establish a bigger footprint (i.e. expand its reach, extend its influence, claim a bigger service area)

Examples: Name Change (Greater Anytown Chamber, Anytown Regional Chamber, etc) Regional Representatives Added to the Board Expands its lobbying efforts to include area legislators Others?

Tier 1: Pros: Unilateral Comfortable for Chamber Culture Extends from Existing Strengths (Programs, Operations, etc.) Can Produce Conspicuous Accomplishments (“Skins on the Wall”)

Tier 1 Cons: Can Incite Turf Wars Other Constituencies Can Feel Left Out Limited Commitment to Regional Approach

Tier 2: The Facilitator Model The Chamber Adopts a Regional Mission The Chamber Creates Regional Programs

Examples: Outreach Visits Listening Sessions Annual “State of the Region” Forum Others?

Tier 2: Pros: Organizational Commitment Longer Term Commitment Builds Awareness of Value of Regionalism More Inclusive

Tier 2: Cons: Might Appear Presumptuous Might Appear Threatening to Other Players Requires More Staff Time

Tier 3: The Regional Partner Model Chamber Actively Creates a Partnership To Accomplish Specific (Ad Hoc) Goals Specific Issues ….Specific Partnerships

Examples: Partnership with Area Council of Governments for Mass Transit Plan Partnership with Economic Development Agencies for New Research Park Partnership with Regional University for Research Bureau Others?

Tier 3: Pros: Gain Strength Through Unified Approach (Chamber has Greater Impact) Specific Issues Easier to Understand Specific Issues Motivate Specific Constituencies Practical Approach is Understandable to Multiple Parties Differences Between Groups Minimized

Tier 3: Cons: Partnerships Tougher to Manage Issues Involving More Abstract Concepts Are Difficult

Tier 4: The Regional Alliance Model The Chamber Collaborates with other Sectors (Business, Government, Civic) (or Business, Government, University) Creates Permanent Regional Alliance with Regional Organizations Works to Institutionalize Regional Approaches Alliance Addresses Multiple Regional Issues Geographic Scope Morphs with Specific Issues

Examples: The Northern Kentucky 2015 Project The St. Louis Regional Alliance The Regional Growth Alliance of Birmingham

Tier 4: Pros: Broader Reach into the Community Greater Opportunity for Systemic Change Institutionalizes Regional Approach to Solving Problems Can Bridge Political, Socio-Economic, Racial Boundaries More Likely to have Staying Power

Tier 4: Cons: Fragile Difficult for Some Stakeholders to Grasp Threatening to Certain Existing Groups and Individuals Requires Higher Level of Staffing Cultural Differences Between Sectors Tough to Navigate

Chamber Executive’s Skill Set What is Required?

Summary: Awareness for a Regional Approach to Sustainable Development + A Chamber’s Readiness The Chamber Executive’s Skill Set = The Relative Level of Regional Engagement