Membership Survey Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce Collected - February 6 to March 10, 2008 Tom Grogan Center for Community Partnerships

Ever Recommend Membership? Yes – Frequently – 23 (13.2%) Yes – Occasionally – 45 (25.9%) Yes – One or two times – 52 (29.9%) No – 50 (28.7%) Does not apply – 4 (2.3%) N = 175 (1 did not respond) Yes 69%

Rationale for Recommendation to Others Networking opportunities Business After Hours Group Buying Programs Health Insurance Community Cohesion Business Promotion Educational Programs Community Involvement To provide support and assistance to start-ups Builds community connections Business voice for community issues

Reasons for Not Recommending Chamber Opportunity hasn’t arisen No reason – haven’t thought about it Most contacts are already members Chamber membership didn’t or hasn’t return value for me Chamber not responsive to input Don’t know benefits Chamber seems to support large business Membership is expensive

Satisfied With Chamber? 34 22.8% 76 51.0% 26 17.4% 9 6.0% 4 2.7% Very Satisfied Satisfied Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied 74% 9% N = 149 Skipped Question = 26

Comments Relating to Satisfaction Benefits of membership not always clear or felt Provide more help to small business Improve political effectiveness Goals vague – saving downtown Good leadership More cheerleading for Oshkosh Lack of follow-through Organization may not represent community interests Chamber does an excellent job Benefits of membership unclear Appreciate support for Education in Leadership luncheons

Relative Satisfaction by Program/Service Very Satisfied Satisfied Neutral Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied N/A Business After Hours 39 – 27% 66 – 45% 18 1 20 – 14% Seminars 22 – 15% 67 – 46% 21 3 27 – 19% Fluorescent Tube Recycling 8 24 19 86 – 59% Office Supply Rebate 4 12 22 99 – 68% NTD Local LD Phone 10 80 – 55% Group Health Ins. 7 13 5 Business Insurance 2 102 – 70% Cellcom Plan 6 28 NationJob 29 96 – 66% ~12-20% 105 -72% 89 - 61% 51 total respondents – 35% of total 38 total respondents – 26% of total 57 total respondents – 39% of total 50 total respondents – 34% of total 37 total respondents – 26% of total 36 total respondents – 25% of total 40 total respondents – 28% of total N = 145; Skipped question = 30

Key Points Members responding neutral reasonably constant (12-20%) Business After Hours – very satisfying Seminars – very satisfying Participation levels for other programs drop 55-70% not responding Two areas of concern – dissatisfaction – NTD Phone and Health Insurance

Program Comments Ensure adequate parking at events Some benefit plans are unclear Needs of large business typically not addressed through Chamber membership Health insurance plan poses problems for many More help for small businesses Economic summit was excellent – more programs like this Seminar program for sales Support for education is crucial More attention to downtown, culture, career education

More comments - Programs Ninth Avenue development opportunities Must change the perceptions of outsiders about what Oshkosh is Revisit major plans on an annual basis There are major differences of opinion (priority) regarding downtown development efforts Oshkosh needs an identity Tourism potential needs to be tapped Community mindset must change to promote growth Limited cultural opportunities Riverfront condos Grocery store downtown

Relative Priority Levels – 10-point scale Business Development – 8.42 pts. Economic Development – 8.35 pts. Community Marketing / Promotion – 7.63 pts. Small Business Initiatives – 7.36 pts. Networking Opportunities – 7.31 pts. Workforce Development / Recruitment – 6.85 pts. Downtown Development – 6.63 pts. Regional Collaboration – 6.42 pts. Leadership Training – 6.25 pts. Career Education / Vocational Training – 6.24 pts. Land Use – Planning / Zoning – 5.99 pts. Health Care – 5.96 pts. Governmental Affairs – 5.86 pts. Environmental Quality – 5.64 pts. Cultural Resources – 5.36 pts. Political Education / Motivation – 4.97 pts. International Trade – 4.85 pts.

Comments Re Priorities Political education must have broader-base discussion Health care costs must be reduced – avoid duplication (2 hospitals) Regional collaboration isn’t worth it Give higher priority to workforce development Business recruitment, development and retention can be more programmatic Need someone to help identify candidates Oshkosh can become a destination city Need to figure out how to improve downtown and pedestrian-scale activities

High Value Programs – What’s Needed Business Promotion efforts – need referrals Follow-through on benefits/services Networking / advertising Legal updates Focus on economic development Educational Seminars – more focus on leadership training Reduce health care costs Need better insurance plan – improve membership discount programs Salary surveys – also include nonprofit sector Attract more tourists – work better with EAA Continue/expand networking opportunities Business recruitment Economic development

Recommendations More visibility/marketing Small business focus Showcase member businesses Expand Leadership Oshkosh regionally Need infusion of new people/ideas – see what is working in the region Return calls Revamp Business After Hours Turnover in Chamber staff Better promotion of Chamber success stories Expand off-hour opportunities for members Collaboration – regional governments