1. E241: Strong Chambers for the Future
Bob Thomas, IOM, CAE, CMP
Michigan Chamber of Commerce

2. Eight Influences Shaping the Next Decade for Chambers of Commerce
Nature of Belonging and Gathering
Communications and Technology
Scarcity and Abundance
Global Impacts
Population Shift
Political and Social Fragmentation
Resource Alignment
Catalytic Leadership

3. Nature of Belonging and Gathering
2025
Redefine member and customer
Segmenting microgroups and relational marketing
Offering high value, action engagement

4. Nature of Belonging and Gathering
Action Items:
Segment membership by motivation
Adjust programming to meet the styles of next generation members and customers
Articulate value outside of attendance
Analyze service area demographics for trends

5. Communications and Technology
2025
Mass customization with microgroups
Reliance on trusted sources
Speed will double or triple
Security becomes even more difficult to achieve

6. Communications and Technology
Action Items:
Begin customizing messages based on demographic or motivation
Evaluate needs of audience first and invest in supporting technology
Review and tweak regularly for maximum impact

7. Scarcity and Abundance
2025
Workforce development and talent matching are large concerns in many communities
Millennials will dominate the workplace
Entitlement programs create scarcity and abundance
Municipalities are bankrupt

8. Scarcity and Abundance
Action Items
Develop a crisis plan to be the lead in your community
Make sure your chamber is insulated for rainy days or has the resources to make a difference quickly
Build organizations that can be nimble in staffing
Be a lead in workforce and economic development discussions to be on the front line of potential change

9. Global Impacts 2025 International tourism and import trade increase
Small business goes global
Immigration triples and creates new workforce opportunities

10. Global Impacts Action Items
Begin developing programs and services to expose members to global trade
Create strategies to be more welcoming to outside cultures
Embrace diversity and talk about differences
Stay up to date with international news

11. Population Shift
2025
Non-white voters increase and gain on white majority
Education shifts still can’t fill skills gap
Immigration becomes increasingly important

12. Population Shift Action Items
Engage in workforce development conversations at the community level
Find ways to be more inclusive in the workplace and marketplace; lead by example
Integrate programs for YPs and other populations; resist sideline groups

13. Political and Social Fragmentation
2025
Political dogma is challenged as parties become more diverse
Chambers will be conveners to diverse viewpoints and drive consensus on business issues
Lawmakers will look for associations to synthesize opposing viewpoints for what to do

14. Political and Social Fragmentation
Action Items
Be an advocate– for your diverse business membership
Get involved in state and local policy and stay above the politics
Hold forums for different sides to talk it out and help voters find the common ground

15. Resource Alignment
2025
Chambers will need to be place-making focused vs. direct benefit
Fundraising will be a larger part of the budget
A broader volunteer base that supports the mission is essential
Staffing needs will require for-profit skill sets and contract project workers

16. Resource Alignment Action Items
Begin asking for investment above the dues level to support the greater mission
Develop a volunteer base that supports the mission and will ask for money
Review staffing mix to align with products and services
Review resource mix regularly and adjust pricing models to stay competitive and solvent

17. Catalytic Leadership
2025
Chambers will need to be leading, or at least convening, change agents to move organizations forward
Competitive edge will be in who can affect change most effectively and command resources behind it

18. Catalytic Leadership Action Items:
Invest in leadership development on staff and in volunteers
Convene an innovation task force to vet new ideas
Help make boards more comfortable with becoming innovative by starting small and celebrating wins
Engage with other chambers or organizations that are involved in leading change and borrow their success

19. Resources for Creating Your Future
ACCE Horizon Initiative Task Force
Census Data
Zogby International
Gallup Polls
Your own chamber’s data