1. The State of LOCAL CHAMBERS WCCE Regional Meetings Fall Series 2009 Madison, West Bend, Green Bay, Eau Claire Jim Morgan WMC Vice President / WCCE Secretary-Treasurer

2. Demographics Who Participated (2007 N=68 / 2008 N = 55 / 2009 N=72) 2007 2008 2009

3. Demographics Who Participated 2007 2008 2009

4. Demographics Who Participated 2007 2008 2009

5. Demographics Who Participated 2007 2008 2009

6. Demographics Percent Income from Dues 76-100 51-75 26-50 0-25 % 2007 2008 2009

7. Economic Outlook Community Employment In the next 12 months, do you anticipate your community employment will:

8. Economic Outlook Business Climate What is the business climate going to be like in your community in 6 to 12 months?

9. Economic Outlook Wisconsin Economy How will the Wisconsin economy perform over the next 12 months?

10. Economic Outlook Where are we headed? Is Wisconsin on the right track or heading in the wrong direction?

11. Economic Outlook State Government Thinking about the business climate in Wisconsin, would you say that state government here is:

12. You Said It... Attempts to help are offset by taxes and regulations A business ended up not rebuilding because every time they went to Madison with a plan it was rejected Every tax seems aimed at business – it's difficult to grow and provide jobs when we face such a high tax burden

13. You Said It... Many people will claim to be pro-business but the tax items and legal issues in play don't feel very pro-business There is an impression given from the Legislature that the wallets of business have no bottom High regulation and high taxes have a negative effect on business Duh!!!!

14. Economic Outlook What could state government do? Understand how businesses make expansion and relocation decisions Coordinate Incentives –Target job creation –Coordinate all the programs Lower Taxes –Decrease personal income taxes –Eliminate combined reporting –Lower corporate income taxes –Decrease spending before increasing taxes

15. Economic Outlook Top Business Concerns What are the top business concerns facing your community (% mentioning): 2007 2008 2009

16. Chamber Outlook Membership Growth

17. Personal contacts Better data/intelligence Allowing non-members to participate in some activities Playing up the promotional benefits – chamber offers cheap marketing Last out, first back in – going after the most recent drops

18. Chamber Outlook Revenue Growth

19. Combining “chambers” More benefits through social media Cause-related sponsorships Can’t be worse than last year!!

20. Chamber Outlook Advocacy Growth

21. More board members attending more municipal meetings New strategic plan with increased advocacy as a tactic Will pick a small number of important issues and bang the drum Seeking more feedback from members on issues and then provide more advocacy for those issues Chamber Outlook Advocacy Growth

22. Chamber Outlook Volunteerism Growth

23. Plan to add ambassadors and create member volunteer opportunities to help with large chamber events Offering volunteer hours as part of a companies contribution to the Chamber Increasing the size of our ambassador committee and planning to recognize our volunteers more Chamber Outlook Volunteer Growth

24. Chamber Outlook Marketing “Re-evaluation” Including neighboring communities Promotion in other parts of the state Looking at more online, email, e- newsletters, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, chamber TV show for cable online Advocacy Planning a series of seminars – topics include HR, IT, investing and succession planning “Good news" campaign

25. Chamber Outlook Membership “Re-evaluation” Using board members and staff to personally contact all members at least twice a year Board now involved in retention calls Explaining to our members how the Chamber can help Doubled our ambassador committee Asked members to "sponsor" another member (25% discount)

26. Chamber Outlook Program “Re-evaluation” Member-to-member discount program More networking opportunities Less people, less hours, more focus Analyzing the financial merit of every activity

27. Jim Morgan Vice President, WMC jmorgan@wmc.org (608) 258-3401 x3053 Questions