About the Chamber

• Mission Statement
• Chamber Overview
• Board of Directors, Executive Committee and Staff
• Board of Advisors
• 2009 Program of Work
• 2008 Highlights
• Chamber History

2009 Program of Work

The Chamber's 2009 Program of Work focuses on our membership and how best to assist members impact their bottom line during this current business cycle. We will increase membership value, identify new business opportunities for our members, promote "smart" business practices, add to our Economic Development agenda, and enhance the overall image of the Bartlett area.

New projects will include creating collateral material for promoting Northeast Shelby County as a "one-stop" accommodations location, highlighting the numerous motels & hotels, restaurants, entertainment centers and shopping venues. The Chamber will also focus on growing the Life Science industry within the Northeast Corridor.

Membership growth continues to be an important aspect of the Program of Work. The Chamber has established an ultimate goal of 1000 active members. With a current membership base of 625 our 2009 goal will be 100 net new members or a 16% increase.

The 2009 Program of Work outline has been streamlined to reflect the three core areas of the Bartlett Chamber - Member Services, Economic Development and Community Development. Community Development activities will fall under the Bartlett Chamber Foundation which received its 501(c) (3) designation in October of 2008.

DEPARTMENTS

• Chamber Website - The official website of the Bartlett Area Chamber that provides current and useful information about the local business community. The site also serves as the primary portal into Northeast Shelby County. In addition, the website includes such information as Chamber and community events; membership information, historical overview of the region, shopping & restaurant guide, job postings, local amenities, member to member discounts and much more.

  v    The new website is up and running! It is a continual process to update information 

  v    The entire BACC staff has greater access to the programming aspect so each person can make changes and updates in their perspective area

  v    Keep a close relationship with InternetOne.net, continuing the Center Stage Sponsorship in return for individual website for the Expo, Golf Tournament and possibly other events

  v    These other websites will be linked from and to the main website

   

• Chamber Newsletter - The Chamber's official newsletter distributed to all BACC members and over 30,000 households in Northeast Shelby County.

  v    Continue the bi-monthly BACC news in the Bartlett Cordova Appeal and strive to improve content.  Keep a close relationship with the CA by adapting to market changes

  v    Promote member-to-member business and member-to-consumer business. Continue to improve newsletter links to our website

   

• Chamber e-Newsletter - Weekly email to our members with Chamber news and events, community news and paid advertisements. This will broaden our communications to the members while giving them an outlet to advertise inexpensively to their fellow members.

  v    Continually improve the e-newsletter format - the look, the size of the document and the content

   

• Monthly Chamber Meetings - Official monthly meeting of the general membership from January through October. Guest speakers address issues of interest to the local business community. Sponsorships available.

  v    Increase average attendance

  v    Improve "The Chamber Advantage" segment highlighting the benefits of the Chamber and how it directly affects the individual member

   

• Chamber Golf Tournament - The official Annual BACC Golf Tournament held in the spring at one of two area courses. Sponsorships available.

  v    Match the sell out from last year

  v    Bring in Celebrity players, create new Sponsorship levels

  v    Add Tent Sponsorships

   

• Annual Chamber Gala - The Chamber's premier annual social event and a major fundraiser.  The evening gala features live music, silent auction, dinner, dancing and good fellowship. Held each November, the Gala replaces the general membership meeting for the month. Sponsorships are available and silent auction donations are accepted from all members.  Formal invitations are mailed to entire membership and event announced in all Chamber mediums.

  v    Move event to Friday evening and have it run longer

  v    Consider co-presenting it with the Bartlett Chamber Foundation

   

• Holiday Open House - The Chamber's official annual Open House held in December in place of the regular monthly membership meetings.  A festive event thanking the membership which is hosted at the Chamber office.

  v    Sponsorship opportunities are available

   

• Ambassadors - The chief volunteer representatives of the Bartlett Chamber whose mission is to promote the advantages and benefits associated with being a Chamber member. Ambassadors represent a cross section of industries and professions who share a common belief - that membership in the Bartlett Area Chamber is an investment in your company and the community.

  v    Seek input from Ambassadors to identify new ways to promote the Chamber

  v    Enhance Ambassador rewards program

   

• Annual Membership Campaign - The Chamber's major membership drive utilizing member volunteers to increase the support base of area businesses.

  v    Form a committee to design and implement the 2009 strategy for a productive and fun campaign

   

• Membership Directory - Annual printed directory of the Chamber membership. Directory provides contact information in an alphabetical listing as well as by business category. The Directory provides information about the Bartlett area, Chamber officers & staff, program of work, councils and committees and other pertinent information. Advertising is available to members only.

  v    Promote the Directory as the member's primary source for products and services in the Bartlett area

  v    Improve the Directory's cost and distribution

   

• New Member Orientation - Morning coffee orientations are offered on the second Wednesday of every other month. Orientations are designed to provide new and existing members a concise overview of the function of a chamber of commerce, the mission of the Bartlett Chamber and the benefits that members derive in affiliating with the largest business membership organization in Northeast Shelby County. 

  v    Member testimonial included in each orientation

   

• New Member Recognition - A multifaceted program where new members gain membership wide exposure to include new member promotion table and verbal recognition at a monthly membership meeting, listing in BACC newsletter, website listing, acknowledgement by the Board of Directors and ribbon cuttings with press coverage.

  v    Develop collateral material that promotes these benefits to new members

• Life Science Initiative - Promote the area as a viable Life Science Corridor and work with existing Life Science companies to identify industry enhancement opportunities.

  v      Accumulate list of all Life Science related companies

  v      Conduct meetings or consultations with all companies

  v      Work with Educational programs to address issues with workforce

  v      Develop a marketing campaign to promote the Life Science's

  v      Further relationships with area organizations, ie: Innova, Memphis BioWorks, etc.

  v      Determine need for Life Science Park in Bartlett

  v      See also Life Science Action Plan and Initiatives

   

• Strategic Partners & Economic Investors - Continue to develop a public / private partnership where investors share their concerns and visions for the region and work in a cooperative manner to establish goals and objectives.

  v      Continue to solicit public & private investors interested in supporting a long term economic strategy for Bartlett and the Northeast Corridor

  v      Cultivate relationships with existing Strategic Partners

  v      Conduct at least three informational progress meetings with Strategic Partners

  v      Introduce "Industry Champions" and find sponsors

  v      Work on ways to get partners more involved

   

• New Business Development- Continue to develop a business recruitment strategy for the Northeast Corridor market that targets specific industries conducive for the Bartlett Area. Market to key cluster industries and define synergies. Continue to promote Bartlett to retail/commercial opportunities.

  v      Coordinate with the overall ED strategy

  v      2009 Focus-Life Science Industry and retail/commercial

  v      Begin International Development initiative

  v      Define and recruit necessary retailers (Define Opportunity Gaps)

   

• Existing Business Program - Continue current existing business program and maintain an accurate database of consultations. Play an active role in Shelby County's Existing Business Team. Coordinate appointments with local businesses (Chamber members and non-members) to address business concerns and offer assistance and incentives to encourage growth and development.

  v      Remain an active member of the Shelby County Existing Business Team

  v      Maintain current database of existing business consultations

  v      Define "At Risk Companies" and establish plan of action

   

• Business Inventory - Continue to Develop and maintain a database of primary industries within Northeast Shelby County by industry classifications, employees, market size, etc.

  Enhance the database already begun and manage effectively

  v      Update Largest Employers List in 2009

  v      Update Corporate Park information in greater Bartlett Area

  v      Conduct at least one in-leakage vs. out-leakage opportunity gap analysis

  v      Archive press clippings about area businesses and future developments

   

• Workforce Development - Work with area agencies and business to address the concerns related to the local workforce.  Conduct strategy meetings with Southwest Tennessee Community College, National College, area High Schools and other educational institutions.

  v      Determine high demand occupations

  v      Work with local educational programs and organizations to facilitate programs that address concerns of the local business community

  v      Get local companies involved in discussions and programs geared to promote workforce development

   

• International Development - Provide assistance and educational opportunities for area businesses interested in exporting and /or importing.

  v      Conduct import /export workshops

  v      Work closely with US Foreign Commercial Service

  v      Identify and inventory businesses engaged in international commerce

  v      Identify and inventory foreign-owned companies in the Northeast Corridor

  v      Maintain active membership in Japan American Society of Tennessee

  v      Establish identity with Foreign Consulates in the Southeast US

   

• Real Estate Database - Maintain a complete inventory of existing and potential land, buildings and infrastructure in market area. Keep records of vacancy rates and absorption rates for retail, office and industrial properties. Assist in updating commercial and industrial properties throughout Bartlett and the Northeast Market. Utilize Co-Star as the definitive source of commercial properties within the I-40 Corridor.

  v      Maintain service with Co-Star

  v      Conduct an informational summit on real estate assets in N.E. Shelby County - coordinate with Co-Star Representative

  v      Conduct study of retail and industrial vacancy rates vs. absorption

   

• Marketing Materials - Initiate a new inventory of promotional materials (print & electronic) that enhances the image of the Bartlett Area as an exceptional place to live, work, shop & play.  Continue to make upgrades and enhancements to the Economic Development portion of the chamber's website. (www.bartlettchamber.org)

  v      Develop economic development collateral that effectively utilizes print and electronic media

  v      Develop a marketing strategy for Life Science Industry

  v      Coordinate all marketing efforts with City, Strategic Partners and Ad agency of record

  v      Determine which trade shows and conferences are most important and attend

  v      Further develop social networking sites, ie:  Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn

  v      Explore Google Earth as a marketing option

  v      Develop International Development Initiative

  v      Develop website to promote Bartlett Station Historic District

  v      Enhance marketing efforts to promote N.E. Shelby County Corporate Parks

  v      Further utilize ImagesBartlett website and cross promote

  v      Search Engine Optimization:  Twitter, Wikipedia, etc.

   

• Industry Appreciation Picnic - Continue annual event to celebrate the economic contributions made by the primary industry sector with an event aimed at the businesses of Bartlett Corporate Park and the surrounding area.

  v      Conduct a picnic for June 2009 hosted by Primary Industry Council

  Also see: Primary Industry Council

   

• Bartlett Station Historic District - Work on branding and marketing the Bartlett Stations Historic District for revitalization. Build relationships with property owners and tenants. Help with recruitment of new retailers to the area.

  v      Complete website (www.bartlettstation.org)

  v      Work on marketing and branding website and district

  v      Help coordinate events that attract people to the area

  v      Develop plan for 84 Lumber site

  v      Encourage property owners to get involved

  v      Strategize with Bartlett Station Commission and property owners

  v      Strategize with Bartlett High School

   

• Primary Industry Council (PIC) - Work on further developing and branding the Primary Industry Council.

  v      Annual Appreciation Picnic

  v      CoverTN-Small business healthcare options

  v      Establish a 2009 program of work for Primary Industry Council

  v      Establish a calendar of events and "Staying Ahead of the Curve" seminars that cater to the needs of the PIC

   

• Commercial Real Estate Summit - Conduct at least one Commercial Real Estate Summit to introduce area brokers, developers, and agents to the assets and services of the area.

   

• Intern Program - Continue a curriculum for students interested in pursuing a career in economic development and related activities. Use the program as a tool in furthering the resources of the chamber.

  v      Continue the intern program with Rhodes College and other local institutions of higher learning

  v      Continue "Education that Works" program with Memphis Catholic High School

  v      Work with Chamber staff to create more projects for interns to better utilize time and resources

   

• Branding Bartlett Corporate Park - Initiate an enhancement program for Bartlett's greatest economic asset - Bartlett Corporate Park. Develop a brand for the park which will include a website, signage and printed collateral that can be used as a marketing tool and also to increase the Park's value for existing and prospective tenants.

  v      Conduct a survey of existing tenants and determine the level of investment required for an effective program

  v      Work in tandem with the Primary Industry Council and the City of Bartlett

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Bill Weirich, Vice Chairman

• Bartlett Chamber Foundation - The Foundation received its IRS certification as a 501(c) (3) organization in October 2008. This will allow the Foundation to solicit grants and charitable contributions. The Foundation serves as the umbrella for the Leadership programs and other activities that fall under the Community Development heading.

  v      Identify activities that enhance the community

  v      Focus on workforce, education and lifestyle amenities    

   

• Leadership Bartlett - A leadership development program designed to educate citizens about the dynamics involved in making a viable community. Ultimately, its purpose is to develop a core group of individuals interested in being involved in planning and developing programs and projects for the betterment of the Bartlett area.

  v      Enhance participation per class

   

• Youth Leadership Bartlett - Based upon the model of Leadership Bartlett, the program is aimed at High School students interested in knowing the mechanics of our community. Sponsorships are available.

  v      Bring back the program from a one-year re-vamping

  v      Promote as an elite program and highly sought after recognition

   

• Holiday Heroes - The Chamber's primary annual charity program that provides Christmas gifts to the children at Youth Villages Boy's Town. Members are paired with a child and purchase gifts specifically for that child.  A party, in cooperation with the Kiwanis Club of Bartlett, is held at Youth Villages for the "heroes" to present their gifts to the children.

  v      Allow the general public to participate in this event

  v      We will add the girls in the new dormitory in 2009

   

• Bartlett Festival and Bartlett Catfish & Jazz Festival - Actively participate in Bartlett's two premier festivals. Promote to members and maintain a presence at each.

  v      Work with the City of Bartlett to encourage Bartlett businesses to participate in the annual "Sidewalk Sale"

  v      Work with the Bartlett Station Commission and Bartlett Historical Society in making the Catfish & Jazz Festival a bigger draw

   

• Bartlett Education Foundation - A charitable organization under the umbrella of the Chamber and run by volunteers. The Foundation's primary mission is to provide financial support to county school teachers serving the schools in Bartlett. Donations are accepted to fund grants.

  v      Review the rezoning of Shelby County schools for additional inclusions

  v      Look for additional fundraising events

Email this page   Printer friendly page