The Chamber brings Value to the Membership
Membership in the Newnan-Coweta Chamber is designed to bring value to our members. In 2009, the Chamber strived to increase that value to our members and saw 10 significant achievements occur. Listed below, in no particular order, are those 10 achievements in the Chamber’s four business plan divisions.
Business & Community Advocacy
1. I-85 Interchange at Poplar Road. The Leadership Coweta program influenced the receipt of an Interchange Justification Number, a necessary step in the eventual construction of this much needed interstate interchange.
2. Industry Summit. Hosted an Industry Summit to learn about the challenges and opportunities facing each sector. Featured industry sectors included Hospitality, Financial, Retail, Real Estate/Developers, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Education and Government.
Economic Prosperity
3. Economic Development member education. Ten presentations at Early Bird Forums focused on key economic drivers that are contributing factors in attracting quality growth. Another six Economic Prosperity Committee meetings featured experts on relevant subject matters.
Membership & Marketing
4. Improved member communications and tools. Implementation of “Constant Contact” program and the new video messaging increased the quality, professionalism and timeliness of regular communications with members. A new software program added tools to the Chamber web-site like Hot Deals, referral tracking and member hits tracking, and the addition of Office Depot and Constant Contact to the member discount program increased value.
5. Expanded signature events. Offered more opportunities for members to promote their businesses while increasing non-dues revenues.
6. Members doing business with members. Launched “Think Chamber Members First” campaign to promote value and benefits of shopping locally and supporting Chamber members.
7. Expanded “Enhanced Investor” benefits. Created exclusive programs that offer Enhanced Investors powerful networking and personal contact opportunities while sharing key community information.
Organizational Performances
8. Access Coweta purchase. This communitywide web site allows creates value for members and the community at large while providing for increased non-dues revenue for the Chamber.
9. Improved financial performance. Through new tools and systems the Chamber better managed finances in highly challenging economic conditions.
10. Facility and technology improvements. Made much-needed external repairs to the 20-year-old Chamber building and upgraded telephone system to keep pace with member and prospective member communications.
Economic Prosperity
1. Developed economic planning tool for Coweta—Created and gave a comprehensive planning tool to the county to aid in projecting future growth issues and financial position in county
2. Gathered and shared economic data—Conducted an economic assessment of the current status of the county and hosted an Economic Summit to share assessment results
3. Supported entrepreneurs—Featured presentations by 10 Coweta entrepreneurs at Early Bird Forums. Launched the Women’s ETC! program and the Executive Women's program, highlighted by a compelling presentation by Dr. Stephanie Burns, President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Dow Corning.
4. Offered business perspective on a public referendum and community issue—Supported the passage of the seven-day alcohol sales Special Referendum. The Chamber based its support on its core mission — to promote an environment in which Chamber members and the community can realize economic prosperity. Also, partnered with the Newnan Convention Authority to gather data to assess the financial feasibility of constructing a conference center complex in the City of Newnan
Membership & Marketing
5. Explored needs of industry sectors—Hosted a series of industry roundtable discussions during 2008 to learn about the challenges and opportunities facing each sector. Featured industries included: Hospitality, Financial, Retail, Real Estate/Developers, Manufacturing and Healthcare.
6. Provided valuable training—Offered professional training, targeted to entrepreneurs, in the areas of networking and customer service to help add value to our members’ bottom line.
7. Created easier dues payment options— Made it easier for members to manage cash flow by breaking membership dues into small payments through a monthly bank draft option.
Organizational Performance
8. Began facility upgrades— Renovated a meeting room in the Chamber building as a first step toward refurbishing this very important, 20-year old community asset and ensuring that it can continue to be a place of pride for our members and community.
9. Invested in member-centric software—Focused on increasing value to members by transitioning to a software program that adds new member-serving tools to the Chamber website, including the Hot Deals Member Marketplace and job postings.
10. Celebrated 60th Anniversary—Celebrated six decades of solid performance and marked the anniversary with the creation of three new awards: Prosperity Award, Ambassador of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.
Economic Prosperity
1. Entrepreneurs THRIVE in Coweta! Earned state certification as an Entrepreneur
Friendly Community
2. Vision 2020. Impacted economic growth through four Think Tanks: Healthcare,
Economic Development, Education, and Community Development
3. Key Economic Drivers. Encouraged discussion among existing community
development organizations to target efforts, identify economic drivers, and remove
barriers to quality growth
4. Business Environment. Partnered with key development organizations in creating
an environment for new businesses and Developments.
5. Forum for Issues. Invited key stakeholders to work together and focus on key
issues like the County’s comprehensive plan.
Membership & Marketing Services
6. Website. Launched new member-centered website
7. Member Focus. Delivered greater member value by fine-tuning efforts and “clearing
the plate” to focus on a few very successful events versus lots of activity.
8. Member Education. Educated members and community on key issues like water
and organized and ad hoc committee focused on the need for community meeting
space.
Organizational Performance
9. Balanced Budget. Ended year on solid financial footing by focusing efforts,
increasing revenue,and reducing expenses.
10. Board Development. Created a board development process reflective of the
community.
The members and staff of the Newnan-Coweta Chamber of Commerce are always busy finding ways to add value to our community, and 2006 was no exception. Within our key focus areas of membership services, organizational excellence and community & economic development, we made several significant strides. Here are some of the top highlights for the past year.
Membership Services
- Helped to create a community-wide vision by bringing Vision 20/20 to life. The Chamber facilitated the work of 11 committees to create and deliver a complete set of recommendations, and took the lead in coordinating four “think tanks” to evaluate and implement Vision 20/20 recommendations.
- Improved Networking Opportunities, including re-tooling the Early Bird Forums and creating a noontime networking event that launched in January 2007.
- Kept Members In The Know through Early Bird Forums, the quarterly Connect newsletter, the monthly Quick Connect newsletter (which debuted in November 2006), special direct mail campaigns and weekly emails.
Organizational Excellence
- Increased Enhanced Investment in the Chamber by 325%. The belief in and commitment of these investors in the Chamber allows us to explore more innovative programs and services for members and strengthen our effectiveness.
- Created New Revenue Streams by implementing a new dues structure, revising the Enhanced Investor program, planning a new raffle program for 2007, and adding sponsorship opportunities to the Early Bird Forums.
- Improved Technology by beginning the process of creating a new and improved website and committing time and resources to capturing more accurate, timely member information.
Community & Economic Development
- Engaged Decision Makers, through the new local Intergovernmental Committee and by initiating regional conversations about our county’s desired relationship with the rest of the Atlanta region the Atlanta Regional Commission.
- Created Stronger Leaders by redesigning the Leadership Coweta program to align more closely with the goals of Vision 20/20.
- Strengthened Community Development by creating the “Entrepreneurs Thrive in Coweta” program to provide greater support and resources to new businesses.
- Created more opportunity for advocacy by developing a process to bring business-sensitive issues to the forefront for close examination, such as the need for a new hospital and the best solution for improving hospital care in our community.
