2016-17 ANNUAL REPORT
Mission The Chamber promotes economic growth and prosperity for business and its members through leadership in advocacy, education and engagement.
Vision The Chamber is the leader in ensuring the growth and prosperity of our regional business community and members.
Strategic Objectives · Establish the region as a recognized destination marketplace · Be a thought leader for the business community and other interests · Promote business advancement
through a bold public policy program · Achieve organizational excellence to best serve members
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– Bob Stromberg Advanced Business Methods
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“I like the fact that we are part of an organization that is trying to make our community better each and every day by not only making our current business community better, but by working to bring new business and people to our community, which helps us all.”
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We’ve been a member of The Chamber as long as I can remember, and it’s a great thing to be a part of. I always find Business After Hours to be a huge success. If you’re not a member, I definitely recommend getting involved because there are some great benefits.
– Dan Martinson Fargo Glass & Paint Co.
Together, we can do more.
The Chamber by the numbers
200
NEW MEMBER BUSINESSES
- THIS YEAR -
11
NEW
Community Builders
for a new total of
Premier Partners
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS gathered 400 exhibitors at 6 events with over 3,000 attendees
80
TOTAL EVENTS (that’s one every 4.5 days!)
65
16,000
EVENT ATTENDEES with most attendees at:
Military Appreciation Night 1044 Voices of Vision 854 ChamberChoice Awards 833
Military Appreciation Night was awarded
EVENT OF THE YEAR
by Mid-America Chamber Executives
Advocacy & Public Policy WORKFORCE INITIATIVE Along with four other area organizations, we’re collaborating on a Regional Workforce Initiative. An initial study confirmed that we have a shortage of qualified workers to fill a projected 30,000 job openings. Committees are now dedicated to addressing four key goals: Cultivate, Attract, Build and
Innovate. Together we’re removing barriers to work, improving infrastructure, encouraging innovation, and training and recruiting talent. It’s a community-wide effort that is imperative to the success of our region’s business environment.
Ran ad campaign to approve an F-M Diversion sales tax under our Flood Taskforce committee.
1,500
EGGS & ISSUES events gathered over
elected officials, business leaders and citizens to learn about the issues that affect us all.
YES!
Votes encouraged on Clay County half-cent sales tax to fund the new regional law enforcement center
Helped kill a bill that would have damaged Chamber member businesses.
Made a statement against the MN DNR ruling against the
F-M DIVERSION
Miltary Affairs
47
New Honor Star members grew the program to 251 businesses
Committee members traveled to Washington, D.C. to support
the Happy Hooligans
Agribusiness • Committee met with Ag Commissioner Doug Goehring for a special presentation
1,000
military families treated to a picnic and baseball game at the RedHawks
Public Affairs EGGS & ISSUES topics included F-M diversion education tax incentives air service
legislative wrap-ups workforce
military oil market addiction
PUBLIC AFFAIRS events included
Cracker Barrel with Fargo City Commission candidates and Chamber Day at the Capitol in Bismarck
Rockin’ Our Social Media is
Facebook over 3,140 followers
*Facebook giveaways led to most page engagement EVER
37% increase
Twitter over 6,170 followers
29% increase
LinkedIn over 840 followers
18% increase
Instagram over 850 followers
*engagement more than tripled
39% increase
39
FMWF Leadership
7
graduates Community Change Initiative groups worked to effect positive change in the region
Business Training
Over 1,500 attendees throughout the year
Women Connect
Ambassadors Public Relations Ambassadors
Over 3,000 women attended throughout the year
123 conducted
1,300
MEMBER
Over donations collected for 12 area non-profits:
Topics included: • Cyber security • LinkedIn • Overtime regulations • Culture • IP • Customer service • Interns • Communication • Networking
celebrations
• Churches United for the Homeless • Ronald McDonald House • FirstLink • Dorothy Day House of Hospitality • YMCA • Fraser • Rape and Abuse Crisis Center • CCRI • Habitat for Humanity • Herstory • United Way • Jeremiah Program
Young Entrepreneurs Academy!
Member Relations Ambassadors
made
335 MEMBER
contacts
Young Professionals Network
102 new members Events included 17 students 16 businesses
56 volunteers from the business community
• Wine blending seminar • Professional development events explored emotional intelligence, performance reviews and graduate school programs • Golf ‘tee’ party • Tours of Anheuser Busch and the Fargo Fire Station • Volunteered with CHARISM, the Salvation Army and put on the annual Pitch, Hit and Run event • Corporate Cup once again sold out
202 First Avenue North, Moorhead 218.233.1100 fmwfchamber.com
#FMWFChamber