2014–15
MISSION-FOCUSED, VISION-GUIDED MISSION: SERVING OUR REGION BY PROMOTING AND PROTECTING BUSINESS VISION: TO MAKE OUR REGION A GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE PLACE TO WORK, LIVE, AND GROW A BUSINESS VALUES: LEADERSHIP, DIVERSITY, SUSTAINABILITY, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
A MESSAGE FROM CHRISTY GILLENWATER & JEFF MULZER
Sept. 30, 2015 marked the end of one of the most successful years in the 100-year history of the Southwest Indiana Chamber. Together with our nearly 1,500 members, we have dozens of reasons to celebrate. Here are just a few milestones, achievements, and accolades to note: #CELEBRATINGACENTURY:
In 2015, we celebrated a century of commerce and our 100-year anniversary #TOGETHERWETHRIVE:
On March 12, the Southwest Indiana Chamber was named Chamber of the Year, receiving statewide recognition as Indiana’s top chamber of commerce #BRAVOTOBUSINESS:
Businesses & businesspeople that demonstrate unwavering support for our region were recognized through 10 annual awards #ADVANCINGADVOCACY:
We played a critical role in passing legislation that provides funding for the Regional Cities Initiative, removes obstacles to the swift completion of Interstate 69, and funds a gamechanging multi-institution academic health science research facility, to name a few Our momentum will only continue to grow in intensity as we identify and launch innovative initiatives to engage more members in more ways. The Southwest Indiana Chamber remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring our region continues growing as a globally competitive place to live, work, and grow a business. CHRISTY GILLENWATER PRESIDENT & CEO
JEFF MULZER
CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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LOOKING BACK: FISCAL YEAR MILESTONES OCTOBER 4, 2014
NEW EVV TO CLT FLIGHTS New flights between Evansville Regional Airport (EVV) and Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) begin with help from grant funding provided by Southwest Indiana Chamber
NOVEMBER 20, 2014
JANUARY 16, 2015
MARCH 12, 2015
APRIL 27, 2015
100 young professionals attend inaugural “Connecting with Nonprofits” event
100 guests engage with six elected leaders at Legislative Preview Luncheon
Southwest Indiana Chamber named Chamber of the Year
NerdWallet names Evansville metropolitan area fourth-best place to start a business
CONNECTING WITH NONPROFITS
NOVEMBER 4, 2014
2014 ELECTION 100% of JPAC-endorsed candidates win 2014 election
LEGISLATIVE PREVIEW LUNCHEON
DECEMBER 16, 2014
FEBRUARY 3, 2015
100 guests attend annual Holiday Open House
250 guests attend Tri-State Manufacturers’ Alliance Leadership event
OCTOBER 2, 2014
NOVEMBER 12, 2014
DECEMBER 18, 2014
FEBRUARY 27, 2015
267 guests attend Lunch with the Mayor
150 guests attend Tri-State Manufacturers’ Alliance Workforce event
110 young professionals attend annual Young Professionals Alliance Merry Mixer
480 guests celebrate 2015 ATHENA Award® recipient, Parri Black
LUNCH WITH THE MAYOR
TSMA WORKFORCE
OCTOBER 18, 2014
BEER RUN
500 participants take part in inaugural Mainklin Street Beer Run
SIGNATURE CHAMBER EVENTS
SOUTHWEST INDIANA CHAMBER
MERRY MIXER
ATHENA AWARD®
NOVEMBER 24, 2014
JANUARY 1, 2015
287 guests attend Economic Outlook Luncheon
Convention Visitors and Tourism Commission established in Posey County to promote tourism and manage funds collected from innkeeper’s tax, which began generating revenue mid-2014
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK LUNCHEON
JPAC MILESTONE
APRIL 7, 2015
TSMA LEADERSHIP
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE
REPORT TO POSEY COUNTY 125 guests celebrate recipients of three annual awards at Report to the Posey County Business Community
MARCH 14, 2015
APRIL 30, 2015
40 guests attend annual Meet Your Legislators event in Poseyville
House Bill 1036, removing from law the burdensome restrictions for the completion of I-69, signed into law by Governor Pence
MEET YOUR LEGISLATORS
HOUSE BILL 1036
APRIL 8, 2015
PROMOTING TOURISM
TRI-STATE MANUFACTURERS’ ALLIANCE MILESTONE
#4 FOR STARTING A BUSINESS
CHAMBER OF THE YEAR
FAMILY BUSINESS ALLIANCE EVENT 75 guests attend Family Business Alliance launch event
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS ALLIANCE MILESTONE
MAY 12, 2015
AUGUST 12, 2015
SEPTEMBER 10, 2015
House Bill 1540, clearing the way for land-based gaming, becomes public law without signature by Governor Pence
Legislative Agenda receives ACE Award from Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives
Keep It Local! lands in mailboxes across region
ACE AWARD
HOUSE BILL 1540
KEEP IT LOCAL!
MAY 6, 2015
MAY 18, 2015
JULY 17, 2015
AUGUST 13, 2015
SEPTEMBER 16, 2015
House Bill 1403 signed into law by Governor Pence, providing funding for Regional Cities Initiative
35 businesses participate in Commerce Classic, our 13th annual golf outing
More than 50 young professionals flock to Haynie’s Corner for second annual Summer Social
Southwest ISBDC client eLuxurySupply named 15th fastest growing private company in the U.S. by Inc. Magazine
650 guests celebrate a century of commerce and recipients of six annual awards at Annual Meeting & Dinner
HOUSE BILL 1403
MAY 7, 2015
HOUSE BILL 1001 House Bill 1001, providing funding for multi-institution academic health science research campus in Downtown Evansville, signed into law
COMMERCE CLASSIC
JUNE 24, 2015
LUNCH WITH THE GOVERNOR 310 guests attend Lunch with the Governor
eLUXURYSUPPLY
SUMMER SOCIAL
JULY 3, 2015
FIRST FRIDAYS AT THE FOUNTAIN First Fridays at the Fountain brings people to Downtown Evansville for live music at the Old National Bank fountain
JULY 21, 2015
MASTER PLAN Evansville Redevelopment Commission selects proposal, awards contract for creation of a new Downtown Master Plan
ANNUAL MEETING & DINNER
AUGUST 26, 2015
SEPTEMBER 13, 2015
225 guests attend Family Business Alliance summer event with Ken Mulzer, Ron Romain, and Kevin Koch
80 guests attend Mayoral Candidates Forum
SUMMER EVENT
MAYORAL FORUM
LEGISLATIVE WRAP-UP
JULY 7, 2015:
SEPTEMBER 22, 2015
75 guests engage with seven elected leaders at Legislative Wrap-Up Luncheon
Posey County commissioners and council members sign & send to Midwest Fertilizer Corporation an incentive letter stating the county will receive $27.5 million for Western Bypass construction
100 young professionals attend the Millennial Mayor event, featuring mayoral candidates
POSEY COUNTY ALLIANCE MILESTONE
MILLENIAL MAYOR
WESTERN BYPASS
FAMILY BUSINESS ALLIANCE MILESTONE
2014-15 ANNUAL REPORT | LOOKING BACK: FISCAL YEAR MILESTONES
DOWNTOWN ALLIANCE MILESTONE
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MEMBERSHIP As one of the largest chamber of commerce organizations in Indiana, we have the strength and support of nearly 1,500 members who stand by our side as we advance Southwest Indiana as a globally competitive place to live, work, and grow a business.
SOUTHWEST INDIANA CHAMBER
TOTAL MEMBERSHIP
2014-15 ANNUAL REPORT | MEMBERSHIP
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ADVOCACY & PUBLIC POLICY We’re the trusted voice of the regional business community, and as such, we advocate for legislation and policies that help our region thrive. We keep a keen eye on local, state, and national issues that positively or adversely affect our members and the region. Some might say we have our elected leaders on speed dial.
SOUTHWEST INDIANA CHAMBER
2014-15 ANNUAL REPORT | ADVOCACY & PUBLIC POLICY
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COMMUNITY & DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT Behind nearly every transformational project underway in our region is a coalition of Southwest Indiana Chamber volunteers and staff working together to turn dreams and ideas into exceptionally crafted, enviable experiences. Through our Downtown Alliance we encourage investment in our core, foster a spirit of collaboration among downtown stakeholders, and lead efforts and host events to build broader awareness of downtown’s many assets.
SOUTHWEST INDIANA CHAMBER
2014-15 ANNUAL REPORT | COMMUNITY & DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT
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WORKFORCE, EDUCATION & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Through key initiatives and Alliances targeted to specific audiences and industries, we provide leadership and resources that foster investment and job creation through business retention and development.
SOUTHWEST INDIANA CHAMBER
TRI-STATE MANUFACTURERS’ ALLIANCE
PROPEL MENTOR/PROTÉGÉ PROGRAM
2014-15 ANNUAL REPORT | WORKFORCE, EDUCATION & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
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BRAND AWARENESS & ENGAGEMENT Supporting our innovative initiatives and projects is a bold brand that promotes and supports commerce in Southwest Indiana. In a 12-month span ending Sept. 30, 2015, event registration topped 10,000; net revenue from events climbed to over $167,000; and marketing & communications metrics show astounding increases of 25 to 139 percent. Now, more members are more engaged than ever before with the Southwest Indiana Chamber brand. We’re movers and shakers for business in our region.
SOUTHWEST INDIANA CHAMBER
2014-15 ANNUAL REPORT | BRAND AWARENESS & ENGAGEMENT
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FINANCIALS & OPERATIONS The Southwest Indiana Chamber thrives through responsible financial management and streamlined operations. With support from nearly 1,500 members, we deliver unmatched programming, host exceptional events, launch new member-focused initiatives, and advocate on behalf of the regional business community.
SOUTHWEST INDIANA CHAMBER
2014-15 ANNUAL REPORT | FINANCIALS & OPERATIONS
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ALLIANCES, JPAC & FOUNDATION Alliances tailored for specific audiences create opportunities for manufacturers, young professionals, diverse businesses, the Posey County community, nonprofit organizations, family enterprises, and businesses and people of Downtown Evansville to connect with the Southwest Indiana Chamber. Our foundation is laser-focused on community development and supports our Downtown Alliance, among other initiatives. Business-friendly, community-minded candidates for elected positions are the focus of our Jobs for Southwestern Indiana Political Action Committee (JPAC).
SOUTHWEST INDIANA CHAMBER
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
2014-15 ANNUAL REPORT | ALLIANCES, JPAC & FOUNDATION
CHAMBER FOUNDATION
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CHAMBER STAFF CHRISTY GILLENWATER
ABBY DIXON
BRITTANEY JOHNSON
SCOTT SHERWOOD
ELLEN KNAPP
JUSTIN GROENERT
ABBY MARAVICH
HANNAH THEIRING
JOSHUA ARMSTRONG
KARINA HAMPTON
DOROTHY PERGOLA
BEN WILLS
MARY BUEDEL
MERRILL HARPER
PETE SABELLA
DOUG CLAYBOURN
KIM HOWARD
VICKI SCHMITT
President & CEO
Vice President & COO
Downtown Alliance Director
Administrative Coordinator
Business Advisor, Southwest ISBDC
Business Services Manager
Director of Public Policy & Government Relations
Office Coordinator, Southwest ISBDC
Director of Events
Regional Director, Southwest ISBDC
Posey County Director
Account Executive
Director of Member Engagement
Accounting Assistant
Graphic Designer
Director of Marketing & Communications
Business Advisor, Southwest ISBDC
Executive Assistant
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
VICE CHAIR, MEMBERSHIP
PRESIDENT & CEO
Mulzer Crushed Stone, Inc
Evansville Courier & Press
Southwest Indiana Chamber
JEFF MULZER
JACK PATE
CHAIRMAN ELECT
VICE CHAIR, ADVOCACY & PUBLIC POLICY
Old National Bank
Energy Systems Group LLC / Vectren Corp.
JIM SANDGREN
CHRISTINE KECK
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN
VICE CHAIR, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
F.C. Tucker Emge REALTORS速
Hafer Associates, PC
KATHY BRISCOE
JEFF JUSTICE
SECRETARY
VICE CHAIR, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Vectren Corp.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc.
JEFF WHITESIDE
CONNIE WELLMEYER
TREASURER
VICE CHAIR, BRAND AWARENESS
BKD, LLP
AlphaGraphics Evansville
KEITH MESSMER
SOUTHWEST INDIANA CHAMBER
LISA SLADE
CHRISTY GILLENWATER
ED HAFER
EVAN BECK
BETH McFADIN HIGGINS
DR. LINDA BENNETT
GEORGE MORGAN
ADRIAN BROOKS
MIKE SCHOPMEYER
Woodward Commercial Realty, Inc.
University of Southern Indiana
Community Development Corp.
MARCO DeLUCIO
Ziemer, Stayman, Weitzel & Shoulders, LLP
Evansville Regional Business Committee
McFadin Higgins & Folz
CountryMark Cooperative, LLP
Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn, LLP
BOARD OF DIRECTORS ALEXANDER ALFORD
LAURA GOILO
NIALL McCONVILLE
LINDA WHITE
STEVE BENNETT
DOROS HADJISAVVA
STACEY McNEILL
LARRY WILLIAMS
JUDY BUTCHER
DWIGHT HAMILTON
BRAD MUEHLBAUER
MAYOR LLOYD WINNECKE
Koch Air, LLC
City of Evansville
W. KERRY JACKSON
PEPPER MULHERIN
LUKE YAEGER
BARRY COX
DOUG JOEST
Evansville Regional Airport
BILL NEWMAN
TRACY ZELLER
Warehouse Services, Inc.
SARAH DAUER
DR. THOMAS KAZEE
Shoe Carnival, Inc.
University of Evansville
MIKE O’DANIEL
JEFF DEIG
MIKE KEENE
NICOLE SCHENK
DR. TOM KOPATICH
DR. DAVID SMITH
RICHARD KUHN
TRUDY STOCK
Alcoa Warrick Operations
CSB State Bank
American Electric Power – Rockport
JOE CASTRALE
SABIC Innovative Plastics
Skanska
KYLE DODD
First Federal Savings Bank
BO DRAKE
Mead Johnson Nutrition
Acropolis
Fifth Third Bank
Shoe Carnival, Inc.
Warehouse Services, Inc.
MSD of Mt. Vernon
SABIC Innovative Plastics
Tropicana Evansville
AT&T
Old National Bank
Commerce Bank
Tracy Zeller Enterprises, Inc.
Valero Renewables - Mt. Vernon
Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp.
Efficient Energy Technologies LLC
GLEN DUNKERSON
JOHN LAMB
Atlas World Group, Inc.
German American Bank
TRENT VAN HAAFTEN
TERRY FARMER
KRISTA LOCKYEAR
Bamberger, Foreman, Oswald & Hahn LLP
Jackson Kelly PLLC
ALFONSO VIDAL
BILL GILLENWATER
DAVID MATTHEWS
David Matthews Associates
McKim’s IGA
D-Patrick, Inc.
Ivy Tech Community College – Southwest
BMG, Inc.
Deaconess Health System
Harding, Shymanski & Company, P.S.C.
Van Haaften & Farrar | Attorneys at Law
Vidal Plastics, LLC
CONNIE WELLMEYER
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana
2014-15 ANNUAL REPORT | STAFF, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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SIGNATURE PARTNERS
PIVOTAL PARTNERS
ELITE PARTNERS
THE HARMONIST LABYRINTH IN NEW HARMONY | HISTORIC NEW HARMONY IS A UNIFIED PROGRAM OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN INDIANA AND THE INDIANA STATE MUSEUM AND HISTORIC SITES
EVANSVILLE
POSEY COUNTY
318 Main Street, Suite 401
915 E. 4th Street 路 PO Box 633
Evansville, IN 47708
Mt. Vernon, IN 47620
812-425-8147
812-838-3639
www.swinchamber.com