2015
Powering Innovation and Economic Growth for Southeast Michigan
The Detroit Regional Chamber is pleased to present its 2015 Year in Review, which highlights the Chamber’s initiatives and
achievements over the past year. Building on the region’s positive momentum, the Chamber continued to focus on its core
mission of moving the economic needle in Southeast Michigan. From serving as the leading voice of business in Lansing, to
convening premier policy events, the Chamber continues to play a role in the city and region’s prosperous future. This year in
review highlights the most noteworthy accomplishments from the past 12 months.
Ford Motor Co.’s
Executive Chairman
Bill Ford speaks at
the Mackinac Policy
Conference.
CBS Detroit’s Carol Cain interviews Mayor Mike Duggan on Michigan’s Center
Stage at the 2015 Mackinac Policy Conference.
2
Gov. Rick Snyder calls on
automotive leaders to put
the “pedal to the metal”
on the state’s signature
industry at the 2015
MICHauto Summit.
A Relentless Commitment to Business
In today’s fast-paced, increasingly connected world, organizations and businesses must be flexible and willing to adapt to the
rapidly changing marketplace. The Detroit Regional Chamber continues to rise to that challenge.
As one of the oldest, largest and most successful chambers of commerce in the country, the Chamber is committed to
improving and growing the business community in Southeast Michigan. Representing a united 11-county area, the Chamber
brings together business, philanthropic, government, education and community leaders to create economic vitality across the
region. From the startup to the Fortune 500 company, the Chamber represents nearly 3,000 organizations from every sector of
the economy. The Chamber is committed to providing its members with the resources and connections they need to succeed,
attracting high-level talent, encouraging continued investment and innovation, and showcasing the region as a great place to
live, work and play.
With a relentless commitment to powering the economy for Southeast Michigan, the Chamber is focused on four pillars:
economic development, regional collaboration, education reform and membership value.
Economic Development
Attract and retain talent and business investment in the Detroit region.
Regional Collaboration
Act as a platform for problem-solving by uniting government and
business leaders and regional stakeholders to share ideas to impact
Michigan’s turnaround.
Education Reform
Advance education reform to ensure businesses have the highly
skilled workforce they need to adapt to the ever-changing global
marketplace.
Membership Value
Provide members, from the Fortune 500 company to the new startup venture, the resources to succeed while advocating for policies to
create the best possible business climate.
A Relentless Commitment
•
3
Economic Development
The Frankfurt Auto Show serves as an annual destination
for the Chamber’s economic development team.
Attracting Business and Investment
from Around the World
Sharing Detroit’s momentum with the rest of the world,
the Chamber traveled the globe this year telling the city’s
comeback story and promoting the region as a premier location
for domestic and foreign investment. Along with the Michigan
Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) and regional partners,
the Chamber attended five trade missions in China, France,
Germany, Italy and Japan to champion the city and region’s
resurgence while building and strengthening relationships
with key governments, businesses and associations.
The Chamber also attended 11 national and international trade
shows and conferences and 10 domestic site consultant
trips while hosting 15 delegations from around the world.
For the first three quarters of the calendar year, the Chamber
contributed to the generation of 430 jobs and $42.7 million in
investment. An annual economic development report will be
published in March with the complete results for the year.
4
The Frankfurt Auto Show
features numerous concept
cars from the world’s
leading automotive OEMs
and suppliers.
Strengthening Ties with Japan and Germany with Gov. Snyder and the MEDC
Making the case for Southeast Michigan, the Chamber traveled to Japan and Germany for a weeklong investment mission in
September with Gov. Rick Snyder and the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) to strengthen business relationships
and attract job-creating investment. During the trip, the Chamber attended the Midwest U.S.- Japan Association Conference in
Tokyo and met with automotive, hospitality and medical companies looking to expand in the United States. The Chamber also
attended the 66th Frankfurt Auto Show in Germany, meeting with over 100 automotive suppliers and 130 c-suite executives to
promote Michigan’s business-friendly tax structure, reduced regulations and talent pool. The Governor’s mission culminated in
Daimler North America Corp.’s announcement to move its headquarters to Michigan, resulting in the creation of 30 jobs.
DELEGATION PHOTO
Chamber CEO Sandy Baruah (fourth from left) and Gov. Rick Snyder meet
with business leaders during the trade mission to Japan.
Sharing Detroit’s Story with
International Delegations
A Taiwanese delegation consisting of representatives
from 14 automotive companies pose for a photo while
visiting Detroit during the SAE World Congress in April.
As Detroit’s international profile continues to rise, this
year the Chamber welcomed delegations from Austria,
China, Czech Republic, Germany, Korea, Malaysia,
Switzerland and Taiwan, as well as the Chicago
International Trade Commissioners Association
(CITCA) and International Tenant Representation
Alliance, who were interested in learning about the
region and the automotive industry’s revitalization. The
delegation visits reflect the Chamber’s ongoing goal
of building relationships with investors and facilitating
partnerships between Michigan and international
manufacturers.
Economic Development
•
5
MICHauto Coalition Launches
Initiative to Expand Michigan’s
Mobility Leadership
Strengthening, protecting and promoting the state’s
leadership in automotive and next-generation mobility
development is at the core of the Michigan Mobility
Initiative. First announced at the 2015 Mackinac Policy
Conference, the Initiative is a coalition of statewide
business, automotive and university groups convened
by MICHauto that includes the Michigan Economic
Development Corp. (MEDC), Business Leaders for
Michigan (BLM), Michigan Department ofTransportation
(MDOT) and University Research Corridor (URC).
The Initiative promotes economic development and
the state’s global leadership as a premier location for
next-generation mobility R&D, creates awareness
for the physical infrastructure needed to support
connected vehicle technology, and works to ensure
Michigan’s secondary and higher education systems
are prepared to develop talent to support deployment
and advancement of next-generation mobility.
Chamber CEO Sandy Baruah announces the Michigan Mobility Initiative with partners
(from left to right) MICHauto’s Glenn Stevens, Michigan Department of Transportation’s
Kirk Steudle, Michigan Automotive Office’s Kevin Kerrigan, Business Leaders for
Michigan’s Kelly Chesney, and the University Research Corridor’s Jeff Mason.
MICHauto works to build
relationships between the
automotive industry and
lawmakers in Lansing.
As part of that effort, coalition partners collaborated on
a map featuring 28 existing facilities that play a role in
developing and testing smart mobility technology in the
state to promote Michigan’s assets to companies and
entrepreneurs looking to be part of the mobility sector.
Legislative Hearing Focuses on
Preserving Automotive Industry
Raising awareness of the importance of the automotive
industry to Michigan’s economic growth, in February,
MICHauto testified in front of the Michigan House
Commerce Committee in Lansing. MICHauto provided
newly sworn-in members of the Legislature an
overview of the industry, emphasizing the importance
of talent attraction and technological development as
keys to preserving, protecting and growing the industry
across the state.
6
“Autoline Daily” host John McElroy leads
a panel discussion with (left to right) the
Michigan Department of Transportation’s Kirk
Steudle, Cisco System’s Andreas Mai and
Michigan Automotive Office’s Kevin Kerrigan.
MICHauto Summit Challenges Industry
to Embrace Innovation in ‘Brave New
Automotive World’
Telogis’ Jason Koch delivers the
lunch keynote address at the
2015 MICHauto Summit.
In a brave new automotive world where technology, business models
and new opportunity are paired with risk, how will Michigan’s automotive
industry respond? That question served as the backdrop for the third
annual MICHauto Summit. Drawing leaders and stakeholders from across
the state, the daylong Summit continued to serve as a premier platform to
discuss Michigan’s automotive and next-generation mobility future.
Nearly 500 leaders from industry, academia, government, startups and
professional service firms joined experts to discuss how Michigan can
build on its unrivaled automotive resources and R&D and ultimately win
the race for the autonomous vehicle. In addition to keynote speeches by
Telogis President and CEO Jason Koch, General Motors’ Harry Lightsey III
and Gov. Snyder, the Summit also included over 30 speakers and panelists
who challenged the status quo for Michigan’s automotive industry.
Start Garden’s Mike
Morin urges attendees
to embrace disruptive
forces and new
technology at the
MICHauto Summit.
For the first time the Summit included a connected ride experience through
the city of Detroit watched by over 300 people around the world via the
livestreaming platform Periscope. In addition, the Summit attracted strong
Internet traffic, as its official hashtag, #MAS15, trended locally on Twitter.
Economic Development
•
7
Regional Collaboration
The Chamber and its 12
economic development
government partners sign
a new protocol agreement
to coordinate business
attraction efforts.
Collaborating to Bring International Investment to the Region
The Chamber and its 12 government economic development partners in March renewed a more detailed protocol agreement to
enhance collaboration on business attraction efforts designed to bring increased national and foreign investment to the region.
The protocol is one of the first outcomes of the Regional Business Attraction Strategy funded by JPMorgan Chase in 2014. The
protocol recognizes that regional messaging and coordinated outreach adds value and impact to business attraction efforts and
strategies. In signing the protocol, the partners agreed to work closely and collaboratively with the Chamber.
A second outcome of the Regional Business Attraction Strategy is the development of a unified brand to market the communities
and assets of Southeast Michigan to domestic and international business attraction targets. The Chamber and Royal Oak-based
creative agency Factory Detroit developed this brand with feedback from numerous stakeholders, including the government
economic development partners. Expected to be rolled out in 2016, this new brand will serve as a common marketing platform
for the Chamber as it travels with its partners helping to more clearly articulate Southeast Michigan’s strengths, diversity and
identity as a premier target for investment.
8
Protecting and Growing Michigan’s Defense Industry
Continuing its work to protect and grow Michigan’s defense sector, the Chamber engaged in numerous activities this year to
increase awareness for Macomb County’s military corridor.
An active participant on the TACOM Advisory Council, the Chamber provided input on community awareness opportunities to
promote the economic impact and job creation of the U.S. Army’s TACOM Life Cycle Management Command and the innovative
research and development at the Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC). As part of that
effort, in September the Chamber participated in a tour of the corridor hosted by the Michigan Army and Air National Guard and
TACOM to provide Michigan’s congressional delegation an up-close look at the region’s defense assets and educate lawmakers
on the economic impact of military manufacturing.
The Chamber is also serving as a voice on the Protect and Grow Initiative, Michigan Economic Development Corp.’s effort to
develop a statewide strategy to protect the industry, by providing input on retention and growth strategies for the defense
sector in Michigan.
Members of the Michigan congressional delegation tour Macomb
County’s military corridor. Participants included: Sen. Debbie Stabenow
(D-Michigan) and U.S. Reps. Dan Benishek (R-Crystal Falls), Debbie
Dingell (D-Dearborn), Bill Huizenga (R-Zeeland), Sander Levin (D-Royal
Oak), Candice Miller (R-Harrison Twp.) and Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph).
Regional Collaboration
•
9
John Hope Bryant and Mayor Mike Duggan kick
off recruitment of corporations to host or support
HOPE Inside Centers in Detroit.
Partnering with Mayor Duggan and John Hope Bryant to Recruit HOPE Inside Centers
The Chamber partnered with John Hope Bryant and Mayor Mike Duggan in a kickoff campaign this fall to recruit 20 organizations
to serve as HOPE Inside Centers throughout the city of Detroit. The recruitment campaign stemmed from a 2015 Mackinac
Policy Conference To-Do List item to promote financial literacy in targeted communities through partnerships with financial
services firms and the foundation and nonprofit community.
Bryant gave an impassioned keynote speech at the Conference in May, stressing the importance of transforming neighborhoods
by closing the gap of poverty and financial literacy in order to move the city and region forward. Prior to that speech, the first
HOPE Inside Center opened at the Northwest Activities Center supported by Fifth Third Bank.
10
Support for Grow Detroit’s Young
Talent Employs Over 5,000 Youths
In June, Mayor Duggan announced that Grow Detroit’s
Young Talent (GDYT), a new program designed to
connect Detroit youth with summer jobs and create
sustainable career pathways, exceeded its first-year
goal of employing 5,000 students.
Following the Mayor’s announcement of the GDYT
program at the 2014 Mackinac Policy Conference, the
Chamber made it a Conference To-Do List item. As a
lead partner, the Chamber hosted the Mayor’s kickoff
breakfast this past January, partnering with the Detroit
Employment Solutions Corp., The Skillman Foundation,
The Bing Youth Institute and the W.K. Kellogg
Foundation, along with other community groups,
to recruit participation. Throughout the enrollment
campaign, the Chamber engaged with numerous
member organizations, who pledged support through
hiring students, making a donation, or both.
Manufacturing Day Gives Students
Up-Close Look at Skilled Trades
Mayor Mike Duggan announces that
Grow Detroit’s Young Talent exceeded
its first-year goal of providing 5,000
summer jobs for Detroit youth.
U.S. Congresswoman Debbie
Dingell (D-Dearborn) addresses
students at Manufacturing Day.
Over 5,000 students from across the region participated
in Manufacturing Day, a nationwide event held in
October aimed at changing misperceptions about
skilled trades and fostering interest in manufacturing
careers. With support from the Michigan Economic
Development Corp. (MEDC), the Chamber coordinated
regional participation in the event, working with
Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties, along with
the city of Detroit, to recruit students. Through the
Chamber’s efforts, the event attracted over double the
amount of students from previous years, who toured
over 100 manufacturing facilities.
Regional Collaboration
•
11
CNBC analyst and former
Congressman Harold Ford Jr. joins
Ariel Investments’ Mellody Hobson
for discussion on financial literacy,
millennials and the new economy.
Mackinac Policy Conference Draws Record
Roster of National Speakers to Michigan’s
Center Stage
This year’s Mackinac Policy Conference attracted a record number of national speakers and unprecedented media coverage,
reaffirming its status as one of the country’s premier policy events. For the first time in its history, the Chamber welcomed
three Pulitzer Prize-winning authors and a record-breaking 16 national speakers to Michigan’s Center Stage. Doris Kearns
Goodwin, best-selling author of “Team of Rivals,” The Detroit Free Press’ Stephen Henderson and The Washington Post’s
Eugene Robinson joined more than 1,600 Conference attendees, providing impactful discussion focused on the pillars of
talent, cohesion and urban revitalization.
This year’s lineup brought thought-provoking dialogue including keynote speeches by Operation HOPE CEO John Hope
Bryant, Ariel Investments President Mellody Hobson, FIRST Robotics founder Dean Kamen and TV personality Mike Rowe.
In addition to main stage programming, the Conference did not shy away from difficult topics with sessions focused on
racial and economic disparity, including a continuation of the “Uniting Two Detroits” conversation from the Detroit Policy
Conference. The compelling content helped Mackinac nearly double its media coverage, as the event garnered more than 700
instances of media coverage, including 200 national media hits.
The Chamber also brought winning teams from the FIRST in Michigan robotics competition, who demonstrated their projects
to Conference attendees to highlight the importance of STEM education in building Michigan’s workforce. Members of the
Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Civic Jazz Orchestra were also invited to perform to showcase civic organizations that impact
Southeast Michigan.
12
Shattering Misperceptions of the Skilled
Trades with Mike Rowe
Mike Rowe, host of CNN’s “Somebody’s Gotta Do It” and 2015
Mackinac Policy Conference keynote speaker, dramatically
personified the need to close Michigan’s skilled trades gap at
this year’s Conference. Using humorous narrative juxtaposed
with national statistics, Rowe outlined the need for skilled trades
awareness to move Michigan forward. During the Conference,
the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and Gov. Snyder also
announced a partnership with Rowe for a series of commercials
to change perceptions and promote the skilled trades.
As a continuation of the discussion from Mackinac, the
Chamber’s September edition of the Detroiter magazine
prominently featured Rowe on its front cover and highlighted
the reality of today’s skills gap while showcasing some of the
good-paying careers in the skilled trades.
Mike Rowe of “Dirty
Jobs” fame challenges
Mackinac attendees to
think differently about the
definition of a good job.
Ciditiaspiet mos quos millitat. Epernatatur, inctiur?
(From
Theadist
Washington
Post’s
Eugene
Robinson, the Detroit Free
Lableft)
iusam
pa quidele
secepta
tibereperum
Press’
Stephen
renowned
presidential
historian
quatur
reiumHenderson,
quo comnisand
is dolorrum
quis
mod
Doris Kearns Goodwin chat at a special reception featuring the three
Pulitzer Prize winners.
Whole Foods’ Walter Robb speaks to the
ethos of “doing well by doing good” at the
Mackinac Policy Conference.
Regional Collaboration
•
13
Ciditiaspiet mos quos millitat. Epernatatur, inctiur?
Lab iusam adist pa quidele secepta tibereperum
quatur reium quo comnis is dolorrum quis mod
Education Reform
Students listen to an overview of the Detroit Scholarship Fund program
during a summer ceremony at the Max M. Fisher Music Center.
Detroit Scholarship Fund and Detroit
Compact Provide Access to Education
Recognizing that today’s students are tomorrow’s
workforce, this year the Detroit Scholarship Fund (DSF),
administered by the Chamber, helped over 400 students
from 60 high schools enroll in a tuition-free path to an
associate degree in the fall. DSF complements the Detroit
Compact, the long-standing tuition assistance program
resulting in collaboration between the Chamber, public
and private universities and Detroit Public Schools to help
students pursue bachelor’s degrees. For the 2015-2016
academic year, 202 new students are pursuing a four-year
degree through the Detroit Compact.
A student asks Detroit Scholarship
Fund coordinators a question about
eligibility requirements.
14
Reforming Detroit Public Schools
With the start of the new year, Chamber President
Sandy Baruah, along with Chamber Board members
John Rakolta Jr. and Richard DeVore, joined a diverse
cohort of 36 community leaders to craft comprehensive
recommendations to improve academic achievements in
schools operating in Detroit and solve the Detroit Public
Schools debt issues.The Coalition for the Future of Detroit
Schoolchildren met over the course of 100 days and
presented its recommendations to Gov. Snyder in March.
Among the recommendations, the Coalition called for the
creation of the Detroit Education Commission to oversee
all aspects of school governance in the city. In addition,
the Coalition recommended merging the Education
Achievement Authority into a properly funded State School
Reform Office to manage failing schools and for the state
to assume the debt for DPS and return the district to an
elected school board versus control by a state-appointed
emergency manager. The recommendations helped
influence the Governor’s plan unveiled in October.
Supporting STEM Education, Higher
Standards in the Classroom
As a leading voice for business, the Chamber continued
its support for comprehensive education reform, making
the issue one of its Top 10 Legislative Priorities for 2015.
Leveraging its relationship with lawmakers on both
sides of the aisle, the Chamber worked on numerous
issues this year focused on increasing accountability and
transparency in education, including advocating for an
assessment tied to Common Core curriculum standards,
transparent and user-friendly school rating tools, teacher
evaluation reform and high reading standards for thirdgraders.
In September, the Chamber hosted 20 regional business
leaders, who voiced their support for STEM education
funding in the classroom during a roundtable discussion
with state Rep. Adam Zemke (D-Ann Arbor) and other
state government officials. In October, the Chamber
joined with the Michigan Department of Education
(MDE) to advocate for rigorous testing standards to
prepare the state’s college and career-ready workforce.
Crain’s Detroit Business’ Mary Kramer leads
a panel discussion on education reform
at Mackinac with (from left) The Skillman
Foundation’s Tonya Allen, Walbridge’s John
Rakolta Jr, and Chamber CEO Sandy Baruah.
Increasing Educational Attainment
in the Region
The Chamber’s talent retention and education efforts were
recognized by the Association of Chamber of Commerce
Executives (ACCE), who awarded the Chamber a Lumina Award
for Educational Attainment in August. The Chamber was one of
five chambers across the country chosen for having demonstrated
momentum in setting education attainment agendas and
establishing innovative postsecondary attainment goals and
strategies.
The one-time award, along with funding from the New Economy
Initiative, supports the Chamber’s “Detroit Drives Degrees”
initiative. The initiative’s goal is to grow the number of individuals
in the region with post-secondary degrees and other high quality
credentials, with the goal of ensuring that 60 percent of the adult
population has a post-secondary degree or credential by 2025.
As part of that work, the Chamber is convening higher education
partners, K-12 educators and business and community leaders to
develop a strategy focused on three areas: increasing access to
college, improving college graduation rates and retaining graduates
in the region. A communication plan and policy recommendations
that support the goal of increased education attainment are also
being planned.
Education Reform
•
15
The Chamber’s Brad Williams leads discussion with (from left)
Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton, Dearborn Mayor John
B. O’Reilly Jr. and Gov. Snyder, about the importance of investing
in Michigan’s roads.
Membership Value
ADVOCACY
Serving as the Business Voice for Road Funding
The Chamber continued its aggressive support of transportation funding, leading the call for the state Legislature to
pass a fiscally responsible solution that would fix the roads while protecting the services that businesses and individuals
rely on for Michigan’s economic growth. As part of that effort, the Chamber was one of the leaders of Safe Roads Yes!,
a several month-long campaign to educate voters on the importance of passing Proposal 1. In addition to creating a
comprehensive toolkit outlining the business case for road funding, the Chamber’s Brad Williams appeared on several
local and statewide media outlets to advocate for Proposal 1’s passage.
Despite the proposal’s defeat, the Chamber remained committed to holding the Legislature accountable for its promised
“Plan B.” The Chamber issued its Five Principles for Transportation Funding in May. The issue also received prominent
attention at the 2015 Mackinac Policy Conference, leading to a Conference To-Do List item.
With the Legislature seemingly at an impasse, in the fall, the Chamber Board approved a letter to legislators characterizing
the lack of a roads plan as a “failure of leadership.” Following the roads vote in November, the Chamber again served as
a leading business voice, as it was one of the only business organizations to vocalize serious concern with the long-term
implications of the legislation. Prior to the vote, portions of a statement expressing those concerns were read into the
record on the House floor by Minority Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills). Throughout the process, the Chamber was
quoted by numerous media outlets, reflecting its status as the respected business voice in the region. The Chamber is
widely recognized as the second most effective business lobbying organization in Lansing.
16
Launching the Michigan
Automotive Caucus
In an effort to improve familiarity and increase
communication between automotive stakeholders
and legislators in Lansing, the Chamber and
MICHauto continue to cultivate a positive
relationship with the Michigan Legislature’s newly
created Automotive Caucus. The Chamber hosted
caucus members for a private tour and reception
at the North American International Auto Show in
January and a reception with caucus members and
stakeholders at the Mackinac Policy Conference.
In May, MICHauto also hosted 25 legislators, their
staffs and other industry leaders for its annual
Supplier Reception.
Successfully Supporting Doubling
the Skilled Trades Training Fund
State lawmakers hear
about some of the most
anticipated vehicles
at the North American
International Auto Show.
To address the constantly changing needs of
Michigan’s manufacturing industry, the Chamber
served as a leading advocate to successfully double
the funding for Michigan’s Skilled Trades Training
Fund (STTF), which incentivizes incumbent worker
training programs to help fill the talent pipeline. The
Chamber also successfully advocated for funding
increases in the state’s Community Ventures
Program, focusing on structurally unemployed
workers, and the Michigan Advanced Technical
Training Program (MAT2), an apprenticeship-type
program supported by Gov. Snyder and designed
to promote the importance of skilled trades in
education curriculum.
Mike Rowe of “Dirty Jobs”
calls for increased effort in
supporting the skilled trades
across the country.
Membership Value
•
17
The Detroit News’ Nolan Finley (far left) leads a discussion about
uniting Detroit with a panel including: (from left to right) Ignition
Media Group’s Dennis Archer Jr., Strategic Staffing Solutions’ Cindy
Pasky, Councilman André Spivey, Wayne State University’s Eric
Williams and co-moderator WDIV’s Devin Scillian.
CONNECTING MEMBERS WITH RESOURCES
AND LEADERS
Detroit Policy Conference Tackles Tough Issues for City’s Next Chapter
In its fourth year, the Detroit Policy Conference brought over 800 business, community and political leaders together at the
MotorCity Casino Hotel to tackle issues facing Detroit’s post-bankruptcy future. Over 40 of the region’s most dynamic leaders
provided insight into transit, education and the role of race and economic opportunity in the city’s resurgence.
In addition to keynote speeches by Mayor Duggan and urban strategist and best-selling author Peter Kageyama, Nolan Finley,
editorial page editor for The Detroit News, led an impactful discussion on race and economic opportunity in a panel focused on
“Uniting Two Detroits.” The panel featured Ignition Media Group’s Dennis Archer Jr., Strategic Staffing Solutions’ Cindy Pasky,
Detroit City Councilman André Spivey and Wayne State University’s Eric Williams focused on diversifying the clientele in downtown
Detroit, educating young African-Americans about business startup opportunities and removing barriers to entrepreneurialism.
The panel was a precursor to a broader conversation at the Mackinac Policy Conference.
18
State of the Region Report Highlights
Economic Opportunity, Challenges
This year saw the release of the second annual State
of the Region, which offers an analysis of the economic
indicators related to business growth, talent, innovation
and international commerce for Southeast Michigan. The
report highlights the automotive, aerospace and defense,
health care, transportation, distribution and logistics,
and metalworking technology industries. In December,
the Chamber hosted local chambers of commerce and
economic development agencies throughout the region
for a deeper dive on the report’s findings and how it can
be used to attract business investment.
Networking with the Big Four
Over 300 Chamber members participated in receptions
with Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel in April and
Wayne County Executive Warren Evans in September. The
quarterly networking receptions offer members a chance
to meet with the Big Four regional leaders from Macomb,
Oakland and Wayne counties, and the city of Detroit,
along with their key staff, and are part of ongoing efforts
to promote regional collaboration among businesses and
political leaders.
Chamber CEO Sandy Baruah presents the
inaugural State of the Region last year.
Wayne County
Executive Warren Evans
introduces key staff at
a Chamber quarterly
networking reception.
Macomb County
Executive Mark Hackel
addresses Chamber
members at a quarterly
networking reception.
Membership Value
• 19
Leadership Detroit unites leaders from East and West Michigan to discuss
opportunities and challenges for the state’s continued growth.
East Meets West: Mobilizing Statewide Leadership and Collaboration
The Chamber continues to bring East and West Michigan together to foster relationships, move the state forward, and create “one
Michigan.” Most recently, 40 graduates from the Chamber’s Leadership Detroit initiative and Leadership Grand Rapids participated
in a series of educational discussions to explore the politics, opportunities and challenges of the state’s two largest regions.
Participants collaborated on ideas and strategies to better align the Detroit and Grand Rapids regions on statewide issues with
a specific focus on building economic equity and understanding diversity. “East Meets West” continues a 2011 Mackinac Policy
Conference To-Do List item to improve collaboration between businesses and key institutions across the state. Previous outcomes
include: touring Grand Rapids with a delegation of Detroit leaders in 2011, attending the West Michigan Policy Forum in 2012, and
hosting West Michigan business leaders in Detroit in 2012 and annually at the Mackinac Policy Conference.
Driving Health Care Savings for
Members
In 2015, HealthForward, an initiative of the Chamber,
solidified its status as a resource for employers and
other health care purchasers through its informative
ForwardThinking programming. In collaboration with
longtime partner Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan,
the initiative supports economic growth by containing
employer health care costs. HealthForward also
shifted its focus to three core initiatives: creating
education and solutions for employer health issues,
assisting employees and consumers when using the
health care system, and supporting innovation and
entrepreneurship in health technologies in Southeast
Michigan.
20
(From left) Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Aaron MacDonald and Kushner
& Company’s Ben Cohen discuss employer health care savings at
Forward Thinking: Business Strategies for Health Care.
Data Center Offers Easy Access to
Region’s Assets
In partnership with:
Supporting and Growing Middle Market
Businesses
In November, the Chamber launched its Middle Market
Council, partnering with the National Center for the Middle
Market (NCMM), the foremost expert and leading resource
on knowledge, leadership and innovative research on the U.S.
middle market. The Council is the first of its kind in the state and
will provide resources for middle market companies to retain
and attract top-notch talent, navigate government regulations,
outperform competitors, manage and increase capital and
accelerate business growth. Events exclusively for middle
market companies are scheduled for 2016, as well as a robust
online resource center.
The Chamber launched its Data Center, a customizable
platform that allows members to easily create reports
tailored to specific communities in Southeast Michigan. The
Data Center offers information, including business costs,
workforce, demographics and quality of life for businesses
that engage in national and international operations. It
can also be used for making informed business decisions
related to talent recruitment and industry trends.
Chamber Today Informs Members of
Latest Happenings
Launched in 2015, Chamber Today provides a central
location where members can see how their membership
dollars are impacting growth in the region, while nonmembers can learn about the Chamber’s work in economic
development, regional collaboration, education reform and
membership value. Accessible at today.detroitchamber.
com, Chamber Today aggregates updates from different
initiatives and events.
DETROIT REGIONAL SNAPSHOT
summer 2015
POPULATION AND DEMOGRAPHICS
11-County Region
5.3million residents
in the 11-county region
Race and Ethnicity
% %
4% 3 2
21
%
70%
white
black
hispanic
asian
other
12th
most populous
metropolitan area
in the nation
7,062
square miles
City of Detroit
139
square miles
ECONOMY
10th fastest growing economy
in the nation’s 50 most populous
metropolitan areas from 2009 to 2013,
outpacing Seattle, Boston and Chicago
ECONOMY
13 Fortune 500 companies
call the Detroit region home
Membership Value
• 21
The cover of the September/October 2013
Detroiter magazine features key leaders
driving Detroit’s revitalization.
CHAMBER STRENGTH
Detroit’s Comeback Story Earns ‘Best
in Show’ Award from ACCE
The Chamber’s continued effort to share the story of opportunity
in a post-bankruptcy Detroit with the rest of the world garnered
a “Best in Show” and “Grand Award” at the 2015 Association
of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) Annual Meeting.
The Chamber was recognized for its 2014 Detroit Policy
Conference video, which brought to life the illustrated cover
of the September/October 2013 Detroiter magazine featuring
many of the key leaders and organizations driving Detroit’s
transformation as it navigated bankruptcy. The video has been
integrated into presentations by Chamber President Sandy
Baruah to highlight the positive change occurring in Detroit at
several events throughout the country. It also was included as
part of a larger presentation showcasing Detroit’s momentum
during a meeting of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s elite
Committee of 100 in March.
22
ACCE President Mick Fleming presents the “Grand
Award” to the Chamber’s Jim Martinez in Montreal.
Macomb Celebrates Business
Attraction Partnership
The Macomb County Department of Planning and
Economic Development honored the Chamber with its
“Economic Development Partner of the Year” award
in February, recognizing the Chamber’s work to bring
national and international business investment to
Southeast Michigan. Over the past year, the Chamber
partnered with Macomb County to host numerous foreign
delegations, attend investment missions and promote
the county’s military corridor at trade shows, including
the Association of the United States Army’s (AUSA) annual
meeting and expo in Washington, D.C., which is attended by
more than 500 key military leaders across the nation.
Serving as the Voice of Business
in the Media
Thank you
to Major Investors
Your leadership and contributions
make our impact stronger.
The Chamber continues to serve as the voice of business
in regional and statewide media while also telling the
Detroit story of opportunity to national media in the postbankruptcy era. Through the first three quarters of the
calendar year, the Chamber had more than 1,000 total
media placements, with approximately 247 national media
hits in outlets including: Bloomberg News, Chicago Tribune,
Forbes, Fortune, Miami Herald, NBC News, The Washington
Post and Yahoo News.
Benefits Corp. Acquisition Creates
Nation’s Largest Office Supply
Purchasing Program
In September, the Chamber’s National Commerce Group
acquired San Diego-based Benefits Corp., forming one
unified Office Depot purchasing program, the largest
chamber affinity program of its kind in the United States. The
affinity program provides discounts on business essentials
through Office Depot utilized by over 100,000 chamber
members throughout the country and gives back $3.5
million to chamber affiliates annually.
Membership Value
• 23
For more information on Chamber membership, impact and benefits visit:
detroitchamber.com or call 866.MBR.LINE.
Follow the Chamber to keep up with everything that is going on
in and around Southeast Michigan and join the conversation.
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