ACCOMPLISHMENTS
MEMBERSHIP
ENGAGEMENT
2014
ANNUAL
REPORT
MISSION
85%
RETENTION
RATE
Developed and Implemented
Retention Program; Achieved
Retention Rate of 85%
Created infrastructure to
better support and serve
our business members.
HIGH TECH
To be a resource
AMBASSADOR
PROGRAM
RECRUITED
AMBASSADORS
CYBER STRATEGY
Incorporated technology training into our new member orientation, enhanced
website with relevant information and digital “How To Use Technology”
guides; we promoted the use of our website and mobile app to members and
the public,and created a revenue stream from related advertising sales.
that promotes, educates
CLEARLY COMMUNICATE VALUE
MESSAGE OF THE CHAMBER
and assists in the growth
and success of businesses
in Monroe County, Michigan.
VISION
IMPLEMENTED 52
VIBRANT EVENTS
Increased the number of event
sponsors and attendance at most
events, including a focus on
bringing guests, and created a New
Event.
NEW EVENT:
COMEDY NIGHT,
JULY 17
To be known as
the “Go To” place
for all business
related matters.
Actively utilized 6 “Chamber
Mentors” to assist with
Membership Retention,
serve as “greeters” at events,
as Sales Referral Source
and to help staff “touch”
members regularly.
BUSINESS
ADVOCACY
POSITIONED AS THE ADVOCATE FOR
BUSINESS IN LEGISLATIVE MATTERS
Offer environment for local business leaders
to gather with elected officials by reactivating
Legislative Affairs Committee; hosted Candidate
Forum, Legislative Luncheons and Elected
Officials Reception, Personal Property Tax Forum,
and attended Chamber Day at State Capital.
Provided monthly reminders to businesses
why they joined The Chamber,
Increased Use of Technology to enhance
our member communication, and
utilized billboards and radio ads to
increase awareness of The Chamber.
DEMONSTRATED
R.O.I.
OFFICERS
2014
AT A
GLANCE
Barry Buschmann, Chairperson
The Mannik & Smith Group, Inc.
Annette Phillips, Chairperson Elect
Mercy Memorial Hospital System
Don Lieto, Treasurer
Monroe Bank & Trust
Michelle Dugan, Secretary
Chamber of Commerce
Dear Member,
Greg Kreps, Past Chairperson
Kreps Building Company Inc.
2013 Small Business of the Year
Merkle Funeral Service, Inc.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2014 Board of Directors
Mark Abramson
RCO Law
Jeanine Bragg
20 Creative
Norm Johnson
Red Wing Shoes
John Kauffman Jr.
DTE Energy
Merel Keck, Jr.
Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
Jim Jacobs
James S. Jacobs Architects, PLLC
Josh LaRoy
Advanced Plumbing
Grub Crawl
Christine Donahue
Donahue Eye Care
LaRoy Door Ribbon Cutting
Deb Sabo
Cooley, Hehl, Wohlgamuth & Carleton
2014
A voluntary group of members who work together
to help retain and grow Chamber Membership.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Norm Johnson – Red Wing Shoes
Brian Reicker, Tim Hortons
Jason Reinhardt, Go M.A.D. Fitness
Amy Zangara, Monroe Bank and Trust
TC Clements, Premier Cruise Planners
Matt Budds, RCO Law
STAFF
Tammy Clark
Event Coordinator
Erika Hunt/Tammy Churchill
Operations Managers
Barry Buschmann
Michelle Dugan
Executive Director
Jeff Clark/Molly Bowman
Membership Managers
It was my honor to
serve as your Board
Chairperson this
year. Many good
things happened
for the Chamber
and our business
community in 2014.
We saw the economy continue to
improve, more business expansion
and even new housing starts. We
were able to add more staff at The
Chamber to focus our energy on
improving (and adding) events,
reaching out to our membership
through our Ambassador Program,
developing a stable financial budget,
and reactivating a Legislative Affairs
Committee. The goal of our Board
was to bring added value to all our
member businesses. I want to thank
all our Board members for their
contribution this year - and Michelle
Dugan and our staff at the Chamber
for their dedication and hard work.
As I pass the baton on to Don
Lieto, I want to wish him continued
success with the leadership of the
Chamber and pledge my continued
support to this great organization.
2014 Board Chairperson
Ambassadors at work!