2014 ANNUAL REPORT & 2015 BUSINESS PLAN
Amplifying the Voice of Business
2014 ... IT WAS A GREAT YEAR!
1. Conducted three-year strategic planning process in February to outline new priorities and re-affirm existing goals. 2. Developed New Vision Statement: “To advance economic prosperity as the Lynchburg region’s voice of business.” 3. Solidified “Voice of Business” definition to promote the work we do in Public Policy: “By advancing a pro-business agenda, we are the voice of business in the Lynchburg region. The Lynchburg Regional Chamber researches, polls and provides information on local, state and national pro-business issues. Members leverage their membership by receiving timely education on public policy issues.” 4. Adopted Three Strategic Priority Areas: • Economic Vitality • Public Policy • Business Model
ACCOMPLISHMENTS I. Economic Vitality:
1. Began conversations with regional partners on ways to collaboratively move our region forward. 2. Reached out to regional partners inviting their partnership on several key events including: A. Economic Outlook Conference B. VA Economic Summit C. Work Healthy Employer Coalition 3. Co-sponsored with members to provide seminars, workshops and informational events of benefit to our members. 4. Through our Central Virginia Industries Council, held a workshop on OSHA regulations and inspections, conducted by Mid-State Safety. 5. Conducted “Marketing with Video on a Budget” workshop facilitated by Chamber member Life Focus Pictures. 6. Partnered with regional stakeholders on the Business Services Expo, offering information on resources available to businesses – we partnered with CVCC, Dept. of Aging & Rehabilitative Services, Region 2000, SHRM, VEC. 7. Promoted new facilities or expansion of our members on over 25 occasions, by assisting with groundbreakings or ribbon cuttings. 8. Announced first ever inter-city trip hosted collaboratively between the Chamber and Region 2000 to begin the process of creating a new regional vision for our community. 9. Developed new Biz Forward Task Force to place greater emphasis on strategies to help existing business grow and to nurture entrepreneurial endeavors. 10. Increased the number of Small Business Award nominations and grew the program in both attendance and non-dues revenue.
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11. The Chamber spearheaded Small Business Saturday marketing efforts for our members and personally visited nearly 100 members including retailers, restaurants, auto repair, home improvements, personal salons and more to deliver promotional materials. 12. Provided specific business-to-business connections for members that have resulted in: A. One member getting a client which will in turn provide enough revenue to “pay his membership for the next 10 years.” B. Two members getting key positions filled by Chamber member referrals. C. One member prospect getting introduced to a potential new business relationship that resulted in a tenant being secured. 13. Through the Chamber’s Leadership Lynchburg program, we graduated the 2nd class of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy which prepares and equips our future workforce by teaching them life skills, work ethic and all aspects of launching a business. As a result, 13 businesses were launched by teens. 14. With our membersSave program, we provided members with a savings of nearly $34,000 in prescription drugs cost through the Chamber Rx Card.
II. Public Policy: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Developed ten pro-business public policy categories where the Chamber increased emphasis with lobbying: • Education • Environment • Healthcare • Regulatory Reform • Transportation • Energy • Free Enterprise • Infrastructure • Taxation • Workforce Our Lynchburg Region Transportation Advocacy Group (LRTAG) had noticeable impact on increased funding for roads, bridges and engineering for the Lynchburg district. Regional legislators called upon the Chamber to give feedback or endorsement of issues more this past year than in several previous years. Represented Lynchburg on a statewide education committee for BLUEPRINT VIRGINIA resulting in the development of statewide recommendations on pre-K-12 education reform that were unveiled at the Virginia Chamber’s Economic Summit. Lobbied against the cutting of funds for the Job Corps which provides no-cost career technical and academic education via the U.S. Department of Labor. Lobbied against the Collegiate Single Rating system that would negatively impact our local colleges and universities.
III. Business Model: 1. 2. 3.
Developed new architectural rendering and floor plan for the new Chamber facility. Solidified final phase of Capital Campaign to relocate the Chamber and board commits to raising the remaining $1M by July 2015. Finished the year in the black. We are good stewards of your membership investment!
2014 BY THE NUMBERS
We’ve been busy advancing commerce, advancing community!
4500+ Number of people attending Chamber events
850 Businesses represented 45+ Number of business and advocacy events hosted
99+ Number of business sectors we
represented through our advocacy work
300 Number of visits that our staff and
CHAT team made to member employers to identify and solve workforce and business development needs
110
Number of people participating in our global awareness trips
17 Number of students graduating
from our Young Entrepreneurs Academy resulting in 13 new businesses launched in the region
25 Ribbon cuttings and grand openings 9 Co-sponsored member events
CHAIRMAN’S VISION
The LYNCHBURG REGIONAL CHAMBER Amplifying the Voice of Business for the Lynchburg Region Established: 1883 Number of Employees: 7 Number of Members: 845 Central Virginia Industries Council (CVIC) Members: 31 “Amplifying the Voice of Business” is simplistic yet profound. While there are lots of groups and causes, the Chamber is a single voice, speaking up for and promoting the perspective of the business community. Our work impacts regional prosperity for all.” Christine Kennedy, President
Dear Chamber Members: I thank you all for the opportunity to serve you as the Chamber’s Chairman for 2015. I am excited about the opportunities we have before us to positively impact the region and our member businesses. My conversations with many of you have given me a great deal of optimism about our future. The Chamber does much for its members. I have been impressed by what I have seen that goes on behind the scenes – the daily work that gets done for our benefit. This work will continue and will continue to benefit our business community. In addition to the good work the Chamber already does, I have three goals for this year. All of them are intended to enhance regional economic growth. First, I believe the Chamber can and should be the catalyzing agent to foster regional cooperation in attracting businesses to locate in the Lynchburg region. We are not the organization to do the actual work, but we can be a facilitator among regional stakeholders to get the job done. We are in a unique position to speak for the business community and to use that strength to pull together the various constituencies that must work together to achieve this goal. These efforts are already underway with our renewed focus on cooperation with Region 2000 and our joint trip to Lexington, Kentucky to find economic development ideas that work. Second, I want to see us enhance membership value for small businesses in particular by finding ways to help members grow and expand existing businesses already in our region. We are holding a number of small business forums to determine what our local businesses need to grow, what barriers to growth need to be removed, and how the Chamber can help with those efforts. Finally, I want us to encourage entrepreneurship – to find ways to help start-up businesses and to attract and keep the intellectual capital we need for those businesses to succeed. We need your help. When I speak of the Chamber, I mean you. We all have a stake in the success of these efforts. Find one of the above that interests you and talk to me about your ideas and about what you can add to the conversation. It is work that will take many hands and many voices, but it is work that needs to happen if we are to maintain a strong and prosperous community. I look forward to hearing from you. With highest regard, Jim Richards, Chairman Petty, Livingston, Dawson & Richards, PC
What’s In the Works for 2015? Amplifying Collaboration
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The Lynchburg region is a well-kept secret. We all know why this is a great place to live and do business but, we need the rest of the world to know as well! That’s why we and Virginia’s Region 2000 Business & Economic Alliance coordinated an inter-city trip to Lexington, KY in January of this year. Fourteen business and government leaders traveled to the Bluegrass Region to see how they went from a well-kept secret to one of the top regions in the country. We’re proud of our rankings but we can do better. Tomorrow’s headlines, expansion and new business announcements will be the result of the actions we’re taking now to amplify our visibility on the global scene.
2015 BUSINESS PLAN Amplifying Economic Vitality Celebrate Small Business
• As the lifeblood of our region, our Small Business Awards program recognizes the contributions of small business members. Through the Small Business Committee, you’ll have opportunity to attend seminars and events that provide learning to help your small business grow and prosper.
Nurture Entrepreneurial Growth
“In order to grow and succeed, we must be willing to learn from those that have accomplished similar goals. Our recent trip to Lexington, Kentucky solidified the need to drive forward and put ideas into action.”
Stefanie Prokity, Chamber Chair-Elect, Successful Innovations, Inc.
• Our Young Entrepreneurs Academy works with middle and high school students to equip them with the skills necessary to not only run a business but to be a stellar employee once they finish school. • Our new efforts to connect budding start-ups with resources will ensure that entrepreneurs in our region have an environment to thrive.
Help Members Connect with Prospects & Customers
• Exclusive member discounts for you and your employees for events where you can meet new business contacts and actually do business development! • We know you are busy and being pulled in a hundred directions. That’s why we publicize our events well in advance and make them available to all your staff. Even if you can’t participate, your teammates have access to our Expo, after hours events, morning breakfasts, networking luncheons, just to name a few! Amplify your brand awareness by participating!
Attract, Retain and Develop Our Workforce
• During our visits to many of you, we’ve heard you loud and clear. You’re challenged with finding quality workers and keeping top talent. • Through our Work Ready Internship Program with Lynchburg City Schools you can have direct impact into equipping students to work for your organization. • Through our Leadership Lynchburg programs, your emerging and seasoned leaders have a “learning lab” to grow their skills while we help them see the many assets to working in our region. • With our leadership in state and national organizations, we take the education and workforce concerns to those that can impact legislation. And, we learn from others what is working in their respective regions to bring back and help us create a top notch workforce that can compete in the global economy. • Our Central Virginia Industries Council (CVIC) will conduct a Wage & Benefits survey among the Lynchburg region’s manufacturing & industrial companies. This will provide useful information to attract, support and retain employees, and will assist HR managers with benchmarking information for comparing wages, salaries and benefits.
Chamber Membership Breakdown by Business Employee Count 32 with more than 200 38 with 100 to 199 count (3.8%) count (5%) 265 with 1 to 3 50 with 50 to 99 count (31%) count (6%) 69 with 26 to 49 count (8.2%)
167 with 10 to 25 count (19.9%) 219 with 4 to 9 count (26.1%)
Amplifying Pro-Business Priorities Advocate for Pro-Business Policy
• We are the watchdog for legislation that could hinder free enterprise and stifle business growth. We advocate for policy issues that impact member businesses at the local, state and federal level.
Advocate for Transportation Infrastructure
• Our coalition of regional leaders that serves on the Lynchburg Region Transportation Advocacy Group (LRTAG) as well as on our Air Service Development Partnership champion an equitably-funded multi-modal transportation network. This is critical for economic development while addressing transportation infrastructure and safety issues in our region.
Build a 21st Century Education System
• We support sustained funding for educational programs (preK /K-12), post-secondary, and higher education programs as the foundation of workforce and economic development. • We also work on the state level on education reform so that we don’t just “teach to test, but teach to learn.” • We will continue to advocate for increased funding for Tuition Assistance Grants (TAG) for private colleges and universities.
Inform to Engage
• Knowledge is Power. We help members stay informed on key issues impacting their businesses and give numerous opportunities to members to engage. Our legislative briefings and events with legislators give you one-on-one access to the decision makers on the state and federal level.
Endorse Pro-Business Ideas not Candidates
• Our regional scorecard will recognize legislative entities for their support on initiatives that will help move the Lynchburg region forward by supporting the free market system and the interests of the business community.
Amplifying our Image
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• We have unfinished business….the relocation of our Chamber headquarters. In our study of other top regions in the U.S., a chamber represents the front door to the community. We can’t allow our current building to represent our image any longer. And, we are much closer to breaking ground! Our final phase of the capital campaign begins now. A new building, a new image, a new front door to showcase our region!
We’re on your Team!
Your Chamber understands the bottom line. In this challenging economic environment, we offer numerous opportunities for you to save money and “sharpen your saw.” And, what we offer is for all employees of a member firm, amplifying the opportunities for saving, learning and growing!
Are you taking advantage of our discount programs including:
• Chamber RX – discounts on prescription drugs • Office Max – savings on office equipment and printing • All Points EAP (Employee Assistance Program) – discounted employee assistance and organizational development consulting • Virginia Benefits Market – a private health insurance / benefits exchange that will provide businesses access to a one-stop, online marketplace to shop & compare health insurance and other benefits • FreeCalls4Members – free conference calling program • WorkersComp4Members – discounted workers compensation Group Program
2015 Premium Investors PEAK • ABC 13 WSET-TV • AREVA Inc. • CENTRA • First National Bank • The News & Advance SUMMIT • BB&T CREST • Liberty University • SunTrust Bank • Wells Fargo RIDGE • American National Bank • Appalachian Power • The Babcock & Wilcox Company • Bank of the James • Campbell County • Century 21 ALL-SERVICE - Forest • Genworth Financial • Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre • Progress Printing Plus • Successful Innovations, Inc. • The Summit • Union Bank & Trust • Verizon • Westminster Canterbury
BASE • Banker Steel Company, L.L.C. • Bankers Insurance, LLC. • Campbell County Public Schools • Central Virginia Community College • City of Lynchburg • Coleman-Adams Construction, Inc. • Dawson Ford Garbee & Co. Realtors • Discover Lynchburg • Economic Development Office - City of Lynchburg • First Citizens Bank • First Piedmont Corporation • Fleet Laboratories • Hanwha Azdel • Heritage Green Assisted Living Communities • Lynchburg Hillcats • Joe H. Coleman Construction, Inc. • Liberty Ridge Health & Rehabilitation • LU Athletics • Lynchburg City Schools • Lynchburg College • Lynchburg Dental Center
• Lynchburg Ready Mix Concrete Co., Inc. • Lynchburg Regional Airport • Member One FCU • Mountain Roofing Inc. • Parker Hannifin • Periodontal Health Associates • Phase 2 • Piedmont Eye Center, Inc. • Polly Wooldridge, Realtor - John Stewart Walker, Inc. • Property One Photography • Randolph College • Southern Air, Inc. • Sweet Briar College • Tomlin & Associates, LLC • Virginia Technical Institute • Virginia’s Region 2000 Business and Economic Development Alliance • WIQO 100.9 • WLNI 105.9 FM - Talk Radio Mel Wheeler, Inc. • Zaxby’s
Are you encouraging your staff to take advantage of discounted trainings and learning events? Here are trainings for the first quarter:
• March 3: OSHA Fall Protection & CPR/AED Training Workshop Presented by Mid-State Safety James River Conference Center
• March 18: 4th Annual “Labor Law Over Lunch” Workshop Presented by Petty, Livingston, Dawson & Richards Lynchburg Chamber Conference Room
• April 2: Labor & Employment Law Symposium Presented by Woods, Rogers Craddock Terry Hotel & Event Center
• April 9: Central VA Information Technology & Security Summit Presented by DataPrivia, Inc. Liberty Mountain Conference Center
• April 22: Administrative Professionals Luncheon & Personal Development Workshop Hilton Garden Inn
2015 Chamber Board of Directors
James Richards Stefanie Prokity CHAIR CHAIR - ELECT Petty Livingston Dawson Successful Innovations, & Richards, PC Inc.
Bill Bryant Counts Realty & Auction Co., Inc.
Ryan McEntire Brown, Edwards & Company, L.L.P.
Ed Craighill Boxley
Pat McNamara MaxPlayFit, LLC
Aubrey “Todd” Hall III TREASURER First National Bank
John Capps SECRETARY Central Virginia Community College
Tulane Patterson PAST -CHAIRMAN Generation Solutions
Steven Cronemeyer Verizon
Lauren Dianich Atelier 11 Architecture, LTD
Michael Hicks The Babcock & Wilcox Company
Lewis Mundin IV Bankers Insurance, LLC
Robert O'Leary StarTek Inc.
L. Kimball Payne III City of Lynchburg
Anthony Andrews Twenty23
Rick Huff HCS Wealth Advisors
Schools
Darryl Huften Apple Ford
Tray Petty Patrick Proffitt Moore & Giles, Inc. Hurt & Proffitt, Inc.
Ed Craighill
Janice Crawford Air Service Dev. Partnership
Boxley
Aubrey “Todd” H. Hall III Finance Committee
First National Bank
Randolph College
John Knopp CHAT/ Ambassador WIQO 100.9
John Mastroianni
Luke Towles
Bill Varner
Small Business Committee
Biz Forward Task Force
Building Committee
Jenna Foster
Leadership Council
AREVA, Inc.
YWCA of Central Virginia
Bob Leveque Capital Campaign
RR Donnelley
Old Dominion Job Corps
Wes Fugate Legislative Affairs
Wells Fargo
Centra
Alton Brown The News & Advance
Larry Jackson Appalachian Power
Steve Jones Delta Star, Inc.
George Kayes ABC 13 WSET-TV
Mike Lee Genworth Financial
J.R. "Reggie" Pugh AREVA
John Stone Stifel Nicolaus
E.W. Tibbs Jr. CENTRA
Luke Towles Wells Fargo
Chamber Staff
2015 Chamber Committee Chairs
Lynchburg Transportation Advocacy Group
Scott Brabrand Lynchburg City
Lee Beaumont Liberty University
Bradley Bateman Randolph College
Christine Kennedy President
Laverne Brown Director of Communications
Mike Lewis Director of Sales
Ann Knight Office Manager
Denise Rowland Director of Finance
Kaye Lewis Director of Events
Edie Swann Director of Advocacy and Special Programming