2024 Strategic Plan

"BUILDING COMMUNITY FOR BUSINESS & FAMILY"

CALLAWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2024

STRATEGIC PLAN Our mission is to create a thriving business culture, making Callaway County a place where people choose to live, while creating & celebrating success.

Thank you to the board members, business members, and other community citizens and leaders who provided feedback and shaped this plan and the new mission and vision. Without your input they could not accurately reflect who we are as a chamber and a community. This plan reflects a desire to create a positive image of a chamber that delivers value to its members and makes the chamber an essential part of doing business in Callaway County.

THANK YOU!

STRATEGIC AREA #1

Delivering Value to Our Members & Potential Members Promote the value of membership to potential and current members so they have an edge on achieving positive pro-business outcomes: o Provide a new member packet/orientation o Educate members on how to maximize member benefits for current and new members o Access to Chamber tools to promote business- website, newsletter, social media o Making routine retention visits to existing members to inform and obtain feedback from business owner/leader o Provide Networking Opportunities to promote business: Business Breakfast Business After Hours Lunch and Learns o Provide Leadership Callaway to inform and educate future leaders o Develop new ways to welcome new members

STRATEGIC AREA #2

Economic Development Be a voice for economic development initiatives that includes new business development and support of existing business success and expansion: o Serve as a resource for business inquiries o Maintain detailed inventory of available commercial spaces o Support existing business by facilitating connection, providing education, and making known resources o Collaborate with regional and state entities for new business development o Collaborate with county & city municipalities o Meet with exiting employers as an outreach and to obtain feedback related to business needs o Serve as the administering authority for the USDA loan fund o Support and lead effort to SHOP LOCAL o Influence local, state, and national policy through participation and use of voice o Explore opportunities to address mid-level housing shortage o Enhance the brand of Callaway County through strategic communication

STRATEGIC AREA #3

Advance Business Excellence Through Education. Focus outreach to the colleges and K-12 Provide education to the business community both existing and potential to maximize the business assets for the improvement of all:

o Educate and orient new members o Hold business classes on current topics o Provide digital tools and analysis o Offer individual education through mentoring and counseling o Collaborate with Workforce Development initiatives o Develop an initiative to target local school systems to educate students about the community and its business opportunities o Educate and engage the entire community in the success of all businesses o Educate the community by creating a more visible Chamber brand o Educate the value of the “Chamber” o Tell our story and keep it short

STRATEGIC AREA #4

Support Entrepreneurs Provide resources and support to entrepreneurs emphasizing retention of local talent as well as recruitment: o Hold business classes geared towards starting a business o Promote and provide business counseling and coaching o Partner with the Women’s Business Center for resources o Connect to local school business organizations such as FBLA and FFA o Continue Pitch Competition, and add a youth division o Promote and assist entrepreneurs in gaining access to funding sources o Strengthen the community by targeting the retention of local talent

STRATEGIC AREA #5

Financial Sustainability and Maximizing Operations Maintain the financial health of the chamber through strategic decisions, providing value to members, listening to member feedback and always looking for ways to work smarter: o Work to grow membership base through direct contact and providing value o Grow non dues revenue by offering events, workshops and fundraisers that have value for members and that promote business

STRATEGIC AREA #6 Workforce Development

Identify, develop, and facilitate workforce development needs in Callaway County utilizing necessary resources and outside partnerships to create a value added skilled workforce: o Develop and/or facilitate pre-work testing and certification programs o Cultivate Hope- Success stories, visibility of opportunities o Develop internship program to coordinate and place with local employers o Develop program to connect to schools and students earlier o Establish and facilitate funded On the Job Training o Coordinate work study programs and placement o Provide training labs and sponsored scholarships o Establish partners to leverage resources o Offer hands on Customer Service training o Create more exposure to employers of all kinds and sizes- MFG Day but more broad

STRATEGIC AREA #7

Tourism Increase the economic impact of tourism by branding and promoting Callaway County as a notable destination for a variety of targeted audiences. o Develop, implement, monitor and measure a variety of marketing tactics to increase overnight stays, group business, and day trips including: -Advertising in Traditional and Digital Media -Public Relations & Communications -Sales Calls, Trade Shows, and Marketplaces o Apply and administer grant applications, with particular focus on Missouri Tourism Cooperative Marketing Programs o Cultivate relationships and develop programs that support hospitality-related businesses, services, events, attractions, and facilities o Engage and educate community stakeholders and citizens on the importance of tourism to our local economy o Establish and maintain positive relationships and professional networks on a local, regional, state, and national level