GREATER MACON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
BOARD RETREAT HANDBOOK
Leadership Development Sponsor
Welcome Sponsor
Luis Fonseca Lunch Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
September 24, 2026
Dear Board Members and Chamber Leadership,
Luis Fonseca Board Chair, Macon Greater Chamber of Commerce
Welcome to the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce Annual Board Retreat. I am excited to have you join us for this important time of fellowship, reflection, and strategic conversation. Our annual retreat provides an opportunity to step away from the day-to-day work of the Chamber and focus on the vision, priorities, and partnerships that will shape our continued success.
This retreat is especially meaningful as we reflect on the first year of our Chamber’s 2030 Strategic Plan. Together, we will celebrate the progress we have made, examine the lessons we have learned, and consider how we can build upon that momentum in the years ahead. Most importantly, this retreat is an opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue and think boldly about the future of the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce. The success of our 2030 Strategic Plan depends on our collective commitment, thoughtful leadership, and willingness to work together toward a shared vision. Thank you for your service, your leadership, and your continued commitment to the Chamber and the greater Macon-Bibb community. I look forward to our time together and to the ideas, conversations, and partnerships that will emerge from this retreat. Welcome, and let’s make the most of this opportunity to learn, connect, and plan for an even stronger future. Sincerely,
Luis Fonseca Chair of the Board Macon Greater Chamber of Commerce
WHAT IS THE CHAMBER? General Overview The Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce exists to serve people by leveraging local buisness and industry investment to advance the ecomonic prosperity of our region. In operation for over 150 years, the Greater Macon Chamber is positioned to lead in a time of historic regional transformation - supporting a growing population, attracting high-wage jobs and launching innovative initiatives that strengthen the people and places that define Macon. The Chamber’s strategic priorities are focused to connect business and community for shared success, advocate for a competitive and pro-business environment and advance Macon’s workforce, talent and leadership pipeline to ensure long-tern economic vitality.
Our Vision and Mission Our Vision is for Macon to be the most vibrant and prosperous place to do business. Our Mission is for the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce to advance business success through connection, collaborative leadership, advocacy and creating opportunity. Our Priorities are to be ethical, inclusive, respectful, and responsible in what we do and how we do it; to connect business and community for shared success; to advocate for pro-business policies and community progress; and to advance innovative solutions to develop workforce and to recruit and retain talent.
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STRATEGIC PRIORITIES 2026-2030 Connect business and community for shared success. Build community connections and engagement platforms Strengthen communication channels and visibility Link workforce and talent development initiatives Facilitate high-value programming
Advocate for pro-business policies and community progress. Increase the awareness of the Chamber’s advocacy efforts and success Champion an inclusive pro-business local, state, and federal agenda Connect business and community leaders to local, state, and federal officials Advance grassroots advocacy among Chamber Investors and membership
Advance innovative solutions to develop workforce and recruit and retain talent.
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Expand education, training, and reskilling opportunities for local jobs Attract new talent through relocation and quality-of-life initiatives Retain existing talent by highlighting Macon’s affordability, cultural vitality, and sense of belonging Provide and expand leadership development opportunities Serve as an Entrepreneurship Support Organization driving innovation
2026 TOP FIVE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES Support and advocate for the passage and funding for the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park
Support and promote increased funding for tourism development opportunities
Support and promote expansion of mass transportation infrastructure
Support, promote and protect the military presence in Central Georgia
Support legislation that improves pathways to workforce readiness.
JESSICA WALDEN
STAFF Directory
President & CEO 478.621.2002
jwalden@maconchamber.com
JENNIFER BRONNER
J.R. OLIVE
RENITA PATTERSON
Chief Financial Officer
VP of Operations & Workforce
VP of Engagement
478.621.2014 jbronner@maconchamber.com
ALEX MASON
478.621.2005 jolive@maconchamber.com
JEN MARSHALL
478.621.2013 rpatterson@maconchamber.com
REID MCLAIN
Director of Strategies
SHERRY SINGLETON VP of Communications 478.621.2017
ssingleton@maconchamber.com
KATELIN PARKS Finance Administrator
Director of Development
Director of Investor Relations
478.621.2030 amason@maconchamber.com
478.621.2007 jmarshall@maconchamber.com
478.621.2004
478.621.2008
rmclain@maconchamber.com
kadams@maconchamber.com
IZZA SOLA
FUTURE TEAM MEMBER
FUTURE TEAM MEMBER
FUTURE TEAM MEMBER
Interim Community Manager 478.621.2000
Director of Digital Marketing
Director of Leadership & Civic Engagement
Community Manager
kadams@maconchamber.com
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JAN 1- DEC 31
THE CHAMBER AT A GLANCE
FISCAL YEAR
2M
ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET
790+
INVESTORS
12STAFF
Executive Staff has 25+ years of combined chamber experience, over 35 years of non-profit management
39 BOARD MEMBERS
6 6.7K 3.5K
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FOLLOWERS
SIGNATURE ANNUAL EVENTS
CHAMBER SIGNATURE PROGRAMMING
Annual Awards Legacy Classic Golf Tournament & BINGO Leadership Macon Macon Day Macon Day Fish Fry State of the Community
CHAMBER PROGRAMMING B.R.E.W. (Business Resources. Education. Workforce) Business After Hours Future Workforce Friday Legislative Dinner Lunch Out with the Mayor Macon & Eggs M.A.C. Socials (Macon Area Connections) New Medical Residents’ Welcome New Teachers’ Welcome Star Student
AFFILIATIONS & ACCREDIDATIONS ACCE, GACCE Association of Leadership Programs Drugs Don't Work Georgia Chamber HUB Council Middle Georgia Military Affairs Committee (MGMAC) Smart Plan Insurance US Chamber, Georgia Chamber
INITIATIVES
FIND US ONLINE
maconchamber.com Greater Macon Chamber
Greater Macon Chamber @macon_chamber @choosemacon
choosemacon.com Choose Macon
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GLOSSARY: KNOW THE LANGUAGE & THE PRODUCT Ambassador
A signature program of the Greater Macon Chamber, Chamber Ambassadors invest their time and resources to represent the Chamber as premier volunteers and engagement partners of our organization.
Chamber Headquarters The office location of the Greater Macon Chamber is: 338 Poplar Street. Headquarters includes a Community Room, Business Resource Room, staff offices, meeting areas and workspaces.
ChooseMacon.com
ChooseMacon.com is the public-facing digital platform that supports the Chamber’s talent attraction and retention efforts. The website serves as a centralized resource for prospective and relocating talent, highlighting job opportunities, housing options, qualityof-life assets, and pathways to get connected in Macon. While Choose Macon 2030 is the long-term strategy, ChooseMacon.com is a key tool used to execute that strategy by helping people discover why — and how — to choose Macon.
Choose Macon 2030 Choose Macon 2030 is a five-year, Chamber-led strategy focused on talent attraction, retention, and workforce development. By aligning business, education, and community partners, the initiative strengthens Macon’s ability to grow population, fill highdemand jobs, and support long-term economic prosperity.
Initiatives Community collaboration opportunities, strategic focuses, leadership advancement, ongoing engagement opportunity and advocacy work serve as initiatives of the Greater Macon Chamber.
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Investor Instead of members or sponsors, you will more often hear reference to investors. An investor is a financial supporter of the Greater Macon Chamber. Investors join the Chamber at any tiered investment levels, invest sponsorship dollars in programming and/or pledge financial commitments to the Forward Macon plan.
Leadership Macon A signature initiative of the Greater Macon Chamber to encourage local leaders to engage in community and find a place to serve. This annual community leadership program focuses on group leadership skills, Macon-Bibb overview and issues pertaining to our community. This initiative has an advisory committee, alumni program and the class concludes with a community project.
Programming Educational forums, signature events and connection opportunities are referred to as Chamber programming.
Tiered Dues The annual investment benefit structure for joining the Greater Macon Chamber. For detailed investment benefits, refer to pages 18-29. The investment tiers are: Regional Influencer: $26,000 Key Stakeholder: $10,400 Lead Investor: $5,200 Community Advocate: $2,600 Economic Driver: $1,360 Business Catalyst: $780 Basic Investor: $460
Chamber of Commerce Day A common expression for a day when the weather is so ideal that it makes our community look its absolute best.
Itinerary Board Objectives: ALIGN our Board around our strategic direction and where the Greater Macon Chamber is going. ARTICULATE our value and why the Chamber matters to our Investors and our region. ACTIVATE our Board as informed, influential leaders who understand, own, and can champion the WHY behind the Chamber and Choose Macon 2030.
Thursday, September 24, 2026: 4:00 p.m. | Hotel Check-In: Tempo by Hilton Savannah Historic District 220 E. Bryan Street | Savannah, GA 31401 7:00 p.m. | Dinner at The Grey 109 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | Savannah, GA 31401 6:15 p.m. – Meet in the hotel lobby 6:20 p.m. – Depart for The Grey Walking Time: Approximately 15–18 minutes 1. Exit the hotel onto E. Bryan Street. 2. Walk west on E. Bryan Street toward Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. 3. Continue through Savannah’s Historic District. 4. Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. 5. Continue south for several blocks. 6. The Grey will be on your left at 109 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Friday, September 25, 2026 Morning | Hotel Breakfast: On your own - Breakfast available at Bluestone Lane in the hotel. Coffee & refreshments: Provided at the retreat Hotel check-out: Before departing for the retreat Parking: Leave vehicles at the hotel and walk to the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce. 8:40 a.m. | Depart for Retreat Start: Tempo by Hilton Savannah Historic District - 220 E. Bryan Street Destination: Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce - 101 E. Bay Street | Savannah, GA 31401 Walking Time: Approximately 8–10 minutes 1. Exit the hotel onto E. Bryan Street. 2. Walk east on E. Bryan Street toward Reynolds Square. 3. Turn left onto Abercorn Street and walk north. 4. Turn right onto E. Bay Street. 5. Continue to 101 E. Bay Street, home of the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce.
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Board Retreat Agenda Board Retreat 9:00 a.m. | Board Retreat Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce - 101 E. Bay Street | Savannah, GA 31401 Facilitator: Teri Smiley, GCCE, IOM; Owner & CEO, Starfish Partnerships Special Guest: Bert Brantley, President & CEO, Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce 9:00 a.m. | Kick-Off & Welcome | Luis Fonseca, Chair, Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce & Senior Vice President - Operations, All-State Electrical 9:10 a.m. | Set the Stage | Jessica Walden, President & CEO, Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce 9:20 a.m. | Welcome from the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce | Bert Brantley 9:40 a.m. | Introduction of the Facilitator | Caroline Adams, Marketing Director, ITVantix, Leadership Development Sponsor Teri Smiley, Starfish Partnerships
9:45 a.m. | Different Shapes. Shared Purpose. 10:15 a.m. | Reconnect to the Big Picture & Celebrate Wins 10:35 a.m. | Why the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce? 11:05 a.m. | BREAK 11:20 a.m. | From Our Why to Our Value 12:00 p.m. | Lunch Break 12:30 p.m. | Telling the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce Story 1:00 p.m. | A Board of Influencers 1:30 p.m. | Final Thoughts & Commitments 1:45 p.m. | Adjourn
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FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC INITIATIVE
2026 - 2030 PROSPECTUS
Choose Macon 2030, the Next Five-Year Plan Initiative I: Talent Attraction and Retention
To compete, Macon-Bibb must foster a strong sense of belonging and community engagement among new and emerging talent. This initiative addresses that challenge by creating pathways for social connection, civic involvement, and professional integration. The outcome: a more rooted, engaged workforce invested in Macon’s long-term success. Choose Macon Marketing Strategy: Manage a comprehensive marketing and employer resource strategy designed to support talent recruitment and retention in Macon-Bibb County. Choose Macon Realtor Network: Equip real estate agents to guide new and transitioning residents through the homebuying process, with a focus on affordability, livability and community connection when moving to Macon Bibb and specific training to assist with local relocation and down payment assistance (DPA) programs. Macon My Move: Provide relocation and navigation assistance, including coordinating incentivized welcome packages for new residents who move to Macon and join the local workforce. Familiarization & Welcome Programs: Organize annual welcome receptions to help new professionals connect with the community and create a sense of place in Macon-Bibb. These include: New Medical Residents Reception New Teachers Luncheon New Executive Orientation (bi-annually) MAC (Macon Area Connections): Design social meetups to connect singles, young professionals and new residents to one another.
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Leadership Macon U: Manage a leadership and civic immersion experience tailored for graduating seniors from local colleges and universities, which includes a weekly community immersion program designed for summer interns working at local businesses.
Initiative II: Local Workforce Development
An available and skilled workforce is a critical issue locally and across the country. We must implement strategies that will increase the skill level of the labor force and support initiatives that enhance talent attraction, engagement, and retention. Advanced Manufacturing Pathway: Align education with the economy through a collaboration with Bibb County Schools, Central Georgia Technical College and MaconBibb County Industrial Authority to develop, launch and promote an Advanced Manufacturing Pathway to students, parents and educators. Future Workforce Fridays: Enhance exposure and access to future career possibilities by producing video career spotlights and employer interviews delivered to Bibb County Schools, as well as providing hands-on business and industry tours for middle and high school students to Macon based employers with high-demand career pathways. Greater Career Works: Operate a digital platform connecting local students and adult jobseekers to career exploration tools, training opportunities, and education pathways, linking them directly to regional resources such as technical college programs, certifications, and local college degree options. Second Chance Employment: Support career pathway training and development for individuals with barriers to employment, especially those with criminal records, which reduces recidivism, expands the talent pool and creates more opportunities for economic inclusion. Data Analysis: Collect, analyze and maintain strategic demographic insights and localized workforce and economic trends to inform decision-making and support business and talent development across the region.
Initiative III: Income-Aligned Workforce Housing
Income-aligned housing is a key strategy for supporting our workforce, making sure employed residents can afford to live in the same community where they work and contribute. Accessible and affordable housing is increasingly a barrier to attracting and retaining workforce, especially in professional and emerging talent sectors. To remain competitive, we must implement strategies that connect employees to income-aligned homeownership and ease the transition for new residents. This initiative supports talent recruitment and stability through down payment assistance, real estate navigation and partnerships that make living in Macon-Bibb both attainable and appealing.
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Down Payment Assistance (DPA): Coordinate a powerful workforce incentive that helps attract and retain talent by making homeownership more accessible. When paired with employer support or public-private partnerships, DPA aligns housing costs with wages, promotes economic mobility and strengthens workforce stability. This program will match and promote DPA programs offered by employers and coordinate access to down payment assistance for their employees.
Outcomes with Your Help
Over the next five years (2026-2030), the Macon Chamber of Commerce and our partners will work together to meet desired outcomes that drive Macon forward as we Choose Macon 2030. Talent Attraction and Retention KPIs: Grow the number of 28-day active users on ChooseMacon.com by 70% over the next five years, reflecting increased awareness, engagement, and conversion among current and prospective residents, employers, realtors and jobseekers. Attract new residents whose combined earnings generate at least $1 million in new annual household income within Macon-Bibb County over the next five years through targeted relocation and incentive programs, creating a measurable economic impact of Choose Macon’s talent attraction strategy and expansion of the local tax base. Local Workforce Development KPIs: Grow enrollment in the Advanced Manufacturing Pathway to its maximum of 40 students over the next five years in partnership with Bibb County Schools and the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority, ensuring continued growth in the number of local students earning industry-recognized credentials that align with in-demand careers in Macon’s manufacturing sector. Strengthen and expand Macon-Bibb County’s workforce to reach and sustain 85,000 total covered jobs by 2030, positioning the region for future economic growth and shared prosperity. Through initiatives that enhance workforce retention, skill development, and employer partnerships, the Chamber will help ensure Macon-Bibb is prepared to meet the talent demands of a growing and evolving economy. PROPOSED BUDGET Annual Budget
Five-Year Budget
Initiative I: Talent Attraction & Retention
$400,000
$2,000,000
Initiative II: Local Workforce Development
$300,000
$1,500,000
Initiative III: Income-Aligned Workforce Housing
$200,000
$1,000,000
$900,000
$4,500,000
Total
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Greater Macon Chamber 2026 Board Retreat Notes
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R S E T N O R N O E C I N U V O E Y S K T N ORS A H T REGIONAL INFLUENCERS
KEY STAKEHOLDERS
LEADING INVESTORS The Academy for Classical Education
COMMUNITY ADVOCATES 13 WMAZ-TV ACRES & OAK KITCHEN ALL CARE HOME HEALTH, LLC AMERICAN PRIDE BANK AMWASTE OF GEORGIA, LLC APPAREL AUTHORITY AT&T ATLANTA GAS LIGHT COMPANY B&D INDUSTRIAL BEY & ASSOCIATES CHEROKEE BRICK CHERRY STREET ENERGY FIRST QUALITY
IRVING CONSUMER PRODUCTS JONES CORK, LLP KUMHO TIRE GEORGIA, INC LAYSON ADVISORY GROUP L.E. SCHWARTZ & SON, INC. MACON COCA-COLA BOTTLING CO. MCNAIR, MCLEMORE, MIDDLEBROOKS & CO., LLC MODERN GROCERY LOFT APARTMENTS NEWTOWN MACON NORTHSIDE HOSPITAL CANCER INSTITUTE, RADIATION ONCOLOGY
ORTHOGEORGIA PBK RENASANT BANK RIGHT AT HOME ROBINS FINANCIAL CREDIT UNION STRATFORD ACADEMY SYNOVUS BANK TIER 2 TECHNOLOGIES TURNER JOB CORPS WESLEYAN COLLEGE YKK AP AMERICA