Chamber Annual Report: 2023

ANNUAL REPORT Engage • Encourage • Elevate

2023

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SERVING JOHNSON CITY, JONESBOROUGH, WASHINGTON COUNTY

CONTACT US 423-461-8000 johnsoncitytnchamber.com 602 Sevier St. Unit 101. Johnson City, TN 37604 FOLLOW US Facebook: @JohnsonCityChamber Instagram: @johnsoncitychamber LinkedIn: Johnson City Chamber of Commerce STAY IN TOUCH WITH US Email Newsletter Sign-Up: shorturl.ac/newslettersignup Facebook Members-Only Group: Email Cooper to join!

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IT IS OUR PLEASURE TO SERVE THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY!

Report Images Provided By: Johnson City Aerial Photography and Chamber Staff

In 2023, the Chamber of Commerce experienced great success through our unwavering commitment to the theme “Engage, Encourage, Elevate.” By fostering meaningful connections and championing innovation, we witnessed businesses flourish and entrepreneurs thrive, elevating their success. As we reflect on the specific achievements brought about by our new and established programs and events in 2023, we look forward with great optimism to our community’s future. In 2024, our focus will be cultivating change for the next generation to guide our journey of growth, prosperity and community empowerment.

Together, as the Chamber, we are confident that the successes of 2023 will lay a solid foundation for even greater accomplishments in the year ahead.

Thank you for what you and your business do to support our Chamber and our mission to impact businesses in Johnson City, Jonesborough and Washington County!

-The Chamber Team Bob Cantler: President/CEO Elisa Britt: Director of Leadership & Engagement Gabe Gounaris: Director of Membership & Business Development Lauri Hale: Director of Finance Cooper Reaves: Director of Marketing & Communications McKenzie Templeton: Director of Young Professional Development Scott Ledford, Christian Medical & Dental Associations: 2023 Board Chair Jeff Dykes, Brightridge: 2023 Foundation Board Chair The Chamber Board of Directors The Chamber Foundation Board of Directors The Chamber Councils

Business Development

$160k

in business assistance funding

30

businesses helped through AI training workshops

20

graduates of CO.STARTERS entrepreneurship course

8

Lunch & Learns on business topics

$3000+

in sponsorship of partners’ business development events and programs

Government Relations

30

pieces of TN business legislation tracked

12

weekly check-in calls with NE TN legislators

Hosted

Legislative Breakfast

with our TN state legislators

Partnered

with other local Chambers on legislative events and meet & greets

Marketing & Communications

125k+

people reached on Facebook

163.5% increase in Instagram reach

33.3% increase in social media engagement

28% increase in online user visits of new website 20% increase in email newsletter open and engagement rates

Hired full-time Director of Marketing & Comm.

Membership & Events

120+

new members

43

24

membership events

6

large events

14

ribbon cuttings

networking opportunities

400+

breakfast attendees Mar-Nov.

100+

players in golf tournament

80+

Breaking Barriers attendees

94+ Model Members voluntarily doubling dues for an extra

$62k+

additional revenue

2023 Chamber Annual Report – 4

Workforce Development

50 Adult Leadership members across 2 classes

33 Youth Leadership participants between 2 classes

12 CARE students in the spring class

Our Business Community

68 ¢

of every dollar spent locally stayed in Washington County

#9

Gross Domestic Product in Tennessee

3.5%

county unemployment rate 2023 Chamber Annual Report – 4

Young Professionals

$6k+ 800+ 170

raised for local non-profits community service hours across Tri-Cities

members across a 200-mile radius

60+

events with over 1500 member participations total

Launched

TEDxJohnsonCity and sold out first event in under an hour

Hosted

10th YP Unite Summit

with over 100 YPs attending from across the Southeast

Looking Ahead 2024 Theme:

Cultivating Change for the Next Generation 2024 Chamber Board Chair

Keddrain “KD” Bowen Owner of Fanatics 101 Author Life/Business Coach

“Let’s go win the day!”

-KD

“Thank You” to our partners who went above and beyond in supporting the Chamber’s mission in 2023!

Business Development Partners

Membership Programs Partners

Workforce Development Partners

Young Professionals Partners