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Rochester Chamber Annual Report

2019

Annual Report

As I look back at all we have accomplished at Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce in 2019, I am inspired by the incredible collaboration among the members of this organization – professionals from all walks of life, small businesses and large businesses, who share a deep desire to make a positive impact in our community.

In addition to our exemplary membership, we are fortunate to have such a dedicated leader in President and CEO Bob Duffy. He works tirelessly for the community we call home and that’s why it came as no surprise when in September of 2019 Bob was welcomed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as one of 14 new executives to its Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100 – one of the most prestigious national appointments in the chamber community. I am heartened by his appointment and know that Bob will continue to be a tremendous advocate for jobs, businesses, and economic growth in our region. In 2020, I look forward to the Rochester Chamber

CEO’s Message

I am very pleased with the accomplishments and successes that the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce team has had on behalf of our members in 2019. One of our goals is to always anticipate the needs of our members and provide services and advocacy that meet the highest expectations of customer satisfaction. I thank the Rochester Chamber Board of Directors and Chairman Rob Sands for their leadership. I also thank our members for their support and engagement throughout the year.

As I begin my sixth year as president and CEO, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce has evolved into an agile organization, ready to meet members’ needs of today and poised to transform in the face of future challenges.

Advocacy is at the heart of what we do at Rochester Chamber, spanning from Washington D.C. to Albany to right here at home in the Finger Lakes region. Our goal is to advance policies and positions that contribute to a positive economic climate and business success. Advocacy at Rochester Chamber means much more than just a legislative agenda. It also includes personalized service on individual member issues through phone calls, letters of support, and making direct business connections.

Our membership and programs and events teams did a fantastic job in 2019, creating experiences based upon the feedback of our members. Rochester Chamber events provide unparalleled professional development, educational, and networking opportunities as well as region-wide celebrations of our business community including the Rochester Chamber Top 100, ATHENA International, and IGNITE Awards. Our events, many being a voice of support for investing in developing the workforce of the future, and continuing economic development programs like ROC2025, ROC the Riverway, the Regional Economic Development Councils, and the Downtown Revitalization Initiative.

As a local businessman, I know the value of Rochester’s talent, resources, and collaborative partnerships. As chairman, I look forward to continuing to work with leaders across our region to further our economic prosperity. Together we will continue to make Rochester the standout choice for long-term growth and opportunity.

Robert S. Sands Executive Chairman, Constellation Brands Chairman of the Board, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce

complimentary, are a vital service designed to honor and serve our membership. Rochester Chamber Human Resource Services provide critical HR support for all members, but especially those companies that do not have the luxury of dedicated HR personnel. Many small businesses struggle with the complexities of human resource compliance. The Rochester Chamber HR team continually finds ways to serve and communicate the best strategies possible to all of our member organizations.

Rochester Chamber’s RBA Staffing and Background Screening divisions incorporated new technology and services in 2019 to better meet the needs of clients in a highly competitive environment. We constantly assess and improve these services as new methods and products emerge. It’s also important to note that RBA Staffing helps provide employment opportunities for the underemployed and underserved in our community. This meshes well with Rochester Chamber’s ROC2025 charge of leading our region’s workforce development and talent strategy efforts.Again, Rochester Chamber is constantly evolving. There are new demands and new challenges every day, but also new opportunities. I encourage our members to make the most of their memberships by engaging with our staff and taking advantage of the many services and benefits. I am fortunate to serve alongside 42 people who work tirelessly every day for our members, customers, and community. Learn more at www.GreaterRochesterChamber.com.

Marketing and Commmunications

Twitter 9,784

Facebook 4,606

Instagram 1,677

LinkedIn 4,854

122 Videos Posted

54 News Releases Distributed

36,000 + Video Views

Events 85 Events

Signature Event Attendance

Rochester Chamber Top 100 1,900 +

ATHENA International Awards 850 +

IGNITE Future Leaders 350 +

4Training Classes

Sponsorship and Event Attendance Revenue $ 600,000

Total event attendance 6,000 +

ROC Tech Conference 350 +

GO! Women’s Conference 200 +

RBA Staffing & Background Screening

RBA Staffing

1,050 Employees Served

900 Paychecks Per Week Delivered

Background Screening

570 Customers Served 101,180 Total Background Searches

400 Employers Served

3Employer Clients Served On-Site

Finance

Total Budget $ 20,741,000

Budgeted Net Income $ 539,000

Net Income $ 457,000

Advocacy 2019 Legislative Session Wins

• Advocated against harmful predictive scheduling regulations • Fought off a proposed expansion of prevailing wage • Advocated for passage of Small Business Regulatory Cures Act • Assisted members with MWBE certification/re-certification • Advocated against an infeasible healthcare proposal

Membership

Human Resources

Friday HR Briefings

16 Meetings

480 Attendees

126 Individual Participants HR Forums 93 Member Companies

9Surveys 256 Member Participants Benchmarking Surveys

137

New Members 9 %

20

Ribbon Cuttings 250 + Employees

12 %

100-249 Employees

0-99 Employees

79 %

255 On-Site Member Visits

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