2023-2025 Strategic Plan - Sylvania Area Chamber of Commerce

Le er From The President/CEO

Welcome to the unveiling of our Three-Year Strategic Plan, an energized approach to serve the membership and community of the Sylvania Area Chamber of Commerce. Our organization will expand our membership opportunities, invest in our membership, community, and team, advocate for our business community, and ultimately strengthen our position in Northwest Ohio for long term success.

Driven by a planning retreat with a desire to effectively represent our business community and put an emphasis on our community, we present to you a Chamber of Commerce with refreshing ideas, programs, and an innovative plan for the future. The design and development of this plan would not have been possible without the efforts of our Board of Directors, which includes representatives from our membership and community leaders. The Sylvania Chamber team thanks each person for contributing their time and talent to help create a road map for our organization and community.

Our Strategic Plan outlines the commitment of our organization to our businesses and our communi all while we preserve the charm of Sylvania. Our growth leads to in uence, but also leads to business opportunities for all. We are excited about this Strategic Plan and hope you will be as well as it guides an even greater return on your membership investment.

The Sylvania Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to see our priorities for our partners and community over the next few years. We also encourage you to get involved in our efforts to share the future of our community. Thank you for your investment and continued confidence in the Sylvania Area Chamber of Commerce.

Sincerely, Tiffany Scott

President/CEO

Le er From The Chair

I am honored to be a member of this board and a part of this strategic planning. The Chamber presents opportunities for all members to grow their network, and in turn, grow their businesses. This is an exciting time for the Sylvania Area Chamber of Commerce and its members. I invite you to feel the energy, establish new relationships, and take advantage of what I believe is one of the best resources in our community. As a chamber member, your active involvement and dedication will help move us forward. With a focus on engagement, investment, marketing awareness, and foundation growth, I am excited to see where this plan takes us in three years.

Sincerely, Katie Fields Chair, Board of Directors Owner, Inside the Five Brewing Co.

Values

The Sylvania Area Chamber of Commerce believes our reputation with our stakeholders – members, elected o cials, future members, and partners –is vital to the success of our organization. Our values live in our messaging and actions. Our values establish trust and ensure a positive image of our support to our members and community we serve.

STRATEGIC ACTION FOCUS #1:

MEMBERSHIP ENGAGEMENT

The Sylvania Chamber is designed to support our membership and provide a return on investments made into the organization. It is our obligation to provide bene ts to our members with their investment of funding, time, and knowledge.

COMMITTEES. Cultivate committees that will rely on active committee members to grow and achieve goals; committees will provide opportunities build relationships with similar members and ensure members have a voice in chamber and community topics. Committees includes but are not limited to Community/Government Affairs, Young Professionals, Tourism, Diversity (DEI), Workforce, Community Events, etc.

PARTNERSHIPS. Develop partnership with Lourdes University & Sylvania Schools to bridge the gap between students and future employers through educational and workforce opportunities.

COORDINATION. Expand our coordinating efforts to open lines of communication to our civic and business communities, increase membership benefits through affinity programs which will in turn allow for new and existing businesses to prosper in the Sylvania area.

EVENTS & PROGRAMS. Provide training/seminars for members seeking education in areas such as technology, managerial skills, and workforce matters. As well as provide opportunities for businesses to participate in civic events to increase brand awareness.

STRATEGIC ACTION FOCUS #2:

INVESTMENT

The Sylvania Chamber strives to maximize its organizational e orts through the investment of technolo , professional development, and sta ng.

MEMBERSHIP. Offer opportunities to support our members and provide a larger return on their investment made to the Sylvania Area Chamber of Commerce through CRM and web development.

TECHNOLOGY. Provide technology for the Sylvania Chamber team that can assist with automation, organization, and growth of the chamber. Ultimately increase the membership benefits provided to businesses, organizations, and individuals through technology advancements.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. Allow for professional develop opportunities and growth of the current and future chamber team. Including certification programs, attending development courses locally and nationally, and participating in larger chamber of commerce organizations.

STAFFING. Hire additional staff member(s) at the Sylvania Chamber to balance duties and responsibilities on current team to ensure exceptional growth of the organization.

The Sylvania Area Chamber of Commerce is a community organization directed by its members to serve and support the well-being of business.

STRATEGIC ACTION FOCUS #3:

MARKETING AWARENESS

The Sylvania Chamber will increase marketing e orts of the Sylvania area locally and statewide.

MEMBERSHIP. Establish resources to provide information for existing and new members. Materials and information will include membership welcome packets, digital advertisement opportunities, event awareness, highlights of current events, activities, and membership.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES. Inform the community about the chamber benefits, events, and programs through the production of new resources such as newsletters, social media promotion, local maps, and residential welcome packets. Members will have additional marketing opportunities through said production. TOURS: Develop tours that will share Sylvania’s story to high level executives from local businesses, such as Lourdes University and ProMedica Flower Hospital that will provide insight and welcoming features.

TOURISM. Build relationships with marketing partners to share Sylvania’s story and increase tourism opportunities in our Sylvania area.

CHAMBER PROMOTION. Devote resources to advertise the Sylvania Chamber to the business community in the Sylvania area to increase brand awareness and visibility through digital, print, and social media marketing.

STRATEGIC ACTION FOCUS #4:

FOUNDATION GROWTH

The Sylvania Chamber launched the Sylvania Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation in the spring of 2022 to develop funding for educational, beauti cation projects which will support the Sylvania area.

BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS. The Foundation will plan and execute projects that support the commercial, industrial, and civic interest of our businesses.

EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS. Partnership within the Sylvania Schools and Lourdes University system will be reviewed and designed to equip the next generation of employees and leaders with skill sets to improve their future opportunities.