Annual Program of Work
Michael Patrick, Chairman
APRIL 15, 2025
Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce
Overview
Economic Growth for the Years Ahead
New Challenges, New Opportunities
As the biggest suburb of Memphis and Tennessee’ s 11th largest city, Bartlett is poised for continued residential and industrial growth. However, sound economic development is dependent on many factors that must come into play.
Available real estate is the primary driving force behind most economic development strategies. This is true for Bartlett, as well as every community in America. Having the utilities in place must also accompany growth, so a partnership with MLGW, TVA, TDOT, communication companies, etc. is also very important. City officials recognize the need for all of these components to coalesce with a special emphasis on land and infrastructure improvements to make growth a reality. Bartlett is taking the lead in this endeavor with the BACC working closely with the City to make positive things happen.
The national mission of reindustrializing America comes with many challenges. Land, energy, raw materials, critical components, workforce, labor skills, water & sewer and many more ingredients must all be included in the formula to be successful. Progress will depend on how well the nation addresses these fundamentals.
The BACC understands and applauds this refocusing on economic development basics and will do what we can to assist in this goal. True progress begins on the local level, and as a chamber of commerce with a strong emphasis on industrial development, we will have a positive impact in this endeavor.
This Program of Work will present our key objectives, membership goals, marketing goals, and projections on economic development.
Key Goals and Objectives for 2025
Our Key Goals for 2025 are to:
• Enhance our partnership with the City of Bartlett to drive economic development initiatives.
• Solidify the BACC’s position as the premier business organization in Shelby County’s Northeast Corridor.
• Drive membership growth through strategic and proactive recruitment efforts.
• Deliver greater value to our members by maximizing their return on investment and elevating their customer experience.
• Strengthen the Chamber’s and its members’ reputation and visibility within the community.
effectively showcases Bartlett as an outstanding place to live and do business.
• Collaborate with the City to create a strategic retail development plan that attracts premium establishments.
• Expand our membership base through targeted marketing efforts and a cohesive recruitment campaign.
• Continuously refine current programs and initiatives while exploring innovative opportunities to maximize ROI for our members and benefit the community.
Membership Objectives
• Invigorate the BACC’s ‘Staying Ahead of the Curve’ series featuring dynamic presenters speaking on relevant, cuttingedge topics.
• Build-up attendance to the general membership meetings to 100 with interesting speakers and engaging agendas.
• A minimum of four to six Business After Hours events offering a variety of member locations suitable for networking.
• Revamp the Ambassadors program with the aim of building stronger relationships with current chamber members while setting goals to attract potential new members.
• Continue the popular “Perk Before Work”, coffee networking event with rotating venues and interesting guests.
• Continue to grow and promote the popular “Travel with the Chamber" program the only program of its kind in the region.
• Reestablish the Bartlett Retail Association that focuses on existing businesses to help them address their needs.
• Expand on the success of established programs like the EXPO, Christmas in Bartlett Festival, Insights Magazine, Buy Bartlett and Farmers Market, while introducing innovative events that deliver meaningful value to our members and the broader community
Promotional and Marketing Goals
Key marketing focus areas for 2025
• E-Newsletters, event promotion, monthly Bartlett Express column
• Insights Magazine, web-based promotion, social media cultivation and outreach, press releases
• Direct member and non-member contact
• Expand LinkedIn with more articles and member promotion
• Letters and mailers
• Event planning assistance
2025 Marketing Activities Include:
• Increase ad revenue in Insights Magazine
• Maximize website traffic and engagement
• Increase media coverage of BACC events and its membership
• Work with BACC staff and ambassadors to retain existing members and recruit new ones
• Carve out new niche areas to target new prospective members
• Explore new marketing avenues such as a quarterly mail-out newsletter, periodic or regular in-house podcasts, and more public facing event participation to increase brand awareness
Looking to the Future
The BACC is committed to working closely with the City of Bartlett administration in developing a comprehensive economic development strategy. We will use the pooled resources of the Strategic Partners and others who can assist with this important task.
Two major reports by Younger Associates, released within the past two years, confirmed that Bartlett is poised for unparalleled economic growth. The "Suburban Communities Significance to the Shelby County Economy" study revealed Bartlett contributes $8.3 Billion of the $16.9 Billion produced by the alliance cities. The "Economic Impact Analysis of the Medical Device Industry Cluster" confirmed the significance of this growth industry, pointing to $1.5 billion in total wages and direct property tax of $3.9 Million, and a total output of more than $4.06 Billion annually.
Alongside its thriving medical device industry, Bartlett is strategically positioned to benefit from the growth of Ford Blue Oval City. By this time next year, our community will begin experiencing the positive impact of this transformative development.
The strength and impact of any chamber of commerce are inherently tied to its members. As Ronald Reagan aptly noted, a thriving community is a reflection of its chamber. The BACC is privileged to enjoy the backing of both the private and public sectors, creating a powerful synergy that drives progress and shapes a brighter future.
