Mission Statement

The mission of the Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is to improve the quality of life in our community by providing leadership to coordinate, support and promote the business interests of our membership.

Vision

The Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce will be the recognized leader of the business community by providing value through member benefits, quality programs and political leadership resulting in a solid return on investment for our members.

Priorities for 2008

Member Services and Programs
Provide our entire membership in the Chippewa Falls area, including downtown, area townships, manufacturing and service members with programs and services that add value to their participation in the Chamber.

* Expand the use of Certificheck program to support shopping in member businesses
* Continue to develop and promote the quality of life in our area
* Provide networking opportunities for our members

Tourism
Increase visitor presence and spending in our community throughout the year.

* Complete the transition of the fairgrounds
Develop a strong relationship with new Fairgrounds Board
Work with the Fairgrounds Board to secure a new manager
Work with Fairgrounds to increase utilization fo the entire facility
* Work with the City of Chippewa Falls to assist in the development of the riverfront.

Economic Development: Assist our economic development partners in growing the Chippewa Falls areas employment base.

* Work to insure that our members have a positive business climate that nurtures the growth and development of their business
* Work with existing members on their business expansion needs
*Educate the community on the total value of economic development
* Insure that the infrastructure needed for business expansion is in place
* Work with local government and business to address wastewater issues

2008 Business Plan

Agriculture

* Annual sponsorship of the June Dairy Days Dinner

Ambassadors

* Host Ribbon Cutting/Ground Breaking ceremonies
* Coordinate and host monthly membership programs
* Coordinate our annual fall membership drive
* Host our monthly new business welcome visits

Communication

* Publication of the Annual Membership Directory
* Improve communication to our members through the use of our web site and email
* Increase communication with non-members to educate them on the benefits of the organization
*Continue to conduct our periodic member orientation program.

Community Development

* Work with our economic development partners to attract new industry to the area


Education

* Annual sponsorship of the Excellence in Education Banquet
* Develop informational programs to build relations between educators and businesses
* Support Chippewa Falls School to Work Program

Health Care

* Monitor budget issues at State Level and keep members informed.
* Explore healthcare options for small business and inform our members of the available options

Internal Operations

* Increase communication with our community partners. Coordinate periodic staff meetings, and Executive Committee meetings to improve efficiencies and effectiveness.
* Insure the Chamber has adequate staffing and provide staff with necessary training and cross training

Leadership Development

* Conduct our annual Leadership Development Program
* Work with major employers to increase community involvement of their staff
* Develop a program that creates involvement for young professionals in the Chamber.

Member Programs & Services

* Develop a quarterly membership breakfast program
* Enhance our Business After Hours Program
* Develop an informational seminar series

Public Affairs

* Continue to monitor issues and advocate positions that are beneficial to our membership
* Identify and encourage members to seek elected positions
* Explore ways to make meetings of elected bodies more feasible for business people to attend.

2008 Tourism Business Plan

GOAL: To maximize visitor spending in our area during the off season

Leisure Traveler

* Provide a visitor information center that guides visitors to members businesses and maximizes their expenditures in our community. Facility will be open 7 days per week during peak season.

* Recruit and train businesses to staff the visitor’s center on weekends for our “Saturday Sponsors” program.

* Recruit and train 16 Visitors Center volunteers to provide visitors with up to date tourism information. Conduct our annual appreciation banquet for this group.

* Distribute Chamber business directories to all hotel rooms for visitors to use and to guide them to member businesses.

* Provide our visitors with quality publications on the Chippewa Falls area to promote our community and members.

* Expand our efforts to draw people to utilize our bike trail system.

* Utilize our Natural resources in the attraction of the leisure traveler.

* Capitalize on the success of Oktoberfest in our leisure marketing efforts.

Promotion

* Continue to purchase promotional space in key target areas. This will be focused on generating off-season visitors.

* Continue to develop strategies to direct visitors into Chippewa Falls now that the bypasses are complete. Work with the Department of Transportation in maintaining “Tourist Info” signage and adding new signs as bypass projects have evolved.

* Monitor the success of our advertising purchases. Eliminate the weaker buys and explore new opportunities.

* Distribute visitor information packets to all leads generated through phone, web site and other sources.

* Develop relations with travel writers throughout the upper Midwest. Secure articles in various publications.

* Promote positive image of the Chamber
a. Utilize print media at least 10 times per year
b. Send copy of newsletter with Oktoberfest schedule to prospective members