Saturday, August 2, 2008

9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

Going Green for Gold?
Presented by Dan Slifko

Alternative energy headlines dominate newspapers and local news broadcasts, covering Death Valley’s wind farms, ethanol plants in Iowa and small hydro projects in the Smokies. Other green energy business investments (sensors, battery technology, etc.) are also springing up in communities large and small. Does the new alternative energy and energy efficiency marketplace hold opportunities for your community? How can you mobilize to exploit it on behalf of your region and members? Learn answers to your questions focusing on alternative energy in your community. Session Handouts 

Performance Management Systems
Presented by Sherryl Nufer

When developing a strong performance management system, you must carefully consider the design and how it will be used. Learn how a clear understanding of job expectations, regular performance feedback, and distinct steps for improving performance can benefit your employees…and your organization!

Tiered Dues Analysis
Presented by Kyle Sexton

Tiered dues systems are the wave of the future, but are they right for your chamber today? This session will explore if converting to tiered dues is the right solution right now for your chamber. Learn how to create meaningful tiers that your customers will embrace, and explore a template that will simplify creating tiers. Gain a stronger understanding of what’s at stake and what to expect if you decide to move forward. Designed for membership directors, chamber executives or anyone else responsible for driving revenue through delivery of value-added benefits, this session will take a predominantly operational view of tiers although sales strategies will be touched upon. Session Handouts 

What's So "Special" About Your Special Events?
Presented by Patrick Galvin

Chambers are in competition with so many other non-profit events in the community that it is getting increasingly difficult to get the attention of members and prospects. What viral marketing techniques are chambers using to set themselves apart from the masses? Learn how to make sure yours are the must-attend events in your community. Session Handouts 

Work the Issues that Matter
Presented by Bernie Koch
Moderated by Sarah Hubbard

If you and your chamber are active on the policy front—providing legislative and advocacy leadership in your region—you are probably barraged from inside (loud board members) and outside (would-be partners) when trying to determine which issues to work on. Forging consensus around your priority issues while keeping the list reasonable in size and tied to your mission can be tough. How do you get there and how to you fend off those who want you to make their priorities your priorities? Session Handouts 

Peer-to-Peer Member Networking
Presented by Jacob Rouch

Roundtables are popular chamber networking programs that are a proven member benefit. Interested in establishing them in your organization? Discover the essential details for peer-to-peer participant selection and purpose identification, and learn how to engage and care for these groups to ensure ongoing communication.

Communicating a Regional Agenda
Presented by Dick Fleming and Robert Grow

Regional cooperation is key to successfully addressing major issues, but getting diverse public, private, and non-profit stakeholders from the cities, towns, and counties that make up your region to buy in to a regional agenda is not going to be easy. Join us as experienced practitioners explain the communications tools, strategies, and messages necessary to bring people together and promote your region. Session Handouts 

Using National Research To Recruit and Retain
Presented by Douglas Holman

The Schapiro report released in 2007, the findings from the National Chamber Image Campaign, and the recent ACCE press release bringing to light the Fortune 100 companies who are members of their local chambers: these are just a few of many research tools a membership salesperson can use to demonstrate the importance and cachet of belonging to the local chamber. Discover what’s out there and how your organization can use this cutting-edge information to its advantage. Session Handouts

Changing Status Quo to Status Grow - Supercharging Your Chamber
Presented by Kordell Norton

In this humorous and highly interactive workshop, you will gain insights into innovative and exciting ways to create growth for your organization. Discover the methods, tricks, and secrets used by America’s most successful organizations to market, sell, and brand products and services.