ANNUAL REPORT

Transcription

1 ANNUAL REPORT

2 1 WELCOME BOARD OF DIRECTORS PREMIER SPONSORS CHAMBER STAFF A LOOK BACK EOS System FINANCIAL REPORT OUR CORE VALUES It s All About You 8 Contagious Energy 9 Remarkable Experiences 10 Learn, Innovate, Share 11 Think Big, Be Great 12

3 Welcome to the Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce year in review. We celebrated the many accomplishments of our members in the growth of local businesses, the groundbreakings of new businesses, the collaborative and philanthropic endeavors of our business community and the stewardship of our business leaders. The Chamber is proud to be at the hub of these efforts, and we re excited to share a scrapbook of the moments that made it such a success. Looking back on the year, so many remarkable moments come to mind as reflections of our defining core values. It was an exciting year of providing new facilities, programs and services for our members, to help each one maximize Chamber membership and find value in what we do for them on a daily basis. Approaching each event with contagious positive energy, we make a point of delivering remarkable and innovative experiences where our members can learn, connect, and be inspired to think big and be great. At the start of the fiscal year, we packed up and relocated to our Zeeland offices during the remodel project that had been long anticipated and fastidiously planned by our dedicated board and staff members. In the spring, we moved back into our completely renovated Holland building and celebrated not only having a bright, modern and flexible space that serves members and staff alike, but also celebrated the 5-year anniversary of the merger of the Holland and Zeeland Chambers. It was amazing to be able to celebrate our 5 th birthday in our new home, and share the moment with members and with current and former board members who made the creation of the Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce possible. Our members and volunteers are at the heart of what we do, and each story in this Annual Report reflects an event, person, or program that energized us and inspired us. It is with this enthusiasm that we commit to connecting businesses to each other and the resources they need to grow and succeed in the future. We take pride in being a business partner and thank all of our members for supporting the West Coast Chamber. Jane Clark, President ANNUAL REPORT 1

4 BOARD OF DIRECTORS The West Coast Chamber Board of Directors embodies a broad cross-section of our Chamber business members. Each board member is elected by our members and serves a three-year term. Together they offer strategic leadership and provide influential guidance and direction to advance the mission of the Chamber. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS Doug Vos Chair Don s Flowers & Gifts Kurt Wassink Vice Chair/Treasurer Gentex Corp. Mike Dykstra At-Large Executive Committee Member Zeeland Lumber & Supply Jennifer Remondino At-Large Executive Committee Member Warner Norcross & Judd, LLP Michael Hill Past Chair Edify North Jane Clark President Michigan West Coast Chamber BOARD Bill Badran BandA Tech Solutions Doug Buma IFR, Inc. Rosemary Castro Pro-Tax & Notary Services Tony Cortese Herman Miller, Inc. Matt DenHerder Yacht Basin Marina Heather Gill Fox Holland Zeeland Young Professionals Matt Hoeksema Macatawa Bank Larry Kooiker Agritek Industries, Inc. Amy Kraal HR Solutions Group of West Michigan Sarah Lilly Five Star Real Estate Lakeshore LLC Ron Lewis Spectrum Health Zeeland Community Hospital Shelley Maciejewski Johnson Controls, Inc. Sharon Netto-Lipsky Haworth Mike Novakoski Elzinga & Volkers, Inc. Mary Remenschneider Hope College Daniel Shaw OMT Veyhl Cynthia Visser Visser Farms EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Steve Bulthuis, Ex-Officio Director Macatawa Area Coordinating Council Ryan Cotton Ex-Officio City of Holland Skip Keeter Ex-Officio Park Township Tim Klunder Ex-Officio City of Zeeland Donald Komejan Ex-Officio Holland Charter Township Glen Nykamp Ex-Officio Zeeland Charter Township Jennifer Owens Ex-Officio Lakeshore Advantage THANK YOU TO OUR PREMIER SPONSORS As of September 30, 2017 The West Coast Chamber is grateful to our Premier Sponsors for their ongoing support. Our Premier Sponsors represent the top tier of Chamber support. Their financial support allows us to promote the economic vitality of our community while at the same time gaining valuable exposure for their business. PLATINUM SPONSOR ANNUAL REPORT

5 CHAMBER STAFF The Chamber s professional staff brings together passion, experience, and innovative ideas every day to help our members succeed. Each member of our high performing team is dedicated and committed to the Chamber, energized and growing in their role, and intently focused on helping our members achieve success. CHAMBER PRESIDENT JANE CLARK SERVES AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL ON TWO BOARDS: THE US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE COMMITTEE OF 100 AND THE ASSOCIATION OF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXECUTIVES. Pictured Left to Right: Caroline Monahan, Marketing and Communications Manager; Colleen Schipsi, Event Coordinator; Sheri Van Loo, Data and Account Coordinator; Britt Delo, Relationship Manager; Jodi Owczarski, Director of Sales and Member Engagement; Jane Clark, President; Keegan Ladwig, Event and Engagement Coordinator GOLD SPONSORS SILVER SPONSORS ANNUAL REPORT 3

6 A LOOK BACK SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER JANUARY FEBRUARY Our Annual Meeting was held for over 500 members at Laketown Golf & Conference Center. Philadelphia-native Laura Vanderkam spoke on maximizing your time, productivity, and work-life balance. The 12th Annual Lakeshore ATHENA event was held in partnership with the Muskegon Chamber of Commerce and the Grand Haven Chamber of Commerce. Jon Lanning from Inontime was awarded our Small Business Person of the Year award. Our signature Breakfast with Bill program was held at Evergreen Commons with 500 members in attendance. Lakeshore Women Connect event was held at Haworth Corporate Headquarters, welcoming new women leaders to our business community. Erin Bemis and her team from Constant Contact presented at our SMART Lunch, informing members on how to have subject lines stand out more effectively. Gaining Traction to Ensure Member Success The West Coast Chamber follows the principles of the Entrepreneurial Operating System, or EOS system. EOS is a practical solution that guides entrepreneurs, business leaders, and organizations to success. The simple concepts within EOS help the West Coast Chamber achieve our vision and get traction across the whole organization. Our work focuses in four key areas: Bring all types of businesses together Advocate for businesses with lawmakers at all levels Promote businesses and provide visibility Provide or connect businesses to the resources they need ANNUAL REPORT

7 MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST Our staff moved into our newly renovated office, located at 272 E 8th St, Holland and welcomed our members into our new home. The 12th Annual Minority Business Awards Luncheon was hosted at the Midtown Center with insights on the importance of diversity given by Dr. Jesse M. Bernal from Grand Valley University. The 28th Annual West Coast Leadership class celebrated a graduation luncheon at Boatwerks. The signature Legislative Luncheon with US Congressman Fred Upton was hosted at Boatwerks with over 200 members in attendance. The West Coast Chamber hosted our First Annual Chamber Games, a summer networking coffee event at our newly renovated office. Chamber members celebrated the West Coast Chamber s Five-Year anniversary since merging the Zeeland Chamber of Commerce and the Holland Area Chamber of Commerce. OUR FIVE-STAR ACCREDITATION FROM THE US CHAMBER PUTS US IN THE TOP 1% OF CHAMBERS NATIONWIDE ANNUAL REPORT 5

8 FINANCIAL REPORT To Our Members No organization can pursue bold initiatives unless it has the resources to accomplish its mission. We are committed to making sure that your membership dollars go a long way. As you invest in us, we invest in you. A major portion of every dollar invested with the West Coast Chamber goes into programming for our members. Additionally, we constantly work to improve our internal operating processes so we can pour our energy and financial resources into our members and the community we serve. THE WEST COAST CHAMBER WAS RECOGNIZED IN BY THE ASSOCIATION FOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXECUTIVES AS A TOP 10 CHAMBER FOR OUR MEMBERSHIP RETENTION SUCCESS COMPARED TO OUR PEERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY z INCOME AND EXPENSES September 1, August 31, Chamber Operating Revenue** n Membership Dues... $ 625,963 n Programs and Events ,661 n Lakeshore ,358 n Premier Sponsorships ,609 n Investment Income... 41,994 n Other Income ,655 Total Operating Revenue... $1,322, Chamber Expenses n Salaries/Benefits.... $ 653,677 n Office Operations ,854 n Membership Programs and Services , z** excluding building renovation sponsorships and sale of Zeeland office Total Expenses... $1,163, ANNUAL REPORT

9 OUR CORE VALUES IN ACTION During Fiscal Year IT S ALL ABOUT YOU We help our members thrive and our community prosper. CONTAGIOUS ENERGY WITH A POSITIVE ATTITUDE We inspire everyone with our friendly and optimistic outlook. DELIVER REMARKABLE EXPERIENCES We go above and beyond in all we do. LEARN, INNOVATE, SHARE We improve and grow each day. THINK BIG, BE GREAT We envision and shape a bold future ANNUAL REPORT 7

10 IT S ALL ABOUT YOU We help our members thrive and our community prosper. THE WEST COAST CHAMBER IS THE 5th LARGEST CHAMBER IN MICHIGAN. The West Coast Chamber has over a 100-year history of building a great community and helping businesses succeed. The heart of the Chamber is our member network, the web of business and social connections that brings together over 1,300 member businesses and their 70,000 employees. As a membership organization, our only goal is to help you, our members, be successful, and our community be great. Top 3 West Coast Chamber Member Industries Retailers 113 Manufacturers 134 Services 466 Membership by Size of Business (number of employees) WE WELCOMED 137 NEW MEMBERS IN MODERN FACILITIES TO MEET MEMBER NEEDS Renovated Holland Office BEFORE In , the Chamber completed a major interior and exterior renovation to our building at 272 E 8th Street in Downtown Holland. The facility is a showcase of our local office manufacturing firms and serves as the hub for our member and staff interactions. AFTER The Robust Renovation was fully funded by Chamber reserves and member sponsorships. New features include an adaptable Learning Lab meeting space that can accommodate up to 65 people for in-house events, an additional conference room, state-of-the art technology for meeting space and staff efficiency, collaborative office space for Chamber staff, and an ample parking lot. The new outdoor patio space is equipped with wi-fi and Downtown Holland s signature snow-melt system. Zeeland Innovation Place (ZIP) During our fiscal year, we opened the Zeeland Innovation Place, or ZIP, at 47 E Main Avenue in Downtown Zeeland. The ZIP studio space is free for members to use 7 days a week. Just sign up on our website to get your entrance code. The building is truly All About Our Members! ANNUAL REPORT

11 2 We inspire everyone with our friendly and optimistic outlook. CONTAGIOUS ENERGY WITH A POSITIVE ATTITUDE The West Coast Chamber fosters an upbeat, friendly, and positive environment. We are passionate, energetic, and determined, and we share our spark with each other and our members. Our contagious energy is measured by our engaged members, enthusiastic volunteers, and facilities alive with activity. THE CHAMBER HAS OVER 4,800 LIKES ON OUR FACEBOOK FEED AND OVER 2,100 TWITTER FOLLOWERS. Ambassador Team West Coast Chamber Ambassadors share a passion for the Chamber, are knowledgeable about the organization, and are active at Chamber events. Ambassadors celebrate with our members at ribbon cuttings, attend events, assist staff, greet and make guest connections, mentor new members, and reach out to new and existing members. THE CHAMBER CELEBRATED OVER 70 RIBBON CUTTINGS THIS PAST YEAR. Ribbon Cuttings A member benefit that gives our member businesses added exposure is a Chamber Ribbon Cutting Event. This benefit brings staff and ambassadors to your business, and the event is publicized online and in the newspaper. Chamber 5th Anniversary Celebration On August 8, 2017, members gathered for refreshments and games to celebrate the five-year anniversary since merging the Zeeland Chamber of Commerce and the Holland Area Chamber of Commerce ANNUAL REPORT 9

12 3 Convening events where members network and learn remains one of our most DELIVER REMARKABLE EXPERIENCES We go above and beyond in all we do. important jobs. Whether an event, program, or service, we work every day to create something truly special that brings remarkable results to our members. Our goal is to deliver experiences that wow our members; experiences that are innovative, creative, and above and beyond what is expected. We re pleased to report that more than 7,600 members attended more than 135 events in SIGNATURE EVENTS The West Coast Chamber s Signature Events bring together the area s most engaged business and community leaders to learn and connect. Annual Meeting This yearly celebration and report to members draws a crowd of over 500, and provides an exceptional opportunity to make business connections. Breakfast with Bill Every year, the West Coast Chamber hosts many special events for our local, state and federal legislators. One of our yearly signature events is the popular breakfast with US Representative Bill Huizenga who represents Michigan s 2nd Congressional District. Fred Upton Luncheon Each year, the West Coast Chamber hosts a special event with US Representative Fred Upton, representing Michigan s 6th Congressional District. Minority Business Awards Luncheon Presentation of the Minority Business of the Year and the Outstanding Advocate for Minority Owned Business awards happens annually at our Minority Business Luncheon. Golf Outing The Chamber planned its 49th Annual Golf Outing in Although dampened down by rain, we had 150 join us for lunch and prizes ANNUAL REPORT

13 LEARN, INNOVATE, SHARE We improve and grow each day. Personal and professional growth is mandatory for keeping up with the fast and ever-evolving pace of today s business. Our programming included new opportunities for our members to learn, innovate, and share with us and each other. Participation in an Affinity Group allows our business members the opportunity to network in a smaller group, and gain the ideas, inspiration, and support to keep on top of their business. Our Affinity Groups included: Connect Groups Traction EOS Users Group Former Chairmen Women Inspiring Women Professional Lakeshore Latinas Zeeland Affinity Group (ZAG) Smart Coast Engineers West Coast Leadership Learn more about our Affinity Groups at 4OVER 775 GRADUATES HAVE COMPLETED OUR LEADERSHIP PROGRAM SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN AFFINITY GROUP HIGHLIGHTS Professional Lakeshore Latinas Our Professional Lakeshore Latinas group was formed to foster relationships and empower Latinas through advocacy, service, and professional development. The group meets quarterly to develop meaningful relationships and to learn and share with each other. Zeeland Affinity Group (ZAG) Our Zeeland Affinity Group (ZAG) connects Zeeland downtown businesses with each other and with the Chamber resources that help business thrive. West Coast Leadership Since 1988, the West Coast Chamber has taken an active role in growing the next generation of business and community leaders. In addition to a two-day September retreat, West Coast Leadership meets for a full day each month from October to May ANNUAL REPORT 11

14 5 The Board of Directors, professional staff, and members of the West THINK BIG, BE GREAT We envision and shape a bold future. Coast Chamber envision a bold future for our community, which inspires us to not just do a good job, but to do a great job. We are always scanning the horizon for new opportunities that can make a significant impact on our members and our community. We are also actively engaged in addressing quality of life issues that positively impact our thriving community. PUBLIC POLICY AND BUSINESS ADVOCACY SINCE 1984, 14 RECIPIENTS OF THE MICHIGAN SMALL BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR HAVE COME FROM OUR COMMUNITY. As the voice of our local business community, the Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce is committed to promoting legislation that will improve our business climate and positively impact our growing economy. Creating a pro-business climate that fosters healthy and vibrant growth is critical to the quality of life enjoyed by our community. Maintaining this quality of life is a shared responsibility that requires the cooperation of our federal and state legislatures, local governing bodies, and Chamber members. Clockwise from top left: President Jane Clark and Lt. Governor Brian Calley at a Holland Zeeland Young Professionals event at the Chamber office; Mayor Nancy DeBoer, US Congressman Bill Huizenga and Representative Daniela Garcia at a Chamber ribbon cutting event; US Congressman Fred Upton talks with Chamber members at our Minority Business Awards Luncheon; The Chamber participated in the Herrick Library Millage Campaign, which was overwhelmingly passed by voters ANNUAL REPORT

15 CELEBRATING OUR AWARD WINNERS Small Business Person of the Year Award JON LANNING, INONTIME The West Coast Chamber s 2016 Small Business Person of the Year, Jon Lanning of Inontime epitomizes our passion to Think Big and Be Great. Not only did Jon receive our local award, he went on to be named Michigan s 2017 Small Business Person of the Year. Business Leadership Awards The Business Leadership Award recognizes outstanding Pictured left to right: Cliff Meeuwsen, Mandi Brower and Jon Lanning. Chamber members for being great employers who give back to our community, invest in their facilities and employees, and have a positive history of job growth and retention. Two of these prestigious awards are given each fall at the Annual Meeting. QUALITY CAR WASH, MANDI BROWER: Quality Car Wash is a family-owned business that began over forty years ago. It started in the late 1960s and has grown into the bustling company it is today, employing over 200 team members. ZEELAND FARM SERVICES, CLIFF MEEUWSEN: Zeeland Farm Services, Inc. (ZFS) is a family-owned and operated business with 65 years of service to the agricultural and transportation industries. With over 250 employees, including eight Meeuwsen family members, they are truly a leader in our community and throughout the state. Minority Business of the Year FRANCÉ ALLEN OF VENTURA MANUFACTURING Francé Allen of Ventura Manufacturing grew up in Mexico and began her adventure in America as a teenager. She worked in Texas and migrant fields in Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan, which led her to a job at Prince Manufacturing. Her career path took her to Innotec, where she began small cell assembly, and in 1997, she launched her company, Ventura Manufacturing, now operating in the U.S., Mexico, China, and Hungary. Minority Business Champion Award DAWN GARCIA WARD OF WARNER, NORCROSS & JUDD AND JUANITA BOCANEGRA OF THE OTTAWA COUNTY PROSECUTORS OFFICE Both accomplished attorneys, Dawn Ward and Juanita Bocanegra recognized a need in the community to support and mentor other Latinas, and are the founders of the Professional Lakeshore Latinas, an official Affinity Group of the West Coast Chamber. This group, which has grown to almost 70 women over the course of the last year, meets regularly, uniting business professionals in the local Latina community and offers mentoring, networking, and support to each other.

16 272 E 8th St Holland, MI E Main Ave Zeeland, MI Fax: info@westcoastchamber.org