Annual Report 2012 2013 Mission Statement The Rifle Area Chamber of Commerce represents advocates and works to strengthen the business environment. 2013 Vision The Rifle Area Chamber of Commerce will create a strong local economy through community promotion, representation of business interests in government and by providing networking opportunities for member businesses.
What we are The Rifle Area Chamber of Commerce is a business organization committed to the growth and success of our members through leadership, access and advocacy. We understand that having a job is directly tied to your quality of life in any given community. We work in conjunction with several other entities on various aspects of economic development. What we are not The Chamber is not a charity, a governmental entity, a division of the City or a service organization. The Chamber does have a contract with the City of Rifle to perform functions of tourism marketing and direction of daily activities of the Rifle Information Center at the Rifle Rest Area. Governance: A nine member Board of Directors elected for three year terms governs your Chamber. From that body, a Board Chair and Vice Chair are elected annually. Chairs of committees and task forces are selected annually by the Board. The Board of Directors is the policy making body of the organization. The Board hires a President/CEO. The CEO manages the day to day needs of the Chamber and employs staff to help meet the goals of the organization. Chairman of the Board Nita Smith NLS Business Solutions Vice-Chair Kasey Nispel Jim Lord Agency/ Am. Family Jay Barner Jeans Printing Treasurer Karrie Fletcher Alpine Bank - Rifle Chris Manera Colorado River Engineering Heidi Schaefer Centennial Suites Lori Cartwright Well Master Corp. Dylan Lewis Lewis Marketing, LLC Susan Nichols-Alvis White River Trail Runners ATV Chamber Committees/Groups Ambassadors: Ambassadors continued to be the primary group for member outreach and public relations. The Ambassadors conduct and coordinate all Ribbon Cuttings, Meet a Member and Business Profiles for the Rifle Area Chamber of Commerce. In 2012, the Ambassadors welcomed more than two dozen businesses with ribbon cuttings and grand openings. Governmental Affairs Committee: In 2012, the Chamber s Government Affairs, was again tasked with researching and developing policy recommendations on various local, state and national issues. The Government Affairs committee in turn makes recommendations to the Chamber Board. A super-majority vote of the Board (7 out of 9) must be reached before a stand on any public policy issue can be taken. In 2012, our high profile issues included: Opposing SB12-003 Contractor preferences, Opposition to Amendment 64 (legalization of marijuana), monitoring the Enterprise Zone bills, Sending numerous letters to the BLM concerning the Roan Plateau, signing on to an O&G Charter to keep better updated on issues and sending a survey to members concerning the Rifle water treatment sales tax increase. Women in Business Network: This group meets monthly for networking and education purposes. In its 4th year, over 75 area businesswomen participated in the Women in Business Network. Gina Reece-Long and American Family Insurance took this group to another level this year as monthly participation nearly doubled. Thank you to our sponsor American Family Insurance, The Jim Lord Agency! Young Professionals Group: This group was formed in the fall of 2009 and has quickly grown to be one of the most popular groups in the Chamber. This dynamic group of young people, age 21-39 meet monthly (2nd Tuesday of the month at 5:30 PM). For the past two years Encana s sponsorship has helped send 2 Young Professionals on scholarship to the Roaring Fork Leadership Training Class. Thank you to Encana for sponsoring the Young Professionals in 2012! 2
2012Website Visits 10000 7500 5000 2500 0 5,000 3,750 2,500 1,250 0 8,605 7,657 1,302 1,095 8,100 7,815 8,806 9,202 9,006 8,269 January February March April May June July August January February March April May June July August 7,713 Rifle Information Center Visitors 2,634 2,195 4,477 4,352 4,055 3,990 3,618 Core Competencies Traffic Creating a Strong Local Economy: Through programs that assist businesses to build, maintain and compete. 2,848 8,322 7,548 Visits 7,166 September October November December Visits 1,493 1,008 September October November December 200 150 188 Fundamental Principles: Leadership: We provide leadership in addressing economic vitality for our businesses and citizens. Access: We provide the opportunity to network and access diverse resources. Advocacy: We promote and advocate for a community where businesses can thrive. 2012 Chamber Member Profile Members Promoting the Community: We market to the general visitor, outdoor enthusiasts and others providing them with information about our area and helping them see the many quality of life factors in our community. Networking: Provide venues for businesses to meet and visit with each other to learn the diverse opportunities available to their business throughout the local communities. Business Advocacy: Studying, researching and providing resources for the business community to ensure we maintain a strong local economy and sound business practices. Member Services: Providing opportunities through Chamber membership to develop a strong business presence. 3 100 50 0 1-5 Employees 36 6-15 Employees 26 15+ Employees Geographic Location of Members 6% 5% 9% Nonprofits 4% 4% 3% 69% Community Members Cornerstone Rifle Parachute Silt New Castle Glenwood Springs Grand Junction Other 52 25 16
Financial Snapshot $52,000 $103,000 Fiscal Responsibility: The Rifle Chamber remains fiscally sound and monitors its income and expenses constantly. We pay our bills on time so you can pay your creditors in a timely manner. $138,000 $75,000 We operate like you, a business and we realize many of the same challenges you face! City of Rifle - Rifle Information Center Contract Lodging Tax Membership Dues/Cornerstone Partnerships Programs/Events/Marketing 2013 Goals For 2012 Accomplishments The Rifle Area Chamber of Commerce finished 2012 with 346 members. We welcomed 56 new members in 2012. We provided our members with over 60 different networking opportunities in 2012. We redesigned the Chamber Newsletter, the Chamber Scope, and offered more advertising opportunities. We increased an already strong presence on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter to reach existing members, created interest in the Chamber to potential members and more aggressively marketed our member s events and businesses. All hot deals and events were automatically updated on these sites through an interface with the Rifle Chamber s software system. For the first time, the City of Rifle was the focus of not one but 2 daytime talk shows on Denver and Grand Junction television, promoting events and hotspots around our fine community. We welcomed 56 new members in 2012. Economic Development: Creating a strong local economy is continually rated the number one interest members think the Chamber should be working on. The Chamber continues to work on increasing access to capital for existing members so that they can grow and expand. We will work with partners such as CMC and Rifle Regional Economic Development Corporation to provide tools and services for business to succeed. Increase savings for Members: Provide additional products and services by encouraging our businesses to offer more member to member discounts and promoting the benefits of shopping locally. Member Retention: The Chamber maintained the Membership Committee to develop and adopt a plan to determine our value proposition, build better relationships, contact all members to reduce attrition and retain 90% or more of the membership from year to year. Advocacy Role: Continue the Chamber s role in advocating for business interests on all levels and seek additional collaborative opportunities to establish Rifle as a thriving place to do business. The number one goal being to streamline the regulatory processes on all government levels and demand that businesses have more stable, predictable regulatory environment so they can focus on creating jobs! Better Communication with Membership: Utilizing media to better communicate the Chamber s mission, purpose and relevance to the business community. We are NOT the Chamber of 10 years ago! 4
2012 Events: The following events would not have been possible without the support of our 2012 Cornerstone Partners and sponsors: Platinum: Encana Oil and Gas, Grand River Hospital District and Alpine Bank Gold: KMTS Radio and Western Slope Communications Silver: Walmart, KREX Newschannel 5 and Citizen Telegram Bronze: Kuersten Construction, Rain for Rent, Mountain Air Mechanical, Williams Midstream, Bayou Well Services and WPX Energy, Bill Barrett Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank State of the Community Luncheon: This popular event has grown to the point it needed to move to the Ballroom at Grand River Hospital District with over 140 members in attendance. Speakers from a variety of industries spoke including, the Mayor of Rifle, a County Commissioner, as well as representatives from the Rifle Regional Economic Development Corporation, Energy and Education sectors. This event was sponsored by Community Banks, Bill Barrett Corporation and Mountain West Office Products. Annual Event and Awards: The Annual Event and Awards Banquet was held at Grand River Hospital District on March 10th. Encana Oil and Gas USA was honored as the Business of the Year, Helen Rogers was honored as the Oran B. Harmon Person of the Year, Sharon Church received the John B. Scalzo Lifetime Achievement award. Tami Sours was honored as the Women of Distinction and Blair Bracken was the Young Professional of the year. This event was sponsored by Hampton Inn and Cheryl and Co. Real Estate. Chamber Golf Tournament: Over 40 teams participated in 33rd Annual Rifle Chamber Golf Tournament. After the tournament, players enjoyed a buffet lunch at Columbine Restaurant. Thanks to our events sponsors, Weiss and Associates, Northwestern Mutual, Johnson Construction and Bank of Colorado. Chili Cookoff and Jalapeno Eating Contest: Nearly 400 attendees took part in the fun of the 33rd Annual Chili Cookoff. The event had over 20 entrants at the large Indoor Arena at the Garfield County Fairgrounds. Rifle High School wrestlers were auctioned off for a good cause. Thank you to our event sponsors American National Bank and Bill Barrett Corp. For the fifth year in a row, the Jalapeno Eating Contest was sponsored by Mac5 Mortgage. The Chamber s Community Influence Affiliate Organization Access: The Rifle Area Chamber of Commerce maintains membership with the US Chamber of Commerce, Club 20, Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, the Western Association of Chamber Executives, The Rifle Regional Economic Development Corp., The Roaring Fork Business Resource Center and the Better Business Bureau. The Rifle Chamber is also in constant contact with the Downtown Development Authority, the Visitor Improvement Fund Board and Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado. This means that you, as a member, have access to a steady stream of information and programs these organizations offer. Community Action: As part of any committee or task from which you choose to been involved, you are able to make a difference in your community and for your business. Access to Decision Makers: Face to face opportunities to meet with and have informal conversation with local, regional and state officials as well as influential business leaders throughout the region. 5
The Rifle Area Chamber... Your Role as a Member: Each year the Rifle Chamber is involved in a number of major activities that receive a lot of attention such as tourism, seminars, programs and events. Your Chamber provides many opportunities that most people think just happen. Join a committee if there s a program or project you re interested in. We work hard to make it Happen Each year the Rifle Area Chamber continues to: Help us help you! Provide us with feed back such as responding to our surveys or offering us suggestions on how we can help your business. Respond to hundreds of requests for relocation information Ask us if you have a question about what we re doing or why we re doing something: or why we are not! Provide information to tens of thousands of visitors who call, email or stop at our office Let us know when you have concerns, or suggestions or give us a pat on the back if you like what we are doing! Compile and update demographic information about the area Support Chamber events with your attendance, or financial support. Respond to thousands of questions ranging from phone numbers to how to start a business, how to end a business and everything imaginable in between. Review hundreds of local, state and federal business issues to be informed of possible negative repercussions for the business community and take action, on their behalf. always advocating for business! Assist people who are looking for a business that carries a specific product Support other Chamber members by shopping with them first. Refer to you membership directory or call the office for information on who in the Chamber can help supply your needs. Tell your business associates the benefits of chamber membership and encourage them to be a Chamber member. Pay your annual dues promptly. These are not just dues but investments for your business and your community to help the Chamber provide you with the best possible programs, events and resources for your business. And Above all.shop locally! 6