2012 COBB CHAMBER ANNUAL REPORT 2012 COBB CHAMBER Annual Report 1
2012 COBB CHAMBER Annual Report 2 This is Your Chamber Dear Cobb Chamber Members, As President and Chairman, we d like to take this moment to recognize the invaluable talent and devotion of our members, Board of Directors and staff. It s through your shared vision for this Chamber and the Cobb County community that has made 2012 a year where we have achieved more. There truly is no better time to be a member of the Cobb Chamber. In the past year, our membership has experienced the success of our award-winning programs and events. The Chamber hosted over 300 events, giving members the opportunity to expand their professional networks, generate leads and access the county and nation s top elected officials. David Connell President & CEO The Cobb Chamber exists to support you and your business. As one of the most influential business advocacy organizations in Georgia, our goal is to strengthen our economy and quality of life. In order to achieve this, the Cobb Chamber focuses its efforts in these four areas: Creating jobs and driving economic development Strengthening the community and region Growing member businesses and nurturing leadership Connecting businesses, government and community leaders Through this annual report, you ll clearly how the Cobb Chamber has contributed to the success of its member businesses and Cobb County. The fiscal year 2012 was one of many record-breaking achievements and the launch of several major initiatives. We invite you to learn more about these milestones as you read this report. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you, Tony Britton 2012 Chairman David Connell President & CEO Tony Britton 2012 Chairman
Membership Services Our Membership Services Department focused its efforts to increase revenue and enhancements at the Chamber s major events, partnership with the 10 business associations within the county and engagement within our small business programs. It s no stretch to say that 2012 was a banner year! With a record-breaking membership campaign and an incredible overall retention rate, the Cobb Chamber was recognized as one of the top 10 fastest growing metro chambers in the U.S. with more than 2,500 business members in Cobb County and Atlanta. Other important milestone achievements include hosting nearly 300 events tailored to the needs of small businesses and doubling participation, programs and committees for Cobb Young Professionals. This networking group also launched its first annual award program, the Next Generation Awards. In addition, the Chamber hosted many high-profile speakers, such as former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, Governor Nathan Deal and Mayor Kasim Reed. EVENTS AT A GLANCE 50 Leads to Success 500 leads exchanged; 417 sales closed 11 ENGAGE New Member Luncheons 500 attendees 4 Member Appreciation Breakfast 300 attendees 18 Chairman s Club events *Need a figure* 12 First Monday Breakfast 350-650 per event 6 Business After Hours 150 per event 6 How to Network Effectively 200 attendees Business to Business Expo AT&T Business Open 70th Annual Dinner Summer J.A.M. October Haunt After Hours 1,600 attendees, 160 vendors 196 players nearly 1,000 attendees more than 1,000 attendees more than 1,000 attendees IMPRESSIVE STATISTICS Membership & Advertising Campaign raised 121 percent of its goal 665 new members joined the Cobb Chamber in 2012 Our overall retention rate is 82 percent Member satisfaction rate for programs, 93 percent The Cobb Chamber was recognized as one of the top 10 fastest-growing metro chambers in the U.S. by American Chamber of Commerce Executives Ambassador Committee grew to more than 25 Ambassadors Chairman s Club grew by 36 new members 650 members took advantage of cost-savings programs 80 CEOs joined the CEO Roundtable program OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEERS David Bell, Wells Fargo, Membership Chairman Joy Johnson, Growth Mindset, Cobb Executive Women Chairwoman Sam Kelly, Cobb EMC, Chairman s Club Chairman Lance LoRusso, LoRusso Law Firm, P.C., Public Safety Committee Chairman John Loud, LOUD Security Systems, Major Programs Chairman Mitzi Moore, Sundial Plumbing, Small Business Programs Chairwoman Sue Picardi, AFG Active Financial Group, Business Builders Chair Jason Sleeman, Fifth Third Bank, Cobb Young Professionals Chairman Megan Stambaugh, Cobb Travel & Tourism, Ambassador Committee Chairwoman 82% RETENTION RATE 665 NEW MEMBERS 121% OF FUNDRAISING GOAL MET 2012 COBB CHAMBER Annual Report 3
4 2012 AWARD PROGRAMS & WINNERS Small Business of the Year Glass Ceiling Award Next Generation Awards Velociteach Lisa Crossman, Cobb & Douglas Public Health Mitch Rhoden, Futren Corporation Ne Kia Nichols, Walton Communities Dan Styf, Kaiser Permanente Dr. Steve Landry, United Chiropractic Center of Marietta Meredith Davis, SCANA Energy Sam Olens Business Community Service Awards IBM Corporation, Glory Haus and Velociteach Public Safety Employee of the Year Fire Lieutenant Kyle Smith, Cobb County Fire & Emergency Service Economic Development 2012 COBB CHAMBER Annual Report In 2012, the Cobb Economic Development Team introduced new events, began a new and improved existing industry program, expanded its workforce development efforts, prepared an existing business resource guide and hosted Cobb s first ever Economic Development Partner dinner. As a key component of the Cobb s Competitive EDGE strategic plan, the Business Retention and Expansion Program was designed to connect existing industries in Cobb County with resources needed to expand and thrive. The program will work with existing industries in identifying solutions to challenging barriers to expansions and mitigating the reduction in workforce and potential closures. The Cobb Chamber has delved further into another aspect of economic development: workforce development. The department invited all of the postsecondary institutions in Cobb, numerous business partners, and all cities and the county government to collaborate regarding existing needs and create new opportunities to meet the needs of the current and future workforce in order to keep Cobb competitive. This collaboration has formed a Workforce Development Council that meets bimonthly to discuss these issues. Through this effort, Cobb became a Georgia Work Ready Certified County in 2012. In addition, the department formed target groups in order to focus on the workforce needs of the county s target industries and develop strategies to meet those needs. The target groups are Bioscience, Healthcare, and Technology, Corporate Solutions, Manufacturing and Logistics, and Travel and Tourism. Each target group established action items in order to close the gap between workforce skills and workforce needs. Education plays an important role in the county s competitiveness. As part of its education programs, the Cobb Chamber brought together students, teachers, and the businesses community to celebrate education and honor Cobb County s great educators through its Give Our Schools a Hand events. On October 3, 2012 Cobb County and Marietta City system-wide teachers of the year, Dr. Richard Kaht and David DuBose, placed their handprints in the Teachers Walk of Honor in Glover Park on the Marietta Square. Give Our Schools a Hand week, October 29-November 2, was marked by a breakfast celebration and pep rally at Roswell Street Baptist Church on October 30, 2012. Over 750 people attended the Teacher of the Year celebration breakfast. The Cobb County and Marietta City system-wide Teachers of the Year were each presented with a long list of gifts from valued sponsors. IMPRESSIVE STATS The Cobb Economic Development Team secured 19 total project wins, 1,773 new jobs and $54.2 million in new investments in the county. Assisted in the retention of 1,028 Jobs for companies that are currently doing business in Cobb County. Generated a $125,000,000 in new capital investment for several companies that are currently located in Cobb County through bond financing from the Development Authority of Cobb County Conducted 40 Existing Industry Visits with Economic Development Partners within Cobb County. During the 2011-2012 school year, 162 new Partners in Education were recruited and two new Partners at Large were recruited, bringing the total number of partnerships in Cobb County and the City of Marietta to 1,337.
Conservatively speaking, the total estimated value of our Partners in Education program to the Cobb County and Marietta City schools during the 2011-2012 school year was $8.1 million. 8,000 Partners in Education participants invested 75,000 volunteer hours in their partner schools, representing a value of $1.8 million. Schools received a cash infusion of $1 million and an additional $1.5 million in donated goods and services from their Partners in Education. The Cobb Chamber of Commerce honored 132 teachers during the 24th Annual Give Our Schools a Hand Celebration in October 2012 Sponsorships and in-kind services for all Give Our Schools Hand events, teacher gifts and prizes equaled an approximate value of $113,790. OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEERS Jim Budzinski, WellStar, Economic Development Chairman Tim Baker, Cobb County School District, Spotlight on Education Chairman Lisa Crossman, Cobb & Douglas Public Health, Health & Wellness Committee Chairwoman Bonnie Harris, Mathematics & Computing, Teacher of the Year Handprint Unveiling Chairwoman Lin Harrison, Orange Hill Baptist Church, Partners in Education Chairman Dr. Cheryl Hungerford, Cobb County School District, Education Committee Chair Beth McMillan, Cobb EMC, Principal for a Day & Teacher for a Day Chairwoman Dr. Frances Roberson, Life University, Internship Chairman John Stafford, Harrison High School, Give Our Schools a Hand Chairman AWARD PROGRAMS & WINNERS GOAL Scholarship Award Winners Kirk Browne Greta Samuel Sara Strength Eric Underwood 2012 Health Hero Awards Donna Chambers of Must Ministries Cobb Alcohol Task Force Outstanding Partners in Education Alliance Theatre Institute for Educators and Teaching Artists Cobb County Sheriff s Department Little Caesar s Pizza Marietta Martial Arts Refuge West Church 162 NEW PARTNERS IN EDUCATION 1,773 NEW JOBS 1,028 JOBS RETAINED 2012 COBB CHAMBER Annual Report 5
6 Advocacy The Cobb Chamber works year-round with local, state and national officials to ensure the voice of Cobb s businesses is represented. As one of the most influential public policy teams in the state, the Cobb Chamber stands behind legislation that affects Cobb s workforce, transportation and infrastructure, education assets, public safety and community development. Cobb Chamber staff attended regular meetings of the Georgia General Assembly and presented its 2012 Legislative Agenda. Our government affairs efforts were successful in several areas of our legislative priorities in 2012 session, including: The Savannah Harbor Expansion Project Exempting the sales taxes on business inputs, including energy used in manufacturing Policies to increase Georgia s competitiveness for jobs and economic investment through enhanced, targeted tax incentives from the state for new and existing business Common-sense public policies that remove barriers to growth for our targeted industries that produce quality jobs Cobb s Technical College s and Universities 2013 funding priorities. Improved state level efforts to maintain employee benefits for school district employees Efforts to reduce unfunded mandates to local school districts Continuation of tax exemption for not-for-profit community hospitals Supports hospitals in the current Certificate of Need process Among many other efforts, the Chamber also organized the annual Washington Fly-In, with 30 business leaders attending, and our first Strategic Leadership Visit to Fairfax County, Va., in October. The purpose of this trip was to meet and learn from peer leadership and implement best practices in economic development, education, transportation, quality of life issues and more back throughout our community. Our Area Council meetings experienced enhancements by securing high-level speakers and programs with an emphasis on educating members on the Chamber s pro-business legislative priorities. OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEERS Heath Garret, Turner, Bachman & Garrett, Government Affairs Chairman Cassandra Buckalew, Historic Marietta Trolley Co., Marietta Area Council Chairwoman Barbara Hickey, The Etiquette School of Atlanta, South Cobb Area Council Chairwoman Lee Johnson, Wells Fargo, Cumberland Area Council Chairman Jason Sleeman, Fifth Third Bank, East Cobb Area Council Chairman Ron Sumpter, Cobb EMC, Northwest Cobb Area Council Chairman Andrew Walker, Colliers International, Smyrna Area Council Chairman AWARD PROGRAMS AND WINNERS Acworth Citizen of the Year East Cobb Citizen of the Year Kennesaw Citizen of the Year Andy Duncan, Chick-fil-A Karen Hallacy William Thrash, Andrews International 2012 COBB CHAMBER Annual Report Marietta Citizen of the Year Smyrna Citizen of the Year South Cobb Citizen of the Year West Cobb Citizen of the Year Gary Bottoms, The Bottoms Group Jay Wallace, Adventure Outdoors, Smyrna PoliceDistributors Linda McPherson Senator Lindsey Tippins
Leadership Programs The Cobb Chamber s Leadership Programs embodies several core areas of focus strengthening the community and the region and growing member businesses and nurturing leadership. Many of our leadership programs are held as the best practice example throughout the nation! Plus, Leadership Cobb, Honorary Commanders, Cobb Youth Leadership and their respective alumni associations connect Cobb Chamber members with peer leaders and the people who shape the Cobb community and the Atlanta region. In 2012, over 120 top community, business and emerging youth leaders graduated from one of our nationally acclaimed leadership programs. Leadership Programs welcomed the highest numbers of nominations for both Leadership Cobb and Honorary Commanders and the largest class to date for Cobb Youth Leadership (CYL). In addition, CYL selected participants from all but two high schools in Cobb County (applications were not received from these two institutions). And, 2012 marked the largest CYL alumni youth steering committee to date 11 high school seniors committed another year to the program to act as program planners and mentors for the current class participants. IMPRESSIVE STATS Leadership Cobb received 300+ nominations and 135+ applications the highest numbers to date Honorary Commanders received 90+ nominations the highest number to date Cobb Youth Leadership selected 54 participants, this is the largest CYL class to date ARMAC hosted it largest luncheon to date, with over 600 attendees Leadership Cobb and Honorary Commanders alumni associations total 750 engaged participants Since 2011, Leadership Cobb and Honorary Commanders have raised nearly $300,000 in cash and volunteer support for Blue Skies Ministries, The Center for Children & Young Adults, Wounded Warriors Camps, the Fisher House Foundation, the Explosives Ordinance Disposal Memorial at Eglin AFB, FL, and various other non-profits and community initiatives OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEERS Shan Cooper, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, Chairwoman Steve Byrne, Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC, Leadership Cobb Class of 2013 Co-Chair Ted Daywalt, Vet Jobs, ARMAC Chairman Travis Ellis, Mobilized Fuels, Honorary Commanders Class of 2012 Chairman Cheryl Musial, Mopdog Creative + Strategy, Leadership Cobb Class of 2013 Co-Chair Richard Peebles, Tri-C Construction, Leadership Cobb Alumni Association President Burt Reeves, Turner, Bachman & Garrett, Cobb Youth Leadership Class of 2013 Co-Chair Judy Skeel, Cobb County Government, Leadership Cobb Class of 2012 Co-Chair Juanita Stedman, Cobb County Superior Court, Cobb Youth Leadership Class of 2012 Co-Chair Greg Teague, Croy Engineering, LLC, Cobb Youth Leadership Class of 2012 Co-Chair Holly Tuchman, YWCA of Northwest Georgia, Youth Leadership Class of 2013 Co-Chair Chris Whitmire, City of Marietta, Leadership Cobb Class of 2012 Co-Chair AWARD PROGRAMS & WINNERS Chairs Award David Roskind, Sandy Springs Police Department Ernest Barrett Award Rob Swartwood, Brock, Clay, Calhoun & Rogers, LLC LC Spirit Award Tracy Rathbone, Coxe Curry & Associates Class Theme Award Tom Heyer, Brand Mortgage 135+ LC APPLICATIONS 90+ HCA NOMINATIONS 750 ENGAGED HCA & LC ALUMNI 2012 COBB CHAMBER Annual Report 7
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