Chamber Q&A

 

With ACCE’s far-reaching network of members, we are able to collect and share innovative best practices and industry benchmarks. If you are struggling with a chamber management challenge, ACCE is here to help. AskACCE, our free online Q&A service, is an exclusive benefit of your chamber’s membership.

Here are a few questions our team answered recently.

Q: We have an aging manufacturing facility that is closing in 18 months. I am seeking examples of chambers with economic development functions that have successfully repurposed a site for a new opportunity.

A: Thanks for reaching out with your question about the potential redevelopment of a manufacturing facility. Here are some examples of how chambers of commerce and economic development corporations have been involved in such projects:

  • The Erie County Industrial Development Agency (ECIDA), a key partner of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, led the redevelopment of Renaissance Commerce Park, an advanced manufacturing campus built on the former site of the Bethlehem Steel Company. The redevelopment project received the Silver Award for "Excellence in Economic Development, Multi-year Program" in 2022 from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). Here are some additional adaptive reuse projects from ECIDA.
  • Cleveland Development Advisors, a real estate development affiliate of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, has been a key player in the revitalization of Downtown Cleveland and has significantly contributed to the renewal of neighborhoods across the city. Learn more about their projects here.
  • Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC assisted with the redevelopment of the once-neglected Hidden Still industrial area into a multi-faceted destination.
  • The Paducah Area Chamber received a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management to develop a reindustrialization plan for the future use of the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant site.

Q: We have a failing downtown that happens to be our capital city. The downtown workforce has shifted to majority remote work, so foot traffic has dramatically decreased. Are there examples of successful downtown revitalization efforts?

A: Cities across the country are making impressive progress in revitalizing their downtowns. Here are a few highlights:

  • The revitalization of downtown Greenville, South Carolina, is the result of a 30-year effort led by strong public-private collaboration to transform the city and the broader region. Here is a link to the 2019 Greenville Strategic Downtown Master Plan.
  • Downtown Cleveland, Ohio, continues to be a focus for investment and development. An interactive 3D digital model offers a contextual look at major public and private investment taking place across Cleveland’s neighborhoods.
  • The Buffalo Building Reuse Project is a public/private effort seeking to make downtown Buffalo, New York, more competitive for private investment in the 21st century. Here are examples of properties in Buffalo that have been redeveloped and revitalized.
  • Downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, has experienced a vibrant revitalization, with public and private investments transforming it into a thriving commercial and residential center. Explore recent projects contributing to the city's growth.
  • The Saint Paul Downtown Alliance, in partnership with public and private stakeholders, recently created a Downtown Investment Strategy to dramatically increase density, vitality and desirability in downtown Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Q: I’m curious if ACCE has examples of chambers that have put limitations on certain industries represented at their events. We’ve received feedback that over-representation from particular industries dissuades some members from attending.

A: We found several examples of chambers that set limits on the number of members from specific industries attending networking events, especially within leads and referrals groups:

  • Boise Metro Chamber: Only one participant per industry is allowed in each T.I.P.S Group.
  • Tri-City Regional Chamber: Each LEARN Group consists of 10-20 participants, with one member allowed per industry category.
  • Michigan West Coast Chamber: Chamber CONNECT Groups are curated to ensure diversity by allowing only one representative from each industry in each group.

Other chambers host networking events that are more industry- or role-specific, such as:

Alternatively, some chambers focus on curating events without setting strict limits to ensure a diverse mix of participants:

  • The Chicagoland Chamber offers curated seating at their Premier Luncheons to ensure a balanced mix of industries and interests.
  • The Lancaster Chamber uses an innovative algorithm at their Speed Networking events to create structured rounds with curated groups for productive conversations. Molly Crouser, the director of events and partnerships at the Lancaster Chamber, has led several discussions with our Events Division and could be a good peer contact to help you with your networking event planning.


Q: Do you know of any chambers that have an online portal for employers to post internship opportunities?

A: Here are a few examples of chambers that offer internship portals:

  • The Nashville Area Chamber created an Internship Resource Guide to help businesses, educational institutions, and students navigate the internship process.
  • CobbHires is the Cobb Chamber’s job and internship board.
  • The Greater Louisville’s Live in Lou initiative offers Internship Tips and Opportunities.
  • The Knoxville Chamber’s HireUp Knox is a workforce website offering job listings, training, recruitment tools, and local internships.
  • The Greater Macon Chamber’s Greater Career Works connects students, job seekers, and employers through a comprehensive platform, offering opportunities ranging from internships to senior leadership positions.
  • The York County Economic Alliance’s Pathways to Prosperity is a resource hub connecting educators, students, businesses, and the community to develop the future workforce.

Q: We’re looking for strategies or best practices to target membership outreach efforts to large companies in our area.

A: Many chambers are taking a mission-based approach to engage large companies by appealing to their desire to invest in organizations that are addressing the community’s most urgent challenges—such as workforce development, public health, or economic mobility.

Offering access to exclusive events, high-level networking opportunities, and opportunities to serve on the board or committees can also appeal to large businesses. Additionally, leveraging your Board of Directors for introductions and connections can help open doors to influential stakeholders.

ACCE resources:

Chamber examples:

Q: Can you share sample membership retention plans?

A: ACCE offers a variety of resources focused on membership retention. A great starting point is our Member Knowledge Exchange, where you can find examples from fellow chambers. Here are a few highlights:

 

 

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