Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce

1. Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce

2. Our Mission Statement • The mission of the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce shall be to support an environment for the development and success of business within the Bowling Green area.

3. Who is the BG Chamber of Commerce? • A voluntary organization of the business community • Unites hundreds of business and professional firms, non-profit organizations and government entities • Creating a unique central organization working to improve business and build an even stronger community. • Who can join the Chamber? • Anyone can join! • Current members include: individuals, Corporations, Non-profit Organizations, and Businesses

4. Who is the Chamber? (continued) • Began with the Board of Trade, formed in January 1905. • 1910 the Bowling Green Commercial Club was formed. • 1936 the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce became incorporated and chartered as a non-profit organization under the laws of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Commerce of the United States. • Grown to nearly 500 investors, with more than 90% of them being small businesses. • The strength of the Chamber lies in attracting the greatest number of investors, creating a pool of resources from which can be drawn ideas, influence, legislative power, energy and finances.

5. What benefits does the Chamber offer? • Business Advocacy Task Force • Legislative Monitor • Seminars and Professional Workshops • Business Development Services • Business Counseling (with the BGCDF, SBDC, & SCORE) • Small Business Basics Seminars (with the BGCDF & SCORE) • Employee & Employer Benefits • Vision/Dental Insurance Opportunities • Group Health Insurance Discounts • Group Rating for Workers’ Compensation

6. More benefits of the Chamber • Marketing and Promotional Opportunities • Economical Advertising Opportunities • Ribbon Cuttings • Investor Directory • Shirt Showcase Fridays • Website Listing • Chamber Window Showcase • Networking Opportunities • Business Council programs • Business After Hours • Business, Briefing & brew • New Investor Breakfasts

7. Even more benefits! • Community Involvement and Improvement • Through Chamber Project Teams • 22 teams, with a wide variety of opportunities • Young Professionals Group • Chamber Delegates • Leadership BG Program • High School Leadership Program • Chamber Publications • Newsletter (published bi-monthly) • Chamber Chatter (weekly electronic newsletter) • Relocation Packets • Usage of Chamber’s Meeting Room

8. We are not just business…We are fun! • Annual Chamber Events • (January) Annual Meeting Dinner & Dance • (February) State of the City Address • (March) High School Career Forum • (March) State of the County Address • (April) Blood Analysis Program • (July) Bowling Green Fireworks • (July) Mid-Year Meeting • (August) Chamber Day at the Wood County Fair • (August) Golf Outing • (September) Merchant Fair / BGSU CampusFest • (September) New Teacher Luncheon • (November) Holiday Parade

9. What is the BGSU-Chamber relationship? • Utilizing BGSU students through BGSU Career Services Includes Interns Practicum Paid Staff • Volunteers through Greek Life & Circle K

10. Town – Gown (continued) • Welcome Reception for Dr. Cartwright • Reception to be an annual event • Introducing new BGSU Deans and Faculty to Community Leaders Hosted by BGSU BG Chamber of Commerce BG Convention Visitors Bureau BG Community Development Foundation Downtown BG

11. Town – Gown (continued) • BGSU Merchant’s Fair (during Campus Fest) • BGSU New Faculty Orientation • BGSU GradSTEP • BGSU O/Reg • BGSU Preview Days

12. Town – Gown (continued) • BGSU Centennial Committee 2010 Chamber AMDD will be the kick-off for BGSU 100th Anniversary Celebrations! • Currently serving on the Planning Committee & Business and Community sub-committee

13. Town – Gown (continued) • BGSU College of Business Administration • Service Learning Projects • Dallas Hamilton Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation

14. Service Learning Project • Working with: Susan Kleine, Associate Professor/Director of Undergraduate Curriculum Karen Eboch, Lecturer of Management Professor Mary Ellen Benedict

15. Service Learning Project (continued) • Current students are reviewing: - Chamber ‘Investment Opportunities’ brochure - Marketing - Methods of Recruiting New Investors - Comparing our Investor Benefits to area chambers Goals Create user friendly brochure Identify strengths & weakness in recruiting, marketing, and benefits Utilize recommendations

16. Dallas Hamilton Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership & Innovation • Working with Rodney Heiligmann, Executive in Residence and Director • Goals • Educate business community about the College of Business Administration and the Entrepreneurial Center • Create additional ‘real-life’ experiences for BGSU students • Create viable solutions for existing businesses

17. Dallas Hamilton Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership & Innovation (continued) • Planning Stages • Chamber Investors provide project ideas to BG Chamber and Director of Center • Director of Center and BGSU Faculty review proposals • Chosen projects involve analyzing business problems, create and implement solutions • Details provided at BG Chamber’s BB&b event on 5-14-2009 at 8am. Event hosted by BGSU College of Business Administration

18. More Town – Gown • WBGU – 88.1 FM The Morning Show A Unique Collaboration • Not common to universities our size • Drawing more exposure and attention to the collegiate community • Fosters the initiative of Community & University engagement • Radio program for BGSU & BG Community at large • A professional asset to BGSU by enhancing the telecommunication program while fitting the mission of BGSU

19. WBGU – 88.1 FM The Morning Show (continued) • Offers students opportunities and practical experience that include but not limited to: • Mentoring students in radio • Develop Reporting, Interviewing, Marketing, and Sales skills • Better prepare students for careers in radio and/or other fields of communications

20. WBGU – 88.1 FM The Morning Show (continued) • Program highlights M-F 6:00am – 9:00am Primarily consists of news, sports, weather, Community and University events Local Interviews Area Gas Prices Local and celebrity Birthdays Local Anniversaries Trivia Contest On this date in History DJ is Dave Horger a former ‘Voice of the Falcons’

21. WBGU – 88.1 FM The Morning Show (continued) • Tell Us Your Story • Inform the Chamber of Awards, Events, and Projects that are newsworthy! …Email, call, or fax the Chamber office.

22. The Future… • Collaboration is KEY. • In today’s economy, I truly believe that it is more important than ever to have the BG Chamber of Commerce and area Business Community expand its relationship with BGSU, to create tangible positive economic results.

23. Supporting the Local Economy • Spending more deliberately benefits our local economy • Small changes in buying habits creates big benefits • Shopping and dining locally supports and increases your quality of life

24. Supporting the Local Economy (continued) • If every consumer in Wood County were to re-direct just 10% of their spending toward locally owned businesses, the fiscal benefit for our communities could be nearly eight million dollars!* • The eight million dollar figure quoted is based on a 32% premium for the dollars spent with local merchants and the 2008 Wood County sales tax receipts of $16,115,924.00* *Info provided WC Auditor and Downtown BG

25. Supporting the Local Economy (continued) • The Andersonville Study • For every $100.00 spent at: • Locally-owned stores $68 dollars circulates back through the community • Chain stores Only $43 dollars remains in the community

26. Supporting the Local Economy (continued) • Dollars that stay in the community enhance the local quality of life by supporting: • Other local businesses • Cultural and civic organizations • Government services, including • Snow removal • Emergency services • Road repair • Local home improvements

27. Supporting the Local Economy (continued) • It may take years to rebuild America’s economy • We can start right now, with local action • All we need to do is redirect our shopping dollars to local merchants whenever possible

28. Supporting the Local Economy (continued) • When you look at the numbers, it is clear that we can’t afford not to shop with local merchants • When you shop locally and dine locally, your money stays in Bowling Green, and serves to further enhance our community

29. Thank You! • Contact us Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce Earlene Kilpatrick, Executive Director E.KilpatrickDirector@bgchamber.net 419-353-7945 www.bgchamber.net