Chamber Operations Survey

2013

Larry Dowell | Dowell Management

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About MACEFounded in 1972, serves five-state regionIowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota

Purpose is three-fold• Provide continuing education opportunities• Facilitate connection with industry peers• Develop a regional ethic among chambers of commerce

Expanded Product Line• Annual Conference• Compensation & Benefits Survey• Membership Satisfaction Survey• Newsline• Chamber Insight Webinars

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State Participation

WI 20%

IA 31%

MN 23%NE 10%

ND 5%

SD 12%

MethodologySelf reporting, sampling, corrupt data

Who was surveyed• Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin

• Small vs. Large Chambers

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Survey Categories

• Organizational Structure and

Function

• Governance

• Membership

• Communications

• Staffing & Continuing Education

• Events

• Public Policy and Political Action

• Financials

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Organizational Structure & FunctionLost a Major FunctionLost a Major Function

8%8%

40% of those are no longer the primary economic development

organization

40% of those are no longer the primary economic development

organization

Have an adopted strategic plan

Have an adopted strategic plan

78%78%

U.S. Chamber MemberU.S. Chamber Member

57%57%

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GovernanceAverage Board Size

Below $50k

$200k - $300k

$750k – $1m

> $1m

VOTING

NON-VOTINGCOMMITTEE

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MembershipBudget Size # of

Members Retention Rate Minimum Dues Highest Dues

$50,000 and below 107.2 99% $165.00 $681.80

$100k - $200k 221.3 88% $190.15 $3,856.43

$300k - $500k 432.2 73% $261.00 $5,208.65

$750k - $1m 458.7 88% $299.33 $6,073.33

More than $1m 863.3 78% $603.30 $63,522.22

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Communication

Yes NoPrinted 41%

Email

PDF

Website

Local Paper

59%

69% 31%

23% 77%

45% 55%

Newsletters

12% 88%

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Staffing & Continuing Education

Full-Time Management Full-Time Non-Management Part-Time

2006 2008 2010 2012 20130.5

11.5

22.5

33.5

6.5years

Average employee tenure is

Regardless of size of chamber

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Events

21%

47%

33%

Free Membership Events

Paid Membership Events

Community Events

Average # of events last year

7 16 11

35%Non-member premium on events

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Public Policy & Political Action

None

Local

State

Federal

At what levels do you advocate on behalf of members?

14%70%

60%

30%

6%Have a PAC

46%Have a Public Policy Committee

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Financials

2008 2010 2012

77% 55% 71%

2013

72%

40Non-Dues Revenue

47%Dues Revenue

53%Non-Dues Revenue

Average dues vs. non-dues

Revenue

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Conclusion

201224

Sept

Full survey report will be posted on the MACE website September 24th

Chambers who participated will receive a code for a complimentary copy. Those who did not participate can purchase the report for $45

Chambers desiring custom reports or specific data requests should be directed to:Carrie Kirkpatrick, Dowell Managementcarrie@dowellmgmt.com | 651-221-0850

Thank you

Any questions?