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02. Forest Lake Chamber Director Presentation Staff Report Date of Meeting: June 7, 2023 For: Honorable Mayor and Council From: Kyle Morell, City Administrator Subject: Forest Lake Chamber of Commerce Background: Nannette LaNasa will attend at the request of Mayor Maefsky to discuss the benefits of the City of Scandia’s continued membership with the Forest Lake Chamber of Commerce. Previously, the Scandia Economic Development Authority paid the annual membership dues to the Forest Lake Chamber. Updated January 2, 2023 Page 1 The Forest Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is a professional membership organization serving businesses in the greater Forest Lake Area, including Forest Lake, Wyoming, Scandia, Columbus, Stacy, Lent, and Linwood. Our membership is composed of nearly 250 local businesses and organizations. OUR ORGANIZATIONAL MISSION The Forest Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is an [professional] organization representing business and industry, working together to advance the economic well-being of its members and the community. DIRECT BENEFITS OF CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP Credibility/Results: § Chamber membership conveys to potential customers that a company uses good business practices and is reputable. § Businesses who join a chamber of commerce visibly demonstrate their long-term commitment to the community. § Consumer studies show that chamber member products and services are perceived to be better than those of competitors. § When consumers know that a small business is a member of a chamber, they are 44% more likely to think favorably of it and 63% more likely to purchase goods and services from it. § When consumers know that the local site of a national franchise is a member of a chamber, they are 40% more likely to patronize it in the next few months. § When consumers know that an insurance company is a member of a chamber, they are 43% more likely to consider buying insurance from it. § Source: Market Street Research, “The Real Value of Joining a Local Chamber of Commerce.” Marketing: § Chamber web site with emphasis on membership directory. Averages over 25,000 visits annually. Enhanced listings and limited advertising available. § Printed Membership Directory – distributed to all area residents in early February in the Community Guide. § Buy Local Program, an ongoing campaign designed to highlight the importance of local patronage and digital campaigns. § Chamber Event Sponsorships offer the opportunity to showcase your business to fellow Chamber members in a variety of in-person and electronic means. § Referral Service by Chamber staff who responds to requests for information about area businesses and organizations – we only refer to members! § Membership Mailing Labels Updated January 2, 2023 Page 2 Networking/Relationships: § Monthly membership breakfast/lunch with an average attendance of 30-50. Networking with a meal and informative speakers. Members receive a discounted registration rate. § Coffee & Connections monthly FREE, facilitated referral networking group § Membership Mixer, a monthly opportunity to host an open house at your business promoted on your behalf by the Chamber. § Annual Chamber Golf Tournament held annually in July – networking with a competitive edge. This event is a member favorite! § Committee participation can be a great way to network: § Ambassadors build relationships within the business community, serve and represent the Forest Lake Area Chamber at events § Buy Local Committee encourages local patronage of member businesses § Event Planning Committee helps plan Chamber events § Board of Directors oversees all aspects of Chamber operations Public Policy Economic Development/Advocacy: § Policy advocacy at the local, county, and state levels § Resources to help your business or organization flourish are sent to your inbox regularly § Affiliations with the Minnesota Chamber links our Chamber members with one another and key policy makers at the state and local level. § Relationships with Economic Development Authorities – the Chamber has strong relationships with EDA’s in our service area. § Aggregated Retirement 401K OVERALL MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS Overall Membership Benefits: • Comprehensive listing in the business directory on the Chamber’s website (including mobile version), which is visited over 20,000 times annually; listing in printed Chamber Membership Directory distributed annually in early February • Subscription to weekly e-Newsletter and periodic email updates, containing Chamber and community events and happenings, member information and announcements, and more • Member discount rate for all Chamber events • Participation in member-only events, such as our annual Golf Outing, free Member Mixer events, and annual buy local campaigns • Business referrals from Chamber office and Chamber website (we only refer members) • Social Media “Member Mentions” • Opportunity to host one of our Member Mixers, an open house at your business promoted on your behalf by the Chamber • One set of member mailing labels annually • Preferred billing – easy pay your dues on an annual or monthly basis by credit card or ACH (lesser fee than cc) Updated January 2, 2023 Page 3 2023 MEMBERSHIP INVESTMENT LEVELS Benefactor - $1,503 ($139/month) Suggested for companies with > 100 employees Benefactors also receive: o $600 in Chamber Promotional Dollars o Premium logo recognition on signage and PowerPoint presentations at Chamber events o Right of first refusal on all sponsorship opportunities President’s Circle Membership - $1083 ($99/month) Suggested for companies with 50-99 employees President’s Circle Members also receive: o $400 in Chamber Promotional Dollars o Logo recognition on signage and PowerPoint presentations at Chamber events Executive Membership - $723 ($69/month) Suggested for companies with 21-49 employees In addition to member benefits above, Executive Members receive: o $200 in Chamber Promotional Dollars o Logo recognition on signage and PowerPoint presentations at Chamber events Business Membership - $473 ($49/month) Suggested For companies with 6-20 employees Entrepreneur Membership - $363 annually ($39/month) Suggested for companies with 1-5 employees Non-Profit with 1 or fewer employees - $313 ($35/month) Direct Sales/Home Based Business Membership - $263 Individual Member – (at the invitation of the Board of Directors only) - $113 Application Fee - $25 95% of Chamber Membership Dues are deductible as a routine business expense. Consult your tax preparer for more information. CHAMBER TESTIMONIAL “Joining the Forest Lake Area Chamber of Commerce was a key decision for myself and our dealership that has enabled us to get to know - and be active in - this vibrant community. We moved here from St. Paul in 2006 and I honestly didn't know anyone in the Forest Lake Area. Within one year of being part of the Chamber, I got to know literally dozens of business and professional people around the area. Our entire staff feels like we are part of the wonderful fabric of the greater Forest Lake community, and the Chamber has been a great contributor to that partnership.” -- Steve Whitaker, Owner, Whitaker Buick GMC. Chamber Member since 2006. SAMPLE PORTION of BR&E AGREEMENT THIS AGREEMENT made this ______day of ______ between the City of Forest Lake Economic Development Authority, 1408 Lake Street South, Forest Lake, MN 55025 (the "EDA") and the Forest Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, 20 Lake Street N #204, Forest Lake, MN 55025 ("FLACC"). RECITALS: A. The EDA believes it to be necessary and advisable to promote economic development opportunities within the City of Forest Lake (the "City") and to assemble and furnish information concerning such opportunities to interested persons and entities. B. The FLACC has the ability to assemble and disseminate such information. C. The EDA desires to contract with the FLACC to aid the EDA in promoting economic development opportunities. In consideration of the payments, covenants and agreements herein contained to be made and performed by the parties hereto, the parties mutually agree as follows: 1. The term of this Agreement shall be from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023. 2. In 2023, the EDA shall pay to the FLACC the sum of $________ for the services described in Paragraph 3 below which said sum shall be payable in semi-annual installments within thirty (30) days of April 1, 2023 and October 1, 2023. 3. In consideration of the payments made by the EDA to the FLACC, the FLACC shall perform the following services: a. FLACC establish and maintain a comprehensive list of businesses in the service area. b. FLACC work with current and potential businesses and residents requesting various types of information including but not limited to demographics, location possibilities, relocation information and business startup information. c. FLACC supports the BR&E efforts of the Forest Lake EDA d. FLACC fields calls and questions from the public e. FLACC advocates for small local businesses on a county and state level f. FLACC publicly promotes Forest Lake businesses and City of Forest Lake programs as fitting, through referrals, social media, FLACC newspaper page and FLACC e-News g. FLACC visits local businesses once a month to engage with and to perform ribbon cuttings. h. FLACC provide the opportunity for business networking i. FLACC partners with the City of Forest Lake for a minimum of one city sponsored community event or program annually. j. FLACC continues to keep tabs on the needs of local business through ongoing conversations and periodic surveying k. FLACC participate in the Downtown Revitalization efforts and recommends interested business personnel l. FLACC attend the Forest Lake EDA meetings and provide verbal updates m. FLACC and City of Forest Lake staff will continue to look for opportunities to collaborate. CITY OF FOREST LAKE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BY: ____________________________ Mara Bain Its: President ____________________________ Patrick Casey Its: Executive Director