Vision:  The Indiana Chamber Executives Association will be an indispensable partner to all professional staff leading chambers of commerce in Indiana.

Mission :  To develop a strong network of professionals leading local chambers of commerce in Indiana.

Core Values:

-  Enabling vibrant local chambers of commerce 
-  Guiding chambers of all sizes
-  Growing the professionalism and quality of the staff who work at local chambers
-  Partnering with multi-state and national organizations
-  Creating a world class business environment for Indiana
-  Supporting knowledge sharing among peers
-  Strengthening Indiana's business climate through an effective approach to public policy
-  Encouraging diversity and the opportunity for all people to achieve their best in the chamber profession
-  Communicating and collaborating with other organizations interested in business and economic development
-  Developing relationships among Chamber professionals

Business Plan:

Goal #1: ICEA provides professional development to local chamber of commerce staff members
Objective 1.1: Increase opportunities for staff training and development
Strategies	Responsible Party	Timeline	Metric
Offer some conference presentations on line following each conference	Conference Division	September 2011 and March 2012	video or audio tape at least one session to be shared via the website
Coordinate a ‘Building Membership Workshop’ in fall of 2011 to unify staff members responsible for member recruitment /retention	Kelly Knox (Auburn) / Denise Polachek (Elkhart)	September 2011	25 paid attendees for this workshop
Offer partner conference with another state in fall of 2011	Conference Division	October 2011	Tri-state conference with ICEA, KCCE and CCEO with a minimum of $5,000 revenue for each association
Incentives for sponsors to provide scholarship for first time attendees	Conference Division	January 2012	At least five sponsor scholarships for the 2012 Winter Conf.
Train & prepare local chamber professionals to advance business friendly legislation at the local level; market resources available through the Indiana Chamber and IFOC for advancing statewide issues.			Determine which chambers have active public policy efforts
Expand video training library to address needs specific to new execs in the chamber profession	Professional Development Division	February 2012	Add 5 – 10 additional training modules targeting new execs
Offer Hoosier Chamber Academy in spring, 2012 targeting professionals with 2 years or less experience in the chamber industry.	Conference Division	June, 2012	Target class size – 20
Offer webinars - one per quarter (	Professional Development Division	June, 2012	offer 4 opportunities with at least 10 participants per
Research & develop training opportunity for new professionals.			Program developed. ???Model after KCCE new professional boot camp?
Research and offer a professional certification program for ICEA members	Professional Development	February 2012	Program developed and application roll-out at winter conference
Objective 1.2: Facilitate networking and resource sharing among Chamber professionals
Strategies	Responsible Party	Timeline	Metric
Introduce Executive PEERspectives teleconferences quarterly based on size of chamber – three groups.	Membership Division	Kick-off in July, 2011 and offer quarterly.	At least 10 execs connect with each call.
Develop a peer network of experts in specific areas that can reach out to neighboring chambers to help staff with issues.	Membership Division	Ongoing	Development of a mentor network of at least 20 professionals willing to assist peers with specific issues
Expand participation with the Member PEERspectives teleconference calls.	Membership Division	Alternating months	Offer at least six calls with goal of 15 per call.
Peer roundtables at each conference	Conference division	September 2011 and February 2012	Minimum of at least one peer roundtable exchange per conference
Expand social networking opportunity for members	Professional development	ongoing	Goal of 100 ‘likes’ on our FB page / 100 followers on Twitter / and 75% of members connected via our LinkedIn closed group
Invite non members to engage with ICEA via Facebook and Twitter.	Membership Division	August, 2011	Issue invitation to all non-member chambers in the state
Distribute weekly iDea exchange e-mails to membership	Shelli	June 2012	Total of 52 ideas distributed
Goal #2: ICEA strengthens the organizational capacity of local chambers
Objective 2.1. Provide resources to volunteer leadership to strengthen local chambers
Strategies	Responsible Party	Timeline	Metric
Develop a program or checklist to help chambers in transition hire the best staff	Professional development	August 2011	Develop document that can be disseminated electronically to local chamber search committees upon staff transitions
Develop a brochure that chamber execs can distribute to Board members at the start of the fiscal year	Professional development	September 2011	Distribute 25 brochures to incoming chairs during this fiscal year
Update ICEA database to include top volunteer elected representatives	Board	September 2011	Update an all-inclusive list of Board chairs or presidents by the end of the calendar year
Initial phases of developing an on-line university targeting skills development for key volunteers	prof. dev. division	April 2012	ID 10-15 key experts in the ICEA network for video interviews to begin the on-line training guide for our members
Develop a ‘Chamber 101’ webinar and invite Board chairs to participate	Professional development	December 2011	Minimum of 10 Board chairs participating
Facilitate local chamber board strategic planning by utilizing the resources from the ICEA Board leadership	Finance & organizational development	June 2012	ICEA leadership to facilitate a minimum of 6 strategic planning sessions for local chambers
Affinity resources	Special project???	June 2012	Research proposal for at least one statewide affinity option that ICEA can offer to local chambers who are members
Webinars targeting businesses	Professional development		Research proposal regarding potential webinars that ICEA could host for local chambers to provide to their membership. Proposal to Board in November. If approved, would roll out series in 2011 with goal of a minimum of quarterly opportunities.
Be a resource to the volunteer leadership of chambers in transition with succession planning of staff.	Professional development	February 2012	Offer info on succession planning at volunteer training conference in conjunction with winter conference.

 

Goal #3: Improve marketing create greater local and statewide awareness of ICEA
Objective 3.1.branding campaign for organization
Strategies	Responsible Party	Timeline	Metric
Appoint Board member liaison to lead marketing/branding initiative	Board	July, 2011	Board member accepts appointment to lead marketing/branding rollout
Board determines any changes to organizational name to move forward with marketing/branding campaign	Board liaison	July 2011	Final discussion and vote on any organizational name change
Establish budget parameters for marketing/branding campaign implementation	Board liaison	July 2011	Board approves budget
RFPs to professional firms for logo development and assistance In branding the look of ICEA	Board liaison	August 2011	Submit RFP to a minimum of (3) professional firms for consideration
Interim proof sent in pdf file via e-mail. Final draft of logo design to board for approval	Board liaison	October, 2011	Board review, edits and approves new design
Professional assistance with developing graphic treatment, color palette rules and development of a brand standard booklet.	Board liaison	November 2011	Board approves proposal
Work with WebLink to incorporate new graphic identity into website design	Board liaison	October, 2011	Task completed
Incorporate new graphic treatment into electronic e-mail signature	Board liaison	February 2012	Task completed
Professional assistance with the development of an organizational Identity package including design/layout of letterhead, business card, envelope, mailing label – final files on CD for printer – interim proofs sent pdf file via e-mail.	Board liaison	November 2011	Board approves recommendations
Development of membership brochure paralleling the updated organizational brand.	Membership Division	November, 2011	Board approves recommendation
Development of marketing postcard for member recruitment.	Membership Division	November, 2011	Board approves recommendation
Order promotional items – development of polo shirt for Board members to wear at ICEA events.	Conference Division	December 2011	Distribute products
Objective 3.2. Website
Strategies	Responsible Party	Timeline	Metric
Contact WebLink about modifying the website. Changes requested include:  1.) adding search toolbar to homepage; 2.) changing look/design of homepage to include new graphic identity; 3.) embedded video welcome message into homepage; 4.) incorporating a “member spotlight” area on the website homepage 5.)  incorporating video archives in the members only area; 6.) adding member discussion board forum in members only area; 7.)  incorporating social networking icons on home page; 8.) RSS feed.	Shelli	August, 2011	Contact made
New website goes live at conference – session at conference on utilizing resources on the ICEA site.	Shelli / WebLink	February 2012	Website is live
Development of content in members only area of site	Professional development	June, 2012	Continue to develop content in members’ only area with addition of 10 resources added monthly
Expansion of video training wall	Professional development	February 2012	ID 5-10 key experts in the ICEA network for video interviews to expand the on-line training guide for our members

 

Goal #4: Expand human capital
Objective 4.1: paid
Strategies	Responsible Party	Timeline	Metric
Approach 1-3 prospects regarding interest in commission sales Position with ICEA. Person to focus on membership sales and sponsor sales.	Shelli	October 2011	Person identified
Objective 4.2: unpaid
Strategies	Responsible Party	Timeline	Metric
Identify unpaid internship opportunities in partnership with a member chamber.	Organizational development	August, 2011	Have at least one intern partnership this fiscal year.
Build volunteer committees to focus on membership growth, retention and events	Chair	August 2011	Appoint a minimum of (3) ICEA task forces to work throughout this fiscal year; evaluate effectiveness in June of 2012 to determine growth potential
Appoint at least one membership ambassador for ICEA per region.	Membership Division	September, 2011	At least six ambassadors identified with expectations outlined / reward recruitment with financial incentive to be used for conference participation.
Appoint at least one membership ambassador for ICEA per region.	Membership Division	September, 2011	At least six ambassadors identified with expectations outlined / reward recruitment with financial incentive to be used for conference participation.
Each Board member target one non-member for recruitment during this fiscal year.	Membership Division	June 2012	Recruit at least five new members from Board effort

 

Goal #5. Strengthen and diversify ICEA income
Objective 5.1:  Grow ICEA rainy day fund
Strategies	Responsible Party	Timeline	Metric
Investigate opportunities with investments	finance division	December 2011	Develop plan of action for re-investment of ICEA CDs during 2011 calendar year
Select option and create timetable.	finance division	June 2012	$53,000 in reserve savings by end of FY
Objective 5.2.  Increase overall revenue of ICEA by 10%
Strategies	Responsible Party	Timeline	Metric
Revamp sponsorship opportunities	Conference Division	August 2011	Proposal to Board by August, 2011 – increase sponsorship revenue by 20%
Expand membership to include business partner members.	Membership Division	August, 2011	Recruit at least 10 business partner members during this FY
Target membership drive offering future members an incentive for joining.	Membership division	August, 2011	Increase projected dues income from retained members by 10%
Expand conference income capability	Conference division	September, 2011 / February, 2012	Net profit of a minimum of $5,000 per conference
Goal #6: respected voice in statewide discussions on economic development
Objective 6.1:  Identify the players and work on collaboration
Strategies	Responsible Party	Timeline	Metric
Work with Indiana Chamber on identifying all agencies in state that focus on economic development initiatives	Shelli	ongoing	Working statewide document