2021 Business Plan

Goal: Serve as the liaison between the chamber board and membership

These volunteer leaders represent member businesses and help promote a positive community image, assist in welcoming new Chamber members, contacting current members and provide leadership for Chamber events and retention efforts. The goal is to have 24 active ambassadors.

Strategies:
• Meet monthly to build relationships, assign member contacts, updates on events, complete point sheets
• Attend and assist with Ribbon Cuttings, Luncheons & Special Events; Make contact to assigned members to encourage connection with the chamber; assist with “annual operation appreciation”
• Ambassador Ambush

Goal: Improve Membership Retention, Recruitment & Benefits Programs

This group supports the member investment plan levels and benefits packages and works on strategies for retention and recruitment. Through a coordinated effort with staff, this committee distributes treat bags annually to our members.

Strategies:
• Host New Member Receptions every other month via Zoom
• Promotions of New Member Referral Program - $25 Chamber “Bucks”
• Coordinate an Annual Operation Appreciation Event or Member Appreciation Event
• Hold Coffee & Connections, Membership Luncheons (move to 2nd Thursday of the month), Possibly host Business After Hours
o Look into bringing in more business speakers for the lunch programs

Goal: Increase awareness of the Chamber, its events, benefits and activities

This committee works with staff to develop chamber on-line and printed marketing strategies and goals. Marketing and communication efforts include but are not limited to: Web-Site(s), E-News, Social Media.

Strategies:
• Develop new marketing campaign/ads for the chamber
• Develop marketing plan for Capital Campaign
• Develop marketing plan for all events/meetings

Goal: Raise Non-Dues Revenue through fundraising while providing networking opportunities for the members

The event task force groups meet to plan, execute and evaluate each event and members can choose to serve on one or multiple event planning groups.


• Annual Banquet Chair Ned Butler

• Golf Tournament Chair Drew Bowen

• Battle of the Burgers Chair Ned Butler

• Walton 5K & Half Marathon Chair David Dickinson

Research options for the following: Dueling Piano Bars, BBQ or Chili Cookoff, Taste of Walton, Arts Community Festival, Corn Hole Tournament, Glow 5K run

Goal: Support Public and Private High Schools as well as Higher Education

This group plans and implements the annual County-Wide Career & College Expo, Annual STAR Banquet and runs the Reality Check Program. This group works closely with the Walton Proud Initiative.

Strategies

- Coordinate STAR Banquet
- Coordinate College & Career Expo
- Coordinate Reality Check Program in Schools/Virtual or in person
- Research Principal for the Day Program

Goal: Increase awareness of the Chamber, its events, benefits and activities

This committee works with staff to develop chamber on-line and printed marketing strategies and goals. Marketing and communication efforts include but are not limited to: Web-Site(s), E-News, Social Media.

Strategies:
• Develop new marketing campaign/ads for the chamber
• Develop marketing plan for Capital Campaign
• Develop marketing plan for all events/meetings

Goal: Health and Wellness Awareness for local businesses

Bring information to our business members and the community about the importance of wellness in the workplace.

Strategies:
• Health & Wellness Series – Possibly Virtual
• Live Facebook Healthcare Chats

Goal: To develop new and talented leaders for Walton County

Community members must be nominated and selected to be part of this group which meets for nine sessions to explore Walton County, building better leaders for our community. The class size of 18 total annually.
Strategies

• Annual Leadership Walton Class focusing on leadership training and community awareness
• Goal of 18 in each class annually

Goal: Promotions of A+ Education in Walton County

This committee will work to promote the Walton Proud Brand

Strategies:
• Walton Proud Presentations to LW class with virtual tours
• Tuesday @ 2 pm Education Chats
• Promotions: Continue promoting the Walton Proud brand in print, on-line, TV and radio

Goal: To improve student awareness of Walton County and build leaders

This program is a combined effort of Leadership Walton Alumni and the chamber. It is a 2-year program beginning the high school Junior year with CEO level leadership training, followed by community awareness programs for the students their Senior year. The program is county-wide with participation from all Walton County schools.

Strategies:
• Annual Youth Leadership Walton Classes – Juniors & Seniors
• Promotion through high schools for nominations and selections

*Programs funded through Walton Forward, Inc. Foundation

Goal: Promotion of local business members to maximize their business growth

This committee promotes our member companies through recognition at chamber luncheon events and handles the nominations, selection and presentation. This group organizes seminars and workshops for the membership and coordinates our Buy Local Campaign.

Strategies:
• Spotlight Members through video visits on Facebook Live
• Member of the Month/Year Recognition Awards – Add online form for nominations/possibly voting
• Host workshops/seminars for members
o Highlight expertise of members and Tax workshops for small businesses
• Buy Local Campaign
o Discontinue Buy Local Discount Cards
o Implement a consistent message (work with Marketing Committee)
o Begin a $10 on the 10th or $20 on the 20th program again
o Print new Buy Local Signs for businesses

Goal: To bring focus and awareness to our local existing industries

In an effort to bring more community awareness to our local industries, we host a minimum of one Industry Tour annually, inviting elected officials and chamber members to attend. In addition, this group offers training opportunities on specific industry topics as needed or requested.

Strategies:
• Host Existing Industry Appreciation Event with Development Authority of Walton County
• Host annual or biannual local industry tour for board and members when able to do so
• Work with Walton Works and support their efforts
• Member Spotlights of local industries

Goal: Promote Walton County as a tourism destination

This council would be made up of the three downtown managers and work to create and promote a year long calendar of events.

Strategies:
• State promotions of Walton county at events via rack cards

Goal: Establish a women business leaders’ group

This group would meet on a scheduled basis to discuss business topics of interest, bring in speakers, etc.

Strategies:
• Coordinate meetings of this group monthly/every other month
• Invite speakers, create topics of interest, etc.
• Look into Nomination process/selection for Women in Business Award