2012 – 2013 BUSINESS PLAN: GREATER ATLANTIC CITY CHAMBER doc

While the Chamber’s mission will remain the same - To create a favorable economic climate by providing meaningful services to the business community - we will focus on four core strategi

2012 – 2013 BUSINESS PLAN

A message from our President, Joseph Kelly:

A message from our Chair, Sam Young:

“Grow With Us” is more than a slogan for our 2012 Membership Campaign,

it is a commitment of our Chamber

During the next two years we will work hard to have existing members become more engaged, bring new members into the organization and move our services from valued to essential

While the Chamber’s mission will remain the same - To create a favorable economic climate by providing meaningful services to the business community - we will focus on four core strategies: business services/opportunities for Chamber members, advocacy, (serving as the voice for businesses in our marketplace), economic growth for Atlantic County and resource development

These strategies will be addressed by Chamber committees that have

Winston Churchill once said, “The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.”

There can be no question that our region’s economy has encountered its share of challenges over the past few years The national economic downturn, combined with significantly increased competition in the gaming industry from neighboring states, has negatively impacted our economic fortunes But those challenges are giving way to a renewed sense

of excitement and optimism about our future, thanks in part to enlightened leadership and unprecedented collaboration among our business community

Our Chamber is at the forefront of that leadership and collaboration We remain committed to working with private and public sector leaders to make Atlantic County a better place to live, work and visit Our intensified advocacy efforts over the past few years have had a substantial impact in that regard

If you are not yet a member of the Chamber, I encourage you to join and take advantage of the many resources available through the Chamber to help you grow and manage your business If you are already a member, I urge you to become involved in supporting our advocacy efforts and participating in the many programs and services offered by the Chamber

Will Arabea, Blue Heron Pines Golf Club

Ed Blake, Blake & Associates

Vincent Bruno, Attorney at Law

Kim Butler, Tanger Outlets/The Walk

Kenneth Calemmo, Cooper Levenson Attorneys at Law

Auggie Cipollini, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa

Don Colligan, TD Bank

Keith Davis, Nehmad Perillo & Davis, P.C

Keith Dawn, The Press of Atlantic City Media Group

James Dine, Kramer Beverage

John Emge, United Way of Atlantic County

Wilson Felder, William J Hughes Technical Center

Paul Gallagher, ACUA

Mary Gilbert, Bank of America/Merrill Lynch

Tim Glenn, Glenn Insurance, Inc

David Goddard, Ole Hansen & Sons, Inc

Barry Goff, W.S Goff Company, Inc

Sharon Gordon, SJ Transportation Authority

Ed Graham, South Jersey Gas Company

Don Guardian, CRDA Special Improvement Division

Ralph Henry, Arthur R Henry, Inc

Dave Hughes, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Inc

Joe Jacobs, Pacific Outdoor Advertising

Janice Johnston, Prudential Fox & Roach Realtors

Joseph Kelly, Greater Atlantic City Chamber

Howard Kyle, Atlantic County Government – Executive

David Leavy, Individual Member

George Lynn, Individual Member

Richard Mairone, Perskie Mairone Brog & Baylinson, P.C

Ed Malandro, Sun National Bank

Daniel Mann, Revel Entertainment Group, LLC

Thomas McAdam, McAdam Electric Company

Dominic Moffa, AtlantiCare

Joe Molineaux, Small Business Development Center

Peter Mora, Atlantic Cape Community College

Laurence Morier, III, Cape Bank

Victor Nappen, A.C Linen Supply, Inc

Bill Parker, Parker & Partners Marketing Resources

Greg Parker, Wells Fargo Jack Plackter, Fox Rothschild LLP Michael Pollock, Spectrum Gaming Group Jeffrey Ropiecki, Ocean City Home Bank Herman Saatkamp,The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Bill Schu, Kravco Co., The Hamilton Mall

Trib Singh, Hi-Tec Systems, Inc

Donna Stephens, Shore Memorial Hospital Diane Suarez, Horizon BCBSNJ

John Szeliga, Verizon Communications Susan Thompson, CRDA

Todd Timbrook, Home Solutions Mark Tricano, Showboat Atlantic City Jeff Vasser, Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority Marjorie Wilson, Atlantic Realty Management, Inc

Charlie Wimberg, Atlantic City Electric Samuel Young, Tilton Fitness Management Tom Zetkulic, Paulus, Sokolowski & Sartor Mitch Zitomer, Prudential Fox & Roach Realtors

CHAMBER STAFF

Joseph D Kelly, President – jkelly@acchamber.com Charlotte Hess, Assistant to the President –

chess@acchamber.com Elisa Monroe, Director/Member Events – emonroe@acchamber.com

Carolyn Young, Director/Membership Development and Retention – cyoung@acchamber.com

GREATER ATLANTIC CITY CHAMBER ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

SMALL BUSINESS

In the past, the Small Business and Communications Committees of the Chamber were combined As part of the Chamber’s current business plan, these two committees will be divided to allow each to focus more attention on individual goals

The Small Business Committee (SBC) will offer training, referrals and cost savings programs to Chamber members The committee will work with the Chamber’s Business Advocacy Committee on pro-business legislation and the Chamber’s Events Committee on networking efforts The SBC will also work with the Chamber’s Communications Committee on affordable marketing opportunities and to ensure a free flow of information to and from small business members of the Chamber

GOALS (Small Business)

• Have the Chamber’s Small Business Committee build on the relationship that has been established with Stockton’s Small Business Development Center to offer counseling and training programs

• Partner with the Chamber’s Communications Committee to build and implement a member referral and discount program

COMMUNICATIONS:

Facilitating interactive communications between and with Chamber members is a top priority for

2012 and beyond We plan to do this via an excellent social media program, enhanced website and by continuing our networking efforts designed to create business opportunities

We will also continue to work to heighten the awareness of the Chamber through media contacts and public relation efforts

GOALS: (Communications)

• Create and maintain a state of the art social media program through continuing the Facebook program by adding friends and through timely posting of information

• Upgrade Chamber’s website with an emphasis

on making it more interactive, increasing travel to the site and by making it more user friendly

• Develop a formalized ongoing referral program for Chamber members then measure results by tracking and reporting

• Continue to share information on the Chamber’s business advocacy efforts and member events

• Establish a strategy at the local/national levels and become the lead agency to share private sector information/positions with the media

MEMBER EVENTS:

Chamber events are designed to strengthen,

Photo by Robert Rossiello, Art Director, Casino Connection Online

GOALS: (Member Events)

• Establish a Sponsorship Committee to assist

in increasing sponsorship and revenue

associated with events

• Revitalize existing event committees Establish

individual committees for each event

• Promote business-to-business networking

opportunities for Chamber members through

monthly networking events designed for

members to build relationships with fellow

businesspeople representing all business sizes

and sectors

• Provide an opportunity for businesses to

showcase their products and services to other

businesses, citizens of Atlantic County via the

Atlantic City Hospitality Trade Show

partnering with Atlantic City Hotel & Lodging

Authority and the Senior Expo partnering with

Katz Jewish Community Center

• Present quarterly issue oriented programs and

legislative forums designed to provide

members with timely information on issues

impacting the region

• Recognize a dynamic business or business

leader’s accomplishments and contributions

to community through our annual

recognition awards program

• Administrate the annual Atlantic City Airshow

• Present a Regional Showcase for Atlantic County

businesses to market and promote their

products and services to a countywide audience

MEMBERSHIP

DEVELOPMENT/RETENTION:

Develop and execute strategies to expand the size

of the Chamber membership base while

increasing the retention rate, and the subsequent

dues revenue Work closely with both the Events

Committee and the Communications

Committees to increase our members return on

their investment and add value of their

membership through cost saving efforts,

affordable marketing, meaningful events,

increased communications, and member

engagement to increase their business

opportunities

GOALS: (Membership Development)

• Work closely with the Communications

Committee in upgrading sales materials that

will emphasize the importance of Chamber

membership

• Create and execute an effective membership drive, running approximately January 2012 through May 2012, increasing our membership base and dues revenue by a predetermined goal

• Manage the creation of a new Membership Directory both printed and online, offering our members added exposure through their listing and additional advertising opportunities

• Organize and implement a Retention Campaign running May 2012- October 2012, actualizing a higher percentage of retention through a planned program of contacts and surveys

ATLANTIC COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION/CDC:

The Atlantic County Community Development Corporation (CDC) exists to support the orderly development of Atlantic County The corporation works to foster communications and cooperation between business and government The CDC is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) and serves as the lead economic development agency for the Greater Atlantic City Chamber

GOALS: (CDC)

• Establish a public/private partnership with Atlantic County Government to advance the mission of the Atlantic County Community Development Corporation

• Generate resources required to establish support staff for the Atlantic County Community Development Corporation

• Establish the Atlantic County Community Development Corporation as the one-stop clearing house for information on developing

in Atlantic County

• Conduct a target market study to determine the best prospects for development in Atlantic County

• Continue to work with others on development projects that have begun including: tourism district, aviation/research technology and expansion of the medical and educational sectors of Atlantic County

• Align the efforts of the CDC and Chamber’s Business Advocacy Committee to establish pro-business public policy

BUSINESS ADVOCACY:

The Chamber’s Business Advocacy Committee serves as the voice for business in Atlantic County The committee identifies issues it will pro-actively address The committee also understands that from time to time they will be required to address issues not on their priority list They have planned for this and have the flexibility and policies to quickly act on an as-needed basis A Chair’s Council membership classification has been put in place to provide required resources and leadership to support the Chamber’s business advocacy efforts

GOALS: (Business Advocacy)

• Provide leadership from the private sector while working with others to implement strategies to enhance businesses and the quality of life in Atlantic City and Atlantic County

• Take a leadership role in support of pro-business public policy and oppose legislation that harms Atlantic County businesses

• Support initiatives that advance the interest of tourism in Atlantic City and efforts to increase visitors to our marketplace

• Advocate for regulations that serve the public interest without acting as a deterrent to business investment and growth

• Reduce the cost of government at the local, state and federal levels

SMALL BUSINESS

• Continued to work with The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey’s Small Business Development Center to provide counseling and training programs

• Continued to provide networking opportunities and referrals

• Continued to provide business advocacy services

COMMUNICATIONS

• Reorganized the Communications Committee

to include public relations specialists from the marketplace in order to focus on two different areas of responsibility: membership and public relations

• Consolidated all databases to ensure correct information is on file for Chamber members

in order to enhance communications and referrals

• Proactive in publicizing Chamber activities i.e member events, business advocacy issues, etc

• Continue to update social networking sites i.e Facebook/Linkedin

MEMBER EVENTS

• Promoted business-to-business networking and sales opportunities for Chamber members through monthly networking events designed

2011 ACHIEVEMENTS

• Promoted Small Business Saturday event via public/media relations efforts

• Presented “Conversation with Governor Christie” event to Chamber members

• Presented “Meet the Candidates” Forum for District 2 state office candidates

• Supported CRDA plan to enhance Boardwalk lighting

• Co-hosted State Chamber Legislative and Business Awards Reception in Atlantic City, an event previously held in northern NJ

• Partnered with County government to present Atlantic County Economic Forum to highlight opportunities to broaden and diversify economic base of County

• Provided testimony to Lt Governor’s Red Tape Review Commission to recommend regulatory reforms

• Met with Tourism District Commander Tom Gilbert to identify priorities from perspective

of business community

• Successfully advocated for CRDA funds to be allocated exclusively for Atlantic City and surrounding communities

• Facilitated negotiations that assisted in Dave Matthews Band Caravan coming to Atlantic City, providing a major economic boost to the city

• Presented Business Advocacy Luncheon with Dennis Bone, president of Verizon NJ and Chairman of the NJ State Chamber

• Supported launch of the inaugural Atlantic City World Amateur Golf Tournament

• Presented the AC Investment Forum to exchange ideas on revitalizing Atlantic City and repositioning the resort

• Supported bid by Richard Stockton College of

NJ to attract 2012 Presidential debate

• Successfully opposed plans to develop a casino at the Meadowlands

• Supported reforms to city ordinances relating

to illegal operation of limousines as taxi cabs

in Atlantic City

• Mounted PR campaign to educate media and public on merits of Economic Redevelopment Growth Grant for Revel

• Provided testimony to the State Assembly Committee on reforming telecom regulations

• Continued to support internet gaming legislation provided it is constitutional and focuses on Atlantic City

• Provided input for Economic Summit and Roundtable with Governor Christie

>Atlantic City Hospitality Trade Show

partnering with Atlantic City Hotel & Lodging

Authority

>Senior Expo partnering with Katz Jewish

Community Center

• Presented quarterly issue oriented programs

and legislative forums designed to provide

members with timely information on issues

impacting the Greater Atlantic City region

• Recognize and highlight those in the Atlantic

County business community who success

through our annual recognition awards

program

• Continued to serve as the administrative group

for the Atlantic City Airshow, Thunder over the

Boardwalk 2010’s show hit a new attendance

record of an estimated 800,000 attendees and

generated over 8 million media impressions

MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

AND RETENTION

• Secured forty members of the Chair’s Council

that have made a four-year commitment to the

Council enabling the Chamber to expand its

business advocacy efforts

• Hired Membership Director dedicated to new

member revenue and member renewals

• Reorganized the Membership Committee and

Ambassador Committee

• Maintained a 90% member renewal budget

ATLANTIC COUNTY COMMUNITY

DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION/CDC

• CDC Board reestablished goals for the

corporation

• Continue work with Atlantic County

Government to establish a public/private

sector partnership to advance the mission of

the Atlantic County Community Development

Corporation with regard to economic

development in Atlantic County

BUSINESS ADVOCACY

• Reorganized the Business Advocacy

Committee

• Provided testimony on sports betting issue to

legislative subcommittee

• Advocated for Price’s Pit Landfill site in

Pleasantville to be selected by EPA as possible

solar energy generation location

• Presented Forum for business community and

community at-large to provide input on CRDA

Tourism District Master Plan

POSITION YOUR BUSINESS FOR SUCCESS

Atlantic County is a competitive marketplace You need

all the tools you can to keep your business running

efficiently The Greater Atlantic City Chamber offers

resources and benefits that will yield a positive return on

your investment

•Events that boost the local economy

• Programs for access and business savings

• Business Referrals

•Lobbying Efforts

• Partnering with:

• Small Business Development Center

• Atlantic County Government

MAKE BUSINESS CONNECTIONS

With a wide range of professional and social events, the

Greater Atlantic City Chamber offers more networking

opportunities than any other organization in the region

•Business After Hours Networking

•Networking Luncheons/Breakfasts

•Atlantic City Hospitality Trade Show

•Atlantic City Air Show

•Business Advocacy Forums

•Annual Golf Outing

•Installation/Annual Membership Meeting

•Community & Business Leader of the Year

• Senior Expo

MARKET YOUR BUSINESS

The Greater Atlantic City Chamber provides numerous opportunities to promote your business to both local residents and our out of town visitors

•Greater Atlantic City Chamber Business/Membership and Relocation packages

•Your business listed on our website at www.acchamber.com

•Chamber e-News and email blasts

•Ribbon cutting ceremonies

• Event Sponsorships

•Atlantic City Airshow

ADVOCACY FOR YOUR BUSINESS

From economic development to regional tourism, the Chamber is actively involved in issues that affect Atlantic County businesses

•Advocacy at local, state, and federal levels

•Lobbying at the state capitol and beyond

•Forums to meet local, state, federal representatives face-to-face

IMPROVE YOUR BOTTOM LINE

With programs that cater to all levels with in an organization, the Chambers forum/educational opportunities will put your business at the top of its game

•Business Advocacy Programs

•Workshops and training

•Lunches with prominent business community leaders

•Chamber membership lunches