Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce
Who We Are
The Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce is the dedicated champion for you, our 1,600 business members. The Chamber’s volunteer leadership and staff exercise a daily responsibility to marshal the organization’s resources to advance a competitive business environment that gives you a distinct advantage in achieving your business objectives.
Below you will find six critical strategic priorities, along with specific bulleted goals, that your Chamber will be advancing to transform our metro area in 2012.
Create a Better Business Environment Through Advocacy
We want to provide a business setting that allows you to invest in your company and grow your business.We want to strengthen the Kansas business environment by offering a tax and regulatory climate that responds to the competitive realities of global competition for jobs/talent and advances a strong quality of place for current and prospective Kansans.
Successful passage of long-term tax reform
Adopt and advocate a successful 2012 Pro-Business Chamber Legislative Agenda
Build and strengthen elected official relationships at all levels of government
Continue strong communications regarding messaging/issues/updates
Elect Pro-Business Candidates
Finding and supporting candidates who understand business and what it takes to grow one is a critical priority.
Provide education about candidates
Raise money for 2012 election cycle
Continue to educate elected officials about the work of the Chamber and GWEDC
Inform Chamber members about the political process and grassroots outreach opportunities to elected officials
Strengthen Our Quality of Life Profile
We believe our home should feature a community that is full of possibilities for businesses and people who want the best. We want to create and optimize a community which is progressive, sustainable, education-rich, artful, amenity-based, and capable of attracting and retaining highly skilled workers of all demographics.
Through Visioneering – carry out community prioritization process to identify key areas for community/citizen action
Continue Visioneering alliance capacity building for a better community
Provide strategic coordination and momentum for Visioneering key benchmarks, especially Project Downtown
Support current workforce priorities (Business Education Innovation Partnership, Talent Dividend, Achieve Kansas) and assess, analyze and evaluate Chamber’s role in workforce development activities going forward
Expand the reach and collaboration of YPW into the community
- Grow membership
- Partner with Visioneering initiatives
Continue current programs for YPW members
Help Businesses Invest Here
Your business grows as the Wichita region grows. We want to help existing businesses be more competitive and attract new businesses. We plan to assess and address how competition in our area’s industry sectors is accelerating and how our businesses are being courted by other metros and states.
Continue to meet and exceed the 10-year cumulative goal of 18,000 jobs and $475 million in capital investment with the goal of facilitating 1,500 jobs reflecting $75 million capital investment in 2012
Provide comprehensive research for project RFPs in addition to supporting research, analysis and recommendations as competitive policy development is evaluated to increase region’s ability to attract and retain jobs in our area
Market our region aggressively to key target industry sectors and site selectors
GWEDC will develop and present the next multi-year strategic plan to advance regional job creation and strong capital investment growth
Help Small Businesses Prosper
You know what it takes to grow your business – our job is to provide you with the resources and tools you need to succeed. We will grow our small business members through education, business connections, visibility, and provision of relevant resources.
Provide educational offerings Continue current programs for both general and small business members
Enhance networking and visibility opportunities for members
Continue to assess, pilot, and/or operate programs to support entrepreneurship
Develop/expand partnerships with GWEDC and other small business resource groups
Promote Businesses That Build Wichita
With over 1,600 members, we are excited to provide you with the biggest marketing platform in the state. We will create numerous opportunities for our members to reach other members through large community events with highly visible sponsorship opportunities. We will continue providing leadership opportunities for business to assist Greater Wichita in striving to be its own best champion.
Through Honors Night and the Annual Meeting, recognize businesses and individuals for their commitment to the community and present the Chamber strategic agenda to position the Chamber as the community leadership organization
Re-evaluate the Annual Meeting goals and framework including speaker/entertainment options for 2012 and beyond
Evaluate the pre- and post-leadership experiences to be completed in partnership with the Kansas Leadership Center and implement task force recommendations
Identify, inform, and inspire individuals, through Leadership Wichita and Wichita Insight, who are committed to intentionally assist in carrying out Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce and Visioneering Wichita strategies
Solidify our Future Workforce
Partner with the educational community, business community leaders, training providers and other stakeholders to ensure a highly skilled, literate and productive workforce.
Implement the Business Education Innovation Partnership in conjunction with Wichita Public Schools
Continue Visioneering’s education initiatives, including:
- Talent Dividend/Achieve Kansas
- Mentoring K-12
- Birth to K
Expand “Intern Return” and other YPW programs to attract and retain young talent
Ensure the Chamber plays an integral role in future workforce development activities
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