CO-Chairs

Shanda Nichols, The Bank of Missouri and Dustin Stanton, Boone County Farm Bureau

Purpose

To support and stimulate growth of agribusiness and biosciences and build awareness within the Chamber and surrounding community about agriculture-related issues including the impact on local quality of life, economic impact and scope of the area’s bioscience and agriculture industry.

Goals

• Actively recruit and encourage Chamber and committee membership particularly the involvement of traditional and non-traditional agriculture and bioscience-related businesses.
• Promote Chamber’s legislative issues that directly impact agriculture and bioscience-related businesses
• Provide networking and educational opportunities through the Agricultural Recognition Dinner and Food for Thought programs.
• Recognize and celebrate individual accomplishments in agriculture and in the community:
  • Agriculturalists of the Year Award
  • Friend of Youth Award
  • Don Day Agribusiness and Bioscience Scholarship
• Support agricultural programs, organizations and events that contribute to the economic success and the quality of life in Boone County, including the Boone County Extension Town & Country Dinner.

Benefit

Continued development and support for the agricultural/biosciences industry in the region will maintain a balanced economy, enhance the quality of life and provide benefits for all segments of the Chamber membership.

Co-CHairs

Kelsey Lyman, Convergence Companies and Ann Merrifield, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Missouri

Purpose

To assure financial solvency of the Chamber by preparing the annual budget for board approval and to monitor the fiscal performance as it relates to the approved budget and to recommend policies that enhance the Chamber’s financial status.

Goals

• Be cognitive of and prepare the organization for ongoing financial impacts for the operations and fiscal position of the Chamber as a result of the coronavirus crisis and subsequent events.
• Evaluate auditor’s management letter and make appropriate recommendations to the Chamber Board of Directors.
• Prepare and present new budget to the Board of Directors by June each year.
• Review the financial reports given to the Board of Directors.
• Review budget for areas needing updated bids.
• Review Total Resource Campaign in cooperation with Total Resource Campaign leadership.
• Review the Financial Policies and Procedures to recommend needed updates.
• Review and approve Chamber Division Operating Manual updates, prior to review by the Chamber Board of Directors.
• Conduct a salary comparison review.

Benefit

Through careful evaluation of the financial structure of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, there will be adequately funded Chamber programs and assured financial stability.

CO-Chairs

Chrissy Jones, The Crossing and Heather Stewart, Voluntary Action Center

Purpose

To plan the Chamber’s annual golf tournament. Like other income generating events hosted by the Chamber, this event is designed to fund programs that the Chamber can utilize to enhance the Chamber organization and accomplish the strategic plan.

Goals

• Create social involvement of Chamber members.
• Provide networking opportunities.
• Raise non-dues related income.
• Generate enthusiasm for, and awareness of, the Columbia Chamber of Commerce within the community.
• Recruit new committee members.
• Provide benefit and awareness for tournament sponsors.

Benefit

Increase awareness of the Chamber and its member businesses and sponsors. This event should generate revenue and create awareness for the Chamber in the community.

Co-Chairs

Matt Pritchard, AT&T and Tom Trabue, The Next Step LLC

Purpose

To provide a forum to discuss critical issues that are affecting the business community and vet a potential topic’s relevance to the Chamber’s mission, and if necessary, refer a topic to the Chamber Government Affairs or other appropriate committee for consideration and possible recommendation to the Chamber Board of Directors.

Goals

• Meet with community leaders to proactively discuss developing challenges, opportunities or situations that may affect the Columbia business community in the future.
• Meet with government agency and department staff members, as well as leaders from the education, healthcare, non-profit and other sectors, to discuss issues of importance to the business community.
• Meet with local and state elected officials to build a working rapport.
• Leverage the collective experience of committee members through discussion and presentations, allowing for peer learning and relationship building.
• Serve as a clearinghouse for issues and assess relevance to the Chamber’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Refer issues of concern to Government Affairs and other appropriate committees for response or action.
• Refer time-sensitive issues to the Board of Directors directly.

Benefit

Allow member input into emerging issues that impact our community in an effort to be more proactive, and time-sensitive and engaged.

Co-Chairs

Hannah Larrick, Veterans United Home Loans and Mary Anne McCollum, University of Missouri Flagship Council

Purpose

To provide leadership, education and advocacy that enhances the economic environment and represents the political interests of the Columbia business community; develop cooperative relationships with organizations and to establish and nurture positive relationships with local, state and federal government officials.

Goals

• Research, develop, educate, and recommend issue positions to the Chamber Board.
• Annually review and update the Legislative Agenda to reflect the priorities and opinions of the Columbia business community, with consensus obtained through discussions with Chamber membership.
• Establish positive, interactive relationships with organizations and elected local, county and statewide officials.
• Provide speakers of stature and expertise on critical issues.
• Ask Columbia Chamber of Commerce members to attend, testify and participate in outreach activities with policy makers on the Chamber’s legislative priorities and opinions.
• Endorse, oppose or stay neutral regarding ballot initiatives that are pertinent to the Columbia business community.
• Educate members about critical issues and advocate issue positions within Chamber philosophical guidelines to the public and appropriate officials.
• Sponsor forums that present both sides of an issue, and for candidates in upcoming elections.
• Provide support for positions taken by Chamber Board of Directors through communication with city/county boards and commissions and by attendance at meetings
• Host events to recognize public officials
• Foster cooperation and collaborative efforts between city and county leaders

Benefit

A strong advocacy in government affairs will maintain and advance the region’s business climate, attract new membership and be an effective, respected voice of the community.

Co-Chairs

Heather Hargrove, Feeding Missouri and Dave Wallace, Minuteman Press

Purpose

To reach out to our membership, specifically new members and newly appointed representatives, in an effort to welcome them and to educate them on how to achieve active Chamber involvement so they see a return on their investment, which can be measured through retention rates.

Goals

• Strive to personally welcome each new member and representative by encouraging active involvement and coaching them on how to achieve their goals in the Chamber.
• Promote a Membership Onboarding Program to assist with attracting and guiding new members in order to grow our membership through new members and retention.

Strategies

• Serve as the welcoming arm, first point of contact and coach to new members and new representatives as they begin their Chamber membership.
• Assist with the Chamber Onboarding Program.
• Visit members in an effort to understand their businesses and demonstrate an interest in them and their contribution to our Chamber.
• Host four New Member Meet and Greet events annually to share the basics of Chamber membership and give them an opportunity to introduce themselves.
• Provide warm sponsorship leads to the Total Resource Campaign sales team and serve as consultants to the team throughout the campaign.
• Teach Chamber 101 introductory and refresher courses for businesses upon request.
• Provide all new members with a warm welcome, a plaque, a window cling and a complimentary QMB ticket. Explain the benefits of committee involvement and invite to a New Member event to learn more.
• Contact new members often during the first year to help them become engaged and informed about the good work the Chamber is doing with community issues.
• Utilize information received in membership surveys to continually strive to meet the ever-evolving needs of our members. Remain open to change and growth and new ways of doing things so that we always remain on the forefront.

Benefit

Ensure a strong, growing and respected Chamber through favorable dues revenue, recruitment and retention. Active member participation results in high satisfaction with their Chamber experience, resulting in continued referrals for positive growth.

Co-CHairs

Jacob Garrett, Central Bank of Boone County and Stephanie Smith, Columbia Mall

Purpose

Continue the creative concept of the Showcase CoMo program, improve our image, and foster new relationships. Provide a networking/sales/marketing opportunity for business professionals, primarily in Columbia, along with value-added activities to increase floor traffic. Help stimulate economic growth and enhance the quality of life in the Columbia area.

Goals

• Organize and develop a professional, enriching, entertaining and fun event where Chamber member businesses can showcase their products and services.
• Raise non-dues revenue for the Chamber.
• Recruit committed, responsible and excited committee/sub-committee members.
• Involve people across all divisions of the Chamber in the planning, development and execution of Showcase CoMo.
• Provide networking opportunities for Mid-Missouri professionals through special events and activities during Showcase CoMo.
• Sell 80 percent of promoter spaces by February and 100 percent by March each year.
• Increase attendance and keep record of attendee numbers from year to year.
• Incorporate all Chamber divisions in the event, if possible.

Benefit

Add value to Chamber membership while promoting and enhancing business opportunities for exhibitors and sponsors. Creates positive awareness of the Chamber by showcasing all that Columbia has to offer to the community.

Co-Chairs

Greg Brockmeier, Brockmeier Financial Services and Lisa Driskel Hawxby, DogMaster Distillery

Purpose

Enhance and improve the small business and entrepreneurial community in Columbia by providing education programs, opportunities for relationship building and access to resources that can help small business owners thrive.

Goals

• Enhance and improve the small business and entrepreneurial community.
  • Plan and present the Small Business of the Year awards.
  • Participate in and support Small Business Week.
  • Advocate for issues and challenges facing small businesses in our community.
• Provide educational programs.
  • Host a four-part series of professional development breakfast events covering topics relevant to small businesses.
  • Conduct the Small Business Roundtable, consisting of a structured monthly discussion of a professional development topic.
  • Provide updates to committee members regarding other divisions of the Chamber including Women’s Network, EPIC, Ambassadors and Workforce Development.
• Provide opportunities for relationship building.
  • Committee members will contact new member small businesses that join the Chamber on a monthly basis for engagement and connection.
  • New members that attend committee meetings will be allowed to present an elevator pitch for their business to the group.
  • Host the annual Small Business Festival.
• Provide access to resources.
  • Create and update a Small Business Toolkit that will live on the Chamber website. The toolkit will contain small business resource information, including the next steps after joining the Chamber.
  • Collaborate with other small business resource organizations, including the SBDC, SBA, REDI, Missouri Women’s Business Center and other local chambers.

Benefit

Members will receive support and access to resources that will encourage the growth and profitability of their small businesses within our community.

Co-Chairs

Jackie Walters, Masonic Home of Missouri and Susan Schopflin, Compass Health Incorporated

Purpose

Strengthen the leadership and financial resources of the Chamber through selling sponsorships and advertising and securing budget reduction trades so that we may continue to broaden the services and value of a Chamber membership.

GOALS

• Meet annual sales goal of sponsorships in cash and trade.
• Provide leadership opportunities for sales team members and co-chairs.
• Promote the Chamber and its benefits to potential members and current members.
• Sell opportunities to businesses to capitalize on their investment dollars with the Chamber and gain exposure among the Columbia business community.
• Recruit new team members.

BENEFIT

Cash and trade from the campaign will help the Chamber staff better serve members and finance new and existing programs, events and publications. In addition to the tangible benefits of the campaign, the Total Resource Campaign allows the Chamber to reach out to a whole new group of volunteers and create new relationships for building our leadership base and making our organization stronger than ever.

Co-Chairs

John Frerking, Engineering Surveys & Services and David Nichols, Emery Sapp & Sons

Purpose

Provide leadership, education and advocacy that enhances the transportation and infrastructure interests of the Columbia business community. Develop cooperative relationships with organizations to establish and nurture positive relationships with local, regional and state transportation and infrastructure officials.

Goals

• Research, develop, educate and recommend transportation and infrastructure priorities to the Chamber Board of Directors.
• Establish positive, interactive and collaborative relationships with relevant organizations and elected or appointed local, county and state transportation and infrastructure leaders.
• Educate members about critical transportation and infrastructure issues and advocate positions within Chamber philosophical guidelines to the public and appropriate officials.
• Sponsor forums to help disseminate information about transportation and infrastructure pertinent to the Columbia business community.
• Provide support for transportation and infrastructure positions taken by the Chamber Board of Directors through communication with city or county boards and commissions and by attendance at meetings.

Benefit

A strong advocacy in transportation and infrastructure will maintain and advance the region’s business climate, attract new members and benefit current membership, while being an effective, respected voice of the community.