County-Wide Resources. Locally Driven & Represented.

Blending Alexandria-Monroe and Madison County Chambers

From the President of the Board

“We as a chamber will help shape this blend offering us positive publicity. By pulling out the Economic Development piece and letting it stand alone as a function of the city, we are able to use the current business community and this blend to be more focused and driven on current needs and keeping these businesses viable in tough economic times.”

Gina Brisco

From the Board Chairperson

“We believe it is the desire of our business community to join together to build a positive, county-wide brand (helping all Madison County cities/towns) while remaining locally represented and economically driven.”

Marcy DeShong

Why Blend?

• Larger footprint• More resources • Increased influence

Larger Footprint

• Offer county-wide resources to members (more networking, events, award recognition, etc.)

• County-wide directories and newsletters featuring Alexandria distributed to over 3,000

• Broader perspective as a business community and ability to branch out and attract attention and interest from Noblesville, Muncie and Indy (i.e. increased publicity and awareness)

More Resources

• Stream-line communications, projects, and programs

• Additional administrative and marketing support (billing, marketing, membership, PR, benefits, sales, programming, etc.)

• Streamline budget• Ambassador and Young Professionals outreach

program promoting Alexandria businesses

Increased Influence

• Create a county-wide agenda supporting business and driven by local business councils

• Create local agendas supporting local initiatives with the support of county-wide organizations

• Gives us a competitive edge over our neighboring counties

Membership benefits?

• Grandfathered dues amount will include:– County-wide newsletter/e-news subscription – County-wide/local online directory listing with decal– Disccounts on select programs, events, & workshops– Committee representation and ribbon cuttings – Free admission to select county-wide and local events – (1) Free Admission to FAB! or Wake Up! Madison County– Promote your event county-wide – Advertise hot deals county-wide

How could it be structured?

Madison County Agenda

Alexandria Business Council

Pendleton Business Council

Anderson BusinessCouncil

Elwood Business Council

Who are the leaders?

Madison County

Business Board

PendletonBusiness

Representation

AlexandriaBusiness

Representation

ElwoodBusiness

Representation

Anderson

BusinessRepresentation

Full-time staff member to service each location

What are our opportunities?• Identify both our county and local business agendas and work

towards them• Win some state-wide awards for our efforts • Brainstorm additional member benefits • Centralized location to help refer business and tourism to

Alexandria • Volunteer-driven leadership in Alexandria supported by full-time

MCC staff • More community events• Perhaps change our name (Madison County Business Alliance or

Madison County Inc.)?

Who will be working for you?Kyle Morey President & CEO. Fearless Leader. Chief Enthusiasm Officer.15 years experience promoting business communities through chamber and entrueprenerual work from Scottsdale, AZ to Southern Indiana.  

DeWayne LandwehrExecutive Director of IDEA. Business Guru. SCORE counselor, Chair of the Microloan Loan Committee, Chapter President of Stepstone Angel Investors, member of the Rural Development Loan Committee.

Angela BarbosaExecutive Vice President. Marketing Diva. Get Linked Madison Expert.Over 15 years of marketing small businesses to success.

Betty Williams Community Relations Coordinator. Sponsorships. Story Teller. 20 years working for the State of Indiana incouding Departments of Commerce and Workforce Development.  

Amy DebiakClient Services Coordinator. Event Guru. Go-To Gal.Small business owner metality with a big smile!

Next Steps?

1 •Vote

2

•Decide County-wide Board Representation

3

•Create joint 12 month agenda

Blending examples

Other succcessful blends• www.1si.org combined chambers for two counties and economic development

• http://qctimes.com/business/article_65134ce6-cc0b-11df-8d1b-001cc4c002e0.html combined chambers across State lines!

• www.hardinohio.org combined Chamber, ED, Tourism, Downtown Development Division

• www.hardinohio.org/new/GoalsofTheHardinCountyChamberAndBusinessAlliance.aspx incredible vision! Powerful group.

• Illinois Quad City Chamber combined two chambers - http://qctimes.com/business/article_65134ce6-cc0b-11df-8d1b-001cc4c002e0.html