A Vision Statement for Cape Cod

• The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce will promote and market Cape Cod to visitors from both traditional and new markets.
  
• The Chamber will promote workforce development and innovative improvements to infrastructure that will help to improve the overall community.
  
• The Chamber will encourage educational opportunities and entrepreneurial activity for our citizens with a goal of job creation, job retention and more year round employment.
  
• We acknowledge a burgeoning second home owner and retiree market and will actively promote retirement to Cape Cod. We will assist our members to benefit from this trend.
  
• The Chamber will advocate for public policy issues in pursuit of implementing these goals and ideals.
  
  

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Goals: Job retention & attraction - create a competitive edge with quality

Strategies:

• Conduct a brainstorming session to expand on Pride in Cape Cod as a slogan for quality services & experiences on the Cape.
  
• Seek market data on retiring baby boomers in order to position Cape Cod for those retirees’ needs & desires.
  
• Conduct a brainstorming session on programs to attract retirees.
  
• Conduct an annual business resource conference.
  
• Install a BIC satellite at the Chamber office.
  
• Promote SBDC counseling services at the Chamber office.
  
• Improve and regularly update the ecapechamber.com website.
  
• Administer regular meetings of economic development professionals on Cape Cod (grant requested from County).
  
• Support operating costs of Cape & Islands Community Development Inc. (CDI).
  
• Support technical assistance programs of CDI with Chamber staff.
  
• Support programs for fishing/seafood businesses with CDI.
  
• Act as central information resource for all Cape Cod businesses.
  Cape Data up on website (sponsorships required).
  Publish monthly Economic Update (sponsorships required.)
  
• Seek grants for workforce development staff & programs.
  
• Improve entrepreneurial training opportunities for members.
  
• Offer high quality customer service training programs.
  
• Market On Cape Learning classes & expand distance learning options for local businesses.
  
• Seek creation of a “hospitality institute” on Cape Cod.
  (support CCCC’s potential partnership with Johnson & Wales)
  
• Continue to host Workforce Committee meetings & appoint a board liaison to committee.
  
• Conduct a brainstorming session on how to streamline service jobs using new technology.
  
• Conduct a feasibility study with CDI on a business incubator.

PUBLIC POLICY Goals: Advocate for policies that improve the quality of working & living on Cape Cod

Strategies:

• Top issues identified: Wastewater Infrastructure, transit Infrastructure, wind power plant proposal, beach water testing, affordable housing (employee housing) and child care.
  
• Support development of the proposed Suffolk University Public Policy Institute (find sponsors).
  
• Continue APCC Business Round Table (BRT) participation.
  
• Support research and analysis of potential wastewater / resource protection agency models.
  
• Continue Transit Task Force participation / Transit Coordinating Council participation.
  
• Manage the Public Policy Committee’s ongoing issue identification process.
  
• Maintain close contact with regional, state and federal government and agencies.

CONVENTION & VISITOR BUREAUGoal: Attract target markets with quality programs

Strategies:

• Implement MOTT approved destination marketing & promotion plan.
  - Seek new mid-winter (Nov. - Feb.) features to promote.
  -Conduct sales missions, fam tours and attend trade shows & marketplaces to promote niche markets including meeting & incentive, group tour, international, wedding, golf.
  
• Email or fax leads to members on a timely basis.
  (Leisure = weekly / M&I = daily)
  
• Serve visitors via info centers:
  Building Committee to pursue final recommendations for Route 6 site.
  
• Serve visitors via the website:
  Complete installation of redesigned site by May 31, 2002.
  
• Coordinate special events:
  Taste of Cape Cod tour operators fam
  Meeting Planner Luncheon
  Golf Show
  
• Conduct quarterly Tourism Forum to exchange ideas with affiliated organizations, local chambers and interested members.
  
• Review WorldRes relationship (on-line reservation service).
  

MEMBER SERVICESGoals: Generate maximum leads and referrals / improve services to members

• Appoint a committee chair and/or board liaison for membership.
  
• Create an ambassadors group.
  
• Conduct membership outreach campaign:
  -Visit members at their place of business - all within one year’s time.
  -Host regular open house events at the Chamber offices.
  
• Membership recruitment goal set at $50,000 revenue / 220 new members.
  
• Re-evaluate the dues structure (benefits vs. add-ons).
  
• Seek new member benefits:
  -Free Route 25 brochure distribution
  -Free web photos
  -Cape Cod Chamber gift certificate program (vendor: Certifichecks).
  -Cape Data web based business info.
  -Membership / Relocation Directory.
  
• Host regular member-to-member networking events.
  
• Host quarterly breakfast meetings (2 X with legislators & 2 x with other topics).
  
• Host bi-weekly leads group networking meetings.
  
• Host annual dinner, golf tournament, Pride in Cape Cod Awards.
  
• Continue weekly e-news to members & affiliates.
  
• Publish quarterly printed newsletters.
  

ADMINISTRATIONGoal: Manage the fiscal affairs of the Chamber

• Reorganize the VISA card marketing committee leadership - appoint a board liaison.
  
• Support the License Plate Marketing Committee with staffing.
  
• Maintain and invest reserve funds.
  
• Seek grants & private funds to support administrative & program costs.
  
• Support information technology systems and user questions from staff & members.
  
• Provide on-going professional development for staff.
  
• Hold bi-weekly manager’s meetings & regular staff meetings.
  
• Investigate new retirement plan benefits for staff.