Vision Statement

The Greater Columbus Chamber Of Commerce Is An Energetic And Visionary Organization In Our Region. We Are Committed To Building A More Prosperous Community While Preserving The Democratic Process

Every Business In Our Region Should Be A Member Of This Vital Organization.

Mission Statement

Our Mission Is To Promote Business Success By Being The Leader In Economic And Community Development In The Region

Guiding Core Values and Principles

Relationship Management

Adaptability
Collaboration
Diversity
Honesty
Inclusion
Integrity
Openness
Respect worth of individuals
Team Results
Tolerance

Results Oriented

Advocate for continuous improvement
Attack goals with vigorous pursuit
Efficiency
Innovation
Member driven
Productivity
Well defined goals

High Ethical Standards

Accountability
Do things right / Do the right things
Positive leadership
Responsibility

Knowledge of Chamber Business

Entrepreneurial
Relevant subject matter experts
Technology proficient

Five Year 2006-2010 Long-Term Strategic Plan Goals
With Supporting Action Themes

1. Achieve And Maintain Financial Stability.

• Increase enhanced investors.
• Associate memberships.
• VIP events for enhanced investors.
• Train staff to sell intangibles.
• Dues structure for small and micro businesses.
• Create new events that produce non-dues income -skeet, tennis, golf, silent auctions.
• Increase revenue to the Columbus Alliance for Regional Investment (CARI) through gifts, grants.
• Enhance endowment for Chamber Facility (Train Depot).

2. Build A Diverse Membership To Proactively Cultivate Future Leaders.

• Membership must know and believe our most valued asset are our members, volunteers and staff.
• Formalize Leadership Columbus assignments to committees in the Chamber of Commerce Personal follow up contact with invitations to committees and events.
• Encourage chamber members to involve diversity to programs and events.
• Identify and develop new leaders.
• Recognize and reward recruiters.
• Retention of our membership.
• Enhance our image of results oriented and small business oriented.
• Capitalize and target new demographics in business ownership and outlying counties.

3. Align Organizational Structure To Support Mission And Strategic Goals.

• Reinforce guiding principles into governance.
• Serve as the Regional Cultural, Economic, and Community Change Organization by having the capability and capacity to improving upon the lives of the men, women, and families in the Columbus Region.
• Allocate all our human, financial, communicative and equipment resources to accomplish focused objectives.
• Serve as the catalyst to plan and develop the implement a future long range strategic multi-year effort to create a 21st Century Workforce program.
• Serve as the coordinating organization for the Columbus Region to garner business and community support from the Region that the backbone of the region's economy is Technology, Small and Minority businesses.
• Human Resources manual revision ongoing to reflect current laws.

4. Build Cohesive Public/Private Partnerships And Business To Business Relations.

• Support the National Base Realignment and Closure Decision (BRAC) by developing and implementing the Columbus area long range Regional Growth Management Plan (RGMP) required for the Organization of Economic Adjustment.
• Clearly realize and develop the role in regional economic development in the Valley Partnership Joint Development Authority and chamber.
• Both retention and growth of our existing companies and recruitment of new industry are of paramount importance.
• Promote proactive business legislation.
• Work with and assist regional and county organizations that positively impact economic and community change.
• Monitor and be prepared to update professional consultants program.
• Out of box networking opportunities to target by profession and possibly industry.
• Do business with and encourage others to do business with chamber members.

5. Development And Implement An Economic Development Marketing Strategy For The Region.

• Refine and continue to implement a regional marketing strategy not only in the Georgia's Valley Partnership Joint Development Authority but expand to Alabama as well.
• Serve as the Regional Economic Development Action Organization in the Columbus Region that will include surrounding communities and counties of Alabama, Georgia as well as Fort Benning.
• Regional branding plan.
• Electronic newsletter available to region and local members.
• Tell out story, we compete internationally not just locally.