2001 Chamber Survey

The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce

Introduction During this year’s Roundtable in Gimli, a

number of Chambers requested that we undertake an exchange of information that focused on how Chambers across Manitoba operate. It was hoped that this exchange of information would generate ideas for local Chambers as to how they could become more effective. A survey was sent to all chambers of commerce earlier this year. This is a report on the findings.

Survey Methodology 10 questions were posed to all

member chambers of commerce

These questions looked at:- Chamber priorities- Funding- Dues structure- Staffing structure- Membership drive strategies- Chamber functions

40 chambers responded

1. Chamber Priorities

EconomicDev Promoting

Tourism

Networking Lobbying

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40Nu

mbe

r of R

espo

nden

ts

1 2 3 4 5Priority

MembershipBenefits

2. Board StructureBoard Participates on

Committees

0

510

1520

25

3035

40

Num

ber o

f Res

pond

ents

yes

no

Board Assists in Membership Dev

0

510

1520

25

3035

40

Num

ber o

f Res

pond

ents

yes

no

Chamber Committees

Many and varied examples were provided

Most were standing committees, with the common ones being membership development, community promotion/economic development and government relations

Does Your Board Develop Multi-year Strategies ?

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

yes

no

Board Meeting Frequency

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Twice a Month

Monthly

Every SecondMonth

Semi Annual

3. Sources of Funding

0

5

10

15

20

25

Dues Only

Yes

No

0

5

10

15

20

25

Funding from Gov't

Yes

No

4. Chamber Dues Structure

0

5

10

15

20

25

Flat Fee

Scale

5. Chamber Office Staffing

0

5

10

15

20

25

yes

no

6. Membership Development

Chambers listed many different methods of attracting new members. The most common are:

Membership committee

Word of mouth

Personal contact/face to face/one on one

Letter with follow-up

Most Successful Methods

By far, personal contact either by phone or face-to-face has proven most successful for those chambers who responded

“Open house” with information to prospective members also very effective

Follow-up is critical

7. Membership Services

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40MTS Long Dist

MTS Mobility

AAA Alarms

Purolator

MB Focus

Budget Car Rental

Visa/Mastercard

Group Insurance

Husky/Mohawk

Others of Interest

Extend the fuel discount to all gas companies

Discounted postal rates Roadside assistance Discounted internet service

8. Most Interesting Topics for Chamber Functions

Lobbying Gov’t to help smaller rural areas eg. Apprentice programs

Seminars on how to make a chamber more effective

How to promote tourism or business in our community

High speed internet access How to overcome the barrier of

distance (travel time) for some chambers

Other Topics of Interest On-going fundraising ideas Declining

populations/community survival Utility rates Membership attraction/retention Rural economic development

Would Your Chamber Attend These Functions?

0

5

10

15

20

yes

no

9. Why Do Businesses Join Your Chamber ?

Membership benefits Community support/promotion Networking Business support

10. What Can the MCC Do to Assist Your Chamber Make it easier to network using

technology when distances are prohibitive

Examine ways to recruit members

Expand member benefits Keep local chambers “in the

loop” at all times!

The Results of the 2001 Chamber Survey Can Be Found on the Manitoba

Chambers of Commerce Website at :

www.mbchamber.mb.ca