Peer to Peer Training Program

In collaboration with the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP), the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce is offering a series of professional development workshops to Chicago Neighborhood Business Development Centers (NBDCs) that will help build resiliency in these organizations. Attendees who go through these workshops will learn ways in which chambers of commerce / business associations can diversify their revenue streams to increase their organizational value.  These workshops are made possible through BACP's NBDC Peer-to-Peer Training program grant.

Diversifying Revenue Streams to Increase Organizational Value

ABOUT THE TRAINING INITIATIVE

Given the dramatic and accelerated pace of change in recent years, many chamber executives wonder what lies ahead for chambers of commerce and business associations. How will these organizations adapt and evolve over the next decade and how will they ensure their best days are yet to come? Leaders are asking these questions to help guide future development of organizations that serve small businesses and employers.

Through a partnership with the Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (IACCE), the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce (LSRCC) will offer a three part series of workshops that will look at how the recent pandemic challenged existing organization revenue models and share industry best practices on how the pandemic served as a "tipping point" for organizations to rethink their missions, how they operate, and reimagine how they generate revenue.

ABOUT THE TRAINING FACILITATOR

LSRCC and IACCE are engaging Cathi Hight, a performance improvement consultant with Hight Performance Group, Inc., to provide a series of workshops focused on how chambers of commerce and business associations can diversify revenue streams to increase organizational value.  Cathi has over 25 years of experience working with chambers of commerce and non-profit organizations to facilitate scenario and strategic planning, investor development and revenue models, strategies to rebrand the organization, and communicate the value of membership.  Her diverse career experience includes being SVP of Growth Strategy & Investor Relations for the Greater Austin Chamber, VP of Operations for the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Regional Sales and Marketing Manager for both Dole Foods and Dean Foods, national program manager for the Kauffman Foundation, and a Motorola University Instructor for six sigma, cycle time reduction and benchmarking.

ABOUT THE WORKSHOPS

A series of workshops have been developed with that will help Neighborhood Business Development Centers (NBDCs) diversify their revenue for financial sustainability.

The first workshop is 

1. Evolving Membership Models
Presented by Cathi Hight of Hight Performance Group, Inc.
Thursday, June 15, 2023 | 9:00am - 11:30am (IN-PERSON at Artifact Events) 

Many member-based organizations have been using the Fair Share model since their inception. Members have different motivations to engage and a “one size fits all” approach is passe. Explore different membership models and consider which model is best for your organization. The right model could attract more members and increase engagement and revenue.

In this workshop, we’ll explore:

• Trends in membership models and the pros and cons of each.
• The real value of member benefits and how to communicate what you offer.
• The secret to developing successful tiered membership models.

• 3X3 Volunteer Awareness Introduction including the three roadblocks facing Chambers
• The key roles and responsibilities from Best Boards in America program.
• How Chambers of Commerce actually benefit business members.
• How the Chamber of Commerce 'FlowChart' works. 
• What 'Chamber of Commerce' really means and why they call us that.
• Key perspectives on what Chambers actually do and.. how to share it with others.
• Know why the Top 25% of all local businesses join the local Chamber of Commerce.
• Learn how to MONETIZE the value of the Chamber for any member who asks.
• Overcoming the KEY OBJECTIONS to joining the local Chamber of Commerce