LA PINE STRATEGIC PLAN 2020 (A LIVING DOCUMENT) PHASE 1- JUNE 2015 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 The Small Business Advocate

MISSION THE MISSION OF THE LA PINE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS TO BE THE CONNECTING FORCE IN THE COMMUNITY, PROMOTING COMMERCE AND TOURISM, MAKING LA PINE A PROSPEROUS AND VIBRANT PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY. 2

OUR CORE VALUES PROFESSIONALISM INTEGRITY TEAMWORK INNOVATION RESPONSIVE CUSTOMER SERVICE RESPECT TRUST 3 X__________________________Date_______ President

Communication & Marketing Chamber Newsletter Website - Member Directory Online, About the Chamber, Calendar of Events Member to Member Discount Program Facebook Advertising Opportunities: Website, Blasts 600+, Newsletter, Map, Visitors Guide, Biz Card/Brochure Rack, Chamber Breakfast Sponsor, La Pine Map, Member Benefits/Services: Personal Member Referrals Mailing labels available Annual Awards Banquet Attractive Office Networking Monthly Breakfast Meetings After Hours events Tourism Visitor’s Center/Volunteer Greeters Tourism Website 4 CURRENT PROGRAM OFFERINGS OF LA PINE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NOTE: The program offerings listed above are representative but may not be complete. Because this is a full service Chamber of Commerce, all new programs, goals and objectives should be developed in a manner that does not interfere with other important existing programs. It is important that the Chamber take seriously its goals to remain relevant to its membership and the community. At the same time careful consideration of how time and money is budgeted for these priorities is also important to monitor as the Chamber moves forward in adopting new strategies.

LA PINE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE STRATEGIC PLAN Enhance Member & Visitor Connection The Mission of the La Pine Chamber of Commerce is to be the connecting force in the community, promoting commerce and tourism, making La Pine a prosperous and vibrant place to live, work and play. Implement Business Development Program Surveys Coordination Education Training Networking Recognition Awards Chamber Ambassador Program New Tourism Attraction Activities Represent Chamber After Hours Ribbon Cuttings Community Communication New Members Kokanee Fishing Capital ATV Trails/Rallies BE “THE” Expert Extended Hours of Operation Monthly Chamber Open House

THE CHAMBER’S TOP PRIORITIES – JUNE 2015 #1-Business Support/Education – 7 Education Moments - 4 #2-Ambassador Program – 7 #3-Tourism ATV Rally -6 Kokanee Capital -5 #4-Longer Hours Office/Visitor Center – 5 #5-Support La Pine Beautification - 3 6

ADDITIONAL GOALS – IN ORDER OF BOARD PRIORITY Membership Orientation & Interview new and non-renewals members (Report Interview results) Board & Staff Attend Other Chamber’s Events to share and learn ideas for advancement Target & Attract Specific Businesses to La Pine (Partner with LED/CITY/Others) Develop Frontier Village 7

PRIORITY #1: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PLAN 8 We will enhance the value of the Chamber by providing our members opportunities for continuing educational and training opportunities, increased visibility of their businesses and access to business related resource information.

PRIORITY #1 – BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PLAN TACTICAL FOCUS (2015) Complete Educational Needs Survey in Partnership with La Pine Parks and Rec Adult Education Research Available resources that would be willing to provide Educational Courses and workshops. Coordinate and market a series of Business related Educational opportunities to members and possibly the public. Feature representatives from SCORE* at Monthly membership meetings. * "Counselors to America's Small Business." It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides free business mentoring services to entrepreneurs in the United States. Direction (2016) Forge Partnerships to provide members with access to expanded information and education resourcs. 9 Goal #1 Provide information, education and skills training relevant to business owners and managers

PRIORITY #1 – BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PLAN TACTICAL FOCUS (2015) Strengthen the relationship between members through scheduled networking time at Chamber Events. Periodically Host special speaker events with time scheduled for networking. (Pub Talks, etc.) Follow up with members after events, thanking them for attending and reminding them of the next program in that series. Direction (2016) Orchestrate Quarterly gatherings with other regional Chamber members, with a special focus each time, thoughtfully designed to connect those whom our members may do business with. (ex connect our lodging folks with recreational vendor, enticing them to offer kayaking on the Little Deschutes in La Pine, etcl) 10 Goal #2 Host a broad spectrum of networking opportunities to help members build quality relationships.

PRIORITY #1 – BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PLAN TACTICAL FOCUS (2015) Promote a section on the Chamber website where members can post news and jobs that are then fed to social media by Chamber staff. Promote members with exclusive access to sponsorships and advertising on the website and at events (including monthly membership meetings and networking gatherings) Promote businesses by recognizing and celebrating their business accomplishments, offering after hours gatherings at their place. Provide a special Chamber Webpage (Member Market Place) where members can sell, request and buy products and services. Direction (2016) Develop an internal and external marketing strategy to promote members and educate the public about the Chamber. 11 Goal #3 Raise the visibility of member businesses and organizations through the Chamber’s marketing tools.

PRIORITY #1 – BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PLAN TACTICAL FOCUS (2015) Celebrate significant business milestones and accomplishments though recognition articles, awards, (ex. How long they have been in business, when a business paints, fixes up front of their building, adds benches and flowers, a kudo comes back to the Chamber from the public, share it, etc.) Share and raise awareness of the importance of some of the significant economic impact some of our business have. The combined salaries they pay into the community, the amount of local product the sell outside the area, the convenience factor that we now have with places like BiMart (focus on the positive, make La Pine Shine Bright) Direction (2016) Develop an internal and external marketing strategy to promote members and educate the public about the Chamber. 12 Goal #4 Celebrate and promote excellence and professionalism in the La Pine Business Community

PRIORITY #1: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PLAN 13 Form Task Force Date:_____ Design & Launch Plan Date______ Set Review & Evaluation Date_____

PRIORITY #2: CREATE AMBASSADOR PROGRAM 14 We will enhance the value of the Chamber by recruiting and training Ambassadors who will welcome locals and visitors alike with a friendly attitude, while maintaining a familiarity and knowledge about the area in order to share it in its most favorable light. This group will be assist in communicating clearly what the La Pine Chamber’s Mission is, correcting misconceptions that may exist in the process..

PRIORITY #2 –AMBASSADOR PROGRAM TACTICAL FOCUS (2015) Introduce our group to other Chamber’s Ambassador Groups and learn best practices Set up a communication system for Ambassador’s use Put a written plan in motion Direction (2016) Recruit and grow the group after we have completed exploration and discovery of best practices. Schedule Ambassador outreach efforts when we have recruited 5-10 Ambassadors 15 Goal #1- Recruit and attract 3-4 individuals that are good candidates, outgoing and reliable Chamber Members to begin organizing the program.

PRIORITY #2: CREATE AMBASSADOR PROGRAM 16 Form Task Force Date:_____ Design & Launch Plan Date______ Set Review & Evaluation Date_____

PRIORITY #3: NEW TOURISM ATTRACTIONS 17 We will enhance the value of the Chamber by developing and marketing tourism opportunities in the La Pine region that may not be as well known as our mountains, lakes and streams.

PRIORITY #3 –NEW TOURISM ATTRACTIONS TACTICAL FOCUS (2015) Create a Tourism Task Force focused on Tourism aspects of Chamber Program Research and compare other fisheries and document our advantages Identify our best fisheries and collect necessary marketing information Put a written marketing plan in motion Direction (2016) Begin implementing the marketing plan Plan events for Goal #1- Make La Pine the Kokanee Capital of the World

PRIORITY #3 –NEW TOURISM ATTRACTIONS TACTICAL FOCUS (2015) Research and compare other riding areas for comparison, learn about existing rallys Identify our best riding areas and document necessary marketing information Begin attracting active regional riders and clubs that would be enthusiastic about partnering with the Chamber Put a written marketing plan in motion Direction (2016) Begin implementing the marketing plan Seek opportunities for waivers of limited street access by City of La Pine Plan events for 2017 and beyond 19 Goal #2- Make La Pine the ATV Rally Capital of the Northwest

PRIORITY #3: NEW TOURISM ATTRACTIONS 20 Form Task Force Date:_____ Design & Launch Plan Date______ Set Review & Evaluation Date_____

PRIORITY #4: ENHANCE MEMBER & VISITOR CONNECTIONS 21 We will enhance the value of the Chamber by continue to find ways of connecting more fully with visitors and local residents, alike. We will consider the possibility of increasing office and visitor Center hours of operation to better serve the public.

PRIORITY #4 –ENHANCE MEMBER/VISITOR CONNECTIONS TACTICAL FOCUS (2015) Attract volunteers that would be willing to test extended hours through word of mouth and advertising Track and report visitor traffic, including whether local and where they are from, etc. Survey Visitors to see if they typically need longer hours of operation of Visitor Centers Put a written marketing plan in motion Direction (2016) Begin implementing the plan if traffic warrants it. 22 Goal #1- Test extending Visitor Center Hours on Weekends

PRIORITY #4 –ENHANCE MEMBER/VISITOR CONNECTIONS TACTICAL FOCUS (2015) Attract volunteers that would be willing to test extended hours through word of mouth and advertising Track and report visitor traffic, including whether local and where they are from, etc. Put a written marketing plan in motion Survey membership to verify there desire for longer hours and the financial cost to do so. Direction (2016) Begin implementing the plan if traffic warrants it. 23 Goal #2- Test extending Office Hours on Weekdays.

PRIORITY #4: ENHANCE MEMBER & VISITOR CONNECTIONS 24 Form Task Force Date:_____ Design & Launch Plan Date______ Set Review & Evaluation Date_____

BEST PRACTICES IMPORTANT PRACTICES FOR SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLANNED PRIORITIES INCLUDE: MEASURE PROGRESS & REPORT MONTHLY UNDERSTAND BUDGET IMPACT (TIME AND MONEY) MONITOR, REVIEW, TWEAK, UPDATE COMMUNICATE STRATEGIC PLAN EFFECTIVELY - INTERNALLY & EXTERNALLY 25 The La Pine Chamber of Commerce is continually seeking ways to discover and implement “Best Practices” in its Governance, Program implementation and delivery and Operations.

LA PINE STRATEGIC PLAN 2020 (A LIVING DOCUMENT) PHASE 1- JUNE 2015 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 26 The Small Business Advocate Phase 1 Facilitated, compiled and presented by Dan Varcoe All rights are reserved by Plan2Excel.com for exclusive use of the La Pine Chamber of Commerce.