1. Regionalism & Sustainable Development Program
Memphis, TN
February 9, 2007

2. Dave Adkisson President/CEO Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
“Going Regional”
Dave Adkisson
President/CEO
Kentucky Chamber of Commerce

3. What does it mean for a chamber to “go regional?” or
How does a Chamber practice regionalism?

4. About Practicing Regionalism and Sustainable Development
Assumptions
About Practicing Regionalism and Sustainable Development

5. Sustainable Development Requires Building Bridges Across Traditional Boundaries
(political, socio-economic, geographical, racial, etc.)
2. Local Economies are Inherently Regional in Scope
3. Most Local Issues of Consequence are Regional in Scope
(i.e. Regions are Where the Action Is)
4. Regional Challenges Require Regional Solutions
5. Chambers are Well Positioned to be Regional Leaders

6. Four Tiers of Engagement
Tier 1: The “Bigger Chamber” Model
Tier 2: The Regional Facilitator Model
Tier 3: The Regional Partner Model
Tier 4: The Regional Alliance Model
(Higher levels of engagement/commitment)

7. Early Questions: What is the Chamber’s appetite for going regional?
What is the current climate for going regional?
The public awareness
The political will
The landscape of regional organizations
The relationships between regional leaders
The availability of leadership for “going regional”
What is the Chamber’s organizational commitment?

8. Tier 1: The “Bigger Chamber” Model
Chamber works to establish a bigger footprint
(i.e. expand its reach, extend its influence, claim a bigger service area)

9. Tier 2: The Facilitator Model
The Chamber Adopts a Regional Mission
The Chamber Creates its Programs Accordingly

10. Tier 3: The Regional Partner Model
Chamber Actively Creates Partnerships to Accomplish Specific (Ad Hoc) Goals

11. Tier 4: The Regional Alliance Model
The Chamber Collaborates with Other Sectors (Business, Government, Civic)
Creates Permanent Regional Alliance
Works to Institutionalize Regional Approaches

12. Tier 1: The “Bigger Chamber” Model
Chamber works to establish a bigger footprint
(i.e. expand its reach, extend its influence, claim a bigger service area)

13. Examples:
Name Change
(Greater Anytown Chamber, Anytown Regional Chamber, etc)
Regional Representatives Added to the Board
Expands its lobbying efforts to include area legislators
Others?

14. Tier 1: Pros: Unilateral Comfortable for Chamber Culture
Extends from Existing Strengths (Programs, Operations, etc.)
Can Produce Conspicuous Accomplishments (“Skins on the Wall”)

15. Tier 1 Cons: Can Incite Turf Wars
Other Constituencies Can Feel Left Out
Limited Commitment to Regional Approach

16. Tier 2: The Facilitator Model
The Chamber Adopts a Regional Mission
The Chamber Creates Regional Programs

17. Examples: Outreach Visits Listening Sessions
Annual “State of the Region” Forum
Others?

18. Tier 2: Pros: Organizational Commitment Longer Term Commitment
Builds Awareness of Value of Regionalism
More Inclusive

19. Tier 2: Cons: Might Appear Presumptuous
Might Appear Threatening to Other Players
Requires More Staff Time

20. Tier 3: The Regional Partner Model
Chamber Actively Creates a Partnership
To Accomplish Specific (Ad Hoc) Goals
Specific Issues ….Specific Partnerships

21. Examples:
Partnership with Area Council of Governments for Mass Transit Plan
Partnership with Economic Development Agencies for New Research Park
Partnership with Regional University for Research Bureau
Others?

22. Tier 3: Pros: Gain Strength Through Unified Approach
(Chamber has Greater Impact)
Specific Issues Easier to Understand
Specific Issues Motivate Specific Constituencies
Practical Approach is Understandable to Multiple Parties
Differences Between Groups Minimized

23. Tier 3: Cons: Partnerships Tougher to Manage
Issues Involving More Abstract Concepts Are Difficult

24. Tier 4: The Regional Alliance Model
The Chamber Collaborates with other Sectors (Business, Government, Civic)
(or Business, Government, University)
Creates Permanent Regional Alliance with Regional Organizations
Works to Institutionalize Regional Approaches
Alliance Addresses Multiple Regional Issues
Geographic Scope Morphs with Specific Issues

25. Examples: The Northern Kentucky 2015 Project
The St. Louis Regional Alliance
The Regional Growth Alliance of Birmingham

26. Tier 4: Pros: Broader Reach into the Community
Greater Opportunity for Systemic Change
Institutionalizes Regional Approach to Solving Problems
Can Bridge Political, Socio-Economic, Racial Boundaries
More Likely to have Staying Power

27. Tier 4: Cons: Fragile Difficult for Some Stakeholders to Grasp
Threatening to Certain Existing Groups and Individuals
Requires Higher Level of Staffing
Cultural Differences Between Sectors Tough to Navigate

28. Chamber Executive’s Skill Set
What is Required?

29. Summary:
Awareness for a Regional Approach to Sustainable Development +
A Chamber’s Readiness
The Chamber Executive’s Skill Set =
The Relative Level of Regional Engagement