Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce Inc

For 125 years, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce has been at the forefront of driving economic vitality in our community. Our mission - building community through business - is just as important today as it was when the Chamber was created. That is, to bring together people of goodwill to find solutions to our challenges to move our community forward. In 125 years, we have helped make Asheville a better place to live, work and play. We have advocated for business and community issues. We've launched cultural institutions like the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival and RiverLink. We've championed bond campaigns to expand greenways and address crucial infrastructure. We've strengthened workforce initiatives and stimulated economic development to create opportunities for the people of Buncombe County. We've supported the success of thousands of businesses. And in 2019, we were the national Chamber of the Year! All of that has been possible because of numerous business and community partners. Thank you! In the following pages, you'll find highlights from this year's accomplishments... Celebrated 125 years In Sept. 2023, we marked our 125-year history by awarding thirteen $10,000 grants to local non-profit organizations in partnership with the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce Community Betterment Foundation. Grant funds were made possible through the unwavering support of member businesses and ticket sales from the Chamber's 125th Anniversary Celebration. The thirteen grant recipients represent a diverse range of causes, each contributing to the enrichment of Asheville's community: All Souls Counseling, Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project, Asheville Greenworks, Asheville Habitat for Humanity, Asheville Museum of Science, Black Wall Street, Blue Ridge Public Radio, Buncombe County Schools Foundation, Eblen Charities, My Daddy Taught Me That, OpenDoors Asheville, Western Carolina Rescue Ministries, YWCA of Asheville. Fostered business connections. Facilitated more than 17,000 connections through networking events, including Business After Hours, Orientation, Fresh Faces, and Mega Networking. Highlighted local manufacturers and their contributions to the local economy through Manufacturing Mornings networking events and facility tours. Led six weekly Professional Networking Groups to foster business connections, meet industry-specific needs and share prospective client leads with one another. Guided 12 Chamber Ambassadors who champion Chamber initiatives with hands-on volunteering and connect one-on-one with members to increase engagement and retention. Informed and inspired members through professional development and communications. Hosted 10 Smart Series educational sessions to provide insight on topics based on member interest. Inspired more than 1,200 women in business through WomanUP events and honored outstanding women in business at the annual Celebration & Awards Ceremony. Saluted 75 small businesses with surprise deliveries and social media posts to give a public shout-out to small businesses in our community. Celebrated workplace wellness with more than 1,000 participants and 33 sponsors at the Chamber Challenge 5k. Leveraged social media presence with focus on spotlighting member businesses and providing relevant business news and resources, increasing followers and engagement. Published weekly e-newsletter to 7,700+ subscribers. Shared updates on Chamber events and programs, local business news and legislative information as well as highlighting member updates and community events. Rebranded programs for young professionals as PROpel AVL and instituted monthly professional development opportunities and networking programs. Presented awards to five outstanding young professionals at the inaugural PROpel AVL Awards Celebration. Delivered additional value to members. Customized the on-boarding of members in the first 90 days of membership with more than 440 touches by an expanded Impact Team to provide key industry introductions, ways to save money and personal invitations to events. Conducted Fresh Faces monthly deep-dive explanation of member benefits and networking for new members with social media photo shout-outs. Enhanced Growth Partner membership level with broader networking opportunities to meet business goals. Crafted 35 Asheville Spotlights, profiling member businesses on our website, newsletter and social media. Generated 297,000 online impressions for Featured Members and over 825,000 impressions for sponsors advertised on our website. Provided personal interaction with more than 1,000 members to ensure Chamber programming and member benefits meet expectations and ROI goals for members. Celebrated local business accomplishments. Conducted 50+ ribbon cuttings to celebrate new members, grand openings and business milestones. Presented leadership awards to 12 individuals and organizations who lead the business community through excellence in service, entrepreneurship, ingenuity, and willingness to support the community through contributions of expertise and time. Honored 25 businesses with the Sky High Growth Awards for business success. Recognized small business and nonprofit partners in peer-to-peer settings throughout the year. Enabled businesses to leverage their membership to increase exposure for their business. Welcomed more than 240 new members. Generated over 448,000 page views on our website and an average of 6,305 impressions per member listing in the online directory. Boosted customer traffic for 58 restaurants during Asheville Restaurant Week, including four new members. Created Latin Business Council to offer education, coaching and valuable connections tailored to the needs of Latin-owned businesses; an average of 40 Latin businesses participated in events regularly. Partnered with Black Wall Street to offer enhanced membership benefits and technical support tailored to the needs of BIPOC business owners. Assisted 300+ members in selecting wise investments and marketing opportunities through Total Resource Campaign, engaging 13 community volunteers and securing $1,506,053 in commitments to enhance the Chamber's programs and initiatives. Supported a thriving economy through business recruitment and local business expansions. Supported local industry expansions and company relocations furthering the AVL 5x5 strategic goals of job creation and diversifying the economy: GE Aerospace announced $11.3M investment in Asheville CMC Facilities. Identified 54 new project leads feeding a project pipeline worth over $4.2B in potential capital investment and over 20,592 potential new jobs for the community. Convened executive meetings and community site visits generating over 313 new project contacts and 160 executive meetings in local industry. Grew participation in the Sustainability Council of the EDC through quarterly events hosted at French Broad Chocolates, Hi-Wire Brewing, Pratt & Whitney and Industry Nine. Nurtured high-growth entrepreneurs through Venture Asheville. Venture Asheville passed a historical milestone, surpassing $100M in revenues earned and $50M in investment in startups in the Venture Asheville mentor-based incubator, Elevate. Recognized the 15 Fastest Growing Start-ups with The Venture 15 and Venture Asheville Honors representing $120M in local revenue and employing 358 people. Grew the Elevate Mentorship Program currently serving 21 new start-ups, representing 21 new jobs and $1.9M in new company revenues. Elevate companies raised $4.2M in FY2024. Capitalized on research expertise to provide insights and support data-driven decision making. Featured renowned economist Dr. John Manzella at 24th annual Metro Economy Outlook and hosted regional economists Dr. Jim Smith and Tom Tveidt at the annual Local Growth Update. Published customized research including the 2023 Creative Manufacturing Brief and Focus Reports including Asheville Metro Economy, Education, Aerospace Industry, Automotive Industry and Asheville Metro Cost of Living Index. Delivered impactful regional projects for DMJPS and Arts AVL and participated in the Future Forward 2050 Series of the Mountain Area Workforce Development Board and Land of Sky Regional Council. Delivered the Economic Impact Analysis for the WNC Nature Center, managed by the City of Asheville. Riverbird Research industry spotlights and economic updates featured in WNC Magazine, Triad Business Journal and other regional publications. Fostered workforce development. Hosted 30+ area college students in the NEXT AVL mentorship program, connecting local college students from diverse backgrounds with area employers for nine-month mentorship. To date, the program has served over 137 college students from across the region. to be continued