Bellevue Chamber of Commerceest. 1961

What is a Chamber of Commerce?• Merriam-Webster: An association of

businessmen to promote commercial and industrial interests in the community

• Chamber of Commerce Management: A Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary organization of the business community. It unites business and professional individuals and firms, thus creating a central agency which lends itself to improving business and building a better community.

Bellevue Chamber of Commerce• Is a business organization focused on the

community and economic development needs of the Bellevue-Offutt business community.

• We are a group of business and professional people who band together to advance the goals and objectives of the chamber. The Chamber has more than 130 business and professional networking events, acts as a civic clearinghouse, a public relations counselor, a legislative representative at the local, state, and national levels of government, an information and referral bureau, a research entity and a promotions medium.

Mission Statement

• Our mission is to develop and maintain economic vitality and be a leader on issues that affect the well-being of the Bellevue-Offutt Community.

The Team

• Megan A. Lucas, President & CEO, 10 years in the Chamber business 8 at the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce

• Doris Urwin, Administrator, 12 years at the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, background accounting.

• Matt Showalter, 4 months at the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, background sales

• Debbie Pennington, Gate Keeper, 9 years at the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, background sales and corrections

• Lenore Shrum, Special Projects, 3 months at the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, background Home Based business owner.

The Team… board of directors

• Dr. Gregg Hoogeveen, Hoogeveen Chiropractic and Wellness Center

• Donna McDaniel, Bellevue University

• Rita Sanders, Richmont Village

• Brian Bald, McCallie Associates Inc.

• Tim Burke, OPPD

• Pat Herrick, American National Bank

• Jake Warner, ARINC

• Paul Hartnett, Bank of Nebraska

• Lisa Rybar, City of Bellevue

• Paul Swanson, Bellevue Leader

• Dr. John Deegan, BPS

• Kyle Fairbairn, BPS

• Kevin Hensel, Burlington Capital Group

• Jamie Menichetti, Great Western Bank

• Kevin Power, KPE

• Sen. Abbie Cornett, NE State Senator

• Wayne Wentz, Northrop Grumman

• Col. Tom Goffus, 55th Wing

• Tom Richards, OPPD

• Katherine Kelly, SAC Federal Credit Union

• Fred Uhe, Sarpy County Chief Deputy Clerk

The Team… board of directors

IRS

• The Bellevue Chamber is a 501 (c) 6 organization

– Not-for-profit

Primary Governing Structure

Membership

Board of Directors Executive Board

President & CEO

Staff

Councils & Committees

Key Areas

• Economic Opportunities

• Advocacy

• Impact

• Focus

• Military

Economic Opportunities

• The Bellevue Chamber of Commerce enhances and leverages the talents and resources of its members to improve economic opportunities for the entire community

– Economic Development Council

– Ft Crook Re-Development Plan

– Business Retentions & Expansion

– Business Recruitment

– Business Development

Advocacy

• The Bellevue Chamber is an advocate for our broad and diverse member businesses, creating a climate of growth and success.

• Members have full-time advocates fighting for business and community interests in the political arena.

– Candidate Academy

– DC Fly-n

– Inaugural Reception

– Legislative Reception & Luncheon

– Pancakes & Politics

Impact

• The Bellevue Chamber provides unique opportunities for individuals and businesses to make a difference by connecting them to important community issues

– Economic development

– Community development

– Bridge issues

Focus

• The Bellevue Chamber helps build stronger communities by staying focused and involved in the top business and civic priorities

– community & economic development

Military• The Bellevue Chamber fosters a pro-business climate in

the area through proactive governmental and military affairs initiatives; maintains and enhances the business community’s relationship with Offutt AFB and protects and grows the base and other Department of Defense operations in the heartland region

– Military Relations Golf Classic

– Salute to the Bellevue-Offutt Community

– State of Stratcom

– Quarters 13

– Defense Network

– Operation Holiday Cheer

– Expanding and new missions

Additional Opportunities

• Networking= OPPORTUNITY

• Advertising + Sponsorships= targeted market access

• Ambassadors= business exposure x2

• Leadership Bellevue= Spring board into community leadership

B.E.E.F

• Bellevue Economic Enhancement Foundation

– IRS 501 (c)3 organization

– B.E.E.F is the non-profit foundation focused on community and economic development

• Projects

– Ft. Crook Road Re-Development

– Leadership Bellevue

– Avenue of Flags

– Operation Holiday Cheer

Products

• Portraits of Bellevue~ the official guide to the Bellevue-Offutt Community

• Community Map

• Website

• Campaign book

• Business Brief

• Countless meetings, events and seminars

• Housing Study, Ft. Crook Re-development plan

• Etc.