Three-year plan includes formation of new chapter.
By: Russell Roberts
In an effort to go from "good to great," the Greater Mercer County Chamber of Commerce recently unveiled a three-year strategic plan that includes the formation of a Princeton chapter and a much more visible presence in the greater Princeton area, including recruitment of new members.
The formation of a Princeton chapter, to be run in conjunction with the West Windsor chapter, will help the chamber "address issues at the local level," said Executive Director Michele Siekerka at a press conference Jan. 18 announcing the strategic plan. "That’s what makes GMCCC strong."
According to Timothy J. Losch, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Yardville National Bank and GMCCC chairman, the two primary goals of the three-year plan are to increase chamber membership and increase the ways all members can get connected to the resources and opportunities they need to realize their goals.
"We want to have programs that are important to our members and important to the marketplace," he said. The group’s new slogan is: "Get connected. Get results."
The new three-year plan came out of an October 2004 retreat by board members designed to set the strategic direction of the GMCCC. The chamber has a membership of over 1,000, and is the second largest regional chamber of commerce in New Jersey.
The first sign of change has already occurred. The GMCCC has agreed to sell its building on West State Street in Trenton and move to new facilities. The building’s lack of parking and limited accessibility have long been sticking points. The chamber has over a year to find new quarters.
"We would like to stay in Trenton," said Mr. Losch. The chamber is looking for a site that has greater visibility, easier access, more parking and in general more user-friendly for members, staff and visitors. No specific locations are currently under consideration, said Ms. Siekerka.
The chamber’s formation of a Princeton chapter means that merger talks with the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce have been shelved. Kristin Appelget, president and CEO of the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce, said discussions about the possible merger ended in April 2004, but that the Princeton Chamber plans to continue to work collaboratively with GMCCC.
Ms. Siekerka said now the GMCCC will seek to have a greater presence in Princeton and along the Princeton corridor to bring programs of local interest to its members there.
Recruiting new members is a big part of the chamber’s new strategic initiative. The chamber has hired a market research firm to conduct a survey that will identify possible new members and also advance strategies for recruiting them. One area it will focus on is the Princeton corridor.
"There are a lot of companies along the Route 1 corridor," said Mr. Losch. "However, a lot are small branches of big companies based elsewhere. Can we hope to recruit those companies? The market research should tell us that."
Helping member businesses make the connections necessary to help them achieve their goals is the other major part of the chamber’s new strategic plan.
"We would like the GMCCC to be considered a resource on business issues," Mr. Losch said.
Toward that end, the chamber plans to pursue a multi-faceted strategy utilizing its existing assets while cultivating new resources. It will continue to provide networking opportunities through current programs like its monthly luncheon, chapter meetings, trade shows and job fairs. However, it will retool some of these functions to provide more practical business advice to its members.
An example is the traditional focus on sports at its February luncheon. While sports will remain the topic, the speaker will offer specific information on the impact of sports teams on a local economy, and how area businesses can benefit.
In addition, the chamber will help members connect with business resources through such functions as member roundtables, partnerships with area colleges and business education providers, education and business partnerships, and chamber committees on issues like technology and education.
The GMCCC will also help members get connected on local and regional issues to foster economic growth. This will involve legislative access, local chamber chapters addressing issues at their level, and a more vigorous use of the organization’s various committees, such as those on transportation and education.
While not engaging in outright advocacy, Mr. Losch said that the chamber will take a more proactive stand on notifying members about issues that affect them.
"Businesses can do a lot by working together," he said. "Businesses must (also) work with government."
Finally, the chamber intends to help businesses connect to their community through speakers bureaus, job fairs, and nonprofit partnerships that will bring businesses together for such things as social causes, roundtables and the arts. The chamber believes that a business affiliated with it gives credibility and enhances the businesses’ image to consumers.
All of this is certainly an ambitious and challenging agenda, but Mr. Losch is confident that the GMCCC can accomplish all it has set out to do.
"It’s a great time in Mercer County," added Ms. Siekerka.

