On Thursday, June 29, your Chamber held its first Annual Member meeting with approximately 300 members in attendance. During the meeting, members networked with each other, heard about important projects from last year and this year, and experienced the excitement of the launch of the Chamber’s new brand.
The Chamber’s 2023 Chair of the Board Katie Harvey, CEO, KGBTexas Communications, kicked off the meeting by welcoming guests and set the stage for the meeting’s “Past, Present, and Future” theme.
The Chamber’s Interim President and CEO Dave Petersen covered the Past portion of the program with a brief discussion about the Chamber’s 2022 Annual Report. The Chamber’s annual report is a high-level document which was created to provide a snapshot of what happened at the organization during 2022. The Chamber’s most significant accomplishments were the board governance restructure that created a fiduciary Executive Board and a larger Board of Investors and the development of a three-year strategic plan. Click here to download the Annual Report.
Dave quickly transitioned into the Present portion of the program, where he discussed the strategic plan that is providing a strategic foundation, guiding the focus of the organization, and ensuring a highly successful future. The Chamber’s three-year strategic plan is built around three key pillars: Build and Maintain a Strong Chamber, Engage Members, and Impact Business. Dave also shared some of the important and impactful work the Chamber team is currently working on and exciting things happening at the organization, including:
- Nominations for 2024 leadership
- Implementation of Growthzone, a new Customer Relationship Management tool
- Advocacy efforts
- Tracking key issues affecting businesses across the country
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce small business leadership program
Katie returned to the stage to provide an update on the Chamber’s 2023 priorities, which are:
- To have a strong and successful State Legislative Session
- To continue the discussion and further action of San Antonio and Austin coming together to form a super region
- To build a strong Executive Board
Following her brief update, Katie introduced the Future portion of the program, mentioning a member-wide survey conducted last year in which our members told us they wanted us to:
- Advocate on behalf of the business community
- Stay in front of issues
- Continue to bring the latest insight and leaders to members
- Make the business community more visible
- Be more vocal
She assured members that those activities are what is driving the Chamber, and she paused to share the unveiling of the Chamber’s new brand and return to the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.
“We are Greater San Antonio because we reach members and influence policy and issues in the greater San Antonio region. And as the video said, we are greater than just commerce, with core strengths of advocacy, collaboration, business, insight, teamwork, and more,” Harvey said.
The official business ended with Katie inviting members to get involved, attend special events, and share the Chamber’s messaging and upcoming campaign. Members were invited to stay to visit, enjoy food and beverages, and take pictures with the Chamber’s new branding.