Download & Print the 2017 Annual Report Brochure

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PROGRESS

HYPE LAUNCH

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AWARDS

MEMBER ENGAGEMENT LEADS TO INCREASE IN EVENT PARTICIPATION

With a new format and new venue introduced in 2016, Eggs & Issues continues to be our most popular event, boasting 120-180 attendees per event! The Eggs & Issues Breakfast Series focuses on timely topics of local interest in our community. Featured speakers from the 2017 series included:

Learn more about the Chamber’s Eggs & Issues Breakfast Series and register to attend the next breakfast below.

2018 Eggs & Issues

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS BACK WITH A BANG!

Following an intentional scale back to quarterly Business After Hours events in 2016 to retool the event, average attendance at these networking events in 2017 saw a 40% increase over previous years. That’s nearly 50 more people at every Business After Hours!

PRIORITIES

2017 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

Organizational Performance
Maintain the leadership and resources to carry out the mission and vision in order to the Chamber and its staff for long-term success

Membership Development
Recruit, Retain & Reward Members

Business & Community Development
Enhance member success by facilitating programs, benefits, and services that improve the environment for business profitability and community development

Education & Leadership Development
Create opportunities to develop leaders through mentoring, Leadership Robins Region and supporting education efforts in the community

Advocacy & Building Partnerships
Be the voice of business by representing business interests at the local, state and national levels

Member Engagement & Communication
Communicate the impact of the Chamber, support business and promote the Robins Region through strategic communication efforts.

ADVOCACY

Chamber President & CEO, April Bragg, and Board Chairman, Michael Chalmers, address the Warner Robins City Council on the proposed changes to city administration and bring concerns from the business community forward. (Photo provided by 13WMAZ)

13 WMAZ: COUNCIL APPROVES... In partnership with Central Georgia Technical College and 13WMAZ, the Robins Regional Chamber hosted a Candidate Forum for Warner Robins City Council Candidates on September 26th and for Warner Robins Mayoral Candidates on October 3rd, 2017 at the CGTC Auditorium. 13WMAZ’s Frank Malloy moderated both forums alongside a panel of local leaders: Michael Chalmers, Board Chairman of the Robins Regional Chamber and franchise owner of seven Spherion Staffing Service locations in Georgia and Alabama; Jade Morey, Director of Existing Industry at the Houston County Development Authority, Vice Chairwoman of the Georgia Young Republicans, and President of War Town Young Republicans; William Vaught, Chair of Houston County GOP; and Wilhemenia Sibley, President of Middle Georgia Democratic Women. Candidates were given the opportunity to introduce themselves, describe their qualifications for office, and answer questions from the panelists. Topics of the discussion centered around tax allocations, crime, economic efficiency and form of government.

RECAP: CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE FORUM

PARTNERSHIPS

OUTGOING CIVIC LEADER TOUR

Civic, elected, and business leaders from Middle Georgia had the opportunity to visit Joint Base Lewis McChord, fly in a KC-135 and experience a refueling mission with an F-15. They were able to hear the Air Force story first hand from tour hosts through an outgoing civic leader tour hosted by Lt Gen Maryanne Miller, Commander, Air Force Reserve Command; Col Jed McCray, Vice Commander, Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex; CMSgt Ericka Kelly, Command Chief, Air Force Reserve Command; and CMSgt Emilio Hernandez, Command Chief, 78th Air Base Wing.

DC FLY-IN

Congressmen, senators, mayors, military personnel and business leaders gathered together for the 2nd Annual DC Fly-In Trip to Washington, D.C. In collaboration with the 21st Century Partnership and Association of Old Crows, this event brought influencers together for the purpose of strengthening the relationship between Houston County, Robins Air Force Base, state and federal governments.

HOUSTON HOME JOURNAL: MIDDLE GA...

IN THE NEWS

WARNER ROBINS SETS NEW JOBS RECORD FOR NOVEMBER 2017

Warner Robins set a new record for total jobs in November, as employment and labor force numbers grew and unemployment insurance claims declined. The Warner Robins Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) posted a record-high 74,800 jobs in November, up by 400 from a previous high of 74,400 in October, according to a release from the Georgia Department of Labor.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT MACON.COM

WARNER ROBINS DEMONS HOST STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

It’s not every year (or is it) that a Houston County High School makes it to the state championships! The Robins Regional Chamber Board was elated to show their support for the Warner Robins Demons.

41 NBC: Warner Robins...

ROBINS REGIONAL CHAMBER CHRISTMAS PARADE CELEBRATES 60 YEARS

The Robins Regional Chamber’s Christmas Parade is one of Georgia’s largest Christmas holiday events. It provides a great opportunity for area organizations and businesses to gain valuable exposure and show off their community spirit.  Each year thousands of community members attend this much-anticipated holiday event on the first Saturday in December. Businesses, civic groups, educational organizations and recreational entities unite in an effort to make the season jolly!  In addition to the thousands of spectators attending in person, radio listeners could hear the parade broadcast on local stations and television viewers had the opportunity to watch the broadcast on 13WMAZ, 13WMAZ.com, and WSST. The grand marshal for the 2017 Parade, the Museum of Aviation, celebrates the best of the era that marked our beginnings. The theme for the 2017 Robins Regional Christmas Parade was “Come Fly with Me”. “Come Fly with Me” is a classic written in ’57 and made famous the following year by Frank Sinatra as the title track of his then latest album. Parade spectators saw late 50s – early 60s era themed decor, attire, and a nod to our military in celebration of this year’s event.

VIEW PHOTO GALLERY VIEW AWARDS

HOCO-OPOLY

Created by the Houston County Family Connections, Hoco-Opoly engaged businesses across Houston County in a Monopoly style board game centered around Houston County. Proceeds benefit Houston County Family Connections programs and activities.

macon telegraph: hocoopoly

YOUTH LEADERSHIP ALUMNI CHOSEN TO REPRESENT FLINT ENERGIES AT ANNUAL WASHINGTON YOUTH TOUR

Once a year, Flint Energies selects four high school students to represent the co-op as delegates for the Washington Youth Tour. In 2017, two recent graduates of the Chamber’s Youth Leadership Program were given the honor of attending this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Flint Energies: Washington Youth...

 

STAFF EXCELLENCE

APRIL BRAGG GRADUATED FROM LEADERSHIP GEORGIA

Robins Regional Chamber President & CEO, April Bragg, and former Board Chairman, State Representative Shaw Blackmon graduated from the 2017 Leadership Georgia program.  An affiliate of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Georgia stands apart as one of the nation’s oldest and most successful leadership-training programs for young business, civic and community leaders with the desire and potential to work together for a better Georgia.

AURA LEE DURHAM APPOINTED TO WOMEN UNITED BOARD

Robins Regional Chamber COO, Aura Lee Durham was elected to Women United Board. Women United is a new leadership group of United Way of Central Georgia. Members represent communities from the entire region who come together for one purpose – to address the critical issues women and children face in our communities.

CINDY TALAMANTES GRADUATED FROM LEADERSHIP ROBINS REGION

Robins Regional Chamber Marketing & Communications Coordinator, Cindy Talamantes, graduated from the 2017 Leadership Robins Region program. The Leadership Robins Region program consisted of 11 sessions that included full-day programs with formal instruction in leadership from the academic, business, and civic worlds, combined with practical on-site tours and visits with business, industry, governmental, and other leaders in the Robins Region. It is based on the University of Georgia’s J.W. Fanning Institute Community Leadership Program.

 

LEXI HENRY RECEIVED TOP SPINNER AWARD

Robins Regional Chamber Investor Relations Specialist, Lexi Henry, honored as “Top Spinner” for raising the most donations at the Rainbow House annual Power of Prevention dinner.

LENDING A HAND

Chamber staffs got active in the community!