Mission Statement
Goals, Visions and Strategies

     In 1893 a group of like-minded businessmen joined together and filed articles of incorporation as the Citizens Improvement Association of Pekin.  The group formed "for the purpose of advancing the business interest and promoting the commercial growth of the City of Pekin."
     Despite several name changes and over 105 years of history, the mission of the Chamber has not changed all that drastically.  The wording might be a little different, and maybe the scope has expanded, but the basic purpose is still the same.
     Today, 400 members (businesses, organizations, and individuals) and hundreds of volunteers work to make the Pekin area a better place to live, work and play.  If you'd like to be a part of the success, read about the benefits of membership and download a membership application form.
     Download the Strategic Plan Review, a pdf document, created annually to review our performance under the Strategic Plan. You can also download a copy of the Strategic Plan, which is presented below. 

    MISSION STATEMENT

The Chamber's business IS business - we promote the growth of the Pekin area through the collective efforts of our members.

GOALS, VISIONS & STRATEGIES

Goal 1:  Create a vibrant business environment in the Pekin area.

Vision:  Creating a vibrant business environment requires our participation in the legislative process - advocating those issues that will benefit our membership and keeping our membership informed of legislation that will impact their business interests. Creating a vibrant business environment also requires that we seek out organizations that share our goals and collaborate with them, actively pursuing our common goals.

Strategy:  Advocacy  Proactively participate in the legislative process, serving as an advocate for our members.  Business Advocacy Committee  Transportation Committee

Strategy:  Collaboration  Collaborate with organizations that share the Chamber's goal of a vibrant business environment.  Business Advocacy Committee  Transportation Committee

Strategy:  Information Sharing  Keep our membership informed of legislative issues that can affect their business.  Business Advocacy Committee

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Goal 2:   Stimulate community growth.

Vision:  Our members and the community expect us to be the information source for potential visitors, new residents, and new businesses. We accept that role and produce high-quality promotional materials for the requests we receive from outside of the area. However, responding to information requests is a passive form of promotion. We also need to reach out and proactively market the Pekin area to those outside of the region. The Pekin area has a number of assets that contribute to community growth. "Quality of Life" events are among those assets, and we assume a leadership role, collaborating with others to maintain, improve and expand the events.

Strategy:  Marketing  Proactively market Pekin as a great place to live, work, shop and play.  Marketing Committee

Strategy:  Quality of Life  Assume a leadership role in events that add to the quality of life for area residents.  Marigold Festival Committee  July 4th Committee Marigold Golf Committee

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Goal 3:  Ensure the Chamber is a strong, stable organization.

Vision:  The Chamber, like any organization, must raise and efficiently use resources. We follow the best fiscal and accounting practices to ensure the financial health of the organization. We need a pool of leaders and volunteers to keep our committees and events active and growing. Therefore, we actively recruit potential leaders and volunteers, developing their skills and commitment. Our members need to know what is happening with the Chamber and feel like they are a part of the organization, so we employ a variety of tools and media to communicate with our members. Finally, the Chamber acknowledges the need for continued organizational improvement, and the need to keep this plan a living, breathing document.

Strategy:  Fiscal Responsibility  Be a steward of the member's investment in the Chamber. Executive Committee

Strategy:  Leadership Development  Develop future leaders for the Chamber and the community.  Community Leadership Academy Committee

Strategy:  Communication  Use a variety of tools and media to communicate with our members. Annual Meeting Committee

Strategy:  Organizational Improvement  Strive for continued organizational improvement.  Executive Committee

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Goal 4:  Create promotional opportunities for our members.

Vision:  One of the primary benefits of chamber membership is networking - the opportunity to meet, socialize, interact, and do business with other business people. We coordinate events that provide those networking opportunities. Also, there's strength in numbers, and Chamber members can take advantage of those economies of scale when we offer our membership high-impact promotional opportunities at a price that is more economical than they could arrange on their own. It's important for new members to see an immediate return on their dues investment, and so we offer numerous promotional opportunities to them.

Strategy:  Networking Events   Provide networking opportunities for our members, allowing them to build business contacts and relationships.  Ambassadors   Pekin 1st Committee

Strategy:  New Member Promotions  Provide our new members with immediate promotional opportunities.  Ambassadors

Strategy:  Shared Promotions  Provide our members with promotional opportunities that take advantage of the Chamber's economies of scale.  Member Services Committee  Member Promotions Committee