2019 Annual Report

2019

Annual Report

VISIONARY PARTNERS

Here,
Everyone
Belongs

#YOURBOERNECHAMBER

INTRODUCTION

We’ve had a busy year, but as we look back,
we’re also looking forward.
 
You may notice that this year’s annual report
is a little different. For instance, you might
not be holding it in your hands at all. You
might have downloaded a digital version from
our website, www.boerne.org. It’s just one of
the many ways that the Chamber has
committed to being a forward thinking
organization. We invite you to reflect on the
past year and look forward to everything we’ll
accomplish together in the year to come.
 
As a Chamber member, you are contributing
to the growth of one of the most vibrant
business climates in the region. We are proud
to create opportunities for you to belong,
engage, lead and prosper. Thank you for your
support.
 
 
Sincerely,

Kimberley Blohm
President & CEO
8

TABLE OF CONTENTS 201

Introduction
Advocate: The Voice of the Local Community
Educate: Chamber Councils & Connects
Connect: Programs & Events
Marketing: Promoting Our Members
A Vibrant Membership
Pivotal Partners
Strong Leadership: The 2019 Chamber Team

DRIVEN

ADVOCATE

THE VOICE OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

The Boerne Chamber serves as the voice of the local business community. We work with local,
regional, state and federal governments on issues such as workforce, education, housing, health
care and more.  We are committed to supporting and protecting the interests of the local
business community.
 

1.         The Chamber promotes the quality of business in Boerne. The
President/CEO of the Chamber was on the Board of Directors
for the Boerne Kendall County EDC representing local businesses. 
The Chamber also has the President/CEO of the Boerne Kendall
County EDC serve on the Chamber’s board in an advisory position.
By collaborating and working together we can continue to grow a
thriving business community in Kendall County.

 
2.         The Chamber promotes Boerne businesses locally, statewide and
nationally.  As the 5th largest Chamber in the San Antonio
Metropolitan Statistical Areas, the Boerne Chamber has become a
leader in discussing issues such as water, transportation, education
and economic development.

 
3.         The Chamber provides members opportunities to network and meet
with state and local leaders. In 2019, the Chamber hosted a Candidate
Forum. Each year the Chamber hosts the annual State of the City
Luncheon and the State of the School District showcasing Boerne ISD
Teachers of the Year. Chamber staff meet regularly with City and
County officials representing the interests of the local business
community.

EDUCATE

CHAMBER COUNCILS & CONNECTIONS

AMBASSADOR COUNCIL MENTORING

The Ambassador Council is made up over 40 business 100+NEW MEMBERS
professionals who assist the chamber with membership average of
engagement and serve in the capacity of an official host for 20 per month
the Chamber by attending Chamber events.

Ambassadors grow strong business networks for their own
businesses while helping other businesses engage and grow. 

BUILDERS AND REALTORS CONNECTION

The Builders and Realtors Connection group meets to work toward improving the housing finance
system, analyze economic and consumer trends. The Chamber seeks to educate, train and
disseminate information to housing industry business professionals through the greater Boerne
region.

HEALTHCARE CONNECTIONS

The Healthcare Connections group fosters business and professional development relationships
through regular meetings for the purpose of improving patient care while supporting community
partners in healthcare. Members educate the group about their unique skills, products, services
and actively refer patients to each other.

LEADS GROUP

Two Leads Groups meeting bimonthly consisting of members representing noncompetitive
business categories. The members exchange leads to help increase their businesses bottom lines
and work together to grow the region’s economy.

LEADERSHIP BOERNE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

The Leadership Boerne Council is
comprised of Leadership Boerne program
graduates who volunteer to help guide
and mentor subsequent
classes to ensure they maintain the high
standards that are at the core of
Leadership Boerne and that they continue
to evolve new and relevant information as
it becomes available. The focus is to
expand the leadership pool benefiting the
present and future business leaders in the
Boerne area

MEMBERSHIP ORIENTATION

Member Orientation is for our newest members and new employees of our established members
who are interested in learning more about the Chamber. Attendees receive information on how
they can get better connected with the Chamber and the community, as well new offerings
relating to marketing and business connections.

NON-PROFIT COMMITTEE

The Chamber's Non-Profit
Committee supports the unique
interests of our non-profit member
community to develop a strong, vital
community that enhances and
supports the quality of life and
growth of the region.

SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE

The Chamber's Scholarship Committee manages the logistics of the scholarship application
process, the review, selection of the annual recipients, and the presentation and promotion of the
scholarship monies. The Chamber currently offers a total of 3 scholarships. The
John P. Ebner Scholarship, Aubrey E. "Sandy" Sanderson and Laurie Bushong Lang Scholarships
which are funded through the Annual Awards Gala and Annual Golf Tournament.

SENIOR SERVICES NETWORK COMMITTEE

The Chamber’s Senior Services Committee is responsible for the development and review of the
Chamber’s involvement in strengthening aging services for senior citizens by increasing visibility
and effectiveness of its senior programs. The members meet to provide education, training,
guidance and advocacy to the senior community.

VETERANS BUSINESS OUTREACH COMMITTEE

The Veteran Business Outreach
Committee focuses on building ties
between the business community and local
military organizations. Our mission is to
promote the Boerne and Hill Country
region by engaging the greater Boerne
community and its businesses to
demonstrably celebrate, support, maintain,
and grow the military presence in Kendall
County and surrounding areas.

CONNECT

PROGRAMS & EVENTS

Programs and events are an integral component of Chamber membership. Members benefit
from almost 250 face-to-face networking, educational and celebratory events throughout the
year. We help build networks that provide strong strategic partnership with other businesses,
elected officials, community leaders and investment partners.

2019 EVENT ATTENDANCE

144
146 Golf
BISD
Luncheon 96 1200 Tournament
Auto
332 Business Show 166
Conference
Awards Operation
Party Thank You

117 65 261 155

HC Networkikng Candidate State of Lemonade
Luncheons Average Forum the City Day
Luncheon
Attendance

RIBBON BOERNE NETWORKING
CUTTINGS AFTER 5 MIXERS
20EVENTS
97 18
average of
average of average of 1.6 per month
8 per month 1.5 per month

LEADERSHIP BOERNE PROGRAM

Leadership Boerne brings together emerging community and business leaders to encourage
them to become involved and active participants in the community.  In 2019 we celebrated
our 20th anniversary of the program. The Class of 2019 had 20 graduates in various
business industries.

MARKETING

PROMOTING OUR MEMBERS

We love promoting our members. The Chamber provides several opportunities to promote your
business in the community such as:

Online Member Directory (as well as additional banner advertisements on the website)
Community Corner Emai
Hot Deals
Job postings
Targeted social media posts on Facebook and Instagram
Sponsorships of events highlighting your business
Display of brochures and business cards in the front lobby for visitors
Relocation Packets
Electronic list of members’ mailing addresses
Kendall County map advertising opportunities

Each year the Chamber makes thousands of
referrals of its members.  These
referrals happen in many
different ways such as:

Leads Group meetings
Boerne Chamber Ambassadors
Visitor (in person) requests
Email
Relocation Packets
Website
Phone requests
Social media channels

DIGITAL

SOCIAL MEDIA & EMAIL MARKETING

We love promoting our members. The Chamber provides several opportunities to promote your
business in the community such as:

SOCIAL MEDIA GROWTH PERCENTAGE EMAIL MARKETING COMPARISONS

Chamber VS. *Industry Average

Open Rate

35.2% 

vs 23.8%*

Click Through Rate

10.5%

vs 3.2%*

1,546

Email Database

*Watson Marketing 2018 Marketing Benchmark Report

2019 CHAMBER WEBSITE WEBSITE
ANALYTICS

184,336
PAGE VIEWS

boerne.org

Female
Users

45.85%

Male
Users

54.15%

130,071 42,531 90,714 16,642 2,216

Member Event Member Job Hot
Pages Pages Directory Pages Deals

A VIBRANT
MEMBERSHIP

Our membership is the purpose for everything we do.  Their involvement and support is what
makes us the fifth largest Chamber in the greater San Antonio area.  We appreciate the
importance of knowing our membership, allowing us to provide the services and tools to assist
them for success. In 2019, the Chamber started conducting surveys to our members for their
feedback to improve on our services and continue our efforts to stay relevant in today's business
environment.

2019 VISIONARY PARTNERS

"After 15 years of working with four other Chambers, I have never been as
satisfied with my membership as I am in Boerne.  The level of support, genuine
enthusiasm and proactive ideas brought to our company has been unmatched."
Brandon Arceneaux, Partner - Dog & Pony Grill

MEMBERSHIP
GROWTH

(11/01/18 to 10/31/19)
Top 5 largest industry sectors represented in
our mix of membership consist of :
Construction and Contractors
Healthcare
Real Estate, Moving and Storage
Finance and Insurance
Family, Community and Civic

794

TOTAL MEMBERS

201

NEW MEMBERS JOINED

5%

MEMBER GROWTH

78.2%

MEMBER RETENTION

PIVATOL
PARTNERS

VISIONARY

CHAIRMAN'S CIRCLE

CORNERSTONE

STRONG
LEADERSHIP

2019 CHAMBER

Board Directors

JACQUES DUBOSE KEVIN THOMPSON SUSIE ALLEN JO LYNN FISHER

Board Chairman Chair Elect & Treasurer Past Chair Secretary

JEFF DENNIS RON PATRICK JONATHAN MARY JO BARON DR. JENNIFER
ALHFORS BINKLEY BOWMAN COHOON FALLON HOUSER JOHNSON
FLOYD
Mark GVTC Advisory Director Leger Ketchum Tapatio Springs StoneHouse Johnson Eye
Motors Broadway Bank
Communications City of Boerne & Cohoon, PLLC Resort & Spa Builders Care

JUDGE CHARLIE GOERGE JOHN DR. THOMAS ALLISON AMY ROBERT
MALMBERG MONROY PADALINO PRICE SMOOT STORY UPTON
DARREL LUX
Valcor Commercial Monroy Technology BEC BISD Advisory Director Texas Busines
Advisory Director Real Estate Boerne Kendall Buyers
Kendall County Information Services
County EDC

THE CHAMBER WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE ADDITIONAL MEMBERS WHO SERVED ON THE BOARD IN 2019

Dan Blankenship, Bruce Forey, Misty Mayo

2019Chamber Staff

KIMBERLEY BLOHM

President & CEO

HOLLY RODRIGUEZ

Director of Programs & Events

SHELLEY EKLUND

Office Manager

LYNN RICHTER

Executive Assistant

MELISSA BARRINGER

Communications Coordinator

DAN ROSELLE

Member Engagement Specialist

(830) 249-8000     |     www.boerne.org     |     121 S. Main St., Boerne TX