2013 Year in Review The 2013 Mackinac Policy Conference Chairman Joe Welch welcomes attendees for a discussion on creating a more globally competitive Michigan. A Relentless Commitment to Business The Detroit Regional Chamber is Focused on Four Strategic Priorities
Renowned “urbanist” Richard Florida calls for cooperation between the city of Detroit and its surrounding suburbs at the Detroit Policy Conference.
Larry Alexander, CEO of the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau, addresses the media during a Chamber press conference on Detroit bankruptcy.
2013 Year in Review
A Look Back at How the Detroit Regional Chamber Powered the Economy for Southeast Michigan The Detroit Regional Chamber had an impactful 2013, effectively strengthening Southeast Michigan’s business and economic climate. This year concluded with an all-time high in membership growth, driven by continued elite programming and events, the introduction of new business resources, and key national and international collaborative efforts. Building on more than a century of serving the business community, the Chamber continued to put the Detroit region’s best foot forward and provide tremendous value to its members. This year in review takes a look back at the most note-worthy Chamber stories from the past 12 months. A Relentless Commitment to Business The Detroit Regional Chamber is Focused on Four Strategic Priorities
Economic Development – Attract and retain talent and business investment in the Detroit region.
Regional Collaboration – Act as a platform for problem solving by uniting government and business leaders and regional stakeholders to share ideas to impact Michigan’s turnaround.
Education Reform – Advance education reform to ensure businesses have the highly skilled workforce they need to adapt to the ever-changing global marketplace.
Membership Value – Provide members, from the Fortune 500 company to the new start-up venture, the resources needed to succeed while advocating for policies to create the best possible business climate.
With a relentless commitment to powering the economy for Southeast Michigan, the Detroit Regional Chamber is focused on four pillars: regional collaboration, economic development, education reform and membership value. Moving into 2014 will bring a greater concentration on improving the economy in the Detroit region and helping organizations of all sizes embrace the realities of globalization. The Chamber is committed to providing its members with the resources they need to succeed, attracting high-level talent to the region, encouraging continued investment and innovation, and showcasing the region as a great place to live and work. Chamber CEO Sandy Baruah joins Governor Rick Snyder in Beijing at a press conference to help Chinese media and investors understand Detroit’s bankruptcy.
Hajime Amano, The Chamber hosts president of ITS Michigan’s automotive Japan, welcomes adviser, Nigel Francis visitors including (center), on his first Business Attraction official trip at the to the 2013 ITS World Frankfurt Auto Show. Congress in Toyko.
Attracting Business from Around the World The business landscape in the Detroit region is as strong as ever for foreign investment, and the Chamber’s Business Attraction team attended several events abroad to spread the message. The goal of each trip was to communicate the opportunities for foreign companies to do business in the Michigan and Detroit markets and build relationships with key governments, companies and associations to attract talent and investment.
In September, team members attended the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show in Germany – the world’s most comprehensive auto show – where it met with roughly 100 global companies and hosted new Michigan automotive adviser, Nigel Francis, on his first official trip. At the same time, Chamber representatives visited Asia as part of a 20-day trade mission, part of which coincided with Governor Rick Snyder’s Asian mission to communicate the realities of Detroit bankruptcy with Chinese investors and media.
Business Attraction representatives also attended the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) World Congress in Tokyo, Japan, successfully educating auto, transport, infotainment, data and manufacturing companies on Michigan expansion opportunities. Additionally, the team coordinated regional participation at the China International Auto Parts Expo. Economic Development
Thanks to a partnership with Jay Baron of the Inforum, Michigan Automotive Center for Automotive Summit attendees heard GM Research anticipates CEO Dan Akerson discuss 100,000 new high- workforce diversity and tech Michigan jobs inclusion. through 2025.
Panelists discuss Michigan’s R & D advantages and what must be done to maintain the state’s elite position in the automotive industry.
Automotive Summit
Driving Michigan’s Automotive Success Starting with a keynote address from Governor Rick Snyder and concluding with a meet-and-greet with the state’s new automotive adviser, Nigel Francis, MICHauto’s inaugural Michigan Automotive Summit was a resounding success. The daylong event, held at the newly renovated COBO Center, marked the first event of its kind focused solely on Michigan’s entire automotive industry supply chain.
More than 400 leaders from industry, academia and government, non-profits and professional service firms joined a host of automotive industry experts that included Dan Akerson, CEO of General Motors; Jay Baron, president and CEO of Center for Automotive Research; and Simon Nagata, president and CEO of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing N.A., Inc. The Summit cemented MICHauto’s role as the first automotive cluster organization dedicated to growing and advancing the auto industry in Michigan.
In addition to impressive sponsorship support for an inaugural event, the Summit attracted regional and national media coverage, including Forbes, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times and generated strong web traffic. The Summit also generated strong web traffic, as it’s web stream tallied more than 200 views and its customized hashtag #MAS13 was tweeted more than 650 times. Education Reform
Detroit Scholarship Fund Successful in First Year The Detroit Regional Chamber completed its first year of administering the Detroit Scholarship Fund (DSF), a program introduced by Governor Rick Snyder at the 2013 Mackinac Policy Conference and funded by the Michigan Education Excellence Foundation. Following the Chamber’s recruiting efforts, about 600 Detroit high school graduates from the class of 2013 enrolled as full-time community college students with the help of the new DSF, the largest scholarship program in Detroit.
The DSF offers graduates of any Detroit high school a tuition-free path to an associate’s degree at any of the five community colleges located in metro Detroit. In addition to financial assistance, the DSF provides students with academic support, as each of the five participating community colleges – Oakland, Macomb, Henry Ford, Schoolcraft and Wayne County Community College District – have implemented student support programs, ensuring that students complete orientation, have an academic plan and have access to intervention programs.
Detroit Scholarship Fund graduates are recognized at an Oakland Community College induction ceremony.
At the 2013 Mackinac Policy Conference, Steve Hamp, chairman of the Michigan Education Excellence Foundation (MEEF), announces key education initiatives spearheaded The Chamber’s Greg Handel congratulates by MEEF, including the Detroit a DSF graduate, who entered Oakland Scholarship Fund. Community College in fall 2013. Regional Collaboration
Robert L. Johnson, founder of Black Entertainment Television, discusses economic opportunities for minority businesses with CBS Detroit’s Carol Cain.
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush highlights education and immigration reform.
Michelle Rhee, founder of StudentsFirst, challenges Michigan leaders to make quality education available for all students.
National Leaders Take Michigan’s Center Stage The 2013 Mackinac Policy Conference continued its tradition as Michigan’s center stage for driving statewide dialogue amongst top business leaders, government officials, innovative entrepreneurs and community advocates from all corners of the state. Led by Conference Chairman Joseph Welch of ITC Holdings, the Conference focused on education, cultural change and the 21st century global market. Thought-provoking national speakers such as Michelle Rhee, Jeb Bush and Robert L. Johnson challenged more than 1,600 political and business leaders to play a role in boosting Michigan as a more globally competitive, financially attractive business environment.
In its continued efforts to increase the attendee experience, the Chamber unveiled a new Mackinac Policy Conference app, which provided full access to the Conference agenda, event updates and the ability to submit questions to speakers. Discussion from the Conference extended well beyond the island, as Detroit Public Television broadcasted and webcasted sessions throughout the week. More than 150 statewide media members from print, digital and broadcast outlets provided coverage of the Conference, which concluded with its annual To-Do List. Chamber PAC Efforts on Display in Election At such a critical juncture in Detroit’s history, the Detroit Regional Chamber took an unprecedented level of participation in city elections building on its reputation as one of the pre-eminent advocacy organizations in Michigan. As part of these efforts, the Chamber conducted training sessions to ensure voters had the best possible field. The Chamber’s Political Action Committee (PAC) also interviewed candidates to identify pro-business policymakers best suited to continue Detroit’s renaissance, bolstering its stature as one of the state’s most sought-after business group endorsements.
The PAC made a formal endorsement of Mike Duggan’s mayoral campaign at the beginning of his historic write-in candidacy in the primary election. Duggan’s election – as well as wins for six of the eight PAC-endorsed Detroit city council candidates – marked a resounding success for the PAC. City Council winners included: James Tate (Incumbent - District 1), Scott Benson (District 3), Andre Spivey (Incumbent - District 4), Raquel Castaneda-Lopez (District 6), Gabe Leland (District 7) and Saunteel Jenkins (Incumbent - At-large).
The Chamber’s Political Action Committee endorsed incumbent State Rep. City Councilwoman Rudy Hobbs Saunteel Jenkins for (D-Southfield) at Detroit City Council a Chamber PAC elections. fundraiser.
Mayor-elect Mike Duggan celebrates with supporters after being elected in November. Regional Collaboration
The Chamber introduces new Detroit Police chief, James Craig, to the business community at Detroit Public Safety Headquarters.
The Chamber maintains relationships with key national media, such as MSNBC’s “Morning Joe”.
Taking Action in Detroit’s Resurgence During the past year the Chamber led many initiatives to keep the business community informed and engaged in Detroit’s turnaround.
Chamber Introduces New Police Chief ‘Morning Joe’ at Ford Flat Rock Plant With public safety a key component of transforming MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” broadcasted from the Ford Detroit, the Chamber introduced members to new Flat Rock Assembly Plant in August to highlight all chief of police, James Craig, at the new Detroit Public things Motor City including why Detroit is a great Safety Headquarters. Chief Craig spoke to more than 50 place to do business. Less than three months after business leaders, answering questions and providing teasing the appearance on stage at the Mackinac an overview of the Detroit Police Department and new Policy Conference, “Morning Joe” co-hosts Mika crime reduction strategies for the city, followed by a Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough hosted discussions tour of the facility. focused on what Detroit needs to do to continue to attract businesses and strengthen the city’s pro-growth Detroit Delegation Returns from Urban climate as it navigates bankruptcy. The Chamber was Revitalization Lessons-Learned Trip to D.C. pleased to help with this opportunity to tell the world that Detroit continues to be open for business. The Chamber organized a delegation of Detroit regional leaders to travel to Washington, D.C. to participate in “Detroit to Washington, D.C.: Renaissance in the City,” Process Maps Presented to Mayor hosted in partnership with former D.C. Mayor Anthony In an attempt to help Detroit-based businesses cut Williams and the Federal City Council. During the trip, through local government red tape, the Detroit Regional the delegation met with representatives from various Chamber spearheaded the creation of process maps to groups, civic leaders and Washington, D.C. Mayor serve as visual tools to help business startups navigate Vincent Gray, who provided firsthand insight into city business requirements. Through its partnership best-practices and key partnerships leading to D.C.’s with Walsh College, the Chamber presented the maps successful urban revitalization. The delegation was to Mayor Dave Bing at the Detroit Policy Conference in formed in response to one of the 2012 Mackinac Policy February. The maps focus on permit processes including Conference To-Do List items. obtaining a business license, special events, signage, outdoor patio space, new construction and renovation construction. The creation of process maps marks the completion of an item on the Chamber’s 2012 Mackinac Policy Conference To-Do List. The September/October Detroiter cover features key leaders symbolizing Detroit’s transformation as it navigates bankruptcy.
Chamber Frames Bankruptcy for the Nation With Detroit in fiscal crisis, the Detroit Regional Chamber led the call for an emergency manager while serving as one of the first organizations to meet with newly appointed Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr. After the city of Detroit filed bankruptcy in July, the Chamber organized the business community’s response – sending the clear message that a stronger, more sustainable Detroit will emerge. In addition to collaborating with key partners to collect key data and messaging points, the Chamber hosted a press conference featuring business leaders to help shape the national narrative.
The overall effort landed the business community’s response in media outlets around the nation including the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and L.A. Times while Chamber CEO Sandy Baruah appeared for extensive interviews on Fox Business Network, CNBC and other national and international media. The overall effort was recognized for its effectiveness and depth, winning a Platinum International MarCom award from the Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals. Regional Collaboration
Tackling Key Issues Facing Detroit In just its second year, the Detroit Policy Conference has emerged as a must-attend event in the state, rallying the business community annually to highlight Detroit’s continued transformation. This year more than 630 of Detroit’s government, business and community leaders, from public and private sectors, gathered at MotorCity Casino Hotel as more than 40 speakers and panelists shared expertise and inspired innovative solutions for the city’s continued turnaround.
Keynote speakers such as Mayor Dave Bing, renowned “urbanist” Richard Florida and Rock Ventures president and CEO, Matt Cullen, highlighted the innovative spirit that exists in Detroit and stressed the importance of pursuing continued urban revitalization with an entrepreneurial spirit. The Conference discussion continued online, as the Conference accounted for roughly 37 percent of the Chamber’s web traffic in February and the Conference hashtag #DPC13 was trending in Michigan for most of the day.
Matt Cullen, CEO of Rock Ventures, lays out multiple projects designed Mayor Dave Bing stresses the to make Detroit an attractive place to importance of continued urban “live, work and play.” revitalization throughout Detroit. Panelists discuss best practices of Michigan organizations geared toward training veterans for career opportunities.
Medal of Honor recipient Governor Rick Snyder speaks Salvatore Giunta explains with media after signing how military training legislation into law to facilitate effectively prepares veterans’ career transitions. veterans for civilian careers.
Making the Case for Hiring Heroes In conjunction with the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, the Detroit Regional Chamber co-hosted the Governor’s Summit on Veterans Talent in November, making the case for employers to implement veteran-hiring programs. Completing an item on the 2012 Mackinac Policy Conference To-Do List, the Summit successfully brought together veterans and business leaders to facilitate connections.
More than 150 corporate representatives attended the Summit to hear keynote speeches by Governor Rick Snyder and Salvatore “Sal” Giunta, and other speakers and panelists from national corporations and Michigan companies and educational institutions to discuss best practices for veteran-support programs. Governor Snyder also signed new legislation at the Summit, which will facilitate veterans’ transition from military to civilian work. Meant to break down employment barriers for veterans and fully recognize their service to our country, this legislation will ensure that education and training acquired in the military are properly recognized when they apply for civilian jobs. Warren Buffett and Dan Gilbert pitch entrepreneurship as the key to Detroit’s comeback at Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Small Businesses initiative.
2013 Key Moments
Accelerating Entrepreneurial Growth, Business Attraction Hosts Delegations Providing Access to Resources from Around the World The Detroit Regional Chamber continued to help The Chamber’s Business Attraction team has been small businesses thrive by supporting national aggressive in its business recruitment efforts, initiatives including the U.S. Small Business showing the opportunities and advantages that Administration’s e200 Emerging Leaders program exist in the Detroit region. In the past year, the and the Initiative for Competitive Inner City’s (ICIC) team hosted 12 delegations of business leaders, Capital Connections effort. The Chamber also served site selectors and foreign officials from countries as a regional launch partner with ICIC and Goldman around the world, including: Germany, India, Israel Sachs, working to promote Goldman’s 10,000 Small and Mexico. Businesses Initiative and recruit local businesses to apply for the program. These efforts collectively help entrepreneurs access the capital, resources Advocacy Team Fights for and networks needed to flourish. Common Core The Detroit Regional Chamber collaborated with a coalition of like-minded organizations in support Chamber Membership Grows of Common Core state standards. Due to these at Record Rate advocacy efforts, the Legislature voted to fund The Detroit Regional Chamber’s membership base Common Core allowing the Department of Education grew at a record-setting pace in the past year. to resume implementation. The Common Core Successful sales efforts were bolstered by the helps students to compete in a knowledge-based, Chamber’s continued reputation for hosting top- global economy creating consistent standards that notch and effective programming, providing first-rate provide appropriate benchmarks for all students that business tools and resources, and its commitment prepare them to join the workforce. to improving the business landscape throughout Southeast Michigan. 2013 Key Moments
NBC News’ Education Nation’s Chelsea Clinton (left) moderates discussion on closing the skills gap in Michigan’s workforce with GM’s Mary Barra, GalaxE.Solutions’ Tim Bryan, Macomb Community College’s James Jacobs and the Chamber’s Sandy Baruah.
Chamber Promotes Board Economic Prosperity Campaign Fellowship Program Reaches Goal Education reform begins with effective leadership, The Detroit Regional Prosperity Campaign exceeded and to continue its efforts to promote positive its fundraising goal, attracting more than 100 public change, the Chamber created the Board Fellowship and private investors who committed more than Program to seek out and train qualified charter $2.2 million to support the Chamber’s Business school board candidates. Hosting two Bagels & Attraction and MICHauto programs. Funds raised by Boards informational breakfasts during the year, the the campaign will continue to support the Chamber’s Chamber worked to educate and attract leaders to efforts to attract talent and investment and market take a public service role in young peoples’ lives in Southeast Michigan to economic development Detroit. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from prospects. current charter school leaders and board members, and learn how to become a decision-maker and agent for change in Detroit’s growing effort to Education Nation Summit Comes reform education. to Detroit NBC News’ Education Nation tour held a summit in Detroit in March, bringing together leaders from Connection Point Joins MEDC the Michigan education and business community The Detroit Regional Chamber’s Connection Point to focus on topics such as early childhood learning, program became fully integrated with the Michigan school choice and workforce preparedness. Chamber Economic Development Corporation’s Pure CEO Sandy Baruah participated on a panel of the Michigan Business Connect (PMBC) program, and Detroit region’s top thought-leaders moderated by will continue to bolster the state’s efforts to create NBC News’ Special Correspondent Chelsea Clinton opportunities and business growth by connecting and Chief Education Correspondent Rehema Ellis, leading-edge Michigan companies to the global discussing Michigan’s workforce, the skills gap and supply chain. Connection Point was founded in 2009 the future of our economy. Baruah also served as a with funding from the U.S. Economic Development discussion leader at the Education Nation Summit in Administration and New Economy Initiative for New York in October. Southeast Michigan and has made more than $200 million in bid opportunities available to Michigan businesses across 24 industries. The Chamber remains a strategic partner with PMBC. 2013 Key Moments
Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley addresses the media at a press conference on the New International Trade Crossing.
Health Care Leaders Forum Focuses NITC Presidential Permit Approved on ACA In April, U.S. State Department issued a permit The Chamber held its seventh annual Health Care for construction of the New International Trade Leaders Forum at the Detroit branch of the Federal Crossing (NITC), a new bridge that will connect Reserve Bank of Chicago, which focused on controlling Detroit to Windsor, Ontario. The Chamber has been the region’s health care costs, improving care quality a long-time proponent of the NITC and helped lead and using the health sector and healthy workers an effort to successfully defeat a ballot initiative in to drive economic development. More than 200 November 2012 designed to prevent construction of the new crossing. The project, slated to begin within attendees joined some of the nation’s top health care the next two years, is expected to create 12,000 thought leaders as they examined the current direction direct jobs and as many as 31,000 indirect jobs. and pace of health care reform and transformation.
MI Health Answers Launches Web Portal to Enhance Members’ Online Capabilities As health care reforms went into effect on October 1, the Detroit Regional Chamber served as a key resource As a new member benefit, the Chamber is in the for businesses and employees throughout the region process of launching an enhanced members section and state through its recently launched MI Health of www.detroitchamber.com, facilitating the event registration process and allowing members to Answers program. Through its website and educational create and update company profile information programs, MI Health Answers provides employers and and pay invoices. The new web portal is password- employees with customized answers to their questions protected and exclusive to members. The portal will and opportunities to speak with professionals with also feature a new online membership directory expertise on the Affordable Care Act. to encourage member-to-member interaction. The site will allow member companies to expand their More College Grads Staying networks and businesses. in Michigan An increased number of recent graduates of Michigan’s Leading the Way on Great Lakes Legislation public universities are remaining in-state after As part of the Great Lakes Metro Chambers Coalition, graduation, according to survey results released by the the Detroit Regional Chamber led a campaign in support Detroit Regional Chamber – a trend that better positions of the pending Water Resources Development Act Michigan to compete in the global marketplace. The Reauthorization, which if passed, will secure additional survey, which garnered more than 7,000 responses, resources for dredging the Great Lakes including a indicated that 63 percent of the targeted group of plan to allow for full use of the Harbor Maintenance graduates remained in Michigan, a 12-percent increase Trust Fund. The federal legislation will greatly impact from a similar survey in 2007. The group of young mobile manufacturing, construction and agriculture industries talent surveyed – single adults under the age of 28 who as well as the industry supply chains including steel and are no longer in school – indicated that jobs were the automotive. driving factor in keeping recent graduates in-state. To learn more about membership with the Detroit Regional Chamber, please visit DetroitChamber.com or contact Jim Connarn at 313.596.0391.