June 22, 2010
The governing boards of the Illinois and Iowa QC Chambers of Commerce voted Tuesday, June 22, to recommend a merger of the two organizations by September. In separate board meetings, chamber leaders approved a plan of merger that now will go to each chamber’s members for approval before a merger can be finalized.
The boards also proposed a slate of nominees to serve on the new Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce board should a merger be approved by members.
Steven Bahls, chair of the Illinois Quad Cities Chamber, cited the importance of the regional strategic plan as a driver for the merger conversations, noting that implementation of a plan to grow the regional economy would be greatly advantaged by having a single staff, board and membership accountable for its results.
“Over the past 18 months, our two chambers have worked together to support business growth. Most recently, we’ve begun developing a common strategic plan to grow our regional economy and enjoyed the participation of hundreds of community stakeholders in the process. We believe the regional growth plan will be greatly advantaged by a single, unified organization responsible for its implementation, thus we’re excited to recommend the merger as the vehicle through which we can collectively tackle strategic priorities including supporting small business and creating new jobs,” said Steven Bahls, chair of the Illinois Quad City Chamber board.
Iowa Chamber head John Roche expressed confidence that individual community’s interests and successes will be addressed and celebrated in a new bi-state model.
“Our boards were especially mindful that a Quad Cities Chamber be committed to promoting business growth in both states with equal fervor and passion, recognizing that a win for Rock Island is a win for Bettendorf,” said Roche. “We believe a unified chamber will be able to connect the dots between priorities set by East Moline and those set by Davenport, for example, so that each community’s growth is understood as critical to the larger goal of a stronger, more competitive regional economy.”
Bahls noted that the proposed board of directors for the new merged Chamber was carefully selected to ensure a balance of communities, business types and professional backgrounds. “It was important to the merger steering committee that all communities and business sectors have a voice on the governing board of a merged Chamber organization. Iowa and Illinois interests are balanced, as are the interests of small and larger employers. We’re confident chamber members will be well-served and well-represented by this roster of leaders,” said Bahls.
Both Bahls and Roche noted that businesses have increasingly suggested they would realize a greater return on their Chamber investments by working through a single chamber of commerce that represents the entire Quad Cities region. “Today’s votes were reflective of what board members have heard from chamber members in the past year and a half. We’re pleased that our boards responded to member input by taking this important step today,” said Bahls.
Chamber members will vote on the merger proposal in July. Member meeting notices and details will be mailed to all members in the week ahead. Prior to the member vote, the Chambers will host informational meetings for members and utilize Facebook, the websites and others forums to share information and gather feedback from members.
The Quad Cities Chamber will be one of the largest business organizations in the region, with approximately 2000 member businesses, 85% of which employ 50 or fewer people.
For information in the interim, please contact Betsy Brandsgard at (563) 823-2663 or bbrandsgard@iowaqcchamber.com to offer input, thoughts and suggestions.
