Chamber Committees

Through a variety of committees and task forces, more than 300 volunteers help to carry out the Chamber's mission and business plan for creating the best possible business environment for the Bellevue-Offutt community. Each committee is led by a volunteer chair person selected yearly by the Chair of the Board.

Economic Development Council

The Bellevue Economic Council was created in 2002 by the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce and is an alliance of key area business leaders. The EDC’s top goals are to retain and recruit high technology businesses to Bellevue and other Bellevue commercial areas, and to serve as a catalyst to open the door to new business opportunities that will help ensure a healthy and vibrant future-based economy.

Technology questions, technology answers
Today, Bellevue is “Strategically Located” a community of diverse and rapidly expanding high technology industries. To achieve its priorities, the EDC is addressing critical questions to retain and recruit its business force, such as:

Why should companies choose Bellevue?
What size community will a company grow best in?
Does a fiscally responsible government who is responsive to a company’s needs buoy the local economy?
Is the quality of life vibrant and exciting?

High tech focus
Fueled by a highly trained well-educated workforce, linked to two interstate freeways, and close to Eppley Airport, Bellevue is a flourishing city focused on the needs of high tech industries supporting Offutt Air Force Base. Thanks to industry stars like BAE, CSSS.Net, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, McCallie Associates Inc, SPARTA, SES and many others, Bellevue and surrounding commercial areas find their strength in the emerging diversity of the existing economic base and the solid potential to expand their position in the marketplace as a thriving economic engine and job importer.

People pride
Equally as important, Bellevue is recognized as a community committed to preserving its neighborhoods, celebrating its growing diversity and expanding quality of life for all of its citizens. Bellevue understands that a strong sense of community filled with arts, music and family spirit allows companies to attract, retain and motivate employees. In the global marketplace being competitive means being connected. And being connected means being passionate and visionary about the future.

Exciting future
Looking to the future, Bellevue is increasingly linked with major forces of change occurring at the regional, national, international and global levels. Shifts in foreign investment, international trade, information sharing, cultural exchange and immigration will impact the community in many ways. This powerful connection creates challenges and opportunities for Bellevue, with real choices concerning how this leading Northwest city will create a community where technology, lifestyle and business connect.

Military Affairs Council

Bellevue has a long history with Offutt Air Force Base. The goal of the Bellevue Chamber's Military Affairs Committee is to foster a pro-business climate in the area through proactive governmental and military affairs initiatives; to maintain and enhance the business community's relationship with Offutt Air Force Base, United States Strategic Command, Air Force Weather Agency , Air National Guard and Armed Forces reserve units; and to protect and grow Offutt and other Department of Defense (DOD) operations in the heartland region.

The relationship between Bellevue and its military partners is legendary. Senior Air Force leaders continue to praise the excellent relationship between the city and Offutt as the best in the Air Force. The business blend of civilian and military personnel at Offutt Air Force Base, working side-by-side meet a common goal and purpose, exemplifies the military-civilian interaction in the community as well.

The Chamber's Military Affairs initiative is a full-time effort led by elected and business leadership and spearheaded by the Chamber's professional staff through the Military Affairs Committee.

The MAC is a membership-based committee made up of the leading business and elected officials in the Bellevue area. The MAC functions as a liaison and support group between the local military and business communities, implementing programs that provide greater interaction between DOD/military personnel and Chamber members and also promotes and sustains growth of the DOD presence in the Bellevue area. The MAC hosts a variety of events throughout the year that honor and promote military and community service.

The Bellevue/Offutt Forum is another military initiative by the Chamber. These forums are responsible for bringing Chamber members together for exposure to the activities and missions of Offutt AFB.

For more information about the Military Affairs division of the Chamber, email Bellevue@BellevueNebraska.com.

Government Affairs Committee

Purpose
To provide leadership, information, and advocacy that enhances the economic environment and represents the political interests of the Bellevue-Offutt business community. To develop cooperative relationships with organizations and to establish and nurture positive
Goals

To research, develop, educate, and recommend issue positions to the Chamber Board of Directors.
Regularly poll members to establish the legislative concerns and opinions of the Chamber membership.
Sponsor forums that present both sides of an issue.
Provide speakers of stature and expertise on critical issues
To advocate issue positions in the interest of the Chamber within philosophical guidelines set by Chamber Board of Directors.
Identify, research, and address key issues.
Establish ad hoc committees, as necessary, to research and address issues of importance.
To fully educate members about critical issues and inform members, the general public, and appropriate officials of Chamber positions adopted by Board of Directors.
Utilize current methods of communication to inform members.
Recommend and assist the issuance of press releases to media announcing adopted positions.
Sponsor public forums on issues and for candidates.
Provide support for positions taken by Chamber Board of Directors through communication with city/county board and commission members and attendance at meetings.
Establish positive, interactive relationships with organizations and elected officials.
Host events to recognize public officials.
Provide networking opportunities between members and elected officials.

Benefit
A strong advocate in governmental affairs will maintain and advance the City’s business climate, attract new membership, and be an effective, respected voice of the business community.

Membership Committee

Purpose
To gain members, keep members and create value for each new member.
Goals
Create a positive, welcoming atmosphere for new members, maintain current new member rate of enrollment, increase retention of members in their first year of membership, increase membership of African American, Latino and Asian business owners and managers, promote participation of new members in Chamber committees and activities.

Strategies

Continue and encourage current successful recruitment endeavors
Increase contact with new members in their first year of membership
Initiate a personal visit to every new member from a Membership Committee representative to review membership benefits
Host New Member Orientation to recognize new members and provide an opportunity to interact with other members and promote their business or organization
Develop networking opportunities for new members in cooperation with Small Business and Retention Committees
Continue external promotion of Chamber membership benefits through traditional and non-traditional marketing efforts.

Benefit
To ensure the health and sustainability of the Chamber, the Membership Committee works to achieve membership growth, initial year retention and to create value for each new member.

Chamber Ambassadors

The Chamber Ambassadors are the "Welcoming Arm" of the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce. They consist of a group of over 50 selected business leaders that conduct complimentary groundbreaking or ribbon cutting ceremonies for any business opening, expanding or moving to a new location. The service includes a group of Ambassadors coming to the business site, providing the opening ribbon, the use of the official large scissors and taking photographs of the event. For new businesses, a Bellevue Brick is presented at the ceremony to signify the foundation of the community.
You can view the Upcoming Ribbon Cutting Schedule by visiting the Chamber Calendar or click on the Featured Ribbon Cuttings link on the left to view pictures from recent Ambassador Activities.
We look forward to serving you this program year. For more information about the Chamber Ambassadors or to schedule a ribbon cutting or ground breaking ceremony, contact Judith Bumgardner.

Deb Power
KPE
Chamber Ambassadors Chair, 2006-2007