5. How many full-time employees do you have
at your business/organization?
1 to 5 Employees – 60.2%
6 to 15 Employees – 15.3%
16 to 30 Employees – 4.1%
31 to 50 Employees – 9.2%
51 to 100 Employees – 6.1%
101 to 250 Employees – 3.1%
251 and Above – 2.0%
6. My business is located in:
Downtown Petoskey Central Business District –
24.5%
Petoskey City Limits, but not in the Central Business
District – 24.5%
Bay Harbor – 2.0%
Bear Creek Township – 19.4%
Resort Township – 2.0%
Harbor Springs Area – 11.2%
Alanson Area – 2.0%
Pellston Area – 1.0%
Outside of Emmet County – 7.1%
Multiple Locations – 6.1%
7. If your business is located in Emmet
County, how long has it been there?
8. How long has your business been under
the current ownership?
Less than one year – 5.1%
1 to 3 years – 12.2%
4 to 10 years – 22.4%
11 to 25 years – 31.6%
26 to 50 years – 13.3%
51 or more years – 15.3%
10. The annual gross revenue for your
business is:
Less than $250,000 – 32.2%
$250,000 to $500,000 – 21.1%
$500,000 to $1,000,000 – 13.3%
$1,000,000 to $5,000,000 – 20.0%
More than $5,000,000 – 13.3%
12. Over the past three years (2008-2010) your
gross revenues have:
13. Over the next three years (2011-2013) you
expect your gross revenues will:
14. Over the past three years (2008-2010) the
number of employees in your business
has:
15. Over the next three years (2011-2013) the number
of employees in your business will likely:
16. Over the past three years, the issues that have
posed the greatest challenges to your business
include:
Transportation issues (roads, air service, rail, delivery services, trucking,
etc) – 11.2%
Utility services (gas, electric, water, etc) – 15.7%
Technology services (broadband, Internet, Wireless, etc) – 21.3%
Local Regulatory issues (environmental, zoning, signs, codes, etc) – 12.4%
State Regulatory issues (environmental, zoning, safety, codes, etc) – 7.9%
Local Taxes – 18.0%
State Taxes – 28.1%
Federal Taxes – 23.6%
Availability of a qualified workforce – 18.0%
Health Insurance – 42.7%
Tourism Activity – 21.3%
Marketing your business – 29.2%
General Economy – 78.7%
17. Greatest Issues – Write-in responses:
Healthcare Reform
Public Safety Attitude
Increasing Food Costs
Federal Regulatory
Competition
Bike/pedestrian Friendly Area
Housing and Mortgage Crisis
Financial markets in particular
Communications in rural areas
Shop Local issues
18. Over the next three years, the issues that will
likely pose the greatest challenges to your
business include:
Transportation issues (roads, air service, rail, delivery services, trucking,
etc) – 10.2%
Utility services (gas, electric, water, etc) – 13.6%
Technology services (broadband, Internet, Wireless, etc) – 14.8%
Local Regulatory issues (environmental, zoning, signs, codes, etc) – 10.2%
State Regulatory issues (environmental, zoning, safety, codes, etc) – 12.5%
Local Taxes – 18.2%
State Taxes – 28.4%
Federal Taxes – 33.0%
Availability of a qualified workforce – 20.5%
Health Insurance – 45.5%
Tourism activity – 25.0%
Marketing your business – 31.8%
General Economy – 77.3%
19. Greatest Challenges – Write-in responses:
Healthcare Reform
State, Federal and Local government infrastructure spending
reductions or stagnation
Cost of money and/or inflation
Financial markets in particular
53. Beginning in 2010 and continuing in 2011, the chamber will
continue to implement a new tiered dues structure. How do
you feel about this new approach to membership dues?
I Like It – 64.6%
I Do Not Like It – 8.5%
I’m Not Aware of the Changes – 26.8%
Other Responses:
No opinion yet
I was aware that it was coming, but not sure how it will affect my business
Customization to each business is a great idea
It appears to be a money grab
It is not that I am unaware, I just can’t remember the change
My only struggle with these dues is how different divisions of the same entity are
being charged separate memberships. I didn’t really see the benefit of being listed in
the membership directory more than once for a membership.
I am really indifferent
Have not had a chance to read about it
54. How likely would you be to participate in a
one-hour long speed networking event?
Very Likely – 4.6%
Likely – 34.5%
Not Likely – 48.3%
Highly Unlikely – 12.6%
55. How likely would you be to participate in a
dedicated email to members to promote
your business and services?
Very Likely – 26.4%
Likely – 36.8%
Not Likely – 29.9%
Very Unlikely – 6.9%
57. Over the next three years, the chamber
should focus its political advocacy efforts
on…
Pure Michigan Campaign*
Education Funding Reform
Term Limits Reform
Attracting New Business*
High Speed Network
Better/Less Expensive Travel Resources
Health Care*
Small Business Support*
Tourism*
Employment Taxes*
Unemployment Rules
Stopping sprawl around Petoskey
State and Federal Funding for Roads &
Infrastructure
Reducing Michigan Business Tax*
Continuing to monitor any easing of
restrictions on union organizing processes
Encouraging Business Expansion into the
State*
Continued Post Labor Day School Start
Encouraging the City to be more Pro-
business
Encouraging more Pro-business people to
hold offices
Economy*
Smaller Government
Support of Local Advertisement – i.e. Signs
Issues that could impact Local & State
Business
Fair Tax*
Simplification of Regulations*
Bike/Pedestrian Paths
Reduction of Operating Costs
Fairness in regard to recovering taxes for
the state from website sales
Bringing Passenger Rail Service to Northern
Michigan
Collecting Info on issues for Members
58. Advocacy Efforts Continued…
Fiscal Responsibility in Government
Less Government Intrusion
Grants for Business Improvements
Increasing Business in Northern Michigan
Local Issues*
Real Estate Market
The Chamber should not be involved in
political advocacy outside of specific issues
related to doing business in Emmet County
59. Over the next three years, the chamber
should focus its member programs and
services on…
Improving health insurance options*
Networking – Involvement*
Referral Program (Incentive)
Target Marketing (focus on specific
businesses)
Business to Business Marketing*
Events to bring people to town
More statewide promotion
Seminars for better business practices*
Defining the keys to economic health and
growth of the region
Improving members of non-downtown
businesses*
Strengthening healthcare
committee/effectiveness
Assisting in attracting/retaining businesses
Chamber Newsletter*
Social Networking
Business Conferences
Public Awareness (Important Products or
Services)
Teaching new technology*
Using new technology to increase business
Increasing revenue to members
Promoting Petoskey
Access of public to services offered
How to continue a forever-increasing sense
of community
Programs that further enhance educating
our young people
Human Resources Education
Finding & Retaining Employees
Customer Service Training*
Shop Local Campaign
Creating a weekly Friday night street event
Follow through with services & programs,
especially with new members
More networking & visibility
60. Program & Service Focus Continued…
Informing all residents about businesses in
the area*
Helping member businesses focus on
keeping more money in the community by
doing business locally
Creating more support for new members –
i.e. Ambassadors to introduce them at
events
Less expensive advertising
Strengthening the image of downtown
Small business education*
Internet advertising
Service education
Events to bring in tourists*
Member benefits – i.e. discounts, insurance
Events that involve community members in
a social manner
61. What are the three most valuable programs
offered by the chamber?
Downtown Visitors Center*
Support of Downtown Management Board
Political Advocacy*
Overall Directory as a resource
CWIB*
Health Insurance*
Business Directory*
Festival on the Bay*
Report to the Community
Leadership Little Traverse*
Support of Downtown Events
Programs that bring visitors to the area &
bring the community together
Weekly Email*
Business Conference
Business After Hours*
Promoting Petoskey
Christmas Open House
Spring Open House
Sidewalk Sale Days
Networking*
Outreach
Sense of Community
Informative Publications
Website*
Chamber Support Personnel
Seminars for Businesses
SCORE
Farmers Market
Membership Events*
Entrepreneur Club
Art in the Park
General Community Outreach
Marketing*
Business to Business Connections*
Core Mission
62. If you believe the chamber needs to add or
improve programs, which would be the most
important?
Small Business Conference – make it an all-
day event
Business Retention*
Teaching new technology to members and
how to use technology to increase business
Programs that increase tourism
Programs that improve the downtown
experience
Involvement in finding a solution for the “Big
Hole”
Visiting area businesses – I haven’t seen
anyone in my business from the chamber in
over a year
Cross market training*
Knowledge of other businesses/companies
More educational seminars targeting the
entire community, not just a portion – i.e.
CWIB or Entrepreneur Club
Improve BBH & BAH – they seem more
socially oriented than networking
Incorporate the downtown in events, to
encourage people to visit and shop
The relationship with the and the direction of
the Visitors Bureau is the biggest question
6 to 8 pm for BAH
Fashion Shows
Local Business Contests
Family events might be nice
Festival on the Bay
63. How should the chamber best
communicate with your business?
Email*
Direct Mail*
Announcements at Chamber Events
Phone*
Annual Face-to-Face Meetings
Personal Visit*
Involvement of staff in appropriate committees/events
Love the Weekly Email
Text
Fax
Packets of info at events
Scheduled visits
Quarterly Newsletters
Delivered handouts