John Hansen: Area chambers of commerce should consider consolidation
Chambers of commerce in Washtenaw County should consider consolidating services, the interim president of the Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce says.
John Hansen questions whether the county’s seven chambers of commerce are unnecessarily duplicating activities.
“That issue is on the table right now. Perhaps this might be an opportune time to look at different service models,” Hansen said during the chamber’s Impact 2009 policy event.
In an interview later, Hansen declined to offer specific suggestions and said he doesn’t necessarily envision merging chambers. But he said that business groups that deride government’s inefficiency should consider consolidating their own services.
“That doesn’t mean turning it into one” chamber, he said. But "we should set an example, I believe, by sitting down and talk about how we should consolidate.”
Hansen was named interim president of the Ann Arbor Chamber in August after President Jesse Bernstein resigned this summer. The chamber has about 1,250 members.
Hansen's comments come as the chamber is examining its own operations - a process that includes a decision to sublease office space at its downtown location.
Larry Osterling, executive director of the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce, which has about 500 members, said he’s “always willing to listen” to suggestions.
“We obviously look at any of our options,” Osterling said. But “it would be extremely unlikely we would ever consolidate our operations” into one chamber.
Leaders of the chambers of commerce in Ypsilanti, Milan, Dexter and Chelsea could not be reached for comment.
Contact AnnArbor.com’s Nathan Bomey at nathanbomey@annarbor.com or (734) 623-2587. You can also follow him on Twitter.
Comments
westa2
Fri, Oct 2, 2009 : 10:34 p.m.
Maybe we should consolidate all the non-profits, population is decreasing. It seems we have alot of overlap in human services and they all fight for the same dollar. I think the non profits are learning that somebody needs to make a profit first, to fund the non profits - not the other way around.
Outofthebox
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 6:32 p.m.
Let's not forget that this is also the county that has 10 school districts. Consolidate? Never. Much easier to ask for another millage. Efficiency is not in our nature. A great proposal but too many fiefdoms. What Chamber Director will be willing to give up power and position? I am waiting to hear how each Chamber satisfies the unique needs of their "customers, blah, blah, blah. Good luck!
a2huron
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 12:24 p.m.
Because it is such a good idea is the reason it likely will never happen. Same concept for the two convention bureaus in the county. A complete waste to have two separate units with duplicative administrations.
rreidannarbor
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 8:37 a.m.
I think the idea has a lot of merit. Why not create a "Washtenaw Chamber of Commerce" that serves the region at large. The challenge will be that the sub markets within the county will have their own agendas. A more regional approach has more advantages than negatives, especially on issues like regional transportation, consolidating operating costs and aligning regional strategy. I like this idea.
ForWhatItsWorth
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 : 8:18 a.m.
An excellent starting point. As a member of a non Ann Arbor Chamber I have always thought that building profits of Chamber members should be number one. My Chamber has too many non-business agenda items going on and needs to focus on the brick and mortar business needs at hand. What is the next step to move towards consolidation?