Feature
Something Worth Celebrating: 2023 EACC Annual Report
article by Samantha Roberts | Director of Marketing and Communications, Eugene Chamber of Commerce
Your chamber. Your Voice. Our Mission.
The Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the economic development arm of the organization, Onward Eugene, are here to advocate for your business’s success. Through our programs, knowledgeable staff, strong strategic efforts and advocacy, and economic development partnerships, our mission is to support a thriving business community of engaged individuals living happy, healthy lives. Read on to review our efforts in 2023 and what’s up our sleeves for 2024.
From January 1 to December 31, the Eugene Chamber and Onward Eugene settled into the word “Connection”. Our first year back entirely in person, 2023 provided us ample opportunity to gather our community, support local events, bolster innovation and local business, and grow livability in our region. From internal operations and staffing to community programs and policy-making, our annual report showcases everything we accomplished and supported over the year. This report highlights our collective initiatives and emphasizes the power of collaboration in driving economic prosperity and community well-being.
In 2023, we:
- Served nearly 5,000 attendees throughout our over 320 events in 2023;
- Supported sector strategy for childcare, seeing over 50 applicants for the Early ChildCare Business Accelerator program;
- Elevated Female Founders with our first-ever Women’s Pitch Competition and over $17k invested in female-founded businesses;
- Convened local partners to do something about homelessness, housing, and public safety which involved our local business community;
- Championed growth and innovation at the state legislature and economic development in our region;
- Celebrated community leaders making a difference in the Emerald Valley;
- Upped our strategic planning efforts with the implementation of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS);
- Did this all while running a financially sound organization, being good stewards of our resources and expenses to support our members and programs!
Thank you to our sponsors, program sponsors, community partners, and volunteers for helping make this year great success.
We look forward to all that 2024 brings as we build on the momentum of 2023. We can’t wait to show you what’s up our sleeves as we dig in deep to cultivate opportunity, growth, and innovation in our region.
