Commitment to Our Members

Diversify 2021 Summit and CEO Pledge for Racial Equity
Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work advanced in both big, bold moves and smaller, equally intentional and foundational steps. We proceeded with the philosophy of listening first, then collaborating, and then taking action – together – following the strategic goals established in our annual plan.
Those goals included a quarterly DEI Forum to provide information from national and local experts on the opportunities, challenges, and solutions of economic inclusion. The December DEI Forum included 50 participants and featured Paul Doyle of Inclusion Performance Strategies, who covered strategies for inclusion, organizational best practices and equity impacts and the bottom line. April’s session centered on supplier diversity and featured Ingrid Watkins, CEO and Chief Diversity Strategist, IW Consulting. Watkins, also a former Coca-Cola executive, conducted a one-hour training on supplier diversity.
On May 6, Mayor Tim Kelly joined CEOs and community leaders on the steps of City Hall as the Chattanooga Chamber introduced the CEO Pledge for Racial Equity. CEOs committed to taking action on intentional, equitable, and inclusive strategies in their business operations in order to advance economic opportunity. Now backed by some 85 CEOs, the pledge serves as a commitment by leaders to advance the business case for racial equity and economic inclusion in Chattanooga and Hamilton County.
DEI Forum Viewers
CEOs Signed Pledge for Racial Equity

574
Active Members of Young Professionals of Chattanooga
25
Protégé Chattanooga Graduates
44
Leadership Chattanooga Graduates
20
Average Attendees at 3 ChattaNewbies Events
One of the biggest challenges many non-profit and membership organizations faced was keeping members engaged, connected and moving forward. Our continual outreach included:
- phone calls
- online update meetings
- 4 economic recovery surveys
- virtual Council meetings on relevant topics
- virtual networking meetings
Our work included providing valuable resources for marketing and cost savings. As well, 11 new Executive Circle members invested in our programming highlighting the value and importance of our peer-to-peer networking.
A new benefit, complimentary U.S. Chamber membership became available to all small business members.
We re-envisioned seven Chamber Champion Signature Events to high quality virtual events and held 10 events in one year including two virtual EXPOS.
Members
Representing More Than
Employees

Council Board Members
Volunteer Hours

Virtual Council Meetings
Virtual Member Orientations
Virtual Networking Events
Chamber Champions Continued Investment
The Executive Circle represents the top tier of Chamber support, making it possible for the Chamber to serve member businesses by providing resources for publicity and growth, opportunities to network, exclusive discounts and avenues to get involved with and support the local community.
Click above to check out our executive circle members.