2008 Membership Survey

Be sure to include your contact information. Those who submit a completed survey will be entered to win a night downtown with two tickets to Portland Center Stage and an overnight stay at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront Hotel.
Limit one entry per person.

The information revealed through responses to this questionnaire will be treated as confidential. Individual responses will not be made public or shared with other entities.

Company Name:
Street Address:
Phone:
Company Web site:
Name:
Title:
Email address:

Business Profile

1. How long has your company been a member of the Portland Business Alliance?
(Or the Alliance’s predecessor organizations prior to the July 2002 merger; the Chamber of Commerce or Association for Portland Progress)
Less than one year 1-3 years 4-10 years 10-20 years More than 20 years

2. How long have you personally been involved as a member of the Portland Business Alliance?
(Or the Alliance’s predecessor organizations prior to the July 2002 merger; the Chamber of Commerce or Association for Portland Progress)
Less than one year 1-3 years 4-6 years 7-10 years More than 10 years

3. What is your position in your business?
Owner CEO/President Vice President Manager Marketing/Communications Other

4. What is the total number of FTE (full time equivalent) employees working for your company in the Greater Portland Metropolitan Area?
(Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas & Clark Counties)
Less than 5 5 to 50 50 to 200 Over 200

State of the Economy

5. In recent weeks, the U.S. economy has experienced a serious decline. How is your business being impacted by the state of the economy?
Severely impacted Slightly impacted Not impacted Anticipating an impact

6. What steps are you taking to compensate for the economic decline?
(Mark all that apply to your business)

Decreasing discretionary spending	Cutting discretionary spending
Providing discounts to customers	Freezing hiring
Laying off employees	Shifting marketing strategy
Changing company’s investment strategy

Other

7. The Alliance provides educational programming for its members. To help your business manage the economic impacts, what topics should the Alliance focus on?
Ways to manage spending
Building your customer base in a economic downturn
Crisis communications (internal and external)
Picking the right financial manager
Resources for small businesses
Planning for your company’s future
Other

Environmental Sustainability in Business

8. Has your company received any of the following green awards? If so, which ones?
RecycleWorks
USGBC's LEED Accreditations
Green Seal Certification
City of Portland BEST Award
EPA Energy Star
Other

9. Does your company participate in any of the following programs to help reduce your environmental impact?
Pacific Power’s Blue Sky Business Program
NW Natural’s Smart Energy Program
PGE Green Power Business
Oregon Natural Step Network
US Green Building Council
Metro’s Recycling at Work Program Participant
Other

Membership Events & Programs

10. The Portland Business Alliance sponsors a number of recurring educational and networking programs. Please choose the level of value each event gives to you. If you are not familiar with the program, please choose N/A:

Breakfast Forum	High value Some value Little value No value n/a
Business After Hours	High value Some value Little value No value n/a
Business Leads Exchange	High value Some value Little value No value n/a
Cornerstones for Success	High value Some value Little value No value n/a
Jump-Start Your Membership	High value Some value Little value No value n/a
Pacific Northwest International Trade Associate (PNITA) events	High value Some value Little value No value n/a
ShopTalk Showcase	High value Some value Little value No value n/a

11. The Portland Business Alliance sponsors a number of special events. Please indicate the level of value each event gives to your business. If you are not familiar with the program, please choose N/A:

Annual Meeting Breakfast	High value Some value Little value No value n/a
Business Leadership Evening	High value Some value Little value No value n/a
Chair's Cup	High value Some value Little value No value n/a
Golf Scramble	High value Some value Little value No value n/a
Women's 9-Hold Golf Scramble	High value Some value Little value No value n/a

12. Please indicate how often you attend the following programs:

Breakfast Forum	Regularly attend Occasionally attend Rarely attend Never attend
Business After Hours	Regularly attend Occasionally attend Rarely attend Never attend
Business Leads Exchange	Regularly attend Occasionally attend Rarely attend Never attend
Cornerstones for Success	Regularly attend Occasionally attend Rarely attend Never attend
Jump-Start Your Membership	Regularly attend Occasionally attend Rarely attend Never attend
Pacific Northwest International Trade Associate (PNITA) events	Regularly attend Occasionally attend Rarely attend Never attend
ShopTalk Showcase	Regularly attend Occasionally attend Rarely attend Never attend

13. What recommendations can you make that would improve the value of programs and events for your business?

Committee Involvement

14. In which committees do you participate?

Downtown Services committees:
Central City Committee	Downtown Marketing Initiative
Downtown Retail Council
Public Policy committees:
Government Relations Committee	Education Committee
Transportation Committee	Economic Development Committee
Sustainability Committee	International Trade (PNITA)
Membership committees:
Small Business Council	President's Council
Leadership Portland	Women's Scramble Committee
Golf Scramble Committee
Communications committees:
Communications Committee

15. What are the top three reasons you participate in committees?
Networking
Meeting leaders in the business community
Visibility for my business
Advocacy efforts of the Alliance on behalf of my business
Influence public policy

16. If you don’t regularly participate in Alliance committees, why not? Meetings are held at inconvenient times for my business I do not receive notification of meetings Committees do not address issues my business is concerned with Committee process is not an effective method of advocacy for my business I do not have time to commit to participating on a committee Meetings are too structured and don't offer enough opportunity for member participation

Benefits and Services

17. The Portland Business Alliance provides benefits and services to members. How important are the following Alliance benefits and services to your business?

Visibility: Opportunities for sponsorship, advertising, Member directory listing, events and committee participation
High value Some value Little value No value n/a

Connections: Opportunities for networking with potential customers, business leaders and strategic partners
High value Some value Little value No value n/a

Advocacy: Ensuring that the business perspective is heard in public policy debate through committee work and lobbying efforts on behalf of the business community
High value Some value Little value No value n/a

Education: Providing strategies for doing business, information resource on issues impacting the business environment
High value Some value Little value No value n/a

Savings: Access to promotions and member-to-member discounts on events, products and services to assist your business
High value Some value Little value No value n/a

Civic Opportunity: Ability to have a meaningful impact on the community and the business climate through participation in Portland Business Alliance programs, committees and events
High value Some value Little value No value n/a

Management: Maintaining and improving a vibrant Central City through Downtown Clean & Safe programs, marketing and contract management
High value Some value Little value No value n/a

Other(s) please list:

18. Rate your satisfaction with how the Alliance is delivering these benefits and services:

Visibility: I receive business that justifies my marketing, promotion and sponsorship investment
Strongly satisfied Satisfied Neutral Strongly dissatisfied

Connections: I receive business leads and/or develop strategic relationships through networking events and committee participation
Strongly satisfied Satisfied Neutral Strongly dissatisfied

Advocacy: Progress is made on policy issues that are important to my business
Strongly satisfied Satisfied Neutral Strongly dissatisfied

Education A: Alliance events and programs are a useful resource for information on tips and strategies for my business
Strongly satisfied Satisfied Neutral Strongly dissatisfied

Education B: The Alliance is a useful resource for learning about topical issues that impact my business
Strongly satisfied Satisfied Neutral Strongly dissatisfied

Savings: The discounts offered through membership are valuable to my business
Strongly satisfied Satisfied Neutral Strongly dissatisfied

Civic Responsibility: The Alliance is representative of the greater business community
Strongly satisfied Satisfied Neutral Strongly dissatisfied

Management: The Downtown Clean & Safe program effectively addresses and responds to my downtown cleanliness, safety and livability concerns
Strongly satisfied Satisfied Neutral Strongly dissatisfied

Advocacy

19. The Alliance Government Relations group works on a number of issues that impact business. How important are the following to your business?

Local business taxes. The Alliance successfully advocated for relief for small businesses from the City of Portland’s business license fee, achieving an expansion of the owners’ compensation deduction and gross receipts exemption and laying the groundwork for further reductions during the next five years. The Alliance also successfully advocated for a similar reduction in the county’s business income tax.
Important to my business Important to the business community Not important

Partnership building and economic prosperity. The Alliance works with 15 other business organizations and public leaders on the Regional Business Plan that serves as a roadmap for achieving regional economic prosperity. The plan lays out goals and strategies for improving transportation, land use, education and workforce development and economic development.
Important to my business Important to the business community Not important

Education and Work Force Development. The Alliance is working with area high schools, public agencies and employers to provide more work experiences for students. The Alliance’s BizConnect program matches students with appropriate business experience opportunities.
Important to my business Important to the business community Not important

A strong, vibrant central city. The Alliance focused on areas of key concern downtown, such as urban renewal, recruitment of new retailers, additional security and cleaning, and services for homeless individuals.
Important to my business Important to the business community Not important

Columbia River Crossing. The Alliance successfully advocated for moving this critical project through initial approval stages and is now working with public and private partners to form an advocacy group to support the construction of a new Columbia River Crossing.
Important to my business Important to the business community Not important

Trade. The Pacific Northwest International Trade Association (PNITA) helps to connect businesses to new markets abroad and tracks federal transportation, tax and trade legislation. PNITA hosted eleven events introducing business to trade opportunities in China, South Korea, Japan, Canada and Malaysia, a meeting with US Trade Representative Susan Schwabe and tax and Congressional trade experts.
Important to my business Important to the business community Not important

City and County Spending. The Alliance advocates for efficient and cost effective City and County services, and works works to identify ways to reduce costs in City and County programs.
Important to my business Important to the business community Not important

Law Enforcement Resources. The Alliance works with partners to allocate city and county funding for critical services such as the sobering station and additional jail beds, and advocate for measures that help improve the pedestrian environment in Downtown and the Lloyd District.
Important to my business Important to the business community Not important

Initiative Campaigns and Candidates for Office. The Alliance reviews and provides information regarding the potential impacts of initiatives and referenda, provides a forum to discuss measure campaigns, conducts candidate interviews regarding issues of importance to businesses, and makes endorsements.
Important to my business Important to the business community Not important

20. How are you interested in helping the Alliance advocate for a business perspective at the city, county or state level?
Write letters or send email on issues Call council or legislative leaders Visit regional and state elected officials

21. Would you like to receive alerts and calls to action when an issue is before local or state government?
Yes No

Communications

22. How much do you use the Portland Business Alliance e-Newsletter?
(Please check all that apply):

I read every item	I read about half
I delete it without reading	I print it and read it later
I file a copy for reference	I pass it along to others in my organization
I do not receive the publication	Other:

23. The Portland Business Alliance recently launched an e-magazine called Small Business Connection for it small business members. How much do you use it? (Please check all that apply):

I read every item	I read about half
I file a copy for reference	I pass it along to others in my organization
I do not receive the publication	Other:

24. Does the weekly e-Calendar detailing all of the Alliance events for the upcoming week make you more likely to attend an event?
Definitely Sometimes Unsure Not very often Definitely not

25. How useful do you find the Alliance website?
Very useful Somewhat useful Not very useful Never access it

26. How can we better communicate with you?

27. In which publications have you noticed Alliance advertising and meeting notices? (Check all that apply):

The Oregonian	Portland Tribune
Daily Journal of Commerce	Portland Business Journal
Oregon Business Magazine	Portland Monthly

Distinguishing Portland

The Distinguishing Portland Initiative promotes the value businesses contribute to the community. The initiative has focused on sustainability, community involvement and global vision.

28. Are you familiar with the Distinguishing Portland Initiative? Where did you hear about it?
Alliance newsletters Alliance Web site Annual event I am not familiar with the Distinguishing Portland Initiative Other

If other, please explain

29. If the Alliance developed an electronic tool kit for you to use to inform your employees, clients and customers about how business contributes to the community, would you use it?
Definitely Probably Not sure Probably not Definitely not

Member Satisfaction

30. When it is time to renew your company's membership in the Portland Business Alliance, will you recommend your company renew for another year?
Definitely Probably Not sure Probably not Definitely not

If you are unlikely to recommend renewal, please explain the determining factors:

31. Would you recommend membership to the Portland Business Alliance to other businesses?
Definitely Probably Not sure Probably not Definitely not

If you are unlikely to recommend membership to other businesses, please explain the determining factors:

32. Please identify improvements you would like to see undertaken at the Portland Business Alliance to improve the value of your membership:

Please type the above letters for verification purposes.

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