President Zach Brandon began to lay out his vision for the Chamber at Downtown Rotary in mid-February. During his 30-minute keynote speech he said, “We instinctively believe Superman can fly because that’s what we’ve imagined since childhood. Yet, we assume a man without a cape is falling because we don’t believe humans can fly. Pessimism, like falling, has only one direction. Down.”
Zach continued, ”Imagination allows us to believe in limitless direction and unbound potential. From this belief comes the kind of innovation that allows mere mortals to fly. In order to believe in the potential of Greater Madison, we must first imagine. Imagine the possibilities. Believe in the potential. Innovate for the future.”
Zach went on to describe the Chamber’s role — the importance of not only having a vision but the ability to execute on that vision. 
“With high execution and low vision, you can compete but not lead. Without either, you’re a niche player at best. As a visionary, you can see where you want to go, but you don’t have the ability to get there. The Chamber will lead with a high-level vision and high-level execution. We’ll be the Chamber others want to emulate.”
Zach also said we need to look at economic development differently.
“The net gain of new jobs in the U.S. comes from startups. It’s an ongoing trend, not up for debate, even during a tough economy. The Chamber’s economic development efforts will focus on helping entrepreneurs get started, grow, innovate and stay. We will work to increase investment capital to our region, help expand our markets and increase our export options for all businesses. The Madison region has distinctive businesses and products with an appeal far beyond our borders. We will be aggressive in telling this story.”
Zach pointed to specific numbers in the the Milken Institute’s 2012 list for “Best Performing Cities” where Madison moved from 23 to 71.
“There has been a great deal of handwringing about this report. People declared we were falling. However, the numbers behind the report tell us we outperform world-class innovation cities in high-tech GDP growth over a 5-year period (Madison was 36, San Francisco was 40 and Austin, Texas was 129).
This is a key indicator of growth potential. Our challenge is converting this innovation into new jobs and higher wages. The formula is simple: To grow jobs and wages, we must help companies start, stay and grow. Economic development that is heavily focused on recruitment is a fool’s errand. We cannot and will not build our economy by trolling and border-raiding. We must promote a climate of innovation. Not just innovation in our businesses and the markets they serve, but innovation in healthcare, in our education system, in protecting our natural resources, in building our infrastructure and physical development.
From cutting-edge technology companies to distinctive retail shops taking the internet by storm to imaginative products like macaroni and cheese on a pizza, our businesses are leading the innovation way. As the Chamber reimagines and reinvents our membership offerings, programs and advocacy work, at the forefront we will be helping to create and support this climate of innovation. This is our path forward.”
Zach expanded on the need for an increase in global exports, calling it the bright spot of Wisconsin’s recovering economy.
“Greater Madison has significant unrealized potential. Look at the map. We underperform our in-state peers in global exporting. Closing this disparity is vital because firms new to global exporting increase employment four times faster, have wages 13-18 percent higher and grow 2.4 times quicker than non-exporters.
To grow business – and therefore jobs and wages – we must grow beyond our political and physical borders. For some, that means global expansion. For others, it may mean ventures such as e-commerce, mobile applications or new partnerships. The Chamber will open markets whether it’s overseas or over the Internet. We will provide members with the resources they need to realize their untapped potential in new and exciting markets.”
Zach concludes his vision for the Greater Madison region by outlining the critical role of telling our story.
“Madisonium is a group of active individuals looking for new ideas to improve and promote the tech and web industries in Madison. They are onto something with Madisonium as a brand. I am energized to join their efforts as a newly elected member to their board of directors.
Greater Madison is unique. It is all the rare elements combined that give our region the potential for a global innovation hub. It is the many companies that started with just an idea – a spark – which then ignited market-leading technologies. It is the biotech sector and the cutting-edge research coming out of the University. It is also the lakes, the Capitol, and the bike paths. It is the opportunities and quality of life. We are in the process of building a periodic table outlining these, and many more, unique characteristics.
Whether you were born here, came to school here, were relocated here or ended up here on accident, the rare elements of the Greater Madison region keep you here. To this point, our community has been quietly content to know this secret. The time for quiet is over. The Chamber will aggressively tell our region’s story. To investors. To new partners. To untapped markets and beyond. It’s time the global community knows – and seeks – our rare elements.”
What are the rare elements of the Greater Madison region? Contribute your thoughts or pictures to our periodic table via email, Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter.
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