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The Atlanta-based American-Israel Business Connector, known as Conexx, is building out its paid service offerings as the 30-year-old organization aims to supplement revenues dented during the pandemic.
Conexx has engaged Richard Brooks, a Canadian consultant with expertise in economic development and nonprofit management, to further build out fee-for-service programs that have already begun to help the organization capitalize on the introductions and partnerships it fosters.
Conexx started in the early 1990s as the American-Israel Chamber of Commerce Southeast, surviving on the traditional fundraising models of the day, then rebranding in 2014.
But Conexx Vice President Barry Swartz told Global Atlanta said organization was rarely compensated for the value it created in the community. It helped set up trade missions and foster opportunities that at times resulted in multimillion-dollar acquisitions and major investments between Israel and the Southeast U.S.
“It was created to be that gateway, a bridge between the United States and Israel, and therefore that’s how we approached the work,” he said. The board believed Conexx could no longer thrive simply as a “do-gooder” organization, he added.
“I don’t have to tell you that nonprofits in 2021 are having a difficult time,” Mr. Swartz said. “The model of membership, sponsorship and charity is being challenged, and therefore we’re being challenged and we have to find new ways of growing our business.”
Mr. Swartz will work collaboratively to uncover new opportunities with Mr. Brooks, whose 20-plus years of experience includes a stint as head of the Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce in Ontario, Canada. He also holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business at York University and an honors bachelor of environmental engineering from the University of Guelph.
One goal of the new initiative is to get members more engaged in the cross-border projects that Conexx is working on; another is to help the more than 160 Israeli companies now in the Southeast better network with one another.
“Now, more than ever the want to talk to each other,” Mr. Swartz said, noting that membership, events and more will still be part of the organization’s revenue equation. “It’s an addition, not a subtraction.”
Conexx board chair Randall Foster welcomed the engagement with Mr. Brooks at this crucial time, as the pandemic seems to be on the retreat in the United States and trade missions and investment scouting trips are starting up with more regularity.
“As we emerge from the restrictions of the COVID pandemic and continue to restructure Conexx for the 21st century, Richard Brooks is a great asset for this critical time,” said Mr. Foster in a statement. “His extensive multicultural, international and entrepreneurial experience, and his business development skills will help Conexx strengthen channels of partnerships, develop strategic alliances and expand our growth and presence, while delivering on our mission of connecting Americans and Israelis through business.”
Mr. Brooks said in a news release that he’s looking forward to building on the organization’s legacy.
“I welcome this challenge and know I’m joining a talented team at Conexx, which has a celebrated history of success in building business relationships between Israel and the Southeast for more than 30 years.”
Learn more at www.conexx.org.
The Pendleton Group is the presenting sponsor of Global Atlanta's Economic Development Channel. Subscribe here for monthly Economic Development newsletters.