Envisioning the Best: Kemp Auto Museum strategically plans to reach its goals

Client Organization
Kemp Auto Museum and the Kemp Auto Foundation’s mission is to display significant automobiles that truly represent the world of motorized transportation. In addition to a permanent collection of vehicles, the scope of the Museum includes a variety of special events, charity fundraisers and educational seminars.

Client Objective
Kemp sought to engage community leaders to help design its future and position the Museum to become the best possible asset it can be for the St. Louis region.

Unique Challenge
As a fairly new entity, the Kemp Auto Foundation is not yet well known. Although a top-quality museum with exceptional growth potential, it has a limited financial base and a small staff.

What We Did
Paradigm Shift Studio facilitated a strategic visioning workshop for a group of 32 community leaders – many of whom had never been to the museum – as well as board members, volunteers and staff. The participants gathered to envision the best possible future for the Kemp Auto Museum and determine how to best partner with the St. Louis region.
Paradigm Shift Studio also researched and benchmarked the Kemp Auto Museum against other successful museums, identified potential areas for growth, and identified key strategic partners the museum should engage to reach its goal.

Outcomes
As a result of the Paradigm Shift Studio program:

• The Museum received great exposure, and participants learned how they could rent the museum for special events;
• Leaders from across the region are now engaged and making commitments to help the Kemp Auto Museum reach the next level of success;
• Many participants from the visioning session have agreed to serve on the Advisory Board;
• A new educational program is being developed for a January 2007 launch;
• A new “traveling guest exhibit” is being developed – bringing in cars from across the United States and expanding the Museum’s appeal.