Cody Chamber E-Newsletter  * July 20, 2012

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Exec Bits

 

As I have spent time with members the past few weeks, one question that has been asked on more than one occasion is, "If the traffic through the East Gate is up from last year, why am I not seeing more business?"

 

I posed that question to Judy Randall, of Randall Travel Marketing, who was in Park County this week doing a tourism assessment for the Park County Travel Council. Randall has decades of experience working with destinations, and is an authority on travel trends and data.

 

Her response is that while more people are travelling (and national parks are a particularly good value and maintain their popularity even in down times), they are spending less at their destination - especially on shopping and eating out.

 

Obviously every business is unique, and trends aren't "one size fits all", but it unfortunately makes sense that some people say, "I am still taking that vacation, but our budget will be less than it has been in past years, so we'll have to make some sacrifices along the way." Those sacrifices come in the form of less shopping (or buying less expensive items), less eating out (or selecting more modestly priced entrees), and doing fewer activities (choosing between attractions instead of doing multiple activities.)

 

Unfortunately some of our members have seen a drop in spending, and I think this is likely the reason.

 

Still Cody provides good value and an outstanding visitor experience so with good summer traffic and a strong fall season, we'll hopefully buck this trend and see higher visitor spending that is so critical to our economy.

 

One event that won't cost a thing is being offered by Chamber member First Bank of Wyoming. They are presenting a very special concert - the Bellamy Brothers - live in City Park, Sunday, August 5th from 5-6:30 p.m. The concert is part of First Bank's 100-year anniversary celebration.  

 

Speaking of events, our new website has been getting a lot of traffic and one of the most popular pages is our calendar. It's a great community resource! If you haven't had a chance to view it, I encourage you to go here. And, if you have an event that needs to be on there, please send it to Liz Stuard at admin@codychamber.org. We really want to be the hub for community information so members, non-members, residents and visitors have a comprehensive place to find out what is going on here.

 

Finally, I look forward to seeing you at our next Business After Hours, generously hosted by the Holiday Inn and QT's Restaurant. It takes place next Wednesday (July 25) from 5-7 p.m. and the theme is Christmas in July.  

 

Thanks for being a Cody Chamber member!

 

Scott Balyo 

Executive Director 

exec@codychamber.org

2012 Cody Chamber
 Board of Directors

Mike Darby
President
 Buffalo Bill's Antler Inn
*Rendezvous Royale
*Cody Stampede


Joe Kondelis
Vice President
Tanager Beverages

 

Rita Conners 
Secretary
Big Horn Radio Network
*Cody Marketing Council

 

Derek Moore
Treasurer
First Bank of Wyoming 

 

Lee Haines
Wyoming PBS
 
Garrett Growney
Pinnacle Bank
*Cody Marketing Council
*Outdoor Recreation Initative
 
Nancy Tia Brown
Mayor, City of Cody
 
Bob Brown
Big Horn Galleries
*Buffalo Bill Art Show
 
Marc Thompson
Thompson Law, LLC
*Cody Stampede
 
Bev Richard
Coldwell Bankers Antler Realty
*Cody Marketing Council
 

James Klessens
Forward Cody

 
Sue Diehl
Chamberlin Inn
*Buffalo Bill Art Show
 
Wes Allen
Sunlight Sports

 

Luke Anderson

Wyoming Financial Insurance

*Ambassadors

 

Tom Wilder
Eastgate Liquors

Greg Pendley
Cody Trolley Tours
*Cody Marketing Council

*Committee's
Upcoming Events
 
July 23
Shakespeare in the Park -
"Twelfth Night," 6:30pm
Washington Park, Powell, WY

July 24
Shakespeare in the Park -
"Hamlet," 6:30pm
Camal Park, Cody, WY

Park County Fair starts in Powell, WY and runs through the week.

July 25
Business After Hours at the Holiday Inn, 5:00pm - 7:00pm

July 26
Farmers Market at Park County Complex, 4:30pm - 6:30pm
 
Concerts in the Park - Special Concensus, 6:00pm - 8:00pm, City Park
Upcoming Cody Club
Presentations
 
August 6
Jenni Rosencranse, One Cent Infrastructure Tax

Cody Club switches to one lunch a month through September! 
Watch your e-mail for further Cody Club Announcements!

Help us help you!


If you display brochures or business cards in the Visitor Center, please make sure to drop off a large supply to us for the busy summer season!

Visitor Center Hours

Through September 30th, the Visitor Center is open as follows:

 

Monday - Friday

8:00 am to 6:00pm

 

Saturday

9:00 am to 5:00pm

 

Sunday

10:00 am to 3:00pm

We're here to help you!
 
Find us on Facebook             Follow us on Twitter

 

Feel free to contact us
with any questions at: 
307- 587- 2777

Welcome Our Newest Members!

 

2nd Hand Rose

This quality consignment store features gently used womens clothing, accessories & furniture.  Open Monday - Saturday, 10am to 6pm.  Located in the Eastgate Shopping Center at 1819 17th Street.  Call 307-586-3770 to set up a consignment appointment today!

 

B.W. Insurance

Offering both business and personal insurance, B.W. Insurance can help you find the right insurance for your budget and needs.  Office located at 1130 Sheridan Avenue. (307) 587-3466
http://www.bwinsuranceagency.com/bwia.html

 

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Business After Hours!

 

Wednesday, July 25 - The Holiday Inn and QT's Restaurant cordially invite you to Christmas in July!

 

Libations, Hors d' Oeuvres and Prizes!


5:00pm - 7:00pm

1701 Sheridan Avenue

 

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Thank you to our renewing members!
 

Wigwam Motel
 

Wyoming Lifestyle Magazine
 

Mountain Valley Artistry
 

Adrianos Italian Restaurant

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Tackling taxes, regulation and debt to help businesses find faith in the future.

 

     Congress needs to provide more certainty for America's job creators. The key is addressing three of the biggest issues that have impeded job growth: the uncertainty of the national debt, a complex and outdated tax system, and burdensome regulations. We can create an environment for entrepreneurs and job creators that will carry America forward for decades to come.

     Reducing our national debt has to be a national priority. By cutting spending and paying down our debts, we send a clear signal to small business owners and investors alike: America is open for business. If we don't act, every dollar the federal government spends will go to paying the interest on the national debt, instead of lowering taxes on businesses or investing in our future. The simplest way forward is my Penny Plan. By cutting a single penny from every dollar the government spends every year for five years we can balance the budget.

     There is a strong bipartisan consensus for reforming America's tax code: lower the rates and broaden the base. Freeing our businesses from a complex and restrictive tax code ensures that America can compete with any of its foreign competitors and will help new businesses startup and grow all across the country. Raising taxes on those who create America's jobs would only impede our economic recovery.  The current Administration's efforts to convince voters that those who are successful in the private sector somehow aren't doing their fair share and need to be punished certainly isn't helping either.

     The red tape imposed on every sector of our economy grows each year; forcing businesses to spend precious resources trying to decipher new complex rules instead of putting those efforts into new products or hiring more workers. Whether you're a coal miner in Gillette, or a rancher in Torrington, you should not have to worry about whether Washington is going to put your job or trade in its crosshairs. There are reasons for some regulations, and those should be considered with every business and worker in mind. If it makes a business' job harder, more costly, or more dependent on lawyers to understand it, it probably shouldn't be considered. That's something all of my colleagues should appreciate. Though, it's easier to understand if you've actually worked in a private sector business.     

     At the end of the day what we can do is more important than what we cannot do. If we use my 80 percent rule, we can find agreement on 80 percent of any issue and move forward with it in a bipartisan way. It's in the best interest of our country that both parties work together and create an environment of certainty for our job creators. Cutting spending, reforming our tax code, and cutting red tape may seem like a daunting task, but by focusing on what we can do and doing it one step at a time, we can get it done.  

 

U.S. Senator Mike Enzi

 

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