August, 2010 - Vol 1, Issue 1 |
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For first time visitors to our monthly luncheon, lunch is on us! Simply contact us in advance. If you would like to donate a prize for the next MCBA event, let us know! You can reach the MCBA at: info@millcreekbiz.com. |
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Board of Directors
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PresidentVice-PresidentTreasurerSecretaryPast PresidentMembers at Large
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Business tip of the month
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Beth in the info booth at the 2010 Mill Creek Festival  | " Times
might be tough but remain upbeat and in a positive state of mind. There is no
better way to become successful than to let your customers perceive that
you are confident and thriving."
~ Beth Piasecki, MCBA President |
| Advertisement (.pdf downloads) |
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New marketing opportunities with the MCBA newsletter |
We are please to present a brand new MCBA newsletter which you can look forward to receiving once a month. The newsletter features business tips, local events, a bit of fun, and most important, information about our member businesses. Now that we have the new newsletter up and published, we would like to tell you about
some of the business-to-business marketing opportunities this new
communications tool will afford our members. Download the advertising rates flyer (60K .pdf), which includes multiple options:
- You can run
a Full Banner ad, 468 x 60 pixels, in the newsletter for $50/mo. Opt to commit for the next 12
months and the rate is cut in half to $25/mo ($300/yr).
- Wide Skyscraper ad, 160 x 600, is $75/mo ($450/yr).
- Rectangle ad, 180 x 150, is $50/mo ($300/yr).
- Half Banner ad, 234 x 60, is $25/mo (150/yr).
OR...
- Give us a pdf of your 8.5 x 11 flyer and we will make it downloadable for $25/mo ($150/yr) via a 88 x 31 pixel Micro Bar ad.
We also want to hear about what is new with your
business. Have you opened another location? Remodeled? Added a new line of
products or services? Let us know. E-mail Theresa Poalucci at mcba@journalmediagroup.com with
your press release or information. The information must be business news. If
you want to advertise a special, please look at the rate card to purchase
advertising for the newsletter. (Plus, don't forget, once you create your profile at MillCreekBiz.com you can always submit your business news to the homepage there as well.)
You'll also notice a "What's happening around town" section at the bottom of the newsletter. If you know about a special event that would be of
interest to our members, please feel free to share that as well. If you have questions about the newsletter or a
suggestion, give Theresa a call at (425) 775-2400.
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Salmon and sun at the Annual MCBA BBQ
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Chris Lindstrom emcees the summer BBQ.  |
Each
year, the Mill Creek Business Association hosts a summer barbecue in the grassy
field behind town hall. The location is perfect, as the association
invites Mill Creek city employees each year to thank them for their efforts on
behalf of the business community. The mayor pro tem, city council members, the
chief of police and city manager were among the many city employees that chowed
down on barbecued salmon, burgers and hot dogs.
Chris
Lindstrom from Ceptara, a member of the association, had emcee duties and
took the opportunity to thank all the festival directors for this year's
successful event and their hard work. Door prizes were donated by a number of
member businesses as well, and five lucky winners took home more than they came
with.
The
event is free to all members and to Mill Creek City workers.
Thanks
to Bruce McCleod, the association's networking chair, for assisting in
organizing this event, along with Kevin and Rosemary at the BBQ, and all those
who brought salads and scrumptious desserts.
(Download the kind thank you letter from City Manager Tim Burns (71K .pdf))
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New membership levels and sponsorship opportunities! |
 The MCBA board is introducing a new membership application, effective immediately, that provides more than the basic membership level. Members can now opt to step up as "Lunch or After-Hours Sponsors," or choose one of four Associate Champion Sponsorships designated as "Silver," "Gold," Platinum," or "Festival Title". Each of these levels of support come with a detailed list of the benefits associated with them. As a member/sponsor of the MCBA, you strengthen your company's competitive edge by increasing its visibility and credibility as you support events that interest the community that you do business in. Proven effective, business sponsorship is the fastest growing form of marketing in the United States.
Sponsorship differentiates your company from competitors by highlighting your community partnership. It shows civic pride and responsibility while strengthening relationships with existing and potential customers, showcasing your services and products, and building brand familiarity for your company.
By aligning your company with specific events, such as the annual Mill Creek Festival, you make use of an effective marketing tool that accesses a wide range of audiences, including decision makers in business, government entities and customers.
Sponsorship that involves hospitality is especially effective, given the advantage of exclusive networking opportunities like Chamber networking breakfasts and lunches, as well as after-hours events. The MCBA board hopes you consider these new levels of commitment with your business association for 2011. This is now also the new membership application for the rest of 2010. Download the MCBA Membership Application and Benefits (83K .pdf).
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The lighter side of business
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"My boy decided to go into business on a shoestring," said George. "He's tripled his investment, but he's still not satisfied, can you believe it?"
"Why not?" asked his friend.
"He can't think of anything to do with three shoestrings."
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Advertisement
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| Mill Creek Festival draws a big crowd |
A new
location, our first ever title sponsor, and a revamp of the Pet Plaza - it seemed there was a lot of "new" for the committee to
consider as the days drew close to festival weekend. Approximately 20,000
visitors later, the reviews were in and they were positive!Crowds visit the various commercial booths.  | "I
really like the layout this year," said one of the commercial vendors.
"With everything so together, we are getting more visitors at our booth
than we ever have." "Great
location for the main stage this year," commented a mom with kids in tow.
"We came specifically to hear the Beatles tribute band and we liked being
able to sit on the lawn in the shade." "The
space for dancing in the beer garden was great," said a visitor with this
pooch in tow. "I think it is great that this festival is so pet
friendly." "We
could not have been happier with the input we received this year," said
Festival Chair Kevin Giboney. Greg Harris of Journal Media Group and kids.  | The
sponsors were also pleased with the location and layout for 2010. Our title
sponsors, Providence Medical Center and Providence Physician Group, were placed
in the center of the event and were very happy with the traffic.
"Without the more than $60,000 the MCBA receives in sponsorship, this
event would not be possible," said past Festival Director Theresa
Poalucci. "It is important that we are able to provide value for
our sponsors so that we can offer a quality event to our visitors - an event
that showcases the great businesses based in this area, as well
as our attractive city."
As
in past years, the city reported that they were happy with the event, which they sponsored and coordinated with committee members. "It is
always a pleasure to work with our city officials, who are behind the festival
and provide great assistance," said Operations Director Jim MacMillan. "I
was so proud of all our festival directors and volunteers," said Giboney.
"This group is like a well oiled machine, and the new location actually
made load-in easier." Members of Gold Creek Church perform on the Community Stage.  | Special
kudos go to some of the newer committee members, who took on their tasks with
great enthusiasm and some fresh new ideas. New directors this year included
Sponsorship Co-Directors Marry Burris and Meridee Senick; Food
Co-Directors Bob Meyer and David Bal; Beer Garden Directors Hillary
Czarnecki and Patricia Downing; Pet Plaza Co-Directors Larry Landin and
Trina Eddy; Community Stage Co-Directors Andra Duerr and Debra Galteland; and Signage Director Rani Bal. Some of the past festival directors
added co-directors, so they could have the opportunity to mentor - a special
thanks goes out to Sally Dagna and Leslie Davis. Rounding out the core
team was Website Director Thad Hoover, Festival Program Director Greg
Harris, Marketing Co-Directors Jody Bossert and Theresa Poalucci,
VIP Party Co-Directors Rosemary Bennetts and Bridget Barrington, Volunteer
Director Jeanette Southworth, Traffic-Parking-Shuttle Director Chris
Mayfield, Onsite Logistics Director Jim MacMillan, Graphics Director
Casey Auve, Procurement Director Chris Fotos, Nonprofit Director Bill
McElroy, and Treasurer Bill Temple. Handling over 100 commercial booth vendors was MCBA Secretary Sue McNeely, whose husband, Dan McNeely, owns and operates North
Creek Roofing, a major sponsor of the event. Heather Taylor, who has organized
the Kids Korner for the past several years continued to do
so and had more booths associated with family and children's
activities than ever before. The number of booths at this year's
event exceeded 200!
The
festival committee will now take a much needed rest, but will be up and running
again in October. "If
you really want to get involved with the MCBA, meet members and network, then
volunteering to help with the festival is a great way to accomplish this,"
concluded Poalucci. "I have made so many good friends working on this
project, as well as great connections in the community. Watch subsequent
newsletters for more information about the first meeting for 2011." |
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What's happening around town
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ONGOING:
Art Show of People and Their Animals. Daily, Paddywack on Main Street. One of a kind pastel portraits by David R. Akerson display. Free to the public. For more information, visit www.paddywack.net.
AUGUST:
20 - Friday Night Gaming for Teens. 7-9pm, free, Sno-Isle
Library, Mill Creek Branch, 15429 Bothell-Everett Hwy. Come play your
favorite games with friends, including Wii, Rock Band, board games and
card games. Pizza will be provided.
For more information, visit www.sno-isle.org.
21 - Author Visit. 10am, University Bookstore on Main Street, Casspar Babypants will play songs for the toddler set, Free, but a representative of Childhaven.org will be on hand to accept donations, For more information visit www.bookstore.washington.edu.
24 - Release Party with Games and Refreshments. 12pm to 6pm, University Bookstore on Main Street. Release party for Mockingjay, the final book in the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. Free to the public. For more information, visit www.bookstore.washington.edu.
26 - Summer Concert Series at Mill Creek Town Center. 6pm to 8pm, The Forum in Town Center Creekside Village. Concert with Gold Rush. Free to the public. For more information, visit www.millcreektowncenter.biz. SEPTEMBER:
6 (Labor Day) - Adult and Child CPR Training. 6:30pm, Fire District 7 Headquarters, 8010 180th St. S.E., Snohomish, Free to the public. This class is offered the first Monday of every month. For more information, visit www.firedistrict7.com. 7 - City Council Meeting. 6pm, Mill Creek City Hall. The public is welcome. For more information visit, www.cityofmillcreek.com. 8 - First Day of School. For more information, visit www.everett.k12.wa.us 14 - City Council Meeting. 6pm, Mill Creek City Hall. The public is welcome. For more information, visit www.cityofmillcreek.com. 14 - Great Garden Award Program. 6pm, Mill Creek City Hall (during the City Council Meeting). The public is welcome. Winners will be announced.
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