Message From Your Executive Director
Greetings!
Happy and Healthy New Year to All! What a year it has been! We even have a new look!!!
We've accomplished so much and reached our 2008 goals:
1. Hired an executive director,
2. Developed and initiated a marketing plan, and
3. Rolled out our new redesigned web site.
We participated along with our member companies at the Big E in Agawam, MA and at the Boston Snowsports Show in Boston handing out over 1200 Okemo Valley Regional Guides.
Our ads in the;
a) Okemo Magazine directing people to our new website,
b) Ludlow area map listing all the Okemo Valley events, and
c) 2009 Vermont Vacation Guide- inside front and back covers has given our Okemo Valley great visibility!
We have 6 new board of director members and new committee members.
Our goals for 2009 are to:
1. Develop a 3-5 year strategic marketing plan, and
2, Develop policies and procedures.
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Upcoming Events
Please go to our website for a complete list of events
www.YourPlaceInVermont.com
January 10 &11, 2009 2pm Hansel & Gretel, Weston Playhouse 824-8167
January 11, 2009 6pm Christopher's benefit
228-7822
January 14, 2009 5:30p Chamber Mixer at Newsbank Conference Center in Chester
January 16-19, 2009 Adventure Yoga Retreat and Snowboarding: Good Commons, Plymouth 672-1859
January 17, 2009 Okemo Fireworks
228-1600
January 24, 2009 7:30pm Green Mountain Festival Series Burlington Taiko Drummers, Chester 875-4473
January 30 - February 1st "Vikings of Ludlow"
Ludlow Winter Carnival 228-5830
February 14 & 15 Chester
Winter Carnival 875-2626
February 15th Okemo
Torchlight Parade & Fireworks 228-1600
February 28th 7:30pm Chester Green Mountain Festival Series - Chris Smither 875-4473
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Annual Meeting Follow Up
Christiane Skinner, Tourism Specialist, North American Market for the State of Vermont was our speaker at our Annual Meeting. She visited our seven communities that day before speaking to us that evening. She now has a better knowledge of the Okemo Valley. We learned about the VermontVacation.com website which averages 88,000 unique visitors per month; average of 1,700,000 page views per month (2008). She told us how to add your business for free to the Travel Planner. You can also list packages with one of five marketing themes: Agriculture; Arts & Culture; Nature Recreation; Vermont Made Products and Outdoor Recreation.
More than half million consumers and travel agents view this site every year. Please use this service for free. Call 802-828-5905 for Christiane's help.
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Welcome New Members
WillowDraws - Plymouth
Taylor Lauren - Ludlow
The Good Bus - Plymouth
Mountain Man - Chester
Crocker Builders - Chester
New Horizons Chiropractic - Chester
Vermont Community Media - Rutland
We've reached 302 Members!!!!!
If you are happy with your Chamber and the direction we are heading, please invite other business owners to join us.
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News From Our Members
Bill and Andy Lezzer, Ludlow residents, lost their home and all their possessions in a fire on December 12th. Christopher's is hosting a benefit for them on Sunday, January 11th from 6pm till midnight. Christopher's will be supplying the food and a few performers have generously donated their time to entertain all who attend. There will be a $10.00 door charge and raffle tickets will be sold. All proceeds from the door and raffle will be donated to Bill and Andy. Any local merchants may call Susan at 228-7822 to offer items for the raffle. All donations will be gratefully received.
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Monthly Chamber Mixers
Join us for our Chamber Mixers on the 2nd Wednesday of each month.
This event provides the opportunity for sharing business ideas, networking, showcasing your product, and developing a strong community connection. Food is provided and it is also a rare opportunity for hardworking business people to relax. We re-instituted a 50/50 raffle as well as door prizes. You must be present to win. Contact our office if you want to donate door prizes.
January 14, 2009 5:30p-7:30p
Newsbank Conference Center, Chester
We are combining this months mixer with our education series. Vermont Community Media's Rob Mitchell will speak on Successful Multimedia Advertising Strategies. Learn how to use the many new options in today's advertising world with out-of-the mainstream platforms and strategies. Not just another print/radio/tv presentation, we'll show you how a little creativity and some research can go a long way.
Please RSVP to Barb Westin 802-875-2397
Feel free to bring a door prize. Just let me know.
Want to host our February mixer? Please call the office.
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About Our Organization
Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce is a Not For Profit, Member-driven organization dedicated to the support and growth of our seven valley business communities: Andover, Cavendish, Chester, Ludlow, Mount Holly, Plymouth and Weston. Support and education of our members, combined with a unified marketing effort, will provide for the promotion and enhancement of our regional businesses and four-season economy. Our Chamber provides the following member benefits to our members: Health Insurance provided by Cigna, Dental Insurance provided by Delta Dental, free listing on our website, listing in our regional guidebook, free placement of your business brochures in our welcome centers, monthly chamber mixers, educational programs, member to member (M2M) benefit program throughout the Okemo Valley, and referrals. Visit our website www.YourPlaceInVermont.com for a complete list of member benefits or contact the Chamber office for any additional information.
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www.YourPlaceInVermont.com
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Member Spotlight  - WillowDraws.com
Willow Bascom is a new Chamber member located in the village of Plymouth. Her company is named WillowDraws and she has a fascinating story. I urge you to call her.
You have received our Holiday Calendar if you have paid your 2009 dues. We want to thank Willow for her creative design and donation.
She has also challenged other artists to do next years card for the Chamber.
WillowDraws
Willow Bascom
741 Lynds Hill Road
Plymouth, VT 05056
802-672-5390 phone
willowbascom@gmail.com
www.willowdraws.com
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2009 Board of Directors
Directors. L/R front row;
Sheldon Ghetler, Stone Hearth Inn, Chester (New Director)
Linda Aldrich, Inn at Weston, Weston (Returning Director)
Lynne Reed, Misty Valley Books, Chester (Returning Director)
Barbara LeMire, Chittenden Bank, Ludlow (New Director)
Tesha Buss, Good Commons, Plymouth (New Director)
2nd Row
Marji Graf, Executive Director
Rob Hodgkins, Group Sales, Okemo Mtn Resort (Returning Director)
Bill Dakin, Dakin & Benelli, Chester (Returning Director)
Annie Fufii, Village Green Gallery, Weston (New Director)
Ken Saccardo, Spring River Enterprise, Ludlow (Returning Director)
Laura Tuttle, Okemo Shopping Service, Ludlow (New Director)
John Smart, Giggs Antiques, Cavendish (Returning Director)
Not in Photo;
Terri Fuller, Coldwell Bankers, Watson Realty, Ludlow, (Returning Director)
Jim Kubec , The Governors Inn, Ludlow (Returning Director)
Laurie Marechaux, Fletcher Farm School. Ludlow (New Director)
David Norton, Cavendish Canine Camp, Cavendish (Returning Director)
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