| Welcome to Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce
Greetings!
Congratulations to our first 7 certified Okemo Valley Ambassadors:
Doug Ficken - Clearlake Furniture
Dan Cote - Inn Victoria
Bill Graf - Jackson Gore Inn
Sheldon Ghetler - Stone Hearth Inn
Ann Curran - Stone Cottage Collectables B & B
Chris Curran - Stone Cottage Collectables B & B
Sharon Bixby - Ludlow Insurance
I encourage everyone to take the online tests (whether you want a sign for your business or not). You'll gain knowledge of the area and will earn a Ambassador pin. Email lynda.unwin@state.vt.us for your login and password.
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Besides our new Summer Regional Guidebook and new website capabilities, we have been proceeding making Route 100 a byway. A byway is a National program, which started as a grass-roots collaborative effort established to help recognize; preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the United States. There are currently 6 byways in the State of Vermont. The program is about recognition, not regulation. Our council consists of 2 members from Weston, 2 from Ludlow and 2 from Plymouth. We've also invited Killington and Londonderry to continue the Route to the north and south of us. We've spoken at select board meetings and are receiving letters of support for this project. If you would like more information regarding this National program, please contact Marji.
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The Weston Playhouse has opened their doors to Chamber members on June 30 to see 39 Steps. Please call the Chamber to reserve your seat. Member benefit: $25 tickets instead of $39 or more!!!
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Thank you to Melissa Bushey of PJ Bushey Landscaping for donating 2 hanging plants to the Chamber office in Ludlow and thank you John & Maureen McAveeney of Sunshine Acres Garden Center for donating plants to the Chamber booth in Chester.
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Be sure to watch Okemo Valley, Your Place in Vermont show on lpctv.org this month. We talk about leadership training and you'll see footage of our May 12 mixer with Collette Tours. Need to know asap if you are interested in the Tuscany trip.
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We have scheduled a Display at the Guilford Welcome Center for the month of July - the most heavily traveled month. Please call Sandy if you would like an item displayed from your business.
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SAVE
THE DATE: Our Chamber Golf Tournament is scheduled for
Wednesday, September 15th at 1p. Call Mary Knight 228-2260.
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Be sure to print Chamber Mixer schedule and Special Programs below.
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Please check your enhanced listings, category pages, banner ads and videos on our website: Your Place In Vermont for accuracy.
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Chamber Mixers & Special Programs
Join us for our monthly Chamber Mixers on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Please mark your calendars NOW!
Special Programs in June:
June 9th - Efficiency Vermont panel discussion Cornerstone Room at Jackson Gore Inn-Ludlow 5:30p-7:30pm
June 22 - Leadership training with Guy Payne at The Killarney - Ludlow 8-10am
All Mixers are from 5:30-7:30pm
July 14 - Social Media mixer at Good Commons
How to facebook, twitter - bring your laptops
August 11 - President Calvin Coolidge Museum and Education Center in Plymouth Notch
September 8 - Bryant House in Weston
September 15 - OVRCC Golf Tournament - Okemo Valley Golf Course - 1pm shot gun start
September 22 - Business Showcase at Fletcher Farm School for the Arts & Crafts. Call the Chamber office to reserve your booth space. Now accepting spaces. $99 table and can be shared.
September 23 & 24 - Big E in Springfield, MA
October 13 - Stone Hearth Inn & Tavern, Chester
November 10 - Okemo Mountain Resort - date not confirmed yet
December 8 - Annual Meeting at The Fullerton Inn in Chester
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Congratulations!
Christiane
Skinner has been chosen by the Department of Tourism and Marketing to
be honored as an Outstanding State Employee during Public Service
Recognition Week. She attended
a special ceremony to receive her award along with another 7
individuals and some teams.
Those of us who know her and love her say "it's well deserved". We thank her for all she does for us in the Okemo Valley!!
Update from Christiane:
The State will be promoting
Midweek packages this summer.
Lodging can do the following: either "Stay
3 nights, get the 4th free" or Stay 2 nights, get a basket of local
cheese for Free **
** Usually in a package, you would be
adding the cost of the additional item to the cost of the lodging, for
the Midweek Specials, it must be free.
During Midweek Promotion, you
can offer NON-LODGING specials.
Example: Restaurants can offer a free
desert with the purchase of an entrée (or something like that).
Stores can give a 20 percent discount
Recreation
facilities: Get a 1 ½ hour horseback riding for the cost of 1 hour.
Attractions? Discount coupons.
All of these non-lodging
special can ask people to print "this page" and present on the day of
their visit.
In the past, some attractions, have refer
them to their own website to print the coupon.
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Big E
Marj
has blocked space at the tourism counter for Thursday Sep 23rd 3pm to
9pm and all day Sep 24th. Contact her if you wish to be scheduled for
these time slots. If you wish,
you can also come early on the 23rd and work the first shift too 9am to
3pm.
If these dates do not work for you, contact me to get scheduled
at another time.
Christiane Skinner
Tourism Specialist -
North American Market
State of Vermont Dept of Tourism
ph (802)
828 5905
www.VermontVacation.com
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Congratulations to Okemo Mountain Resort who WON the Governor's Award for Outstanding Workplace Safety! This is the highest honor given by the State of Vermont to recognize an employer's commitment to excellence in Safety.
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Upcoming Events:
6/5 Frost Hill Farm Peony Nursery Opens for a Limited Season
6/5 Opening Day at Black River Academy Museum
6/7 Blood Drive at the Ludlow Baptist Church 12:30-5:30pm.
6/9 Chamber program - Efficiency Vermont panel discussion 5:30-7:30pm Jackson Gore Inn - Cornerstone Room
6/11 Music of the 80's by DJ Sharon at Green Mountain Banquet & Conference Center
6/11 Chester Rotary Pancake breakfast
6/12 Sandra Wright tribute 1p Jackson Gore Inn
6/18 Jackson Gore Music Series: Dr Burma
6/19 & 20 Draft Horse Days at Billings Farm & Museum
6/19 Summer Solstice Farm Celebration at WAAWWE Family Farm market
6/19 Wet and Wild Watercolor Class - Chasse Fine Art Gallery
6/22 Leadership Training 8-10am The Killarney-Ludlow
6/25 Jackson Gore Music Series: Twiddle
626 Jackson Gore Music Series: The Flip Flop Festival with J-San and the Analogue Sons opening for Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad
6/26 The Little Big June Wedding at Hugging Bear Inn & Shoppe
6/26 Natural Horsemanship Clinic at Horse Partners
6/30 Chamber night of Weston Playhouse -39 Steps
Please view our website for a complete list of events and times.
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Membership Committee News
The membership committee met on May 28. We discussed a membership survey to see how our businesses in the Okemo Valley have done first quarter 2010 vs. first quarter 2009. Please watch for the survey next week from Constant Contact and respond promptly. Thank you.
*Don't forget to refer a new member to the Chamber to get your FREE 6-month banner ad!
* You can SAVE hundreds of dollars by using your M2M benefit card at local Okemo Valley businesses!
For example: RE: May Member Benefit from HB
Fuels:
"Thanks for passing this along. All by itself it pays
for our annual dues...We saved over $450.00!! One
thing that could have been clearer in the primary message is that the
discount is not for the month of May, it's for the 2010-2011 heating
season - November '10 to April '11. Thanks again,
David N Waldmann, President
Vermont
Hardwoods"
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To get more information about any of these benefits or to add a benefit, please call or email the chamber.
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Marketing Committee News
The marketing committee met on May 21st. We discussed the back end of the new website, new features we could add and online advertising and marketing opportunities. We also added 13 new web links and search engine optimization. Call to action:
We need photos for our guidebook and every page of our website. Look under the different headings and see if you have a photo that could fit. Email Marji with your suggestion.
We have added a new feature called availability online where you can check who has availability and can refer business to each other. To join this program call Julie Niles at 802-774-1124.
Please check your listings for accuracy. Enhanced listings are available which include your logo, 2 pictures and 40 word text. Banner ads are also available on every page. Call the office to learn more about these exciting web offerings.
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VT Info Board 
We are updating our VT Info Board that sits outside the Chamber office in Ludlow. We have 1 Lodging square left; 2 craft squares and 2 goods and services squares left. It's $120 for the year ($10/mo) from July 2010 through July 2011
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Advertising/Media update
Our upcoming advertising campaign includes the following;
1. Okemo Valley Regional Guide - Have you seen our Summer/Fall edition yet? They were delivered on 5/26!
Pick yours up today at the Chamber office.
2. Winter Vermont
Vacation Guide -Completed.
We're taking reservations NOW for the Summer 2011 Vermont Vacation Guide inside front and back covers. This is to get business into the State and into our area. 200,000 distribution.
Deadline August 13, 2010. $606.25
3. Did you see our 1/2 page brand ad in May's Connecticut Magazine?
4. Have you seen our full page co-op ad in May's issue of Yankee Magazine yet?
5. Have you seen our co-op ad in Southern Vermont Arts & Living? This is great for artists, galleries. In State. They hit the market on 5/24.
6. Have you seen the May-July issue of Travelhost Magazine of Vermont? It was been distributed Statewide in hotel rooms. Lodging cannot advertise in this publication. Great for dining and things to do within the State. Taking reservations now for August-October issue. Deadline 6/11. $252.
7. ChamberMail is our yearly co-op direct mail piece for service companies to reach new residents. Our first edition went out to new residents on May 4th. Next issue May 2011.
8. Vermont Wedding Resource Guide - brand ad. Completed.
9. www.Vermont.com - brand ad and links - Completed.
10. RSN-TV summer program with your videos added to our Chamber website. (see News from our Members section).
11. LPC-tv monthly television program. You can also view online at www.lpctv.org
12. Our members packages, banner ads and Okemo Valley events listed on Chamber website and the State website: www.vermontvacation.com
13. June issue New England Business Journals.
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Welcome New Members
Pearl Pappas, LICSW - Ludlow
Baker Road Inn B&B - Springfield
Insight Satellite, Inc. - Cavendish
High Peaks Media - Chittenden
Sydorowich, Inc. - Andover
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News From Our Members
June 3, 2010 4:00 PM
The
Mount Holly Garden Group will host a compost demonstration at the Clifford
Country Bed and Breakfast at 476 Cole Road in Mount Holly, VT. Master Composter, Bruce Herforth of
Garden Alternatives in Weston will demonstrate the "Lasagna Method" of layering
food waste and wood chips in a three bin system. The general public is welcome. Please call Emily Clifford Jackson at (802) 259-2269 or
visit www.cliffordcountry.com for
more information.
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Speedy Recovery to Shon Racicot. He fell hard three gates from the finish at the last Innkeepers race. Blew out his ACL & damaged the meniscus. Now focusing on rehab and things are looking up. He'll need 6 months to get back to all activities....just in time for ski season!
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Condolences to Mildred E. Orton's family. Mildred Ellen Orton with her husband, Vrest, began the Vermont Country Store more than 60 years ago.
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Condolences to Robert Pike's Family. Rob was owner of Pike's Peak, Your Mountain Resort. He was very supportive of the Chamber and was a great marketer. He will be missed.
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Dan from RSN TV 12 & 20 is offering 2 minute sponsorships that can be split between non-competing businesses. These categories are for geography or business types. For instance, 3 merchants would each have 30 seconds for their individual businesses plus 20 seconds to open the category-segment and 10 seconds to close and reinforce the group. This would be great for packages. Work together to create packages for tv and website!! Call Dan for options - 802-258-2200.
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Brandmeyers Mountainside Lodge is selling;
1. A Manitowac Under Counter ice machine 130 lbs. production/day with an 80 lb bin - $1400 currently running, great condition
2. A 5-person Gulf Coast hot tub with ozonator. Runs great - $1800
3. Round wood (light oak) pub table with 4 captains' chairs, 36" round table, 42" high - $200
4. 6-30" x 30" Scandinavian wood tables - $300 (for all 6)
5. 4-48" x 30" Scandinavian wood tables - $300 (for all 6)
6. 28 black metal frame, vinyl back & seat chairs, great condition - $134 each. Call Lisa at 802-824-5851.
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About Our Organization
Our Chamber provides the following member benefits:
*Health Insurance provided by Cigna,
*Dental Insurance provided by Delta Dental,
*Free listing on our website with web link,
*Free listing in our regional guidebook,
*Free placement of your business brochures in our welcome centers in Ludlow and Chester,
*Free monthly chamber mixers,
*Member to member discounts,
*Referrals,
*Co-op advertising,
*Marketing,
*Events publicized,
*And much, much more!!!
Our Vision Statement:
The Okemo Valley region, consisting of the Towns of Andover, Cavendish, Chester, Ludlow, Mount Holly, Plymouth and Weston, is recognized as a four-season sustainable Vermont destination to be enjoyed by all.
The Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce is recognized as an organization providing leadership, support and services vital to the health and future growth of the member businesses in the communities that we serve.
Chamber members are ambassadors for the Okemo Valley region, promoting the area as a vibrant place to live and to visit.
Our Mission Statement:
The
Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit,
member-driven organization. It is the voice of its members and the
business communities in the Towns of Andover, Cavendish, Chester,
Ludlow, Mount Holly, Plymouth and Weston, Vermont. It provides
advocacy, support and unified regional marketing to promote and enhance
our regional businesses and four-season economy.
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Volume 2, Issue 11
www.YourPlaceInVermont.com
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Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce
Executive Director
Marji Graf
mgraf@yourplaceinvermont.com
Staff
Sandy Gregg, Office Manager
sgregg@yourplaceinvermont.com
Executive Board:
President
William Dakin
Dakin & Benelli
Vice President
Lynne Reed
Misty Valley Books
Treasurer
Maria Tomaselli
Bovine Bookeeping
Secretary
Barb Lemire
Chittenden Bank
Board Members
Jessica Alberty
Hawk Inn & Mountain Resort
Michael Alon
DaVallia Art & Accents
Tesha Buss
Good Commons
Liz Crowley
CZ Construction Management
Annie Fuji'i
The Village Green Gallery
Sheldon Ghetler
Stone Heath Inn & Tavern
Brian Halligan
Okemo Mountain Resort
Laurie Marechaux
Fletcher Farm School
Laura Tuttle-Williams
Calm Moments Spa Services
Mark Verespy
The Killarney
Past President
Jim Kubec
The Governor's Inn
Your Chamber at work for you!
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