Welcome to Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce
Greetings!
What a September we had! Storm Irene, FEMA/SBA meetings, Ludlow 250 birthday celebration, 2012 Women of Okemo Valley Calendar Reveal Party, and Okemo Valley's participation at the Big E. What do they say, when it rains it pours. Fall foliage is upon us. The Governor promises one of the best fall foliage seasons on record. I'll hold him to it! I would like to hear from you what your fall foliage season was like vs. last year. The Chamber has put together several videos that are on facebook, linkedin, twitter, Yankee.com, visitvt.com, you tube, and VisititNewEnglandFanpage. Aired on television stations lpctv, Outside tv, Connecticut marketplace and the Big E in Springfield, that promotes our :30 second commercial that we're open for business, our leaves are turning, our roads are accessible. Next we taped an our economic development video to come live, work and play with us in the Okemo Valley. We're helping businesses and residents alike by providing hands on assistance through FEMA, SBA, VtSBDC, Veda. Thanks to FEMA/SBA for opening an office in the Okemo Marketplace in Ludlow. I encourage you to go to the office and speak with Robert Poblano from the SBA. He is so knowledgeable about all of your options. Our 2012 "Women of Okemo Valley Calendar" reveal party was a great success! All calendar 'girls" were 'revealed" and on hand to autograph their month. Ron Unterman from Mount Holly led an auction of selected items worn from each calendar shoot. Calendars can be purchased for $20 at participating businesses and are available online on the chambers website www.yourplaceinvermont.com. Portion of proceeds to benefit VT/NH Susan G Komen Race for the Cure for breast cancer. We moved our Chamber Golf Tournament to October 6 because of the rain last week. We hope to attract more participants since this is now a charity event to help our local communities. Contact Mary Knight of Knight Tubs to participate 228-2260. Our next mixer is October 12 at Berkshire Bank in Ludlow from 5:30-7:30pm. Our next Coffee with the Chamber is scheduled for October 24 at the Bryant House in Weston at 8am. This is free and open to the public. The Chamber wants to share with each community what we're doing and find out what resources we can bring to each community that we serve. Please join us. Be sure to check our extensive calendar of events on our website. October promises to be an extremely busy month in all our communities! |
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Chamber Mixers
Join us for our monthly Chamber Mixers on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Bring a door prize if you can.
All Mixers are from 5:30-7:30pm
2011 MIXER LINE UP
October 12- Berkshire Bank - Ludlow
November 9- Jackson Gore Inn - Ludlow
December 14- Annual Meeting at Stone Hearth Inn & Tavern - Chester
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Membership Committee News
The membership committee met on September 16th.
We would like to thank the Village Green Gallery for hosting our September mixer. About 30 people attended and came from Cavendish, Ludlow, Mount Holly. That's what is wonderful about being a regional chamber and being part of a bigger picture. If you haven't been to a mixer lately, please come and meet everyone.
We postponed our golf tournament to October 6, due to rain, and we are hoping for bigger attendance since this is a charity event.
People can now buy the 2012 Women of Okemo Valley calendars online on the Chambers homepage or at participating businesses.
The committee welcomed the following new members:
Jump Fore Fun - Rutland
Chasse Fine Art Gallery - Chester
Unique Salon - Ludlow
Postage Ink, Inc. - Londonderry
Apple Knoll Inn - Weston
Smith Maple Crest Farm - Cuttingsville
Be sure to watch the videos on the chamber homepage.
One is about what Ludlow, Chester and Weston look like after the storm. The other is our economic development video inviting out of state visitors to join us in the Okemo Valley. Interviews include what it's like living, working and playing in the Okemo Valley.
We're getting ready to produce our Winter Guidebook. Sales end October 11. Call Spring River Marketing at 228-7664.
Thanks to Dan from Outside TV for producing our economic development video and a :30 PSA (public service announcement) for us. We aired it on tv stations in Boston, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the Big E, about our upcoming Fall Foliage season.
Thanks also goes to Patrick from Lpc-tv for producing our video of what Ludlow, Chester and Weston looks like after Storm Irene. It went viral over facebook, twitter and linkedin.
Did you know......past newsletters are on our homepage under "View our Archive" - bottom right of page.
Our next committee meeting is scheduled for October 21 at 8:30a at Java Baba. Feel free to join us. |
Welcome New Members
The Chamber welcomes the following new members:
Apple Knoll Inn - Weston
Chasse Fine Art Gallery - Chester
Unique Salon - Ludlow
Postage Ink, Inc. - Londonderry
Jump Fore Fun - Rutland
Smith Maple Crest Farm, LLC - Cuttingsville
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Marketing Committee News:
The marketing committee met on September 29th. We had a very long agenda including:
1. Moved our blog from Awesome Graphics to Spring River Marketing.
2. Switched around our google adword campaign (due to storm Irene) and reviewed stats. Our ads were displayed to geographically and thematically targeted audiences 532,557 times. That's a lot of impressions. For example, when someone searched for "Vermont Cheese" in the geographic areas we selected (folks most likely to come to VT) the Plymouth Cheese festival ad appeared. These impressions resulted in 824 visits to the OV chamber website, which resulted in a 60% uplift in site traffic over the last month. Each of the events we promoted received advertising eposure. Even the Weston Antiques Show and Weston Craft Show, at the tail end of the campaign received a good amount of impressions. 40,195 impressions, 106 visits for the antique show and 121,146 impressions and 128 visits for the craft show respectively.
3. Fall & Winter packages are being placed on our Call Danielle with your package.
4. Reveal party was a success - raising $2,220 from the auction. There are 277 calendars out now for sale (out of 500)
5. Facebook stats continue to grow. Please share our links and 'like' us.
6. Our VT Life ad is coming out soon.
7. We discussed a Chamber to Chamber tourism exchange with Windsor Connecticut Chamber. Suggest a history exchange.
8. Discussed postcards or notecards from our OV winter guidebook covers. Inns would buy.
9. Discussed annual meeting - sit down dinner and wine tasting. Tickets to be sold for $35. Looking for a speaker.
10. Discussed 2012 advertising options. Suggested we do co-op google ad campaigns.
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Upcoming Events:
Please submit your events to us 2 weeks in advance.
If you don't see your event in the calendar, please call us.
www.YourPlaceInVermont.com |
News from our Members 
The Chester Rotary supports the Green Mountain Festival Series (GMFS) with a sizable donation of $750. "The first performance of the 2011-2012 year is quickly approaching" says Dan Cote, President of the Chester Rotary. "The Green Mountain Festival Series has been a tremendous blessing to our community over the years, and it only makes sense that the Rotary Club support such a worthy cause which benefits our community." Since 1985 Area businesses and individuals have supported the mission of GMFS: to provide quality entertainment at affordable prices. The GMFS has been a landmark institution in Chester. Performances are now artistic evenings & community events which include audiences from the areas surrounding Chester - Londonderry, Peru, Grafton, Rockingham, Springfield, Weathersfield, etc. The Green Mountain Union High School stage has been host to singers, dancers, drummers, actors, magicians, and musicians from many corners of the country and world. The first season performance, Dog on Fleas, is at 6:30 on November 5 at the Green Mountain Union High School Auditorium. This is a fantastically fun and energetic performance which engages kids and adults in a fun frenzy of music and dance.For more information, Go to: www.greenmountainfestivalseries.com The Chester Rotary fundraises and organizes events to support good causes in the community as well as scholarships for students. Weekly Rotary Club meetings are held at the Fullerton Restaurant on Main Street in Chester, 7 AM on Thursday mornings. Guests are welcome to participate. Pictured below from left to right are: Dan Cote, President of Chester Rotary Club Alison Deslauriers, Treasurer of GMFS Malcolm Summers, President Elect of Chester Rotary Club Teresa Johnson, Co-President of GMFS |
 Big Buzz Chainsaw Carving Festival
Be sure to stop by the Big Buzz Chainsaw Carving Festival. Here's one of my new friends.
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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 listing on our mobile app,
*Free placement of your business brochures in our welcome centers in Ludlow and Chester,
*Free monthly chamber mixers,
*Free educational programs,
*Member to member discounts,
*Referrals,
*Co-op advertising opportunities
*Marketing and Promotion
*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.
We are not affiliated with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. |
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OKEMO VALLEY REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Executive Director
Marji Graf
mgraf@yourplaceinvermont.com
Staff
Danielle Lillard
Marketing Assistant
dlillard@yourplaceinvermont.com
Andi Smithmeyer
Membership Assistant
andi@yourplaceinvermont.com
2011 EXECUTIVE BOARD
William Dakin
Dakin & Benelli
President
Lynne Reed
Misty Valley Books
Vice President
Barbara LeMire
People's United Bank
Treasurer
Mark Verespy
The Killarney
Secretary
REGULAR BOARD
Jessica Alberty
Hawk Inn & Mountain Resort
Michael Alon
DaVallia Art & Accents
Tesha Buss
Good Commons
Dan Cote
Inn Victoria
Liz Crowley
CZ Construction Management
Donald Dill
Images by Donald Dill
Sheldon Ghetler
Stone Hearth Inn & Tavern
Brian Halligan
Okemo Mountain Resort
Jim Szabo
THe Vermont Counry Store
Laura Williams
Calm Moments Spa
Past President
Jim Kubec
The Governor's Inn
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