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MARCI'S CHAMBER CORNER
Going LIVE with Tripadvisor
Here is an example of some FREE advertising that Julie Burgmeier has helped put in place. 
LaconnerChamber.com now has a link to TripAdvisor on the bottom of our home page in exchange for a FREE rotating spotlight on TripAdvisor's home page. This will go live tomorrow on TripAdvisor.com!! Your Chamber Are you interested in becoming more involved? Do you have some expertise or passion in an area that you would like to help with? Your Chamber is looking for YOU! We have several committees, events, and ideas that need additional hands and minds to help with.
COMMITTEES ARE:
Ambassador / Membership: This group meets once per month, visits new and established businesses, help with ribbon-cutting ceremonies, help with annual membership dinner or breakfast, listen to merchants, create new opportunities for Business After Hours socials, etc. Chrystal Edwards, manager of Bank of America is the chair person for this committee so please contact Chrystal if you are interested at 466-3551.
Finance / Marketing: this group meets once per month and looks at best opportunities for advertising, branding, oversees budget, consider/adapt new technologies, review website, etc. Please contact Marci if interested at 466-4778.
Events: Your Chamber sponsors two main events; La Conner Classic Boat & Car Show and Art's Alive! 2011 marks the 11th year for the Classic which takes place on Saturday, August 13th and the 27th year for Art's Alive! happening November 4-6th. Both of these need volunteers and attending meetings are optional. There are other smaller events that the Chamber helps with; 4th of July parade, picnic & fireworks, Tulip Frolic & Parade, Season of Giving, Community Tree Lighting with Santa, Christmas decorations for Morris & First Streets, and this year's Paddle to Swinomish Canoe Journey 2011 July 25-31.
"If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it. People who are busy are active, up and about, aware, etc. therefore more likely to accomplish your task promptly". Your Chamber is only as strong as those who are actively involved. We need your ideas, your energy, your enthusiasm!
Empty Storefronts: Do you know of anyone considering opening a business? Looking to open a second location? Moving to a better community? Let Marci know if there is a specific business you think might be interested. Escape now carries "Life Is Good"
Did you know Life is Good when you have enough Vitamin D? You can get enough by walking up from the lower, "free parking" area. Thank you Town of LaConner. Please tell your employees they need some vitamin D!
AcquisitionArt.com
has gone live on the Internet
After months of planning this new Internet company has been launched for everyone to use. It is a new way to buy and sell art.
http://www.acquisitionart.com/
Both artists and owners of art can list work for sale and present their works to potential buyers in a very different way. It is not an auction and more than an online gallery. AcquisitionArt puts buyers and sellers together much like a dating service. Together they talk, share stories about the work, agree upon prices and other details. Currently the listings are free and after there are 150 painting and sculpture listed the fee will be $6 in The Collection (curated) and $10 in the MarketPlace the listing period is 6 months.
Escrow services are offered along with a variety of other services to assist in the sale of work. The company plans to add other categories in the near future. An impressive
group of advisors from around the country continue to assist in the development of this new vision of helping artists to sell art in this difficult economy. An anonymous benefactor has underwritten the research and initial development costs. Interestingly this idea also benefits those who just own any art they wish to sell for whatever reason. A final aspect of AcquisitionArt is their "Partnership" program that shares 20% of the selling commission (they charge a 15% commission on every sale in "The Collection") with various cultural organizations who partner with them. If you are interested send them an email or call then at 360 420 4141.
La Conner Senior Center 
AARP tax helpers are available by appointment on March 15 from 10 AM to 3:30 PM. Call me at 466-3941 or come by before that date.
Brian Scheuch will hold a 4 week class on Natural Science beginning March 15: Birds, trees, flowers, and mammals. Time is 12:30-2:30 pm. No signup required. A donation is requested.
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"Out of the Darkness Campus Walks"
La Conner Hair Design invites you to help support their team! They are fundraising for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and will be joining thousands of people nationwide to walk in the "Out of the Darkness Campus Walks" at Skagit Valley College Campus Walk on Saturday, March 12, 2011.
The AFSP is at the forefront of research, education and prevention initiatives designed to reduce loss of life from suicide. With more than 33,000 lives lost each year in the U.S. and over one million worldwide, the importance of AFSP's mission has never been greater, nor our work more urgent.
Any contribution will help the work of AFSP, and all donations are 100% tax deductible. Donating online is safe and easy! Donations can only be made to individuals, but the total each participant raises goes toward our team goal. We have set up a team for La Conner Hair Design and people can donate through the web site or they can mail a check to La Conner Hair Design, PO Box 701, La Conner, WA 98257. If you would like any further information or would like to join our team, please feel free to call us at 360-466-4321.
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NET @ 10!!!
Any business owner is invited to join us! The next Networking meeting will be on Tuesday, March 15th from 10 - 11am at the Civic Garden Club. The Board meetings will be the same day starting at 8:30am. (622 S. Second St). This is a great opportunity to get your message out to other businesses and to make a personal pitch. Bring your marketing materials, a positive attitude, and your polished one-minute elevator speech. You will see results!
Bring your business card & a door prize! Cost is $5 for chamber members and $10 for non-chamber members. Coffee and scones will be served.
Please RSVP to the chamber office (466-4778) or reply to this e-mail.
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Concierge Visit
Your Chamber has invited the Seattle Concierge association to visit La Conner on March 1st & 2nd on us! There will be 14 people driving up on Tuesday, March 1st to have dinner and stay the night. On Wednesday, March 2nd they will have the option of a boat ride, museum tours, lunch, and shopping.
Women's Summit
The U.S. Small Business Administration will host a Women's Entrepreneurial Summit at Renton Technical College in Renton, WA on Saturday, March 5th from 12:00 - 5:00 pm.
Small business owners, women leaders and government experts are invited to participate. Collectively attendees will address the critical challenges, opportunities and public policy measures needed to move the women's business agenda to the next level.
The summit serves as an opportunity to educate attendees on new policy changes that directly benefit women business owners; To collect feedback to be used in a report that will be forwarded to the President for use in addressing the issues faced by women in business. The program will consist of featured speakers and facilitated breakout sessions. If you are interested in being a part of this exciting summit, please register for this free event.
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 Facebook Promotion
La Conner Chamber's Facebook Page promotes YOUR business! We are continuing to update the Facebook Page DAILY with your events and happenings!
Would you like even more promotion?
The La Conner Facebook weekly CYBER TREASURE HUNT continues and we need to hear from YOU! E-mail Marci director@laconnerchamber.com with a JPEG file (PICTURE) of your giveaway along with your business hours for pick-up and contact person. We will post this picture on the Facebook Page. "Fans" of the La Conner Chamber Facebook page have a chance to comment where this "giveway" is sold and WIN the giveaway item/service. We strongly urge chamber members and employee's of the weekly giveaway not to comment with the answer.
This giveaway could be a gift certificate, sample, overstock, free service, or something that has been hanging out in the back room too long. We started this in December and it was VERY popular! Thanks to your new Chamber Board President, Pam Kutscher, Facebook was the #2 referral to laconnerchamber.com during January!
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Guest Dock Visitors!April 2011
Fidalgo Yacht Club,
April 1,2,3 - 800 feet
American Tug,
April 27,28,29,30 - 900 feet
Emerald Rose,
April 15,16,17 - 150 feet
Bellingham Wheel and Keel,
April 15,16,17 - 800 feet
Being updated with what groups and conferences are taking place helps us all.
Lucas Villard, Marina Service Representative
lucasv@portofskagit.com
P.O Box 1120, La Conner, WA 98257
(360)466-3118 Fax (360)466-3119
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PADDLE TO SWINOMISH 2011 CANOE JOURNEY - JULY 25-31
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LISTEN TO MARCI EACH MONDAY MORNING
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BUSINESS OWNERS & EMPLOYEES!
PLEASE USE YOUR FREE PARKING PASSES AND PARK IN THE PUBLIC PARKING LOT!
LEAVE FIRST STREET FOR OUR VISITORS!
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KEEP US INFORMED!
Let us know what is going on with you! Your current events and happenings on the website are all updated based on the information you provide to Marci and your chamber staff. Any pictures that would entice visitors to stay and play, please send them too, we can use them in the monthly news for visitors.
Thank you,
Marci Plank
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 | | Photo Credit: Trevor Anderson |
& Prime Rib House
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La Conner Chamber of Commerce
Marci Plank
Executive Director
PO Box 1610
La Conner, WA
360.466.4778 or toll free 888.642.9284
Reinhild Thompson VIC Director PO Box 1610 La Conner, WA 360.466.4778 or toll free 888.642.9284
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La Conner Chamber Board Meetings
are held the first Thursday of the month. 8:00am
Location: La Conner Garden Club ~Open to all Members~
If you have comments or questions for the board and are unable to attend, email Marci Plank with "Member Comments" in the subject line. They will be read at the board meeting.
OUR COMMUNITY
TOWN COUNCIL |
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