From the President:
Hello One and All, My friend tells me that it is time again for me to write a few words to let you all know how things are going. As ALWAYS we. at your association, are very busy trying to get things done. The Following are just a few of the accomplishments of the last few months.
- The Spring Show was a success with it's expanded space and an officially estimated attendance of 75,000+.
- Also this last spring show gave the association its first real net revenue base without sponsorships
- We continue to run are ongoing advertising multimedia campaign reaching further and further, as well as continuing to BRAND our City.
- We now have a signed agreement with the Chamber on the following points:
- The Chamber will now be responsible for the Christmas walk which frees up funds for our next budget's advertising
- With the Chamber and primarily the JUMP committee we are sponsoring another Labor Day celebration. After last year's success I believed this was the best way to start cutting out one the slow months of the year and shortening our slow summer months. If there is anything you can do to help the JUMP committee make this a success (and me right) please let them know. So far they are planning a whole weekend of FUN. Another event for our area!
- Last but not least the joint creation of the SINGLE Visitor's Map for the City. The Chamber is producing the Visitor's Map and we are supporting it.
- Remember that this agreement not only does with the Visitor's Map what many consultants hired by the City has said is one the really big things that needed to be accomplished.
- This agreement also saves us money in many ways.
- We also continue to sponsor a number of events operated by other organizations and members through advertising and from what we have been told they are seeing the effects through increased attendance.
- We also have reached a new and very favorable agreement with our favorite sponsor, COX events and Media Group. We now have in kind sponsorship at rack price that equals about $250,000.00.
- We have also reached a new record on how fast we are filling our Fall Craft Show thanks to our new processes. We are finally taking more applications than we have spaces to fill.
I am sure that if I could take more time with I can increase this list but I also need to take to point out a few things that we have yet to accomplish but hope that we will be able to.
- The finalization of our new name chosen by the members should be completed soon and we will be officially known as VisitMountDora(tm)
- I still want to create a Market in the downtown area and I am giving this a little time.
- My desire to create two new events with the first being a town wide Art/Exotic Car/Wine Festival at the end of September, 2012. With the City's help we should be able to create this.
- My desire to place an ice skating rink in Donnelly park for the Christmas season 2012.
- Advertising for bids for a food vendor for both shows.
- Continuing to the many hours it takes to organize the Craft Show, a joint effort of all the Board, volunteers and our contractor.
- Beginning the process of a new budget for 2012 already.
Well I am sure that this is far to much to put out but a lot has been done and there is a lot yet to accomplish. Please take the time to follow the visioning and steering process through envisionmtdora. We are part of this process as I am a member of this committee. Take the time to let your thoughts and ideas be known through the website as it is your future as well. Last but not least I hope and pray for every member and non member out a summer that was better than last. I not only hope that it is better but one that is much easier to survive these times.
Sincerely
Terrance R. Abbott, R.N.
President VisitMountDora(tm).
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Dora Dollars made easy!
 The Dora Dollar program explained in this Power Point presentation for receiving Merchants and certificate bearers. Click here to see the Power Point presentation. The Dora Dollars Program is a VisitMountDora(tm) member benefit only! As of July 31st Dora Dollars will only be valid at participating members of Visit Mount Dora(tm). Many non-members are submitting Dora Dollars and benefiting from our promotional efforts, the VisitMountDora(tm) Board of Directors and members feel that it is time for all businesses to show some support by joining VisitMountDora(tm).
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Featured Merchant of the month.
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VisitMountDora(tm) promotion reaching out to Hollywood? Tremain Street Cottages played host to some future Mount Dora/Lake County residents for the month of June. Delta Burke (Designing Women) & husband Gerald McRaney (Major Dad) found the cottages on the internet and booked the month of June to lay the groundwork for their future homestead. They will be back soon to continue the process as they have decided our area is definitely in their future. While they were here they enjoyed some fabulous time at Pisces Rising and some great South African wine from Maggie's Attic.  | | Brian with Delta Burke in the Garden Cottage |
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