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Marketing Committee Update:
Planning an EVENT in downtown Mount Dora? Contact the marketing committee as soon as the details are available and we will make every effort to market and support the event.
Our event focused marketing had proven to be very successful and will continue throughout 2011 and 2012. We are happy to sponsor your event with the power of our marketing program.
All VisitMountDora(tm) members can benefit from the FREE ads in the Orlando Sentinel Spadea Wrap- Remember to submit your line or 2 of copy to promote your business each month. You must respond prior to deadline dates to be included in these ads.
For the next issue please submit your copy directly to Janet Craig at JanetCraig@MtDora.org
VisitMountDora(tm) is now on FaceBook . Join our page and promote your business to over 1000 followers and growing.
Marketing efforts are currently focusing on the upcoming Labor Day events & fireworks and the Craft Fair. Both events are expected to bring in even larger crowds than last year.
Last month we sponsored and promoted the Florida Highwaymen Art Show & Sale and related events. Reports from our member businesses are indicating that the event was very successful in bringing visitors to town with money to spend.
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Events Committee Update:
We are in the process of assigning booth spaces to the nearly 350 approved applicants to the 2011 Craft Fair. Strategic planning and placement of booth space has allowed us to increase revenues by offering "premium" spaces at higher prices. As we expected, there is great demand for these premium spaces.
In the past we have been criticized for accepting too many jewelers into the show. This year we took so many more applications from crafters and artists that we have been able to decrease the number of jewelers to 45 from a high of 65 last year.
All in all the show is on track to be another record breaking event in 2011.
The official 2011 Craft Fair poster is ready to go! See below:
Brian E. Young
Events Committee Chairperson
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Membership Committee Update:
VisitMountDora(tm) membership information.
Please check your email regularly for valuable membership benefits and opportunities to promote your business or event. BIG thanks to Karen Monte from KaDee Kay Gourmet Kitchen Products for stepping up to head the new VisitMountDora(tm) membership committee.
2011 Membership benefits will include but are not limited to: * Monthly promotion for your business in the Sentinel Spadea Wrap. * Listings for your events on VisitMountDora.com and WhatToDoInMountDora.com * Internet listing on VisitMountDora.com * A featured listing and a highlighted listing for your business on WhatToDoInMountDora.com valued at $400.00 * Listing on printed association walking street maps and the new full color down loadable street map on the front page of WhatToDoInMountDora.com * Regular opportunities to co-op ads with other members in association advertising to stretch your advertising dollars. |
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Ready for some fireworks? Thanks to the efforts of VisitMountDora(tm) you will be able to enjoy fireworks on the lake Saturday, September 3rd at 8:30pm as part of the Labor Day Celebration!
 | | Labor Day Fireworks on Lake Dora |
Check out the other activities planned for Labor Day... 
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Fellow members,
* The next general membership meet & greet will be Wednesday, September 28th - 5:30pm at Windsor Rose Tea Room.
Check out the NEW Mount Dora Visitors map!
Visit Mount Dora and the Chamber of commerce have collaborated on a great new map for our town. Pick some up for your customers at the Mount Dora Visitor's Center at the Chamber of Commerce.
Remember your VisitMountDora membership includes you on this map as well as on the exclusive VisitMountDora(tm) membership only Visitor map that appears online for guests to print as well as in event programs for our major events AND in the monthly Orlando Sentinel wrap. |
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A message from the Visit Mount Dora Association President.
My friend and the Visit Mount Dora secretary, Brian Young, has reminded me that it is time I write another update on things. Of all the things I have on my plate this is the hardest to accomplish.
Once again the summer is coming to a fast close and the season will soon be upon us. Your association board members, staff and friends have been very busy working on the Fall Craft Show. Again this year things are on track and running very smoothly. Big thanks to our Event Coordinator, the folks with the
Mount Dora Center for the Arts and Artisans on 5th. Stephanie has made the process much smoother then would have been and the artists juried our show this year and did a fantastic job. Again thanks!
While we get ready for the show we also have to decide on our annual budget for the coming year. This process is already near completion and the Board will be able to present it to you in October. As always there is a lot to say so I am going to use bullet points for the rest.
Again we have been able to increase the overall budget for this next year but not as dramatically and we will experience the loss of $10,000.00 in cash sponsorship. While this is a blow to our hopeful TV advertising campaign we once again are able to increase our presence elsewhere. I don't know about you-all, but I believe I have seen a lot more people in town this summer and this will only increase with the additional advertising.
Another record set for the Spring Show, estimated crowd of 70,000 to 75,000 over the two days.
With help from the Chamber we are establishing a new event on Labor Day Weekend with being the only City in the region to have Fireworks on Labor Day. I believe we will see another successful increase of crowds in town that had not been here before last year's Labor Day Celebration.
A ranking once again in the top 100 shows for the Craft Fair.
Thanks again to the assistance of the Chamber our town finally has one Visitors Map. All merchant's can pick them up at the
Chamber or let Stephanie know you need them.
Also very exciting, the members have just approved a new Board Member. Her name is Rori Paul. This is one Board member you
want to get to know. She is social media expert and willing to show us this technology that will really have an impact on our traffic and bottom line.
Our new association name, Visit Mount Dora, is now official!
We will continue to sponsor and advertise other events that occur within our area like the successful Highwaymen Art event this month! Have you noticed how we are trying whack away those dreadfully slow summer months?
The launch of Mount Dora at Nite, which is the advertising of all businesses who are open after 5 (usually until 7) on Thursday,
Friday and Saturday. This is being done to let people know there is a "Nite" life in Mount Dora. This is being done for those who wish to take advantage of what will be a profitable situation. For those who have started this early this summer hang in there and watch for what we are planning do to drive people into your shops.
Last but not least I want all to know that thanks to Mr. Gunderson and the Lakeside Inn, Mount Dora will have finally have the return of its Open Air Farm Market on the tennis courts of Lakeside. We now have a "signed" agreement for use of the property for that purpose on Sundays. Our county expert Jane is rounding up vendors and we have already started letting people know. If you are aware of or know someone who would be interested in this opportunity please let me know or send an email to Stephanie!
Well it is time to bring this to a close but as I do I already know there is a lot more to talk about and let you
know what is going. Fortunately that can be done in member meetings and I sincerely hope that I will see some
of you there. Remember this is "your" association. One more thing before I close, I really believe that this season
will be a shocker for all of us in that we will see a big increase not only of foot traffic, but also in our bottom lines. I know "your" Board of Directors has done and will continue to do everything possible to see that this is accomplished. We will get the "horses to the gate" and the rest is up to you.
Sincerely and the Very Best wishes for a very profitable season to one and all!
Your Visit Mount Dora President.
Terrance R. Abbott, R.N.
Owner Maggie's Attic.
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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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From the Board of Directors:
At the August 10th Board meeting the Board of Directors approved the following:
* Agreed to pursue an exlusive contract with Puff & Stuff Food Vendors to provide food services at the Craft Fair. Angle for a two year contract but will accept a three year contract with a cash value of $19,000 annually to the association.
* Agreed to create two raffle baskets for the Craft Fair for revenue generation purposes.
* Effective 2012 the association will convert to a calendar year based accounting period (January to January) as opposed to the December to December model currently in use.
* Budget outline presented and discussed. Will have prepared to present to the membership at the October annual meeting.
* Approved $2500 from marketing budget for purchase of the double truck inside the Orlando Sentinel Craft Fair insert with 100,000 circulation the weekend prior to the event.
* Agreed to increase the amount of the payout for awards to exhibitors at the 2011 Craft Fair. Amount to be decided at next board meeting.
* Agreed to execute paperwork converting bank account to new legal name of Visit Mount Dora, Inc. Two board member signatures required on all checks in excess of $300.
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Stay tuned for your regular association newsletter keeping you up to date on our events and initiatives throughout the year. Visit our association website regularly for the lastest news and event information , www.VisitMountDora.com
Shop local and shop often... |
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Sincerely,
Brian E. Young - VisitMountDora(tm) Secretary
BrianEYoung@MtDora.org
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