Cohase Citizen of the Year:                Business of the Year :
David Keith                                          Four Corners Farm 

                    

 

Annual Meeting/Dinner:    

Photos courtesy of The Bridge Weekly Sho-Case 

Thank you to all those who came out in such cold weather to celebrate the work of the Chamber and to honor Bob and Kim Gray of Four Corner Farms and David Keith of North Haverhill Fair Grounds.  We were 115 strong.  It was, by all accounts, a record turnout.  Thanks also to Lake Morey Resort for hosting the event and serving up the dinner.

 

The evening began with a cash bar and a lot of lively socializing followed by a buffet style dinner. Lisa Hervey, President, offered a welcome and call to service.  Next we were treated to an informative presentation from Christine Werneke, Chief Marketing Officer, State of Vermont who spoke about findings from a recent marketing study. (More about this in the next story below).  Christine began her presentation by stating that most of what she was reporting on was equally valid for both sides of the river in our region.  Also in attendance was Meagan Smith, the new Commissioner of Tourism and Marketing, State of Vermont, who came to better acquaint herself with our region.

 

We then took a break to watch the 7 minute winning entry in September's 48 Hour Film Slam, "Razor Burn" a truly creepy horror film by the team "Oscars for Everyone".  The compilation DVD with all six films was available at the end of the evening ($10).

 

Paul Gallerani introduced Bob and Kim Gray and presented them with the Business of the Year award.  Karen Whalen and Marvin Harrison presented David Keith with the first Cohase Citizen of the Year award.  I found the presentations quite moving and although it was not planned in advance, I could not help but note how both recipients were hard working farmers representing both sides of our Connecticut River.

 

Kevin Bruno took the podium and we elected two new members to the board, Keisha Luce, Executive Director at Alumni Hall, and Leon LaVaude, a New York Life Insurance Agent from South Ryegate VT.  He recognized Dale Bromley, who has served on the board for many years and stepped down this year, and Annemarie Godston, who has given up the role of secretary but will remain on the board.  Kevin announced the slate of officers as follows; Lisa Hervey, President, Gary Langlois, Vice-President, Marie Bigilow, Treasurer, and Anne Dall, Secretary.  The officers were voted in by the board following the meeting.

 

I made some remarks looking back over the accomplishments of the last year, and forward to our hopes for this coming year.   

 

Nancy Jones, representing the Bradford Conservation Commission,won the $200 raffle prize!
 

Whether you have been a long time member or just joined last year, thank you for your

membership.  The dues you pay each year allow the Chamber to do it's work for the community at large. 

 

Mark Nielsen, Executive Director    

 

 

Commission of Tourism and Marketing:

Vermont Brand Research Presentation

 

"A place of rural beauty, a place where farms produce wholesome food and where mountains, lakes and trails offer vigorous, refreshing outdoor recreation,

a place where history is important and relationship to the land still means something. Vermont is a safe place, away from the noise and crime of the cities".

~ describes promotion of Vermont in 1891,

taken from article written by Tom Slayton (2003)

 

Christine Werneke has plumbed the depths of a new Brand Research Study for Vermont looking at what people think both inside Vermont and outside Vermont.  The study focuses on the NYC Metro, Massachusetts and Canadian Metro markets.  The study also incorporates Vermont vacation providers, residents, and Vermont vacationers.  The study also broke out summer and winter seasons.  (Above are the ICONIC summer and winter images identified by the study respondents). 

 

Christine feels very strongly that although this study looked at Vermont, the message is very relevant for both sides of the Connecticut River in our Cohase Region.

 

The following are composite portraits of who is coming to Vermont:  

 

The NYC Metro Vacationer is a cultured traveler looking for a longer, luxury escape. 

• Majority are 41-50 (26%), married (63%), and college educated (65%)
• More likely (than MA, VT) to travel with children and take longer trips (1-2 weeks), and stay in a house/condo (than VT, CAN)
• More likely (than MA) to spend $1,000 or more on vacation, participate in cultural activities, and want to be seen as extravagant

The Massachusetts Vacationer is looking for practical, outdoor, short getaways.

• Majority are 51-60 (28%), married (69%), with a household size of 2 (42%)
• More likely to take 2 night trips
• More likely (than NY, CAN) to spend $100-$300 on vacation and less likely to spend >$1,000; more likely to spend <$50 traveling to destination
• More likely to want to be seen as thrifty (than NY, CAN)
• More likely to participate in outdoor activities and less likely (than NY, CAN) to do cultural activities

The Vermont Vacationer is looking for affordable, outdoor experiences.

• Majority are married (73%) and 51-60 (29%)
• More likely overall to have household income less than $50K and not have a grad degree
• More likely to take a day trip (than NY, CAN) or one night vacations; majority stay at hotel (41%)     
   
• More likely to spend $50-99 at destination
• More likely overall to want to be seen as outdoorsy, thrifty and natural (than NY, CAN)    

The Canadian Vacationer is generally speaking looking for a shopping experience.

• Majority are married (66%), with household size of 2 (39%), and college educated (71%).
• More likely spend $1 000+ traveling to destination; spend $1,000+ at destination
• (than MA, VT).
• Majority stay 3-6 nights (40%); more likely (than MA, VT) to spend 1-2 weeks.
• More likely to want to be seen as spontaneous (than NY, MA), rebellious (than
• NY), and extravagant (than MA, VT).
• More likely to shop (and majority do so, 70%) and do cultural activities (than MA, VT).
• More likely to use a travel agent and to not have seen Vermont ads.

These generalized portraits are useful and thought provoking.  Understanding the information contained in the study can help you better target and serve your customers.  It can help you place scarce advertising dollars in relevant markets for maximum effect.  Who wants to ignore that?

 

Mark Nielsen, reporting on our guest speaker's presentation at our annual meeting, 2011.
 

We seem to be endlessly inventive when it comes to devising ways to have fun.  This temporary craziness may be driven by a long cold winter, as a stress reliever, or as a way to encourage learning all while maximizing our fun. 

When I was a young boy I remember attending an annual egg race at the Museum of Science in Boston,  This was not the kind of egg race where you attempt to run a distance balancing an egg in a spoon held in your mouth.  Oh no, we are talking about a competition to see who could design and build a contraption that would power one hard boiled egg with one #10 rubber band the farthest distance.  Zaniness ensues.  Slingshots, catapults, wind up chariots, pendulum devices with ratcheted wheels that allow for movement in only one direction.  The inventions seemed endless to me at the time.

Later while attending Carnegie-Mellon University, I witnessed engineering students applying their considerable skills in designing and building "buggy's" for the annual Buggy Races.  We are not talking about baby buggies here.  This competition is taken very seriously.  There is the buggy incorporating the very latest in materials technology, a driver (encapsulated within the buggy) who steers the vehicle, teams of pushers to propel the buggy up the Pittsburgh hills, and down hill sections where the buggy's achieve frightening speeds.  Check it out, CMU Buggy Racing

All this reminiscing was triggered when I recently heard about the Annual Card Board Box Derby that is held at the Northeast Slopes right here in Corinth, Vermont.  YES!  Twenty to thirty competitors with their cardboard box designs.  300 onlookers.  Sounds like a lot of fun to me!  Here is the deal:

Teams of 2, 3 or 4 contestants join forces to build a cardboard box that is designed to slide down the slope at Northeast Slopes.   The box should be in keeping with this year's theme "Past and Present" (in honor of our 75th Anniversary).  The boxes may only use cardboard, tape, glue, wax and decoration and only the cardboard may touch the snow. Teams are paired up and race down the hill in a round-robin style elimination.   Awards are given for fastest box, best decoration and most impressive self-destruction. Corporate teams are invited to enter with a $50 registration fee.  Individual teams may enter for free.  Registration at 9:30 with first round races beginning at 11:00 and finals at 1:00.

Spectators are welcome at no charge, and will enjoy an outdoor BBQ and music.  There will be skiing and riding 9:30 - 4:00 for just $12.  Funds raised from this event will go towards Northeast Slopes' operating expenses and hill improvements such as cover for the groomer.  Directions to Northeast Slopes.

This is a not to be missed event in my book.  In fact, I think I am going to go build my box right now.

See you there!

 

Mark Nielsen, Executive Director