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Sedona Chamber of Commerce e-News
March 11, 2013 |
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LAST CALL: March 13 Monthly Business Forum Focuses on "Filming in Sedona"
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Sedona has a rich history of movies filmed in the red rocks. Yet, with no state support for that industry, rekindling that industry has been challenging. On Wednesday, March 13, please join us at the Sedona Chamber's Monthly Business Forum when we focus on "Filming in Sedona." If you are involved in film in this area in any capacity and wish to see it rebound, spend time discussing this with Chamber President/CEO Jennifer Wesselhoff and others in an open forum.
We will meet at Sedona Public Library's Si Birch Community Room at 8:30 - 10:00 am. There is no cost, but we would like to have a head count as we proceed. RSVP is required by 12:00 pm on Tuesday, March 12. Call the Chamber at 204-1123 to RSVP.
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March 13: Barbara's Park Still Needs Your Help |
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With your help we can move forward with Barbara's Park. The forensic investigations regarding the collapse are complete and their recommendations have been addressed by all of the building team and the city staff. The enthusiasm of everyone involved on this rebuilding team has been positive and has grown during the process. The underlying desire for the completed project within our local park remains stronger than ever. City Council will address the issue of resuming construction on Wednesday, March 13 at 5:00 pm.
Show your support by attending the Council meeting; emailing the Mayor, Council & Staff with a cc to the city at Sirvine@SedonaAZ.gov and to barbaraspark@esedona.net. Plus, encourage your circle of friends to join you.
If you have questions or want more information about the forensic report and the solutions, please contact Kathy Shriver at (928) 300-0643. Thank you from Friends of the Posse Grounds. |
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March 14: City Council Work Session
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Please join us on March 14, at 3:00 pm in the Council Chambers at City Hall for the culmination of the past several months' work by the Sedona Lodging Council, the Nichols Tourism Group, the City of Sedona and our local community leaders.
It is at this work session that Mitch Nichols with the Nichols Tourism Group will present to City Council the Long Range Strategic Tourism Plan. This presentation will identify our opportunities and challenges in moving Sedona forward as a premiere tourism destination.
This professional assessment will also provide the foundation upon which to hold a discussion with City Council about alternative funding sources in order for Sedona to effectively compete and receive our share of the high-end visitor audience. Three options the Sedona Lodging Council and Mitch Nichols will be presenting for funding alternatives include:
- Obtain more of the existing bed tax for tourism allocation
- Increase the bed tax by 1% and dedicate 100% of that to tourism promotion
- Increase the sales tax by .5% (state sales tax decreasing by 1%) - and dedicate 50% to tourism and 50% to capital projects
There will not be a public forum at this work session, however, we strongly encourage you to attend this work session to learn more about the future of tourism in Sedona. Thank you in advance for your support, and we'll see you on March 14, at 3:00 pm in the Council Chambers at City Hall. |
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March 15-16: Volunteer for the St. Patrick's Day Parade
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The St. Patrick's Day Parade needs your help. Several volunteers are still needed to help with set-up between 1:00 - 7:00 pm on Jordan Road on Friday, March 15 and event production from 7:30 am - 3:00 pm on Saturday, March 16. If you are interested if volunteering for this fantastic annual event please contact Holly Epright, Director of Sedona Main Street at 204-2390. |
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March 20: Strategies for Success
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Have you ever run into someone you met at a networking function and they tell you how they just used your competitor's services? OUCH! Why would they do that? The answer is almost certainly because you didn't have a consistent follow up system in place. e-Newsletters are very inexpensive and VERY effective - when you understand the principles of newsletters that create profits.
On Wednesday, March 20, spend your lunch hour learning "How to Create e-Newsletters that Make Prospects Say YES!" when Mary Cravets - Business Coach presents at the Chamber's monthly Strategies for Success Lunch Training. The program runs from 11:30 am - 1:15 pm and is held at the SVVAR building at 55 Sinagua Dr. You will learn:
- 3 ways an eNewsletter builds your business
- the 5 key elements that make your newsletter successful
- how to connect eNewsletters with social media tools
- how to streamline the process so that it's not overwhelming, and
- how to get started for FREE!
The cost is $15 for Chamber members, $20 for non-members and includes lunch. Call the Chamber at 204-1123 to make your reservation. Don't miss this opportunity to learn effective newsletter skills from one of the most successful business coaches around. |
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March 27: Highlight your Business at the Volunteer Breakfast
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| The Chamber Visitor Center will host a Volunteer Breakfast for members to highlight their business at Sound Bites Grill on Wednesday, March 27 from 8:00 - 9:30 am. With approximately 70 visitor center volunteers talking to 1000's of Sedona visitors, this is a great opportunity to present your business information directly to the volunteers who make referrals to businesses. Cost is $50 and includes breakfast with a 5-minute spot to highlight your business. Please contact Donna Retegan, Director of Visitor Services, to reserve your Business Spot. Space is limited to 10 members on a first-come-first-serve basis. Sign up deadline is Monday, March 25 at 5:00 pm. |
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March 28: Networking Mixer
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On Thursday evening, March 28, from 5:30 - 7:00 pm we will hold the Chamber's Monthly Networking Mixer. This event will be hosted by and highlight the features of Creekside Inn's remarkable property and the services and equipment of Verve Events & Tents. There will be NO PARKING on site. Instead, shuttle service will be provided from the parking lot of King's Ransom Hotel, 725 State Route 179, by Sedona Trolley. In addition, Mixer attendees are encouraged to remain past the normal closing time of 7:00 pm to enjoy music and dancing until 8:00 pm provided by our hosts. Cost to attend the Networking Mixer is $10 for members, $15 for non-members at the door. No RSVP is required to attend the Mixer. If you would like to contribute a raffle prize, please bring your prize to the Chamber of Commerce Administrative Office by 5:00 pm Wednesday, March 27. |
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Chamber Travels to Green, Green Ireland - Discount Rate Ends April 1
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Have you ever wanted to visit beautiful green Ireland? Now that opportunity is at hand as Sedona Chamber of Commerce prepares an excursion departing October 27 for eight days and nights. For the incredibly low price of $2,499 (double occupancy, booked prior to April 1), you'll enjoy round trip airfare from Phoenix, six nights at Castlemartyr Villas, a visit to the Cliffs of Moher, the Rock of Cashel, Kilkenny Castle, Killarney and the Ring of Kerry. You even have the opportunity to extend your trip for additional time in Dublin.
Chamber Discoveries, the organizer of this excursion, is a top notch company that is willing to work with individual passengers to allow travel from different cities, extensions to the travel time and more. Their guides are superb, knowledgeable and very accommodating. This is a trip you won't want to miss! For the full information package that will answer all your questions, visit SedonaChamber.com and download the Information Package. Call your friends, kids, grand kids or even old chums and encourage them to make this trip with you. It will offer memories to last a lifetime and all for a remarkably affordable price. Check it out today! |
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ADOT's Tentative Five Year Construction Program
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It is the perfect storm that's been brewing for the last few years as the effects of the economic downturn hit us all. The Arizona Department of Transportation has been forecasting dramatic funding challenges since 2009 that will affect projects across our state. Those economic predictions have now become a reality as ADOT begins to map out its next Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program.
The Five-Year Program is updated each year and serves as a blueprint that details where, when and how regional, state and federal funding will be spent for projects over the next five years to improve our state's transportation infrastructure. For the 2014-2018 Five-Year Program (which is still tentative right now), ADOT has determined that $350 million must be cut due to stagnant revenue from the gas and vehicle license taxes and from decreased federal funding.(more...) |
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Marketing Opportunities for Members... |
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March & April - Outdoor Adventure Deals |
"Outdoor Adventure" is the Tourism Bureau's marketing and PR theme for the months of March and April. What does this mean to you? With our warmer Spring season around the corner, now is the time to post your outdoors-oriented deal to VisitSedona.com.
Our Deals & Discount Packages section of VisitSedona.com is one of the most highly-visited sections of our site. While the Outdoor Adventure, Tours & Attractions category is live year-round, we will be promoting this particular category now more than ever. Why not take advantage of this FREE Tourism Bureau Membership opportunity?
Tailor a deal to the Outdoor Adventure theme (generic submissions will not be accepted), and provide your package on our website by clicking here. Be sure to select the "Outdoor Adventure, Tours & Attractions" category. This opportunity is open to Tourism Bureau members only.
Contact Michelle Conway with questions at 204-1123 or mconway@sedonachamber.com.
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FREE Spring Training Marketing Opportunity! |
Spring Training has begun in the Valley! Arizona's spring training baseball industry contributes $632 million to the state's economy each year, according to a pair of new studies released by the non-profit Cactus League Baseball Association.
In order to attract visitors to Sedona, we launched a Facebook ad campaign to promote Sedona "Spring Training" packages which will drive the user to our Visit Sedona website and VisitSedona.mobi.
There is still time to provide us with a deal/package! Please tailor a deal to the topic of Spring Training, and provide your package on our website by clicking here. Be sure to select the "Spring Training Deals" category. This category will be live until April 1. This opportunity is open to Tourism Bureau members only.
Contact Michelle Conway with questions at 204-1123 or mconway@sedonachamber.com
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| Americans at All Income Levels Plan to Travel More This Spring |
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Americans are expected to travel more for leisure this spring. Those at all income levels report an increase in the number of days they plan to travel this spring compared to one year ago, according to a national survey by D.K. Shifflet & Associates. Read more... |
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Recent Clippings assisted with or provided by the Sedona Chamber
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Helpful Information and Other Tools
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