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April 29, 2013
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Tradeshow Mixer at Elks Lodge a Great Success!
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On Thursday, April 25, the Chamber held a Tradeshow Networking Mixer at the Sedona Elks Lodge. It was another well attended evening and those in attendance made great connects with both the vendors exhibiting at table, as well as those general attendees. We want to thank Domino's Pizza for assisting with the food at the event.
In addition, there were many businesses that donated raffle drawing prizes. We want to thank Babbitt Ford Lincoln Mercury, Marc Hoaglund Sales & Consulting, Out of Africa, Sedona Spirit Yoga & Hiking, My Imagination, Arizona Wine Travel, Healing from the Heart, and Only in Sedona/Sedona Psychic Wisdom.
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Ireland Discount Rate Extended 'til May 1
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If travel to Ireland is on your bucket list, you should plan on traveling there with the Sedona Chamber of Commerce on October 27. The discounted rate of $2,499 per person (double occupancy) has been extended until May 1, (after May 1, the rate increases to $2,599). This includes airfare from Phoenix!
The company that organizes the tour, Chamber Discoveries, recently took a Chamber group to Tuscany. Travelers returning from that excursion spoke in glowing terms of accommodations, tours, guides and more. We can expect that same level of attention to detail on the Ireland trip.
For all the details on the trip, you can click here. To see a short video of the sights you will see, check out this Youtube link. You can also pick up a package of information at the Chamber's offices at 45 Sunset Drive. Don't miss this great opportunity to see the Emerald Isle for an affordable price! |
National Travel and Tourism Week Starts this Saturday
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All week at our Official Visitor Center in Uptown we will be choosing random visitors and celebrating their visit to Sedona with a Sedona goodie bag and prizes. All visitors will feel appreciated by our "We Love Sedona Visitors" sign, decorations and tasty treats. For those visitors not able to celebrate with us in Sedona, we'll be featuring our appreciation through social media efforts.
As our promotional efforts are supported by the majority of Sedona residents, it's refreshing to see that the value of the tourism industry is also appreciated by our younger generation. A recent essay competition held by A Jay Bronson's Economics class at Sedona Red Rock High School posed the question: What does Tourism in Sedona Mean to You? As winning student Riley McCord eloquently stated "The one thing that is most noticed is the constant stream of people looking in awe and wonder at our little piece of desert paradise. In fact, Sedona relies heavily on the curiosity of the world and all of the tourists it sends." Well put Riley!
You can get involved, too, by wearing red on May 8 for "Travel Rally Day" to celebrate tourism in Sedona. Plus, click here for your own "We Love Sedona Visitors" flyer to display on your counters or in your lobby, along with cookies, or a special offer or discount you think would be appropriate for your valuable customers. Thank you for the extra touches to show that we value our visitors!
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May 8: Business Forum to Discuss Wedding Industry in Sedona
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he next meeting in the Chamber's Monthly Business Forum series will be held on Wednesday, May 8th from 8:30 - 10:00 am at the Chamber office, 45 Sunset Drive. The industry focus will be on Wedding Planners and Service Providers. If you are a business associated with the wedding industry here in Sedona, this meeting will be of value to you. You'll meet with Chamber President/CEO Jennifer Wesselhoff and air your questions, concerns, thoughts and new ideas. These conversations are of real value to both the businesses who attend and to the Chamber as we all share ideas and stay current on the state of business.
To attend, please call the Chamber at 204-1123 to register. There is no cost, but we do need a head count. Call today! |
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May 9: Attend Orientation Meeting, Become a Chamber Services Power User
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Sedona Chamber offers a nearly-dizzying array of services that help you market your business. Learning to use them all is actually easy if you attend the Member Orientation at which Chamber staff explain the range of tools at your disposal. Thursday, May 9, 9:00 - 11:00 am marks the next Orientation at the Best Western PLUS Arroyo Roble Hotel, 400 N State Route 89A, Sedona (in Uptown, in the downstairs meeting room).
Chamber membership can be likened to a gym membership where you join, but if you don't use the "equipment" you'll never get fit! Learn how to use these marketing tools and you'll help your business grow! The program is free, but you do need to register by calling the Chamber office at 204-1123. Call today and help your business get fit! |
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May 10: Mark Your Calendar and Register for Good Morning Sedona |
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Friday, May 10 marks the final show of Good Morning Sedona's 2012 - 2013 season. This is Sedona's premier morning networking event and offers you the opportunity to connect with dozens of others eager to grow you and their businesses. The networking event is held at Los Abrigados from 7:30 - 9:00 am and the cost is only $20 if you preregister, (or $25 at the door).
If you wish to offer a raffle prize, please call the Chamber at 204-1123. You can add your marketing materials to the take-away bags for an additional $15. Call the Chamber to register, today! Please RSVP for the event or to give a prize by Wednesday, May 8 at 5:00 pm.
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New Member Discount Offered By iTourSedona
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Be sure to check out the Member Discount page on SedonaChamber.com where you will find a new offer made by iTourSedona. The FREE mobile application for your smart phone, tablet or computer today offers exclusive deals and a compendium of local destinations, tours, shops and activities. Their discounted program makes placing your business on their system even more affordable. Be sure to check it out.
If you would like to offer a discount to your fellow Chamber members, just contact David Keeber at the Chamber office. |
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June 14: ADOT Seeks Input on Five Year Plan
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The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) continues to gather public comments on the 2014-2018 Tentative Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program. Please visit the ADOT website to review the tentative plan and for public hearing details.
If you can't make it to the public hearings, don't worry - there are plenty of other ways to comment, including:
The State Transportation Board will consider all public comments received or postmarked by May 17, before adopting the final 2014-2018 Five-Year Program at its June 14 meeting in Pinetop-Lakeside. |
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Marketing Opportunities for Tourism Bureau Members...
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The Chamber's Tourism Bureau has a Face Book page JUST FOR YOU!
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Did you know that we have a Facebook page, dedicated to our Tourism Bureau members with almost 30,000 fans? http://www.facebook.com/VisitSedona?fref=ts
Please visit, LIKE VisitSedona and share your business posts with Kegn Hall, Public Relations & Events Manager. The criteria is very easy to follow:
FacebookMembers can submit their content for posting on the Sedona Chamber Facebook page. If you have your own Facebook business page, our 6,700 fans, can become your fans. - Submit newsworthy information or event details; the event must take place at a member's location or be hosted by a member
- Submissions should be 40 words or less
- Submissions must include a link and a photo
- Please write in the third person -avoid I, we, ours, me, my, etc.
- Submissions are limited to two (2) per month, per member
If you don't have a business Facebook page, please create one! It is a simple free way to share news and support each other. |
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2013-2014 Sedona Destination Event Planner Advertising Opportunity
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New this year, the Chamber is excited to partner with Madden Media to produce a Sedona Destination Event Planner! This will be a primary response piece used to fulfill meeting, group, event, and wedding inquiries. It will reflect the "My Sedona" brand and supplement the 2013-2014 Experience Sedona Guide that Madden Media has just produced with a vibrant new look.
The circulation of 2013-2014 Sedona Destination Event Planner will be 2,500 copies, which will be amplified through an online turn-page version easily accessed on our meetings website, MySedonaMeeting.com. In addition to fulfilling inquiries, the guide will be distributed through our Meeting Planners Mailing Program and at various trade-shows.
With your advertising support, we will be able to market Sedona as a premier small meeting, event and wedding destination. Our success depends on your participation.
To learn more about the new advertising opportunities in the 2013-2014 Sedona Destination Event Planner, contact Dan Carter, Account Executive at (480) 638-3774 or dcarter@maddenmedia.com. |
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"Culinary & Wine Escapes" Email Blast |
Extension: Please send your materials to Michelle Conway by Monday, 5/6.
We have our own list of potential Sedona visitors who have requested Sedona information specific to Sedona's culinary and wine scene.
We are creating an attractive email, in full-color, with professional photographs. The email will begin with a short introduction to Sedona, and will be complete with a description of your business and your offer! This email will blast to approximately 15,000 contacts in May.
There are a few spaces left! Provide us with 75 words or less, a photo/logo (JPG files only), a short title (up to five words) and a website address for a live link to your site for only $125. Limited to the first ten participants. Contact Michelle Conway, Director of Marketing, at 204-1123.
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Available Banner Ads on VisitSedona.com |
Did you know that VisitSedona.com...
- Will receive well over 1 million unique visitors this year?
- Is the primary call-to-action in all of our marketing and advertising?
- Consistently ranks at the top of page one in Google for hundreds of Sedona search terms?
- And, has banner ad space available on a variety of its pages?
If your business would like to attract the visitor audience, please contact Michelle Conway, Director of Marketing, at mconway@sedonachamber.com or at 204-1123 to inquire about banner ad pricing and availability.
There is a maximum number of banner ads allowed on VisitSedona.com. Pages are filling up fast. Don't miss this opportunity to have premiere visibility! |
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Mesa Gateway Airport Plans To Build Two Additional Gates
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The Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority and D.L. Withers Construction agreed to build two more gates and an additional outdoor courtyard at the airport's Charles L. Williams Passenger Terminal at a cost of $4.8 million. With the project, the total number of gates will increase from eight to 10 and the courtyard, located beyond the security checkpoint, will provide an outdoor respite for travelers prior to boarding. The announcement comes on the heels of a preliminary report by Airport Council International listing Gateway Airport as the fastest growing commercial airport in America for total passengers served, based on percentage increase. The airline passenger count for 2012 totaled 1.39 million - a 45 percent bounce from the 956,665 passenger total for the previous year. (EastValleyTribune.com, April 17)
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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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