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May 6, 2013
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Tradeshow Mixer Correction
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On Thursday, April 25, the Chamber held a Tradeshow Networking Mixer at the Sedona Elks Lodge. Many of our members provided raffle prizes and were thanked in our article last week. We failed to note that Verve Events & Tents also contributed to the event with assistance on the lovely tablecloths used at each vendor table. We wish to thank them for their support on behalf the Chamber and all those members who purchased a table at the Mixer.
Verve Events & Tents consistently partners with the Chamber and numerous other organizations to make their events remarkable and professionally "attired." Their efforts on behalf of the entire community deserve support and thanks.
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May 4-12: National Travel and Tourism Week
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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: Ribbon Cutting at Encore Theater of Sedona
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Please join the Sedona Chamber for a Ribbon Cutting to welcome new member Encore Theater of Sedona, located at 6615 SR 179 Sedona AZ 86351, on Wednesday, May 8 at 2:00 pm. Encore is Sedona's premier live theater, featuring an award winning Rock & Roll Revue show direct from Branson, Missouri. Visit Encore Theater on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/EncoreTheater
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May 8: Monthly Business Forum to Discuss Wedding Industry in Sedona
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The next meeting in the Chamber's Monthly Business Forum series will be held on Wednesday, May 8 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 by 12:00 pm on Tuesday, May 7. 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 noon the day before, 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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May 13: Pavement Work to Begin on State Route 89A North of Cottonwood
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Lane restrictions will be required on an eight-mile segment of State Route 89A between Cottonwood and Sedona beginning Monday, May 13 to allow crews to perform preventative maintenance on the roadway, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
Work will continue daily, Monday to Thursday from 5:00 am - 5:00 pm until May 21. The four-lane divided highway segment of SR 89A (mileposts 357-365) will be narrowed to one lane in each direction. Motorists should anticipate delays.
ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.
For more information, email projects@azdot.gov or call the ADOT project hotline at 1-855-712-8530. Visit www.facebook.com/azdot or www.azdot.gov for more information about ADOT. For more information about ADOT projects and programs across Arizona see the agency's latest blog posts at http://adotblog.blogspot.com.
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May 15: Strategies for Success: Are You Ready for the Affordable Healthcare Act?
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Major changes to health insurance are coming on January 1, 2014 and we want you to be prepared. Do you know the difference between a full time employee and a full time equivalent employee? Want to learn more about health care exchanges / marketplaces and what they can mean for you and your employees? Then you should plan on attending the Wednesday, May 15 Strategies for Success Lunch Training, the topic of which will be: "Are You or Your Business Prepared for Health Care Reform?" We will cover these and many more aspects of the health care reform law. You will not want to miss this opportunity.
Leading the program will be Ed Gussio, President ad Maria Gillespie of Benefit Logic, Inc. of Flagstaff. Ed Gussio started Benefit Logic in 1997 immediately following a career in management with a prominent health insurance company. Since then, Benefit Logic has grown to become one of Arizona's leading employee benefit and individual health insurance consultants. Ed and his team of professionals assist over 140 employers in various industries.
The program will be held from 11:30 am - 1:15 pm at the Sedona-Verde Valley Board of Realtors Training Room at 55 Sinagua in west Sedona and includes your lunch. The $15 registration is required, so please call 204-1123 to reserve your seat.
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May 16: Green Business Affinity Group
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Thursday, May 16 from 8:30 - 10:00 am marks the next meeting of the Green Business Affinity Group at the Sedona Public Library's Si Birch Community Room. These meetings are a result of interest expressed by respondents to the Chamber's "How Green Is Your Business Survey" administered earlier this year.
The first meeting in April was informative and lively, in spite of only a few attendees. In this next meeting we will work towards developing a set of goals for the group.
Please mark your calendar for May 16, 8:30 - 10:00 am. Do plan on attending and assisting us in getting this valuable Affinity Group off the ground. Call the Chamber at 204-1123 by 12:00 pm the day prior, to reserve a seat.
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June 25: Show Off Your Restaurant or Catering at the Regional Mixer
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Your Chamber of Commerce is seeking local restaurants to provide food for the June 25 Regional Mixer to be held at Blazin' M Ranch in Cottonwood. This Mixer will be a partnership with the Cottonwood, Camp Verde, Clarkdale, Jerome, and Sedona Chambers of Commerce. Each of the five Chambers will be providing 3 food vendors so no one vendor has to feed what is expected to be more than 400 attendees.
Please contact David Keeber, Director of Membership at the Sedona Chamber if you are interested in participating. For full information, click here. This will be a great opportunity to get your restaurant in front of people from all over the Sedona Verde Valley area.
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Ireland Trip Seats Still Available
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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 rate of $2,599 per person (double occupancy) offers an opportunity to see this storied country at an affordable price. 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! |
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Marketing Opportunities for Tourism Bureau Members...
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Visit Sedona has a Brand New Pinterest Page
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The Sedona Chamber of Commerce Tourism Bureau has created a brand new Pinterest page called Visit Sedona. If you are Tourism Bureau members, please send over 1-3 photos that you feel best represent your product, service, event or festival, and we will Pin them.
Please visit: http://pinterest.com/visitsedona/ and FOLLOW.
If you don't have a Pinterest page for your business, please create one! It is a simple free way to share photos, acquire followers, and promote your business. For questions or to send over your photos, email Kegn Hall, Public Relations & Events Manager. |
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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. |
2013-2014 Sedona Destination Event Planner
Photography Request and Advertizing Opportunity
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Sedona Chamber of Commerce and Madden Media are requesting photography for consideration in the 2013-2014 Sedona Destination Event Planner (circulation 2,500 copies & an online turn-page version). We are requesting bright, colorful and lively images of your business or attraction that showcase the unique experience that Sedona has to offer group travelers, be it for corporate events, weddings, spiritual retreats, or any gathering. Images must be in .tiff, .jpg or PDF format, and at high resolution (300 dpi is preferred). Please indicate in the filename, or in an attached document, brief caption and photo credit information. Though we cannot guarantee placement in this issue of the guide, we will be happy to add your images to the Sedona Chamber's marketing image library, which will enhance the visibility of your business. Deadline is Friday, May 10.
Email images (smaller than 5MB), or request Madden Media's FTP site uploading instructions, to Emily Rush, Art Director, at ERush@maddenmedia.com. She can also accept submissions through DropBox, YouSendIt, or any number of free transfer sites.
Please send photos on CD or thumb-drive to:
Madden Media, attn: Emily Rush, Art Director
345 E. Toole Ave
Tucson, AZ 85711
Advertising opportunities are still available for this publication. With your support, we will be able to market Sedona as a premier small meeting, event and wedding destination. Our success depends on your participation. For details, please contact Dan Carter, Account Executive at (480) 638-3774 or dcarter@maddenmedia.com.
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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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Memorial Day Holiday Travel Slightly More Affordable Than Last Year
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The average price for a round-trip domestic flight during the Memorial Day holiday, from May 23 to 28, is $341, including taxes, according to a fare analysis by travel website Travelocity. That is a 2 percent dip from the holiday period last year, while the average price for an international round trip is $981, a 1 percent drop from 2012. For the week of May 19, fares are expected to be $23 higher, on average, based on data from past years. Of the top 10 destinations booked through Travelocity for the Memorial Day holiday, New York is No. 1 for the third year in a row. (USAToday.com, April 29)
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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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