Happy Thanksgiving to all of our members!

The Chamber will be closed Thursday and Friday, but you'll see us downtown on Saturday coordinating this year's Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. The parade caps a day of seasonal fun with the Christmas Stroll from 2-6 p.m. complete with carolers, marshmallow roasts and special shopping promotions, and Old Trail Town's Christmas Open House from 2-8 p.m. It's going to be a great day in Cody!

One of our biggest activities during this "quiet season" is to revamp our visitor center. I think you'll be excited about our new plans including:

Extended hours in the summer: We will now be open 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. everyday May through September. In the past we've had limited hours on the weekends. 
 
Layout and staffing changes: We will have a dedicated spot for selling tickets and will position our staff both inside and outside to better engage with our guests, promoting all there is to do in the Cody/Yellowstone area.

We'll also be upgrading our technology including a new "automatic counting" system to get an accurate number of the guests we serve each day and staff equipped with iPads to do everything from route planning to connecting visitors to you, our members..

 Upgraded design and visuals: From fresh paint to making our information displays more consistent, our visitor center will be getting a new look. We'll be adding large photographs and a member-sponsored video better showcasing all there is to do here. We want visitors who aren't familiar with Cody to be compelled to stay longer and do more while they're in the area.

 New marketing opportunities: One of the most important services we provide to members is marketing options which connect you with customers. In the visitor center we'll have a host of new programs and opportunities including:  

• Upgraded literature displays for our B2B and "non tourism" members. 
     
• A dedicated computer for guests to access our website, Park County Travel Council, and Google Maps for route planning.
       
• Cody Area Video - Your business will be featured for 30-seconds in our new Cody Adventure Video that will be shown in our Visitor Center and posted on our website. This video will be professionally produced locally by Fire Tribe Productions! Tell your story to visitors and those planning their upcoming trip to Cody Country: $750 per participant. (10 sponsorships available)    
• Phone On-Hold Sponsor - The Chamber receives thousands of phone inquiries each year and many of those callers are put on hold while their questions are researched. Record a 30-second message that will play on a loop for people to listen to while they are on hold. $250/year (2 sponsorships available)   
   
• Cody Map Sponsor - A majority of visitors to the Chamber ask for directions to different attractions, shops and restaurants in Cody. Have your logo and contact information prominently placed on the map we use to help visitors navigate Cody. $500/year (1 sponsorship available)
      
• Visitor Center Photo Mural - As part of our visitor center redesign, we're adding dynamic photos of many of the things that make Cody great. Add your logo/information to the mural: $250/year. (4 sponsorships available)
      
• "Potty Promotions" - Want to reach a captive audience with your message? Your 18x24 ad poster will be strategically placed in our public (and frequently used) bathrooms. $250/year (3 sponsorships available, design not included)   
   
• Website Advertisements - We still have plenty of web ads available, ranging in price from $12.50 - 100/month. There is one homepage ad left and the webcam (a very popular page) is also available.

If you're interested in any of the above opportunities call (587-2777) or email today and speak to me or Lisa Beres (our visitor center manager). We're doing exciting things in 2013 and we want you to be a part of it!

Finally, I'm speaking to the choir, but let's remember to shop locally this Christmas. Buying local creates and sustains jobs, fosters community, keeps our small businesses viable and boosts our local economy during the winter season. If you can get it in Cody...please get it in Cody.

Have a great Thanksgiving everyone and THANK YOU for being a member. We can't do what we do without you!

Scott Balyo
Executive Director
Cody Country Chamber of Commerce