Chamber Newsletters
Pagosa Springs Chamber Newsletters
February - March 2008 issue
WinterFest Is Upon Us – Bring on the Snow!
Pull out your shovels, pails, carrots, hats, mittens, old signs or furniture, snowmobiles, good outdoor equipment, fishing poles and your hearts and join in all the WinterFest fun this February of 2008. From Friday, February 8 to Sunday, February 10, there will be numerous individual and group activities for people to participate in.
We start on Friday night where what better way to chase away the winter blahs than to enjoy some heart and stomach warming soup with Hospice of Mercy’s Soup for the Soul. This yearly fundraising event for Hospice of Mercy is a reminder and thank you to those who take of the ones we love in the last vestiges of their life. It takes a special person to care for the terminally ill, and this event is a wonderful way to give back to Hospice while enjoying some great soups and breads by some of Pagosa’s wonderful restaurants and bakeries. The dinner will take place at the Community Center starting at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are available at Moonlight Books for $25 per person. Warm up and get ready for all the cool activities in the next couple of days.
On Saturday, February 9 there will be several events going on simultaneously. If you are a fisherman or woman, head out to Lake Hatcher where the Ice Fishing Tournament will be held. The tournament is open to all ages and skill levels and there will be some great cash prizes. For more information, you can contact Larry Lynch at PLPOA at 731-5635.
If you have the need for speed, then the snowmobile Snowcross Races are for you. You only need to travel to the Fairgrounds on Hwy 84 to either participate in or watch as racers compete for points and prizes on the predetermined course. With the excellent snow this year, the course should be great, challenging, and fun to watch. For more information about the races, contact Pam Lloyd at 731-5740. The races begin around 10 a.m.
Then on Saturday afternoon, go just three miles east of town to The High Country Lodge for the “Anything Goes Downhill Sled Race”. This wacky, fun, and frenetic race brings out the spectators as well as the participants. Sleds must be home-made. Last year’s winner was the Buckin’ Bidet, so you can only imagine a toilet with a saddle on skis flying down the hill! Event sponsors, High Country Lodge offer their great sledding hill as well as provide food and beverages for the participants and viewing crowd. We encourage you to enter and register your sled early; however, you can enter the day of the race. Entry forms are available at the Chamber, or we can fax you a form. The entry fee is $5 in advance, $10 the day of the race. There will be cash and merchandise prizes as well as door prizes for the spectators. For more information, contact the Chamber at 264-2360.
On Sunday, February 10th, the hard core athletes come out to participate in the Winter Triathlon. Cross country skiing, downhill and snowshoeing are events that participants should be versed in. Of course this is a timed event, but this is also a great opportunity to get out there and enjoy the myriad of winter activities available to us. Just participate, don’t stress about winning – have fun! You can participate as an individual or a group. Entry forms may also be obtained at the Chamber or by calling Kimberley at 264-2360.
Also on Sunday, with the great snow, we bring back the Snow Sculpting Contest and add the Snowman Building Contest. There is a difference. We want to encourage some family participation and therefore have devised the Snowman Building event. This contest involves 2-4 participants. You must have an adult (over 21) and a child (10 or younger) on your team. You can bring accessories to decorate your snowman (or multiple snowmen). We only ask that you leave the snowpeople decorated until after the judging. There will be some great family pack prizes given out.
For the more challenged artist, there will also be the Snow Sculpting Contest. This contest is open to individuals or groups. You can shovel, pack, chip or pile, but no power tools will be allowed! Be creative. There is no limit to the number of people on the team. The entry fee is $10 in advance, $15 the day of the contest. There will be some great cash prizes, so what better way to try and earn some money for your youth group or even get some ski money just for being creative!
Both events will begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday with registration starting at noon. The sculpting for both events will take place in Town Park. There will be hot drinks to kee warm. Come on out and participate in the fun or come out and watch the creations being built!
For more information about any of the WinterFest events, please call us at the Chamber. We hope to chase some of the cold winter blues away with some fun events. We thank our current sponsors: High Country Lodge with the Anything Goes Sled Race , LaTazza Esspresso Bar and Cafe, Jim Smith Realty and Hart's Rocky Mountain Retreat for the Triathlon, Terry's Ace Hardware with the Snow Sculpting contest, Liberty Theater, McDonald’s, Choke Cherry Tree, and Pagosa Candy Co. all with the Snow Sculpting/Snowman Building contests. We look forward to making the most of all this snow and bringing back the fun of WinterFest.
New Membership Enhancements
With the roll-out of the new Visitor Center and Chamber websites, we are excited to offer to the membership some new products to enhance your business as well as our business. There are basically three new products for you to take part of.
Job Postings: We know that oftentimes, finding staff members for your business is challenging. Along with the classified ads in several local print publications, you will be able to list job openings on the Chamber website as well. The cost will be nominal and you can list it for as short as a week or as long as you want to. When the website comes up on the screen, there will be a special section labeled “Job Postings”. We hope that not only local residents but people interested in moving to the community will view the job postings. Businesses can attract interested parties that view the chamber website as a qualified source of job availabilities.
“Hot Deals”: This section is again available to those businesses that may want to run a “special” that is being offered. Maybe you want to highlight a particular product in your store, perhaps you are offering a dinner or lunch special or live music. This section is the location to list that “hot deal”. The cost again will be minimal and we expect the extra exposure will be well worth the small cost.
Business Logo or Picture: You can now add that special touch to your website listing. Place a picture of your business, lodging facility or yourself next to your website listing. Show viewers that you care to proudly display your business. “A picture is worth a thousand words”! This picture will display in several locations on the website – what a deal!
With all three offerings, you will be able to run a report and actually track how the traffic is performing from the Chamber’s website. You’ll be able to see how many people actually viewed your hot deal or job posting. You can list a link to your website and have people go there where you can give more information. We will be happy to work with you to create some catchy phrases, word your job postings, and help you with pictures. We will also be set up to bill you for these services for convenience sake.
Watch for more information in your weekly e-mail news updates, the Chamber SUN articles, PagosaDailyPost.com and other sources as we roll out these enhancements. This is just another way that we are trying to drive traffic to your website and business. For more information, call the Chamber at 264-2360.
December 2007 - January 2008 issue
2007 Year in Review
Pagosa Spring Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center
It is hard for me to believe that I am writing another year-end summary as 2007 comes to a close. I have to admit that I have become a little jaded this year towards accomplishments as I look at the awesome people in our office who treat their job everyday as a way create and improve. As we get better at our jobs, the improvements become the new standard and the new standard becomes the norm. This is not a bad thing; we always want to continue to improve and to keep setting the bar higher.
The biggest accomplishment that I can account for this year is the development of a great staff. Without the hard work, cooperative spirit, and creative teamwork, our accomplishments would not become the new norm. Kimberley is invaluable to this organization and her dedication and level of hospitality is superb. Sandy Caves took and now Connie Savoy is taking ownership of the membership. They offer knowledgeable, personal attention and Connie is there to help you get the most out of your chamber membership and chamber website listing. Sandy Apolito wants to market your business. So when she calls saying that we’re low or out of your brochures or business cards in the lobby, please realize that she has your business in mind and wants to give you the best exposure possible. We have tried new ideas this year, some have been successful, some need work. It is this collective effort that keeps our organization fresh. Here then are some new ideas and efforts that we rolled out in 2007.
- Increased membership 6% from 711 to 753 members.
- Received the Colorado Chamber of Commerce Executives “President’s Award”.
- Hosted Colorado Chamber of Commerce Executive spring meeting. First time event for this organization in Pagosa.
- Switched to a more comprehensive membership data base system to allow membership more control over their content information on the Chamber’s website.
- In the final phases of rolling out a new website for both the Visitor Center and the Chamber.
- In the final phases of completing a community “lure” visitor guide to be used as a marketing tool, mailed out and taken to trade shows.
- With the Board of Directors, completed a strategic planning session whereby a new vision and mission were identified for the Chamber. The Visitor Center portion will be completed in 2008.
- Arts & Crafts show experienced an increase in vendor attendance by 10% or 8 vendors in 2007 with more vendors taking more than one space.
- Instituted monthly luncheon seminars: “Business Bites”.
- Built up monthly “Maximizing Your Membership” classes garnering 10-15 people per session.
- Instituted weekly e-mail news updates.
- Completed the following renovation projects on the building: replaced west wall, new signage, replaced front deck and installed safety hand-rail on front steps, repainted interior of building, replaced cracked and warped window seals.
- Completed the second annual membership survey. Responses improved in every category from 2006 as well as ranking above the national norm in every category.
- Installed new outdoor kiosk informational center.
- Reorganized Visitor Center lobby.
- Developed first “Kite Festival”
Statistics:
- Fulfillment or visitor inquiry requests are flat to last year. This includes 2 months contact information problems on our website that is now fixed. The top five “requested by” states are: 1. Texas, 2. Colorado, 3. New Mexico, 4. Arizona, 5. Oklahoma
- Visitors recorded at the Center were 3024 compared to 3000 YTD in 2006. The states most frequenting our town are from: 1. Texas, 2. Colorado, 3. New Mexico, 4. Arizona, 5. Oklahoma
- Web site visitations increased by 20 % YTD.
Areas of Improvement
- With the new membership data base system, in 2008 we will roll out “hot deals” where members can post business specials; job postings; and businesses will be able to post a logo or picture of themselves or their business on their chamber website listing. The “enhanced” membership and package options will be available in the 1st quarter of 2008.
- We are revisiting continuing the luncheon “Business Bites” series.
- Will offer short surveys in 2008 to the membership to better identify needs and wants.
- Increase membership 5%.
- Initiate and spearhead cooperative efforts between the Visitor Center, Town Tourism Committee and the County Tourism Commission.
We would not have been able to fulfill these accomplishments without the partnership of the membership. It was the members who filled out the survey to let us know what was good and what we need to work on. It is the cooperation of the retail members that allows us to host and market the Parade of Stores. It is the involvement of the members that lets us know if we have website problems or some information is wrong. We are not a chamber without the membership. You are our constituents. In 2008, we will once again raise the bar: continue to have one of the largest and strongest memberships in the state, continue to have one of the most knowledgeable, friendliest and prettiest Visitor Centers in the state, we will be able to give you better tourism data, and we will continue to serve you.
Mission Statement: The Pagosa Springs Chamber of Commerce is to provide out members with community leadership and business development opportunities, tools, services, and education.
December 1, 2007
Fond Farewell
As tradition holds, it is time to say goodbye and thank you to three outgoing Chamber Board members that have given their time and talents to our organization for the past three years.
Judy James
Long time resident, past town council member, and chamber board president, Judy has been an asset to our board. In 2007, Judy suffered some heart problems and had to cut back her involvement. But her efforts prior to this time were given with vigor. Judy was at almost every event decorating, serving wine or supporting the troops. Judy is a quiet individual whose talent is to listen, and then comment. Her comments are insightful and thought provoking. She has always been supportive and involved. We wish Judy the best in a continued recovery and thank her for her years of service.
Jody McAlister
Even standing still - Jody is in constant motion. Her vivacious personality, engaging smile, crazy antics and passion for people and community is infectious and admirable. The Chamber board was lucky to have her when then did. Jody is the epitome of “if you need something done, ask a busy person”. She generously donates her time to many other organizations including Rotary, the Education Center, and Special Olympics. It was rare that Jody was not there to contribute to a Chamber event. From creative ideas to asking the hard questions, Jody has the strength and personality to play “devil’s advocate”, agree to disagree, bring in past experiences and mediate. Her talents on the chamber board will be missed and we hope that other organizations will be able to reap her qualities.
Don McKeehan
“I’ll run for the board only if you don’t have anyone else to run”. Don McKeehan’s first mistake was to tell the membership that they should vote for someone else, but the community knew better. Don has the illustrious reputation of being on the chamber board the longest. He was on the board for three years, then stepped in to fill a slot left by a board member that resigned, and then was elected again to the board for another three year term. What will I do when I have to ask why things were done that way in the first place!
When Don speaks at meetings (because Mary isn’t there), participants should listen as his insight is on target and representative of the business community. Don is often the voice of reason when a discussion occurs or he throws out alternatives to get the group thinking. Actually, the real reason that we have liked Don being on the board so long is that when you get Don, you get a “two-fer”. Collectively, Don and Mary McKeehan have served this community for over 12 years with the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. If there is an event, both parties will probably be there. So not only will we lose Don this year, but Mary will be absent as well. We will miss the McKeehan tag team. Thank you for all your years of service to the community. It is no wonder that you both received the Citizen of the Year award in 2000.
December 1, 2007
Pagosa Perks
It’s that time of year again. You know, that time to find gifts for everyone, and you have no idea what to buy for anyone. One great idea would be Pagosa Perks. Much like a traveler’s check, Perks can be used anywhere in Pagosa. They are the perfect gift for the person who has everything. They can be used to pay for a special lunch, to buy that perfect shirt or to pay for a local utility bill. And businesses, don’t lose a sale by turning down Pagosa Perks. Treat them “Same as Cash”.
Here is another great use for the Perks. If you are an employer, and are looking for another way to give a bonus for your hard working employees, look no further. Pagosa Perks are a thoughtful way to say, “Great Job!”
And the perk for giving Perks? Giving Pagosa Perks means that you keep the spending dollars in Pagosa. If you don’t think that there is selection in Pagosa, then you haven’t been out shopping lately!
Perks come in denominations of $10 & $20 increments. Just drop by the Chamber and purchase your Perks, or if you have a large order, give us a call and we will have them ready for you in the denominations that you request at the time you need them. When completing your bank deposit, just deposit Perks like a check - it’s easy!
We thank you for thinking and shopping in Pagosa and keeping dollars going and coming around in our own community.
