A message from the President...
Hopefully all of you have had time to enjoy this beautiful summer, at least some of it. We have many events coming up in our community that are for families, friends, and visitors. The Children's, Oktoberfest, the Jazz Fest, as well as many school, theatre, and library events - just a few to look forward to. Get involved! Get to know your neighbors. Have some fun. I know I have stated this before. We live in a spectacular place that is special in many ways and it is so easy to get caught up in every day living and just trying to mantain that we forget to stop and pick the black berries.
Your Chamber office is running smoothly, thanks to Debbie Tate. She has several projects in various stages.
We will vote on accepting the new bylaws at the September meeting. If you have not had an opportunity to read them and wish to do so, stop by the Chamber office.
The Chamber Board is looking for two or three members to assist in developing a new rate structure for the membership fees. Any person interested should contact Debbie. It is also time to be thinking about serving on your Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. There will be three positions available in the upcoming year. Ballots will go out in October, which will be here before we know it! An organization is only as effective as it's members involvement. We have made progress this year, but we always need new people with new ideas We need YOU! Again, contact Debbie or any current board member if you are interested.
Tori Zehner is looking for volunteers to help with the home for the Holidays committee. Contact her today.
We need your membership to operate but we must also have your participation for our organization to be a success.
Kathy Johnson
Chamber President
Islands Region spotlighted in fall radio campaign
Washington State Tourism has selected the "Islands Region" for their upcoming "See Washington First" fall radio campaign to promote visiting the islands in the off season. The Islands region is compromised of the San Juan Islands, Anacortes, and Fidalgo Island, Whidbey Island, Camano Island and Laconner.
The campaign will focus on participation lodging facilities and businesses that participate in the Great Getaway Adventure Card. Lodging facilities are asked to offer at least 20% discounts. The card participants are encouraged to offer discounts up to 50% off or a buy-one, get-one-free, etc. The cards will be handed out to all overnight guests. The campaign includes 60-second radio spots in the targeted region with each region's campaign running a minimum of two weeks.
The radio spots will feature Washington State Tourism's web site www.experiencewashington.com as the fulfillment vehicle. Tourism's home page will link to our Islands Region web site which will provide specific package information. The Washington State Tourism office will cover all radio time and production costs, estimated to be $350,000. Each participating property/business will be responsible for tracking the number of packages sold and provide a monthly booking total to the Business Association of San Juan County, P.O. Box 1641, Eastsound, Wa 98245.
A submission form must be completed and return before September 8 to participate. There is a $125 fee to offset the cost of web development and printing and design of incentive card. Forms can be picked up at Chamber Office or call Debbie Tate for more information, 378-5240.
Member Messages...
This section of the Newsletter is set aside for messages from our membership. Do you have upcoming events you would want to publicize, opinions you want to voice... Contact Debbie Tate, 378-5240 or email chamber@sanjuanisland.com
OrcaCam will soon have a camera down at the Spring Street Aquaarium/Friday Harbor Marine Interpretive center that will be focused directly in a 300-gallon refridgerated salt water tank. Orcacam owner Bob Weimer says the company will buy, install and support the cam. The aquarium will be provided by Emerald Seas Diving and Marine Center under the direction of Kimberly Albert. The website viewing is: www.orcacam.com
The Cascade Joinery is holding this fall's Timber Frame Seminar adn Home Tour on Saturday, September 23 on San Juan Island. The seminar starts at 10 am with coffee, slide show and discussion with the home tour following lunch. The cost is $25 per person or $45 per couple, including lunch. To pre-register phone (360) 527-0119 or email:
info@cascadejoinery.com
What to say when networking
Consider asking these questions the next time you meet a new networking contact:
- How did you get started in your field?
- What about your profession do you enjoy most?
- What advice could you offer to a beginner in your field?
- What major changes have you seen in your profession?
- What trends do you see coming in your field?
- What's the strangest or funniest event you've experienced in your career?
- What methods do you find work best to promote your business?
- What one sentence would you like people to use to describe the way you do business?
1st annual arts fair
The Summer Arts Fair, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce on Aug. 19 at teh grange was small, classy, and fun!. Eleven local artists participated setting up impressive booths to display their work. A visitor information center was set up (a note on our office door gave directions to the Arts Fair).
Special thanks to Farhad Ghatan and Wendy Harford for providing background music. Approximately 400 attended.
