Special Report for the Presented May 14, 2019 by Laura P. Doster, - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Special Report for the

Presented May 14, 2019 by Laura P. Doster, Executive Director

Agenda

• Introductions

a) Executive Director b) Staff c) Executive Board d) Board of Directors

• Chamber Items

a) Mission b) Services c) Committees d) Economic Development e) Marketing f) Promoting the Gorge g) Gorge Events h) Membership i) Community Development j) Financials

• Closing Remarks

Introductions

Executive Director – Laura Doster Contracted Staff – Valerie Hoffman – Marketing/PR Allyssa Dixon – Administration Karen Yarborough – Financial Advisor Executive Board - Patrick Bryant – President Bob Keith – Vice President Bill Ashman – Secretary James Cain – Treasurer Board of Directors – Crystal Morrison – Morrison Photography Thomas Keever – Executive Director, LLCA Jennifer Duncan – Branch Manager, Carolina Bank & Trust Teri Coutu – CEO – Teric Enterprise Solutions, LLC April Schick – Owner, April’s Boutique Mary Jaeger-Gale – General Manager, Chimney Rock @ CR State Park Laura Krejci – Communications Director, Town of Lake Lure Howard Redmon – Owner, Cedar Creek Stables

Our Mission

To promote economic progress and quality of life in the Hickory Nut Gorge Community while helping to protect the natural integrity and unity of the communities of the Gorge. The Chamber is a catalyst for the creation of activities and opportunities for both visitors and residents and promotes an atmosphere that encourages visitation, business growth, and a strong sense of community.

Strength of our Services

Sense of Community

• Lift up, support, & promote all of the non-profit organizations.
• Consistent networking opportunities through monthly re-

Charges, Ribbon Cuttings, Milestone Anniversaries & other Chamber Signature Events.

• Public source of referrals for volunteer opportunities –

providing numerous opportunities to “plug and play” in the Gorge community. Economic Progress

• Active participant in Gorge-wide consortium to enhance

Internet & Cell Services in the Gorge

• Leader of revitalized Task Force to bring YMCA services to

the Gorge.

• Organizers of the largest annual event in HNG, the Dirty

Dancing Festival, which showcases the Gorge to nearly 4,000 people.

• Publishers of the only Online Business Directory focused on

Gorge businesses

• Representative voice for the business and tourism

community in economic and community development issues and projects in the Gorge and across the county.

• Managers of the only comprehensive clearinghouse for

business referrals in the Gorge – connecting businesses to newcomers, visitors & homeowners.

• Sponsor, co-sponsor or volunteer for major events, all to

attract visitors and residents alike while bringing economic benefits to local businesses.

Committees

Planning & Economic Development Marketing Events Membership Services Community Development Executive Committee

Our Board at Work

Economic Development

Affinity Assisted Living Facility YMCA HNG Technical Consortium Community Center

• Asset Management - Review land/buildings owned by the Town available

for lease/purchase – how can the Chamber support?

• Revisit the Arnett-Muldrow Study & Recommendations with the Town to

determine what can still be implemented.

• Build a marketing portfolio of assets to present to realtors.
• Workforce Initiatives – how to support existing businesses, expand the

labor pool, and keep our graduates here.

• Identify grant writing expertise – explore possible grants.
• Partner with the Town to identify key projects – i.e.; Town Center Master

Plan; Build the Boardwalk; NC Corridor Master Plan

• Performance Agreement b/w theTown and Chamber with SMARTgoals &
• bjectives.

In the Works

Economic Development, Cont’d

Shoulder Season Activities

Portable Ice Rink Father/Daughter, Mother/Son Dances Movie Night Restaurant Week Octoberfest Craft Night Memorial Hwy Christmas Lighting Event

Services

Dry Cleaner Car Wash Laundromat FedX Type Center Water Shuttle Children’s Day Care Dentist/OBGYN Conference Facility Storage Building Facilities Before/After School Program

Activities

Movie Theater Bowling Alley Indoor Community Center Art Center Rowing Club

Marketing

• Primary stewards of the Hickory Nut Gorge Brand.
• Publishers of the Gorge's only regular tourism and

business focused e-newsletter to a subscriber base of nearly 6,000

• Consistent social media presence dedicated to

exclusively promoting Hickory Nut Gorge as a destination.

• The most comprehensive, daily managed, and all-

inclusive Online Events Calendar focused on Hickory Nut Gorge Events. HickoryNutGorgeEvents.com

• A Chamber website and database that serves as our

members’ direct connection to market their products and services to consumers who visit our website and social media pages. Includes a business description, Google mapping, web and social media links, images and events, even job openings.

• Featured monthly member spotlights

Marketing, Cont’d

• Primary media liaison and trip organizer for visiting

writers, bloggers, photographers, and production teams wishing to promote the Gorge.

• The only entity in the Gorge focused on creating specific

PR & Social Media Campaigns around Seasonal Themes. This includes: promoting “Easter in Hickory Nut Gorge,” “Christmas in Hickory Nut Gorge,” “New Year’s Eve in Hickory Nut Gorge,” “Memorial Day Weekend Fun in Hickory Nut Gorge,” and “Autumn in Hickory Nut Gorge.”

• Only organization in the Gorge that has consistently

pushed for, encouraged, and carried out candidates’ forums.

• Committed to partnering with the Chimney Rock Village

Community Development Association to ensure that the visiting public sees and experiences the distinct, but compatible aspects of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock Village

Promoting the Gorge

Gorge Events

Polar Plunge* Sale on the Trail* July 3rd Fireworks Raptor Run Power in the Flower Dirty Dancing* Classic Boat & Auto Show Christmas Gala* Arts & Crafts Festival Candidate’s Forums* Chamber re-Charge Events* Olympiad *Signature Chamber Event

Membership

In the Works

• Workshop Series –

a) Business Education Program – sponsors/outside speakers b) Chamber Member Businesses – promote your business – members lead

• Volunteer Program – Community wide database, event support
• Benefits –

a) Coupon Book for Members – all businesses w/Membership offer a discount to Chamber members only

• Membership Campaign – target missing industries, remote workers, lost

businesses, residents

• Surveys – what members want, what topics for workshops, end of year

satisfaction survey

• Member Welcome Packet

Levels of Investment Summit - $10,000 Riverfront - $500 Ridgeline - $5,000 Gorge - $200 Hill - $2,500 Non-Profit - $100 Valley - $1,000 Contributor - $50

Community Development/Initiatives

Community Involvement

TDA Outreach CRV/CDA HNG Foundation LLCA Rutherford County Government Rutherford County COC Friends of the Mountain Branch Library Hospice

In the Works

• Charity for Children - providing stuffed animals to police and

fire stations to hand out when children are involved in emergency calls.

• Potential training/discussions on topics small businesses

would not have the resources to undertake, such as active shooter.

• Community Alliance Committee – Quarterly meeting of key

stakeholders of Gorge communities

• CRV through TOLL Beautification Effort
• Newcomer’s Welcome Booklet

Financials

The Chamber of Hickory Nut Gorge 2018 P&L and 2019 Budget

2018 YTD Totals 2019 Budget Income Events & Fundraising

154,378.00 $ 165,500.00 $

Membership Investment

46,147.00 $ 50,000.00 $

Total Income

200,525.00 $ 215,500.00 $

Expenses Advertising

• $

1,000.00 $

Personnel

43,962.00 $ 57,000.00 $

Events & Fundraising

108,541.00 $ 95,500.00 $

Office Expense

8,553.00 $ 8,950.00 $

Operations Expense

10,912.00 $ 9,714.00 $

Total Expense

171,967.00 $ 172,164.00 $

Net Income

28,511.00 $ 43,336.00 $