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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12042019 PACAB Laydown - Chamber of Commerce Dec. y, a? O1 `l pA cR S 1149,E Report to PACAB December 4, 2019 Seward Chamber of Commerce, Jason Bickling Recent Happenings: We had a great small business start-up week last week (11/16-11/23) with local events that included: Seward Business on Tap (Beer and Networking at the Yukon), You Canna Do It— a forum on getting started in the Cannabis Industry, AVTEC — Alaska Maritime Training Center Open House and Industry Discussion), Ideas to Reality — Questions Every Business Start Up Should Consider at the Library. This last weekend we had great participation with Small Business Saturday. We had 15 small businesses (both downtown and the harbor) participate. Shoppers went around with a "passport" collecting stamps from participating businesses. Those who had the requisite stamps turned in their card for a prize drawing. Lots of people came out to shop locally— we ran out of re-usable shopping bags that we were giving out. We had our annual election and here are the results: Newly elected: Melissa Schutter, FNBA, expires 2022 Carole Tallman, Hertz, expires 2022 Hillary Bean, Seward Brewing Co., expires 2022 Previously Elected/appointed: Stephanie Millane, Able Millane Web, Term Expires 2021 Scott Reierson, Adventure Alaska, LLC., Term Expires 2021 Laura Schneider, Exit Marine, Term Expires 2021 (appointed Oct - filled seat vacated by Brenda Ballou) Geri Nipp, Kenai Fjords Tours, Expires 2020 Von Terry, GCI, Term Expires 2020 (appointed Nov - filled seat vacated by Nici Murawsky) Jena Petersen, Seward Real Estate, Term Expires 2020 (appointed Oct - filled seat vacated by Shelly Shank) Coming Up: In the coming weeks, we will be putting out a membership survey so that we can better understand the needs, hurdles, frustrations, opinions, etc. of our members. We will also be putting out a non-member survey as well that will come later. We will then use that information to see how we can be more strategic about serving / helping the needs of our members and the greater business community. We will likely be instituting a survey every year or two to get a gauge on how effective our strategy is as we carry it out and make revisions as needed. In the near future (likely January), the Chamber will be facilitating a discussion on how we can promote a united front when it comes to our marine industry here in Seward (port, SMIC, RR access, marine service members, and AVTEC). Homer has the Marine Trades Association (www.homermarinetrades.com) which has been successful in providing an organized front (with Chamber participation). I believe that we have more to offer here in Seward and can benefit from an organized and formal front to bring in more business opportunities as well as expand capacity for new businesses (prop work, specialized machining, etc.) that we are currently sending out. I have had conversations with different entities and everyone I have talked to believes that this would be a great possibility to explore. Marketing: Our staff is in the thick of the development process of the 2020 Seward Visitor's Guide. Our goal is to have it finalized by Dec. 17. After completing that, we will then be turning our focus to the continued development of the new website. We are also working strategically on our paid media planning with numerous travel guides (The Milepost, Bell's, Alaska.org, travelalaska.com, etc.) as well as a sponsored content opportunity with Seattle Magazine in their Alaska travel issue which has a readership that is highly aligned with our target audience. Upcoming Events: December 6th — 8th: Winter Weekend - Craft Fair December 10th: The Chamber is hosting a Board of Fish Dinner at AVTEC. We are also working with the Board of Fish to provide some other opportunities for them to be out and about in our community while they are here December 10th -14th December 12th: Chamber Lunch — Casie Warner— Seward Prevention Coalition If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time.