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Chamber e-Newsletter

HOME > CHAMBER INFORMATION > CHAMBER MARCH 2005 E-NEWSLETTER

“Good Morning Flagstaff” Power Networking Breakfast
Friday, March 18, 2005 - 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Place: Bob Sellers Toyota, 3773 N. Kasper Drive
Reservations Requested

No Leads Coming In? Get the heck out of bed and attend the Chamber’s new and exciting “Good Morning Flagstaff” power networking breakfast! This rapid business-networking event provides you with the opportunity to meet dozens of new prospects.

In place of the Chamber’s monthly breakfast mixers the Chamber is pleased to announce the debut of “Good Morning Flagstaff,” a powerful quarterly event to be held in the months of March, June, August and November. “Good Morning Flagstaff” includes facilitated networking techniques, a chance to “steal the spotlight” and highlight your business, prizes, entertainment, a delicious breakfast and community updates from your local officials.

If you’ve ever wondered how networking with Chamber member businesses can help your business grow, this is the event to attend. Bring the entire staff! Find out for yourself and make your reservations today. Space is limited.

Program for Chamber Members Only Reservations Requested –Limited Seating Available Pre-pay online: (link to online reservations) Pre-sale tickets $10/$12 at the door if any tickets remain.


2 Great Ways to Highlight Your Business at the Event:

Tabletop Exhibit - Set up a display table featuring your products & services. This is a great way to turn your networking experience into a mini business expo. 6ft. table w/ tablecloth provided. Cost $60, limited space. Contact Cindy @ cmay@flagstaffchamber.com or 774-4505 to reserve your table today.

Flier Distribution - Include your business flier in the “Good Morning Flagstaff” business promotion bag distributed to all event attendees. Fliers distributed with ticket purchase for additional $10 (100 fliers must be delivered to the Chamber by March 9).

Special Thanks to event sponsors:


Opportunity to personally connect with local business owners, expand your business network, build business relationships and assist the Chamber ---- Interested?

The Chamber Ambassadors kick off the 2005 Membership Drive and are looking for Chamber volunteers to assist with operation “Membership Makes a Difference.”

A coordinated buddy system business tour will take place during the Chamber’s April Membership Drive. Volunteer groups will make personal visits to local businesses thanking those who are members of the Chamber and asking for business referrals to assist with the membership drive. Those who are not members of the Chamber will be invited to join during the April Membership Drive including many value added benefits that offset the cost of membership. Although volunteers will be in representation of the Chamber they will be encouraged to introduce themselves and their business with their own business cards in hand. Not only does this help to spread the word about the benefits of membership with the Chamber, it is also a reflection of the many faces of the Chamber. If that isn’t incentive enough, how about a chance to earn a family dream vacation anywhere across the U.S. Canada and Mexico? Any member or volunteer whose efforts result in 8 new members joining the Chamber before April 30, 2005 will be rewarded with an incredible 3 day 2 night family vacation to your choice of one of 77 quality resorts such as Radisson, Wyndham, Hilton, Doubletree, Holiday Inn and more in the US, Canada and Mexico! These are “drive-away” vacations that include such extras as a free breakfast for 2, golf for up to two people and tickets to a local attraction! Also, up to 3 children stay free and there are no gimmicks or blackout dates and the reservations can be guaranteed. So help us recruit new members to the Chamber and we will send you and your family on a FREE vacation!!

If you’re interested in volunteering for the business tour or have referrals of businesses that are not members of the Chamber and would like a chance to earn a dream family vacation, Contact Cindy at the Chamber: cmay@flagstaffchamber.com or 774-4505. We sincerely appreciate your support!


Chamber Member Testimonials Wanted to be Included in 2005 Marketing Campaign

The benefits of membership can be best defined by members of the Chamber who have experienced success through one of the many benefits of membership. As part of the Chamber’s 2005 marketing campaign member testimonials will be featured in print, TV and online marketing materials. Please share with us how any one benefit of membership has helped your business develop. Consider phone or online referrals, networking contacts established from attending a Chamber event, business generated from an advertisement in the mid-month mailer, newsletter, website, relocation packet, Destination Flagstaff or Community Map. We want to share with others the success of your business and how being a member of the Chamber has added to your success.

Please e-mail testimonials to cmay@flagstaffchamber.com Thank you!


Increase the Visibility of Your Business Through Target Marketed Chamber Sponsorship Opportunities

All that the Chamber does is directly aligned with five core values:
  • Promoting the Community
  • Providing Networking Opportunities
  • Representing the interests of Business with Government
  • Building a Strong Local Economy
  • Political Action

    Looking at the New Year ahead, the Chamber calendar is full of programs and events that require financial support. Did you know that the market trend for advertising has reflected a significant increase in sponsorships? According to a survey conducted by a professional advertising firm nearly 30% of advertising budgets have been factored into sponsorships. Why? Because sponsorships afford businesses the opportunity to gain recognition for their business or organization in a manner related to their target market that identifies their business with important issues and projects.

    Assertive companies make their investment in the Chamber work harder through sponsorships that build awareness. The Chamber is currently seeking sponsors for the following programs and welcomes your participation.

    Women in Business – Monthly power networking luncheon averaging 50 plus attendees focusing on the development of networking skills, with presentations related to business operations. Monthly sponsorship of $150

    Presidents New Member Reception – Quarterly program reviewing the benefits of membership and how to make the most of your investment. Board and committee members will be introduced and a formal welcome to new members from the Chamber President. Quarterly sponsorship of $200

    Good Morning Flagstaff – Quarterly Power Networking Breakfast structured to cultivate professional relationships for the mutual benefit of all. The program focuses on building business by referrals using the three phases of getting acquainted: Visibility – Credibility - Profitability. Quarterly sponsorship:
    Title sponsors $250
    Table sponsors $60
    Event sponsors, exchange for services (food and equipment)

    Benefits of Sponsorship
    Sponsorship benefits are designed to reinforce and compliment your marketing message in powerful and effective ways. You will:
    1. Receive recognition in printed Chamber publications including the newsletter and mid-month mailer
    2. Business logo posted on the Chamber website as a Chamber community supporter with a link to your business website.
    3. Sponsorship recognition in Chamber E-newsletter
        a. 1000 member e-mail blast
    4. Sponsorship acknowledgement included in all public media announcements
        a. Channel 2 Chamber Update
        b. Mention at Chamber events prior to “Good Morning Flagstaff”
         - Evening Mixers
         - Committee Meetings: Ambassadors, Sports, Government Affairs
    5. Banner displayed at sponsored event
    6. Opportunity to briefly address the event audience if program format allows.

    If interested in sponsoring any of the programs listed, contact Cindy at the Chamber, cmay@flagstaffchamber.com or 774.4505


    • Reminders

    Last month you should have received a Chamber directory information update form. Please take the time to complete and fax back the form or login to the Members Lounge on the website www.flagstaffchamber.com using your User ID and Password to make any changes to your business listing. It’s important we have up-to-date and accurate information so that referrals are not missed. If you have any questions please contact Heather at the Chamber, hrogers@flagstaffchamber.com or 774.4505


    Special Chamber Offer

    New this year from American Home Shows is the debut of the Women’s Expo, June 4 & 5 2005. This is the same company that coordinates the Flagstaff Home Show and thus assures to be a professional, well organized and highly attended event. Members of the Chamber interested in participating in the event are entitled to a special booth discount. For more information contact Cindy at the Chamber, cmay@flagstaffchamber.com or 774.4505


    Chamber of Commerce Board of Director's endorses VOTE NO on Proposition 100

    The results of a membership survey on the May 17th Big Box Referendum left no doubt, so the Board of Directors for the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce has decided to support the "No" on Proposition 100 campaign.

    At the direction of the Board, the Chamber sent surveys asking members to weigh in if they wanted the Chamber to either actively work to overturn the controversial Big Box Ordinance or to sit on the sidelines and await the results of the May 17th referendum. The Chamber included the Big Box Referendum survey in a mid-month mailer and sent it out electronically in the Chamber’s E-Newsletter. The survey was also made available on the Chamber’s “Members Only” website and was distributed during the Chamber’s Annual Meeting in January. The results were overwhelming: an impressive 20% of Chamber members returned their surveys and 67% (146 members) wanted the Chamber to work to overturn the Big Box Ordinance, while 33% (73 members) told the Chamber to back off the issue. “The Board of Directors took its time with the decision on the Big Box Referendum,” said Chamber President/CEO Julie Pastrick. “We asked our members to help us decide what direction to take on the big box issue and our membership spoke loudly.” Chamber Government Affairs Manager Mitch Strohman added, “We realize this is an emotional issue for many of our members and while the Chamber is deeply respectful of the feelings of those members who support the Big Box Ordinance, 67% of our members telling us to work against it, is a mandate for action.”

    The Chamber in efforts to build a stronger local economy last year, had strongly opposed the original passage of the Big Box Ordinance. The Chamber was among many in Flagstaff who urged the City Council to reject the ordinance; The Arizona Daily Sun in an editorial on July 8, 2004, said the “Big Box Ordinance abuses planning powers” while breaking faith with the Regional Land Use Plan. Lowe’s Home Improvement Centers told the City Council they could not bring a Lowe’s to Flagstaff under the Big Box Ordinance. The Chamber offered the results of a community-wide survey done by the Social Research Lab at NAU that showed a whopping 60% of Flagstaff residents support having big box retail in our community. The City Council passed the Big Box Ordinance anyway on a 5-2 vote (Council Members Joe Haughey and Libby Silva voted against passage of the ordinance).

    The Big Box Ordinance is designed to limit, and in some cases prohibit new big box retail in Flagstaff. If tourism is the heart of the Flagstaff economy, then retail (or sales tax) revenue is that heart’s lifeblood. Sales tax dollars help pay city services we sometimes take for granted, like police and fire protection. Thousands of Flagstaff residents rely on the retail industry for employment. As neighboring cities and towns are getting more aggressive in attracting new retail, Flagstaff must be able to compete with them or continue to lose vital sales tax dollars to communities like Prescott, Page and Phoenix.

    The Chamber believes overturning the Big Box Ordinance sends a strong, pro-business message that Flagstaff wants to protect our place in northern Arizona as a regional shopping hub. Overturning the Big Box Ordinance also sends a message to City Hall that we want to protect our basic city services from future budget cuts or tax increases. Overturning the Big Box Ordinance protects the economy of our community for future generations. Overturning the Big Box Ordinance sends a powerful and unmistakable message to City Hall that it is not the role of city government to interfere with the retail marketplace and that it is not the role of City Hall to decide what kind of shopping opportunities we should have in Flagstaff. “Opposing Proposition 100 creates a stronger local economy and quality of life, where more retail choices, more jobs and lower retail prices are the norm,” said Chamber President/CEO Julie Pastrick.


    Chamber Of Commerce Supports Snowmaking At Arizona Snowbowl

    The Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce has supported and continues to strongly support snowmaking at Arizona Snowbowl and we are extremely pleased with the approval of Alternative Two, the Preferred Alternative of the Environmental Impact Statement which allows snowmaking with reclaimed water and improvements at the ski area.

    This study is one of the most comprehensive, in-depth and scientific examinations of public land use in our state’s history. We applaud all agencies involved in this lengthy effort and strongly support it’s findings.

    “The enormous economic impact of snowmaking at Arizona Snowbowl is a huge future windfall for our community,” commented CEO Julie Pastrick. “Having some certainty with future ski seasons will give Flagstaff a consistent annual revenue stream of more than an additional $25million pouring into our community during the winter months.”

    The Chamber thoughtfully considered the religious, cultural and heritage-related issues surrounding the operation of Snowbowl in general and the snowmaking proposal using reclaimed water. The Chamber respects and acknowledges that many Native American tribes view the San Francisco Peaks as a place of extreme cultural and religious significance. Managing public lands for multiple uses including recreational use is a mission of the Forest Service. In short, finding that there is more than enough room on the Peaks for all uses goes directly to the core of the land use management mission of the United States Forest Service.

    The Flagstaff Chamber recognizes that only 1% of the peaks (777 acres) are covered by the Snowbowl’s permit area and that snowmaking will occur on only .33% (205 acres) of the total permit area. “We are hopeful that this decision will be recognized as fair and appropriate use of public lands. The Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce also recognizes the economic benefit for our entire community, region and state.”