Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce

Marketing Committee Minutes

 

July 13, 2010

 

Introductions of Committee Participants:

Danielle Newell, Smithy Pioneer Gallery; Selina Gelatt, Wilber National Bank; Deb Taylor, Otsego County Tourism Program; Susan O’Handley, Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce.

 

Marketing Committee Overview

1 – Visitor’s Guide

                What is involved/current timeline –

Revisions to protocols and rates discussion needed August/Sept (Susan to send current info to committee asap for review and online discussion)

Ad Sales – Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec.

Text ad design phase – Nov, Dec, Jan

Editorial revisions and image selections – Oct, Nov, Dec

Finalize editorials, images, ad sections – Jan

Design and Layout (Vibrant Creative) – Feb/March

Recommendations on print run and distribution plan for board approval – Feb/March

Print – March/April

Final piece in hand – Early-mid April at latest

Discussion of printing a ‘quick and dirty’ smaller Membership Directory piece in addition to Tourism- focused guide.  The ability to do this will likely be dependent on ad sales with net income to remain consistent and secured.  Susan will look into printing costs for this in time for a September meeting.  Note: As it usually takes til end of calendar year to fully renew members, this can be mailed along with membership decals. 

 

2 – Website

                Continual updating to new templates – Kip Shaw, Webmaster – funded by google ads

                Development/Change to new CMS – Kip Shaw – Web Development – ongoing based on budget

Membership Portal – including Board info and Board Resources – on schedule for Fall – completion expected end of 2010.

Business Resource Section – speakers bureau, links to area resources, meeting spaces, employment/employer bank – planned for Fall 2010 – completion expected end of 2010.

Video Program – Contract up for renewal.  Will need to put on the agenda for August discussion.

Weddings Website – Needs revision and updates – always falls to bottom of list – will attempt to put Kip on this for Fall/Winter.  Would love to have separate committee to work on this as a whole. 

Banner Ads – need immediate decision (August)

History: 2009 with launch of banner ad program, Chamber offered free ½ size ads to all members who submitted renewal by October 1 (our FY is 10/1-9/30).  Based on banner ad rates, these ads have a value of $600/year.  Not sure we should offer for free again, but perhaps we can offer to allow to keep ad for a discounted amount if they renew by 10/1.  Please think about this so that we can discuss and make decision at our August meeting.

 

3 – E-Newsletter – Quarterly

 

4 – Calendar of Events (Community) – building as a community resource – Goal: the one place everyone looks to plan events and to find out what is going on in the area.  Dependent on others to enter their information (guarantees accuracy and removes major workload for Chamber Staff).  Not restricted to membership.

 

5 – Member News – 2500 views/month – summer (great mechanism much improved from past – a strong membership selling point – dependent on members to submit their news releases.  Restricted to membership.

      Facebook – 180 following; Twitter – 54 following – both growing, but slowly

6 – Collaborative Ad Program – subscribers, Bulk purchasing – on wishlist – structure needs to be simple – need help with this if we are do undertake.

 

7 – 2010-2011 Seminars

Constant Contact (suggested) – received support at meeting – will put on calendar

                USC Collaborative for 2010/2011 – being coordinated now

                Open Member Meetings – open to members to share thoughts and input on any aspect. 

Info / Recruitment – aka  to grow into something like an Ambassador Program – Open sessions for any interested to attend and learn about Chamber Membership and Benefits – two per year?  Members and proponents to help host with Staff and Board reps.  Danielle has offered to work on this with Susan for 2010-11.

 

Next Meeting: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 – 3pm at Chamber Offices 

 

Susan M. O'Handley, Executive Director

Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce

31 Chestnut Street

Cooperstown, NY  13326

(607) 547-9571