Terms Ending 12-31-2010 - McAlester Chamber of Commerce

Welcome
Board Leadership / Staff
Where the Chamber is "At" today
Recent Events
Membership
Website and Newsletter
Where We're Going
Closing
 Introduction of Current Staff
 Karen – Started in April; came from Stigler's Chamber;
 Tanaye – One year
 Annette – Two+ years
 Introduction of Officers
 President – Ross Eaton, State Farm
 VP – David Lerblance, Edward Jones
 Treasurer – Mike Kern, Kern & Co
 Past President - Dr. Steve Smith, Eastern Oklahoma State College
Terms Ending 12-31-2009
Melinda Nix, Nix Auto Center
Derek Lewellen – AEP/PSO
Lance Woodliff – First National Bank
Terms Ending 12-31-2011
Brian Lott – MCAAP
Debbie Watkins, McAlester Public Schools
Emily Mouser, McAlester Regional
Amanda Few, BancFirst
Terms Ending 12-31-2010
Gayla Major – Arvest Bank
Karl Scifres – Kiamichi Tech Ctr
Mayor Kevin Priddle – The Bank NA
RaShonda Hutchings, American Graphics
& Design
Our Goal is to learn more about
the current membership and how
to better serve your needs
Membership = 421
We are growing! We plan to continue this trend!
2009 Events:
February – Annual Chamber Banquet
April – Capitol Day
May – Armed Forces Day
*July – Crazy Days –N– Starry Nights
August – Rodeo
School Year – Oklahoma Scholars
September – Networking Kick Off
*October – Tulsa State Fair
October – Annual Chamber Lunch
Annual Banquet 2009
Small Business Partner of the Year
Whistle Stop Bistro
Industry Partner of the Year
Newfield
Business Man of the Year – Karl Scifres
Business Woman of the Year – Cara Bland
Capitol Day (April)
The Chamber promotes McAlester and Krebs
State’s Legislators are served a selection of Italian
food
Received Citation from Reps Terry Harrison and
Brian Renegar
Representatives Harrison and Renegar present
Citation to Ross Eaton
Senator Lerblance comes through the line for samples
Armed Forces Day
Promote Armed Services 200+
in attendance for the Lunch
Well supported event by to honor
our Military and their presence in
McAlester
On the Road in McAlester
Crazy Days and Starry Nights
Talent Show – Tryouts held July 4th
Fox 23 Live Broadcast - Chadick Park
Statewide Exposure
Promotion of rodeo - 3 weeks of
television spots
Prison Rodeo
 Increase in Ticket sales
 Increase in Overall Revenues
 Increase in Interest
Kevin Priddle makes change at ticket booth and
makes it a competitive sport
Wow!! What a great night to ride!
Prison Rodeo (August)
 Next Year - 70th Annual Prison Rodeo
 August 13th and 14th
 Did someone say Gene Simmons??
Oklahoma Scholars (2009/2010)
 Partnership with McAlester Public Schools
 Privately funded program - grants and contributions
 Encourages students to enroll in more rigorous course
Networking
• The Chamber offers opportunities through the year
• Members attending the functions meet with other
members…and potential new customers
• We encourage you to attend any or all of these events
The McAlester Area Chamber of Commerce’s primary
purpose is to promote, inform, and protect the
McAlester business community.
Advertising –
Let us help you get your business’
information out there.
Networking –
Take advantage of our monthly
opportunities to meet other
business men and women from the
McAlester and surrounding business
communities.
Information –
Use our resources and information
to stay informed with what is going on in
with other businesses in our community.
Here at the Chamber we are always trying to find new ways to market our members.
Here are a few of our favorites.
Linking your business to our website. Our website receives over 1,500
hits per month from viewers all over the country.
Our weekly email blasts. Sent out every Friday and viewed by over 450
people each week.
Our quarterly newsletter. Packed with information, the publication is
sent to approximately 10,000 readers each quarter.
Our yearly membership directory. Over 2,500 are delivered annually to
our local community , to tourists, and across the country in hundreds of
relocation and informational packets.
The answer to this question is:
ABSOLUTELY NOT!
The Chamber is here to promote and protect both our large
and small businesses. Each contributes to our area’s
economy and population.
The same benefits offered to a large supplier or producer
would be offered to a small business owner working from
their home office.
The Chamber both supports and honors the spirit of
capitalism in all sizes. Don’t count your business out. We
are here to help you. Let us!
The Chamber offers monthly networking hosting and
or sponsorship opportunities and events.
We also offer ribbon cuttings, grand openings, and
ground breakings.
Let us bring our camera, staff, Ambassadors, and other
members to help you celebrate your business. Along
with a short business bio, your picture will be placed in
the local newspaper to be seen by over 10,000 readers.
The Cost of a Bottle of Water Per Day The Average Cost of a Yearly Chamber
over a year: $354.05
Membership: $225.00
Kiamichi Technology
Center Ground Breaking
Is This Enough For You???
If not, let’s look at it in a different
light……
Would you purchase a publication
ad and not use it???
Then why would you not use your
Chamber benefits??????
Take advantage of the cheapest
marketing this side of free.
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Networking
Marketing
Website Linking
Business Directory Listing
Chamber Bucks
Referrals
Relocation Packets
Tourist Information
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sunbelt Packets
Committee Opportunities
Website Marketing
Newsletter
Optional Advertising
Free Usage of Chamber Bulk
Mail
Free Job Postings
Ribbon Cuttings
Grand Openings
Business Information Display
We think that local dollars should be spent locally, that is why we
have created the Chamber Buck$ program.
What are Chamber Buck$????????
They are:
•REAL Checks
•Drawn on a Chamber Account
•Printed with Magnetic Ink
•Printed on Can’t Copy Paper
•Signed with Check Safe Ink Pens
MOST IMPORTANTLY!!!!!!!! Chamber Buck$ can only be spent
with local businesses that are Chamber Members.
We can’t advertise information that we don’t have.
We need you to be proactive!!!!!!!!!
Having your information advertised is just a click or a
phone call away.
We want your information on events, opportunities,
specials, sales, inventory, staff, volunteerism, certifications,
awards and accolades, and just plain old good news about
your business!!!
If you want people to know, start with us.
At the Chamber we
refer ONLY
members!
Our website averages 96 hits a day!
On our website we are able to offer a variety of
information to our members!
Search for your business
Relocation Information
Advertising ads can be purchased for pages on our
website through the Chamber
We are able to put any events that your company or
organization is having on our calendar
You can now buy banner ads on pages on our website!
You can put an ad the size of a business card for a VERY
low price!
Prices will vary per page but you can have your ad on a
page for as low as $10 a month for six months or $100 a
year!
Call the Chamber for more information!
The weekly email goes to almost 1,000 people and is
viewed on our website on the Chamber Hot Topics page!
We can brag on you if you have done something or
received an award!
Got a sale?
The Newsletter is out every quarter
You can advertise in the newsletter
We put ribbon cutting/goodwill visits in the newsletter
All renewals for that quarter are listed in the newsletter
All NEW members are listed in the newsletter
 How to submit info for the newsletter
 Email
 Phone
Information in the Newsletter
Current Events
Profiles
Upcoming Attractions
Other
Sponsors in Newsletter
Name
Name
Other
Assessment – What are you thinking?
Will Be Conducted through the end of '09
Five Questions / 30 minutes
Goal is to understand what's working well; what changes should be
considered; gather info and suggestions; getting to know you
Recent Strategic Planning Session
Program of Work for 2010
Board Retreat
Are the Chamber Offices Moving???
The Chamber has assigned a Task Force to develop a
strategic plan focusing on the office and location
needs of the Chamber.
Over time, the partnership with the McAlester
Ardeneum will help return the Puterbaugh House
and grounds back to the beauty they once enjoyed.
In addition, it will have a positive impact on the
Chamber budget and allow the Chamber staff to
focus on what they love most,
our members.
Your Chamber is staffed with optimists; and we are here to
promote your business
There are clear benefits to being a Chamber Member
We’ll create more opportunities to get to know each other
better; our monthly networking get-togethers are just one way
to do this