business news - Big Bear Chamber of Commerce

Big Bear Chamber of Commerce “ We Mean Business”
July 2014
BUSINESS NEWS
Serving Big Bear Valley Since 1947
Volume 7 Number 7
Chamber celebrates another year of success
- by Stephanie Thoth
On June 24, Big Bear Chamber of Commerce members and
officials met for the organization’s Annual General Meeting.
The theme was “Happy,” and for good cause. Marlene Cain,
president of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, and executive
director Pam Scannell, were happy to report all of the good
news at the end of the fiscal year.
Cain took the podium first with good news about the financial
standing of the Big Bear
Chamber of Commerce. For
the first time in more than
five years, the organization is
able to put money back into
its reserves, Cain said. The
Chamber has had to use its
reserves on an annual basis
until now, she said.
Dave Scannell accepts his
Ambassador of the Year
Award from Marlene
Cain, Big Bear Chamber of
Commerce Board of Directors president, June 24 at
a mixer hosted by Pleasure Point Marina LLC.
Scannell is also the owner
of Dave Can Do It, a local
handyman service.
Copper Q owner Linda Ricchiuti, left, receives the Director of the
Year Award from Marlene Cain, Big Bear Chamber of Commerce
Board of Directors president, at the Chamber's Annual General
Meeting at the Elk's Lodge June 24. Ricchiuti has been instrumental on the Economic Development Committee.
months with enough money to cover payroll, operations and
other obligations.
Cain stated she was also happy about the newly-formed Joint
Board Task Force between the Chamber of Commerce and
the Visitor’s Bureau made up of key members of each board.
Scannell said putting the
The organizations are working together to clarify their individ-
funds back in reserves pro-
ual roles, i.e., the role of catering to visitors and tourism for
vides a safety net for the
the Visitor’s Bureau, and business-to-business and business-
Chamber of Commerce to
use toward any emergent
situations that may arise and
stabilizes the organization. It
is healthy for any nonprofit to
Big Bear Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 2860
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
Standard Rate
US Postage
PAID
Permit No. 86
Big Bear Lake
CA, 92315
maintain a healthy reserve to
sustain it, ideally, for three
Page 1
(AGM—Continued)
BUSINESS NEWS
to-community relations for the Chamber of Com-
Board of
Directors
Executive
Committee
Marlene Cain—
Chairman
Marcain
Communication
merce.
In her final statements, Cain was happy that Big
Bear Valley’s pebble plains were getting the attention of the Education Trust. The trust is building a future for the Valley by securing the pebble
plains and developing education and awareness
Brent Tregaskis—
GAC/RTAC Chair
Big Bear Mountain
Resorts
of this unique ecosystem endemic to the area.
Linda Ricchiuti–
Economic Development Chair
The Copper Q
reach and resounding effects to visitors, educa-
Lisa Patterson—
Finance Chair
Altitude Financial
Planning
Marcus Dietz— Communications Chair
Big Bear Today
Directors
Kurt Madden
Superintendent of
Schools BVUSD
Austin Marshall—
Mitsubishi Cement
Corp.
“The Education Trust’s efforts will have a global
tion, ecology and economy,” Scannell said.
Scannell announced developments in communications and extensive outreach through media,
as well as educational opportunities through the
Chamber’s website and the exclusive site
www.bbcoctraining.com. The training site offers
coffee break-sized courses for members and
their employees for a flat monthly fee.
In addition, the Chamber and the Career Center
partnered up for the center’s Youth Leadership
Lynne Arviso
Chamber Auxiliary
President
Program in which Scannell was also a speaker.
Directors
Awaiting Installation
Career Center toward the development of its
Patrick Lane
Century 21
Dr. Jerry Lemke
The Pines Lakefront
Dining
James Leveridge
Big Bear Vacations
Marianne Lins
Lins Graphics
Shery; Nelson
US Bank
Staff
Pam Scannell
Executive Director
Stephanie Thoth
Sales Executive
Page 2
Members Michael Perry, left, and Daniel Morello listen
intently during the Big Bear Chamber of Commerce's
Annual General Meeting at the Elk's Lodge June 24.
Perry is of California Collaborative Solutions and Morello is the hands behind Mountain Mobile Massage.
In return, the Chamber was granted $500 by the
own youth program. Crowell Weedon & Co. is
leading the way with another major contribution
toward the program, which will include a scholar- Liz Harris, field representative for Supervisor James
Ramos, left, discusses business with Neal Hertzmann,
ship to a participant.
former Big Bear Chamber of Commerce board member, after the Chamber's Annual General Meeting at
Other major contributors to the Big Bear Chamthe Elk's Lodge June 24. Harris and Hertzmann are
ber of Commerce include ArkTech, which boost- both former Big Bear Lake mayors.
ed the Chamber’s internet footprint, and Correy Design on the Mountain through the funding of fittings
for the beverage trailer.
“My message moving forward is ‘together we are stronger’.” Scannell said in closing. “We encourage
businesses to maximize their benefits on the Big Bear Chamber of Commerce web page and to provide member-to-member business and discounts.”
Is It Time For A Mid-Year Marketing Assessment? - by Diana Guerrero
As we move into the second half of 2014 and celebrating the
4th of July holiday, it is also a time to celebrate success but
to also reassess how the year is going for your business. This
means that July is a good time to conduct a mid-year marketing assessment. I find that sitting down and reviewing the
year can help map out the second half to meet those goals
established earlier in the year.
My mastermind group met two weeks ago to do just that. If
you have some business pals you trust or discuss things with,
it might be a great time to get together over coffee or to create an accountability partner to touch base with regularly so
you keep on track.
For many local businesses, things start hopping this month,
but just a reminder that if you are working from your annual
calendar, you know you will be working on marketing for the
fall and early winter season now.
There have been drastic changes (again!) in the online marketing world which is why ongoing work and updates to your websites, social platforms and business citations for reputation are so important. Common questions this month:
1) Our site fell in the rankings suddenly, what happened?
Without a solid online analysis of the site and your competition you will likely not be able to pinpoint the problem. Google
made another major change that is still rippling through online properties. Consider this another just a reminder that in today's market online, the search engines now use multiple signals for ranking. This means a business make sure to have a
strategy that includes social signals (activity and responses to customers, clients and patients in the social platforms), reputation responses (business owner replies to both good and bad reviews), as well as regular updates and search engine optimization (SEO) to the business website. Without regular, consistent updates through ALL these channels it is likely you will not
maintain or hold rankings as before. You have to take regular action and marketing consistently year round.
2) What if we don't know where to start?
One of the reasons we offered the live sessions last year was to help local businesses map out a marketing calendar and develop a better understanding of some of the important elements necessary to track the types of activities that are yielding
results. "You can't measure what you can't track" applies to both online and offline marketing efforts. If you don't know where
to start, a marketing consultation and assessment can. Ultimately, the best thing to do is start with a simple plan of consistent
action and if you measure the results, that gives you a good map of what is working and what isn't. The BBCOC Training Center
has a blueprint to take you through activities or you can pick and choose your course if you have established priorities.
3) What do you think works best in social media?
When it comes to social media or social networking, it is a strategy applied consistently over time. This means driving those
consumers online into your pipeline. This means making sure that you get them over to your website and into your email list. If
you don't have a goal for the social networks, and have not identified the one that works the best, you'll spend a lot of time
and energy on efforts that are not likely to get you good activity, engagement--and the ultimate goal of conversion to a customer or repeat client.
Just a reminder that the Big Bear Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the ARKtech's Business Training Team to bring
you a unique opportunity to learn how to take control of your company’s online marketing, without paying a consultant each
month. However, if you need help you can certain call ARKtech for an appointment (my direct business mobile is (909) 7814275).
BBCOC business members can obtain the online marketing training they need in "coffee break" sized sessions for a reasonable monthly fee and either follow a specific blueprint or pick and choose according to the marketing interests or priorities of
your business.
Once enrolled, your business gains access at any time. Follow the structured path or prioritize your own. Savvy business owners will save thousands of dollars using this roadmap by consistently dedicating time for marketing daily.
The Big Bear Chamber of Commerce is bringing this opportunity to you as an added value to your Chamber membership because the BBCOC cares about your success, and is always looking for ways to serve you better. This online training program is
a fantastic resource and we encourage you to enroll now.
Chamber Members Sign Up Here:
http://ARKtech.Co/BBCOC
(copy and paste into your browser)
Non-Chamber Members Access here:
http://WebucationARK.com (copy and paste into your browser)
Page 3
Latest Revised Mixer Schedule 2014
July 8 Big Bear Frontier—(Lakeside) 40472 Big Bear Blvd.
July 22 - Big Bear Lake Elks Lodge #1787, 40611 Village Dr.
August 12 - Murray’s Saloon & Eatery, 672 Cottage Lane
August 26 - Nottingham’s Restaurant, 40797 Big Bear Bl., patio
Sept 9 Correy Design—645 Pine Knot Ave.
Sept 23 - Bear Valley Community Hospital, 41870 Garstin Dr.
Oct 14 Big Bear Masonic Lodge-Chilly, Chili Evening, 385
Summit Blvd.
Oct 28 Moonridge School of Dance (by Triangle Market)
Nov 11 – OPEN
Nov 25 - DARK, no Mixer
Dec 9 Black Diamond Xmas Party, 42172 Moonridge Rd.
Call the Chamber to book your Mixer (909) 866-4607.
Great Thoughts
Freedom:
“The cost of freedom is very high, but Americans have always paid it.
And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender,
or submission.”
- John F. Kennedy
Promoting Your Business Online—by PRWeb
(continued from previous issues)
Tip 14 Promote your event or team sponsorship
A great way to reach local customers is to sponsor
a local team or event, and then publish a news release promoting your involvement. It’s added publicity for them, and it’s great publicity for you – especially when it con- nects you to customers and
journalists looking for the team/event.
About PRWeb
PRWeb Tip: Announce ongoing sponsorships, too. A
25th anniversary of a sponsorship is as newsworthy (if
not more so) as a first-year sponsorship. Waveney
Truck Parts knows what we’re talking about:
We’ll send it to all major search engines—where millions of
potential customers are looking for businesses like yours—as
well as to thousands of news sites, and to more than 30,000
journalists and bloggers.
http://bit.ly/iiATlb
PRWeb gives you everything you need to get attention, improve your search engine ranking and drive more business to
your door.
You create an announcement about your organization. We
send it across the Web and around the world.
Even if you’ve never written a news or press release before,
you can create one in minutes with our resources. All you
need is something great to say about your business.
Create a free account at www.PRWeb.com today. Big time
publicity and new customers are only a click away!Page 5
Page 5
BIG BEAR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
(909)866-4607
Let ’ s Welcome Our New Members !
Maria Knisley
Moonridge School of Dance—Maria
Beginning at age 4, in Dana Point, CA,
Maria went on to study and perform
for companies and people such as,
Deborah Palesch of the Royal Winnapeg Ballet of Canada, Petrus Von
Moyden of the Royal Danish Ballet,
and Maria Veigh of Marin Ballet and
San Francisco Ballet. She now teaches ballet and jazz at her own studio, in
Big Bear as well in Lk Arrowhead.
(909) 585-4276
New & Returning Members:
Big Bear Jeep Experience
Sensible Home Solar Design
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
Annabel Alford
Annabel Alford Insurance Agency—
Established in fall of 2004. A satellite
office was opened in Orange County in
fall of 2013. The agency insures vacation rentals, second homes, full-time
rentals and primary homes in a difficult
insurance market. Annabel Alford Insurance Agency also provides auto, boat,
motorcycle and RV insurance, as well as
life and annuities, business and workers
compensation benefits. Call the agency
at 1-877-878-4362 or
email [email protected].
Big Bear Mattress Discounters
Bear Valley Carpet Cleaning
Gold Mountain Manor
Thank You to all of our renewing Members for May 2014
Arts
Council
of Big Bear Valley
Action
Zipline
Tours
Career
CenterServices
of Big Bear
Dart's
Cleaning
Pedals
Ludecke's Paddles
Electrical&Service
Alpine
Slide
At Magic
Best
SGS,
Inc. Mountain
Designated
Wakesports
MARTA
Century 21
Bonnie Blue/C Hallstead
BearBig
CityBear
HairAssociation
and Nailz of Realtors
Double
E. Required
Design & Bike
ConstrucChains
Shop
tion
Mitsubishi Plaza
Cement
Corp. Limited Partnership
Freeway
Stater Bros Markets
BearBig
Valley
for Spiritual Enrichme
BearCenter
Computers
Eminger's
Nursery
Crowell,Mountain
Weedon &
Co.
Mountain Healing
Arts Ski
Association
Rim Nordic
Area
Big Bear
Airport
DistrictLodge No. 617
Big Bear
Masonic
Evergreen
First Mountain Bank
The Crossings at Big Bear Lake
Mountain Top
Hiking
Club
Rotary
Club
of Big Bear Lake
Big Bear
Charter
Fishing
Big Bear
Pirate
Ship
Exciting
Lighting
& Home
O Koo RanSandy's Sports Restaurant
Friends
of the Big
BearDecor
Alpine Zoo
Big Bear
Mountain
Brewery
Big Bear
Queen
Keller
Williams/Rahill Realty
JazzTrax
BlackPilates
Forest Lodge
Big Bear
Lakeview
Pines
Mobile Home Park
Snow Lake
Kirby's
Custom
Carvings
Rilynn Company,
Inc. Lodge
Booster Member/Lynn Bogh Baldi
Big Bear Valley Sportsman Club, Inc.
Lighthouse Trailer Resort
Kiwanis Club of BB Valley
Southern California Mountains Foundation
Rim Nordic Ski Area
Booster Member/Maurice Julian
Captain John's Marina
Mallard Bay Resort
Lagonita Lodge
Take Shape for Life
ServiceMaster Mountain Communities
Boulder Bay Real Estate
CHIMMINEY KRRIKITT’S SMOKES or-
Mama Bear's Vitamins
Lane, Patrick/Century 21
United Methodist Church of Big Bear Lake
Shirt Shanty
C.A.T.S
Creek Runner's Lodge
Cantrells Guide Service
Murray's Saloon & Eatery
Lawyers Title
North Shore Landing
Silver Fox Gallery
Pine Tree R.V Park
Sonora Cantina
Soroptomist International
Stock's Automotive
Old Country
Inn
Solutions
by Sharon
© Volume 7, Number 7–
Chamber Sponsors:
Contact Us:
P.O. Box 2860
Big Bear Lake, CA
(909)866-4607
Big Bear
Chamber of Commerce
Business News.
This publication is owned, written
and edited by the Big Bear Chamber of Commerce. All information contained in this publication
is believed accurate.
No portion of this publication may
be reprinted without the written
consent of the Big Bear Chamber
of Commerce.