2014 OVBA Annual Report - Ogden Valley Business Association

ANNUAL REPORT
2014
Purpose of the
Ogden Valley Business Association
The mission of The Ogden Valley Business Association
is to promote and support member businesses
of Ogden Valley and Ogden Canyon by providing opportunities
for improving commerce, to be an economic resource
for the betterment of our community and its visitors,
and by fostering a robust economic climate,
through the promotion of our natural and cultural resources.
2014 OVBA Board of Directors
Chair
Ben Peterson - Peterson Builders
Vice Chair
Brian Cornell - First Fidelity Funding
Laurent Jouffray - Nordic Valley
At Large Members
Jim Ormsbee - Elkridge Engineering
Kristal Schweppe - Alaskan Inn
Travis Poulson - Grass Plus
Terry Hancock - Valley Market
Melissa Cohen - Wells Fargo
Staff and Support
Administrative Assistant - Terry Murphy
Legal Counsel - Celeste Canning
Webmaster – Pamela Mitchell,
Secretary
Sherry Carolan - Mountain Luxury Real Estate
Website by Design
Accountant – Pamela Crockett,
Joe Jedrowicz - Mountain Country Realty
Tax Team USA
Treasurer
Grant Weller - Weller Allstate
Immediate Past Chair
Greg Farley - Huntsville Barbecue Company
Terry Hancock - Valley Market (late 2014), Melissa Cohen - Wells Fargo (late 2014), Ben Peterson Peterson Builders (2014 Chair), Kristal Schweppe - Alaskan Inn (late 2014), Joe Jedrowicz - Mountain
Country Realty (Secretary), Laurent Jouffray - Nordic Valley (Vice Chair), and Ashley Cross - New
World Distillery (2015)
2014 General Meeting Topics
“The Changing Demographics of Ogden Valley”
By Steve Clarke, Ogden Valley GEM Committee
“OVBA Benefits and Instruction”
By Pam Mitchell
“Business Continuity Planning”
by Matt Beaudry, Program Manager for the Be Ready Business Program
of the Utah Division of Emergency Management
“Learn about Nordic Valley’s Upcoming Changes”
By Joshua Richards, President of Nordic Valley
Annual Installation Dinner
The Ogden Valley Business Association held its Annual Dinner Meeting on January 23rd at the
Jackson Fork Inn. Attendees enjoyed a delicious meal and a presentation by Board Members.
Greg Farley, Past Chair, of Huntsville Barbecue Company, introduced the 2014 Board of Directors,
including Ben Peterson of Peterson Builders (Chair), Brian Cornell of First Fidelity Funding (Vice
Chair), Sherry Carolan of Mountain Luxury Real Estate (Treasurer), Jason Thomas of Ace Home
Repair & Maintenance (Secretary), Jim Ormsbee of Elkridge Engineering & Surveying and Copy
Center, Jason Dyer of Snowbasin, and Joe Jedrowicz of Mountain Country Realty.
The OVBA Board of Directors provided awards of appreciation to outgoing board members, including
Greg Farley of Huntsville Barbecue Company (Chair 2013, Board Member 2012 - 2013), Kim Smith of
Snowbasin (Board Member 2011 - 2013), and Sue Munson of Wolf Mountain (Board Member 2013).
The Volunteer of the Year Award for 2013 went to Pam Crockett of Tax Team USA. Pam has
volunteered at numerous Snowdances in the past. The Business of the Year Award for 2013 went to
Valley Escapes (MaryAnne Ballard) for their generous donation of lodging to Cody Jordan family for
his wedding in exchange for use of his song in our Recreation Video.
Susan Munson presented a check for $13,020 from the OVBA to the Snowbasin Adaptive Sports
Education Foundation, as raised during the Twelfth Annual Snowdance (see page 5).
Prize drawings added some fun to this year’s annual dinner. Joy Clem of Joyful Smiles won the Gift
Basket provided by Brian Cornell Fidelity First . Jason Dyer of Snowbasin won two Wolf Mountain
lift tickets. Eileen Sawyer of Zions Bank won four rounds of golf donated by Wolf Creek Golf Course.
Caren Werner of the Ogden CVB won the OVBA Membership year of dues.
A special THANKS to Wasatch Awards for creating the beautiful award plaques.
OVBA Feature Publications
The OVBA once again produced publications for
distribution throughout Ogden Valley and Ogden Canyon,
as well as to those visiting or intending to visit our area.
Advertising opportunities in each of the publications
provide exposure for our OVBA members.
The OVBA printed 4,500 copies of the ninth edition of
the Ogden Valley Phone Book. This useful book landed in
2,400 local households as an insert to The Ogden Valley
News. The phone book is also delivered to key high traffic
locations and to all lodging properties throughout the
Valley for residents and visitors.
The second publication, “The Ogden Valley Map and
Business Guide,” in its tenth printing, gives a physical
location to all Valley members on the map side, plus
45 points of interest, including Vintage Venues, Scenic
Vistas, Geological Wonders and Historical Sites. The back
of the map presents photography of all seasons activities,
a Calendar of Events and advertising space. We printed
25,000 of these maps in 2014. The OVBA distributed the
maps to key high traffic locations throughout our area and
along the Wasatch Front, at Welcome Centers throughout
the state. We mail a copy to out-of-state visitors
requesting information via our web site. This publication
is also used to fulfill the OVBA.org, Go-Utah.com and
Utah.com online visitor information requests.
Both publications are included in our popular “Welcome
Kit” provided to new residents upon request (see ad
below). The Kit also provides an opportunity for OVBA
members to include printed material to entice newcomers
to visit or contact their business.
The OVBA greatly appreciates all advertisers in these
publications, making the production of these high quality
pieces possible.
Ogden Valley News On-going Ad
Annual Snowdance and Auction
The Ogden Valley Business Association and the event organizers for the Twelfth Annual Snowdance
and Auction would like to thank the community for the participation and strong support for the
Snowbasin Adaptive Sports Education Foundation (SASEF). The event was hosted in Earl’s Lodge at
Snowbasin Resort on January 11th.
The event raised $13,020 for the SASEF through a combination of the Special Ask Cash Call,
matching funds by the Weber School Foundation and proceeds from the auctions. Special Ask
proceeds will be allocated for scholarships to allow all children of special needs in Weber County to
experience winter sports through the SASEF adaptive program.
The Ogden Valley Business Association netted $2,045 from auction proceeds for their participation,
bringing the evening total to more than $15,000.
The guest speaker, Deedee Corradini, entertained the event guests with her experiences in working
with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for both the 2002 Olympics and now as President
of the Women’s Ski Jumping team going to the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia next week for
the first time.
Special thanks to these organizations and
volunteers for their support in making the
evening a success:
SASEF Board and Families
Pam Mitchell, Website by Design
Lisa Karam, Past Event Director
The Ogden Valley News
Gladys Mundelius
Sue Munson
Elsa Svensson
Ron Gleason
Shirli Place
Sheila & Carl Musante
Alison Mortarotti
Jim Halay
Former Salt Lake City Mayor,
Deedee Corradini
These businesses made generous contributions to the Live and Silent Auction:
Alpine Sports
Amer Sports
Ben Lomond Hotel & Suites
Bistro 258
Bonnie & Hyde, Inc*
Deer Valley Resort
Dennis Craig/Snowbasin Adaptive Sports*
Diamond Peak Mountain Sports*
Douglas B Fullerton
Free Spirit Spa & Yoga*
Gibby Photography
Goode Ski Technologies
Grizzly Center at Snowbasin*
Grand America
Harley & Bucks*
Jackson Fork Inn*
Janifer & Russ Larson
Jo McNurlan, LMT
* Local business in the Ogden Valley
Annual Snowdance and Auction (continued)
These businesses made generous
contributions to the Live and Silent
Auction (continued):
Joyful Smiles Family Dentistry*
Laura Megroz Design*
Lakeside Resort & Properties*
Lindsey Van, US WSJ
Mountain Performance Massage*
My Style Photo, MJ Morgan Photography
Ogden Organix Day Spa
Ogden Symphony and Ballet
Ogden Valley Winter Sports Foundation*
Ogden Weber CVB
Rich & Kathy Peterson*
River Rock Gardens
Rosso Bello Salon / Courtney Munson
Salt Lake Mine Works
SheShreds*
Simply Eden*
Ski Salt Lake
Snowbasin Resort*
Stew Marsh/Snowbasin*
Structura Body Works*
Sun Valley Resort
Thomas Iron & Art*
Timeless Medical Spa
Utah Lodging*
Valley Dance & Yoga*
Weber State Outdoor Recreation Program
Wilkerson Center From Within*
Wolf Mountain Resort*
Zenergy Pilates & Body Work*
* Local business in the Ogden Valley
Last, we wish to thank Chris Zimmerman for
donating his time to be the Auctioneer, his
dynamic personality working the crowd for these
donated live auction items:
Custom made hand forged 5-Piece Fireplace
Set, courtesy of Jason Thomas, Thomas Iron
& Art.
Lakeside Resort Properties - A two night
stay in a luxurious 2 bed, 2 bath Lakeside
Village condo including a couple’s massage
by Structura Body Works and two pairs of
ski lift tickets by Snowbasin Resort. Provided
by Brandi Hammon, Mountain Luxury Real
Estate
All day private ski lessons for up to four
people with Stew Marsh, the Snowbasin
Snowsports Manager; provided by Stew
Marsh.
Private Dinner at the private home of Rich
& Kathy Peterson, catered by Harley &
Buck’s Restaurant with Lindsey Van and
members of the Women’s Ski Jump Team,
“Ready to Fly” DVD and Official Ski Jump
Pin. Congratulations to the US Team and
successful bidders, John Durig & Dawn
Lowery and Dan and Jackie Norton.
Sun Valley Resort 2-2-2 Ski and Lodging
Package; Two night stay, Ski passes for 2
people for 2 days arranged by John Loomis,
Snowbasin Resort.
Private Dinner Attendees: (Front Row) Barry Van, Jessica Jerome, Lindsey Van and John Durig,
(Back Row) Dan Norton, Jackie Norton, Kathy Peterson, Rich Peterson and Dawn Lowery
OVBA Web Sites and Social Sites
We are proud that our Web sites helped all of our members to increase their Internet presence and
grow their business with local customers and those planning to visit our area. The Web site www.
ovba.org recorded 120,994 unique visitors viewing 319,629 pages during 2014. Over the past
ten years, 1,074,912 visitors have viewed 2,893,097 pages. Our main Web site, www.ovba.org, is
continually updated with Events and Special Offers from members. Twice per month, these offers
and events arrive in the email inbox of subscribers.
The Visit Ogden Valley Web site had 71,115 visitors to 136,500 pages in 2014, for a total of 111,544
visitors to 226,267 pages since the Web site was launched in early 2013.
Our automated calendar system has brought increased traffic to the Web site. The calendar pulls
events from our partners, including the Ogden Weber Convention and Visitors Bureau, Ogden City,
and others. Our calendar items appear on our partners’ calendars as well. All members may submit
information to the OVBA calendar via the Member Login Area, helping all businesses to better
schedule and advertise their events.
The Web site provides a Media Kit, news, press releases, image downloads and videos. We offer
the public “Free Guides,” including our publications, telephone listings and community resources.
Newcomers to the area may order a Welcome Kit with samples and advertisements from our
members.
The OVBA Shop includes a means for members to pay online for their membership dues, ad
sponsorship, event tickets, and other member products.
We continued our presence on other Web sites, including Utah.com and Go-Utah.com resulting in
numerous inquiries for area information in 2014.
During 2014, the OVBA continued its Facebook presence with three pages. The “360 Degrees of
Natural Adventure - Ogden Valley - OVBA” page is for the public to learn and share the Ogden Valley
and its goods and services. The “Ogden Valley Business Association | Eden Huntsville Utah” page is
for members to announce meeting and events. The “Visit Ogden Valley” page is aimed at visitors and
residents alike.
Blogs continue to support our Web presence: the Ogden Valley Recreation and Travel Blog; the Leaf
Peepers Blog; and the News page (blog) on the new Visit Ogden Valley Web site. Always a positive
factor in search engine rankings for all sites via reciprocal links, these Blogs show year-round
recreational pursuits in our area through pictures, videos and commentary.
Marketing Committee
Utah Travel Guide
The Ogden Valley Business Association placed
an advertisement (see right) in the Utah Travel
Guide which was displayed in brochure racks
in the Salt Lake City area (208 sites), Northern
Nevada and I-80 (92 sites), Southern Utah (177
sites along I-15), Las Vegas (270 sites), Park
City, UT area (85 sites) and Page, AZ (34 sites).
Certified Folder Display Service printed and
distributed 125,000 copies of the Guide.
Point of Service Display
The OVBA continues to provide members (with
store fronts) this 5” by 7” point of service display
(below) to encourage patrons to visit our Web
site.
VOV Discount Card
The card (see below) is available digitally to anyone who visits
www.VisitOgdenValley.com with a mobile device and shows it
to participating businesses offering a discount.
Ski Utah Membership
The OVBA was a member of Ski Utah, for a
presence on their Web site. The OVBA arranged for
embroidery of the Visit Ogden Valley logo on a ski
jacket for Terry Murphy, Administrative Assistant, to
wear to Ski Utah ski days at various Utah ski resorts
throughout the winter.
OVBA MEMBER BENEFITS
• Providing an information exchange forum for issues that affect businesses in the Valley, including
an email address that may be used to email all OVBA members.
• Networking opportunities at our monthly membership meetings, and the opportunity to host a
meeting.
• Publishing the Upper Ogden Valley Area Map, the Ogden Valley Phone Book, listing all paid members. Publishing other periodic publications such as the Adventure Guide.
• Promoting loyalty to our businesses by enabling effective advertising at reduced rates for the group
in OVBA publications and others, including the Ski Utah Magazine.
• Numerous opportunities to get involved with OVBA hosted events to gain business exposure.
• Providing unique opportunities to network and form marketing alliances with other business owners through special committees, the email distribution lists, Web sites, meetings and events.
• Maintaining the Web Sites, www.ovba.org and www.visitogdenvalley.com , which are constantly
being improved and promoted to encourage visits by potential customers with community content
and Special Offers from member businesses, and gives your business global and local exposure.
Other Web Sites used in various marketing efforts include www.utahfallcolors.com. Our popular
Ogden Valley Travel and Recreation Blog, the LeafPeepers Blog, 360° of Natural Adventure Facebook page and Visit Ogden Valley Facebook page also bring traffic to our web sites.
• Maintaining an online community calendar allowing members to submit events which will also appear on partner calendars such as Ogden CVB, Ogden City and Weber County. This central calendar allows businesses to plan and better maximize public attendance at their events.
• Sending an email to subscribed customers twice per month with members’ Special Offers and
Events (which are also listed on the Web site).
• Offering a Mailing List Subscription Service with nearly 300 mailing addresses per month from
inquires for Ogden Valley tourism information on OVBA web sites, plus two tourism web sites: GoUtah.com and Utah.com. These inquires receive a copy of our publications. OVBA members may
receive a monthly e-mail with the postal mailing addresses in order to send detailed information
about their business directly to these folks. OVBA members may also provide their materials for
OVBA’s mailed package for a small fee.
• Providing a Media Guide to give outside publications and media personal a central source for Ogden Valley information.
• Including information from members about their business in our Newcomer Welcome Kits.
• Seeking and obtaining grants for expanded marketing campaigns to bring more travelers to our
area.
• Providing OVBA Discount Card to Members for discounts from other Members.
• Providing the VOV Card with discounts from OVBA members for use by the public.
Goals and Objectives
1) To develop and implement a business plan for the Ogden Valley that will create the tools
necessary to maximize the benefits of doing business in Ogden Valley
2) To help all members of the Association and patrons of Ogden Valley feel comfortable,
relaxed and safe
3) To advocate a business and consumer friendly environment with governmental entities
impacting the Ogden Valley
4) Participate in and promote community programs in Ogden Valley
5) To promote an aggressive marketing program, to engage in an image building project, to
develop a strong promotional effort, and to be actively involved in the public relations of
Ogden Valley
6) Act as a liaison, mentor, and advocate for all member businesses and patrons in Ogden Valley
7) To sponsor, recruit sponsors, and establish partnerships for events and activities that will
enhance the image of and increase patronage of Ogden Valley and its member businesses
Benefits of Membership
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OVBA is the first and only local business organization for our area.
OVBA provides an information exchange forum for issues that affect businesses in the Valley.
OVBA promotes loyalty to our businesses and enables effective advertising at reduced rates
for the group.
OVBA provides unique opportunities to network and communicate with other business owners through our Web Sites and meetings.
OVBA's Web Sites are constantly being improved and promoted to encourage visits by potential customers with more community content.
OVBA's Web Sites gives your business global and local exposure.
OVBA welcomes all members’ unique viewpoint, experience and insight on all issues.
(See more detailed benefits information on the previous page.)