Annual Report 2015 Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce

Annual Report 2015
Blowing Rock
Chamber
of Commerce
Presented February 9, 2016
Mission Statement
To promote, protect and improve business through the
cultural, social and economic development, growth and
sustain ability of Blowing Rock while preserving the
charm and character of the village.
Report on Activities for 2015
Membership Development, Promotion and Activities
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In 2015, forty eight new members joined the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber continued to recruit new members and continued to distribute
membership packets and brochures.
The Chamber held seven Business After Hours. They were hosted by: The Blowing Rock
Attraction, Crestwood, Wahoo’s New River Base Camp, Blowing Rock Country Club, di
Santi Law held at BRAHM, Tanner – Doncaster, Green Park Inn, and Blowing Rock
Frameworks & Gallery
The Wahoo’s Business After Hours was a joint partnership between Blowing Rock
Chamber, Boone Chamber, Avery County Chamber, Beech Mountain Chamber, Banner
Elk Chamber and Ashe County Chamber.
All 2016 Business After Hours are booked.
Ribbon Cuttings were hosted at Ugga Mugga Bakery, Blowing Rock Victorian Inn, and
Sunny Rock.
Visitor Center Activities and Sales
 Tickets sold at the Chamber of Commerce Information Center: all tickets for the Blue
Ridge Wine & Food Festival, Symphony by the Lake at Chetola, and WinterFest.
 Merchandise sold by the Chamber includes Postcards of Blowing Rock, Volume II and
Blowing Rock, Crown of the Blue Ridge coffee table book by Todd Bush, Photographer.
 The 2015 Christmas Ornament features The 1888 Museum in Memorial Park. Artwork
donated by Victoria Appel.
 Distributed over 300 phonebooks.
 Direct visitors and callers to appropriate lodging and restaurants.
 Maintain promotional materials for members in the Chamber’s Information Center
 Direct visitors and callers to appropriate member businesses and services.
 Mailed over 4,000 Blowing Rock Visitor Information Guide & Directory to visitors
requesting information.
 Distributed 14,000 Visitor Information Guide & Directory to ten North Carolina Welcome
Centers and other high traffic partner Visitor Centers and distribution points across the
state.
Finance and Sponsorship
Appendix A to this document is the independent auditor’s report for the Fiscal Year
ending December 2014. The audited financials for 2015 will be available in August 2016.
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For 2015, the Chamber finished with a (unaudited) fund balance of $15,022.
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The Resource Development Committee worked to cultivate sponsorships through the
Chamber Partner program and for all major events. The Partnership and sponsorship
programs offer something for everyone’s budget.
There were 17 Partners in 2015:
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Gold
Westglow Resort and Spa
Chetola Resort
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Silver
444 Inc.
Appalachian Regional Healthcare System
Blowing Rock Antique Center
Blowing Rock Furniture Gallery
Blowing Rock News
Blue Ridge Electric
Blue Ridge Mountain Club
Blue Ridge Mountain Rentals
Chick Fil A
First Citizen’s Bank
Green Park Inn
J.W. Tweeds
LifeStore Bank
Monkee’s
neaco
New Public House
Outback Steakhouse
Tweetsie
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The Resource Development Committee recruited 19 silver partners and two gold
partners for 2016 through a special dinner event held at BRAHM in August 2015.
Economic Development
 The Committee worked with the Downtown Partnership and DOT to lessen impact of
321 construction on businesses.
 The Blowing Rock Farmers Market continued to operate on Park Avenue in front of the
Chamber for the 2015 season. The Blowing Rock Farmers Market attracted 300-600
people weekly to downtown on Thursday afternoons mid-May – mid-October
 The Economic Development Committee continues to keep the NC Wine & Culinary
Center in a holding mode until the economic and political environment changes. This
initiative has received broad support from the NC Wine & Grape Council, Department of
Commerce, Department of Agriculture, Division of Travel of Travel and Tourism, and the
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NC Rural Center. Additional letters of support have come from Johnson Wales
University, Appalachian State University, and the Town of Blowing Rock.
The EDC worked to support the Town’s Comprehensive Plan process.
Events
Volunteer Relations
 Volunteers were treated to dinner in appreciation for their hard work. The dinner was
served inside the new American Legion. The meal was provided at no charge to the
Chamber by Outback Steakhouse. Their employees volunteered to serve our volunteers!
Symphony by the Lake
 Symphony by the Lake is produced by the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce and held
on the grounds of Chetola Resort.
 2015 saw audience of over 4000.
 The Symphony of the Mountains of Kingsport, TN performed again in 2015 and was well
received. The theme for 2015 was “film scores from iconic movies”. Theme participation
was at its highest level ever.
 Hendrick Northlake Auto mall was again the presenting sponsor. Other contributing
sponsors included The Ethel & George Kennedy Foundation, 100 West Union, Monkee’s
of Blowing Rock, Village Foundation of Blowing Rock, Carolina West Wireless, Rockitman
Radio, and VPC Builders.
 Program ads were sold to local business members.
 All available patron tents were sold, a total of 45. Catering members are engaged to
provide parties for tent patrons.
 The event increased its profit margin over 2014.
 Symphony had a new website designed at www.SymphonybytheLake.com
Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival
 The 2015 festival featured numerous events spread throughout downtown including
tastings, seminars, and cooking classes.
 Downtown wine down event and music sponsored by Rockitman Radio were added.
 Approximately 2000 people attended the Wine Festival.
 Twenty North Carolina wineries and six distributors participated in the Grand and
Reserved Tasting events.
 Additionally craft brewers and distillers were incorporated with good success.
 Several hundred wines were sampled.
 Pairing dinners were hosted in member restaurants.
 Reserve Tasting event, a high end event was held on the lawn at the Inn at Ragged
Gardens. Blue Ridge Mountain Club and Ameriprise Financial were sponsors.
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The Board of Directors approved a new branding for the wine festival in 2016: Savor!
Blowing Rock, a celebration of food and drink.
Concert in the Park
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Four Concerts were hosted in Memorial Park this year. Concert in the Park attendance
can exceed 500. Concerts were sponsored by Rockitman Radio.
Blowing Rock WinterFest
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WinterFest in 2015 was a huge success due to weather. WinterFeast showcased
member restaurants and the Winter Fashion show featured local clothing retailers.
The Chamber was able to pass checks along to local charities and organizations for
almost $5000.
Businesses participated in the event with their own events.
WinterFest sponsors included Hendrick Northlake Auto Mall and Rex Goliath
John Carter, WBTV anchor was emcee for Polar Plunge again in 2015.
WinterFest had an all new website design at www.BlowingRockWinterFest.com
Art in the Park
 Art in the Park completed its 53nd season in 2015; shows took place on May 9, June 13,
July 18, August 15, September 12 and October 3 (rained out)
 Modern Automotive was the presenting sponsor for Art in the Park for 2015.
 Art in the Park was advertised in local media and Southern Living Magazine
 In 2015, approximately 200 artists applied for Art in the Park.
 The Chamber worked with the Town to relocate Art in the Park to Park Avenue in 2016
freeing up the parking deck and connecting the two economic centers.
Restaurant Week
 The Chamber worked with the TDA and its restaurant members to hold a restaurant
week for 10 days in June.
 The event was sponsored by US Foods and Tryon Distributing.
 Special dinners and lunches were offered from $15-$30.
Holiday Party
 The Chamber held its annual Holiday Party at the Best Cellar with 125 in attendance
Membership
 The Membership Committee hosted the Annual Awards Luncheon on February 11, 2015
at Green Park Inn. There were 142 in attendance
 The Presenting Sponsor was Piedmont Federal Savings Bank
 Awards were presented in a variety of categories
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Held Shred Day in partnership with First Citizens Bank as a service to members.
Business Support
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New members were added to the Member to Member Discount Program. Member
to Member Discount cards were distributed to every member, promoting local
shopping, dining and purchases of member services.
The Business Support Committee in partnership with CCC&TI and SCORE provided
members seminars to help improve business including:
Guerilla Marketing for Small Business
Growing Your Business with Social Media; Facebook, Twitter and Linked in
eBay Your Way to Success
Customer Service for the Business Owner
Passion to Profits; turn your hobby into a real business
Cash Flow for Small Business
Social Media Marketing 102; now you are social, now what?
Survival of the Fittest
12 Key Suggestions for Staying in Business
Community & Government
 Leadership Challenge, an eight week program produced by the Chamber was held in
March and April. The Chamber graduated 14 new leaders at a special ceremony at
Blowing Rock Country Club.
 Produced 6th Annual State of the Town event in August.
 Produced the Candidate’s Forum in October.
 Co-hosted the NC Chamber for a recap of the 2015 legislative session.
 Executive director maintains volunteer relationship with Rotary.
Chamber Publications and Communications
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The Village Current continued to keep our members informed of Chamber events and
issues affecting their businesses. The Village Current is published quarterly.
Members are emailed the Weekly Update with member news and calendar items for
the coming week.
The Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce maintains a Facebook page to communicate
with members.
The 2015 - 2016 edition of The Visitor Information Guide and Directory was released in
early April 2015 in time to be available for the Blue Ridge Wine & Food Festival. The
Visitor Information Guide and Directory included 67 ads and was 105 pages, the largest
edition to date.
The Chamber produced 50,000 maps for distribution. Members were offered very
attractive ad rates.
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Cathy Williamson continued to represent the chamber and its members on a weekly
radio segment on WECR.
Board & Staff Activities and Development
Activities of the Board
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The Board has been engaged in strategic planning this year and has now completed the
five year strategic plan.
The Board picks up trash on US 221 twice per year. Litter Sweep, a project of NC DOT is
in its twentieth year.
The board contracted to design a new Chamber “lifestyle” website. This will be launched
in early 2016.
Executive Director, Charles Hardin attended the NC Chamber Annual Meeting in Raleigh,
the Governor’s Conference in March in Pinehurst, a CACCE Chamber professionals cruise
in October, WNCCE regional retreat in December in Hendersonville.
Executive Director is a board member of CACCE
Blowing Rock Chamber hosted the two-state 2015 Staff Leadership Conference for
CACCE at Chetola. There were 200 attendees.
Events Director visited Wine Festivals and events in Asheville, Statesville, Myrtle Beach
and Yadkin Valley searching for new event ideas.
Art in the Park Director attended art shows in Virginia, Asheville, and Winston Salem
recruiting new artists for Art in the Park.
The board sent a letter to legislators in Raleigh regarding our opposition to changing the
sales tax distribution which would have reduced the amount of tax both Watauga
County and Blowing Rock would have received.
Passed through to the Village Foundation of Blowing Rock (formerly the Chamber
Foundation) $8,250 from member donations for the lighting of Memorial Park.
The Board plans to continue a monthly meeting schedule for 2015 except February and
July.
Members of the 2015 Board of Directors
Cathy Robbins, President, Tweetsie Railroad
Melissa Pickett, 1st Vice President, Blowing Rock Inn
Jim Pitts, 2nd Vice President, Blue Ridge Mountain Club
David Barker, Treasurer, Blowing Rock Market
Kevin Troyer, Secretary, 444 Inc.
Keith Neaves
Don Hubble, Individual Representative
Suzanne Miller, Blowing Rock Antique Center
Mandy Poplin, Doncaster
Steven Price, Westglow
Carol Dickerson, J. W. Tweed’s
Jess Wehrmann, Monkee’s
Marcia Greene, Chetola Resort
Justin Lawrence, Sweeting Appraisals
David Harwood, BRAHM
Billy Chick, Edward Jones
Jay Vincent, Vincent Properties
Jim Williams, Individual Representative
Charles Hardin, Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce
The Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce Partners and Affiliates
The US Chamber of Commerce
The North Carolina Chamber of Commerce
The Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives
The Western North Carolina Chamber of Commerce Executives
High Country Host
Watauga County Economic Development Commission
Boone Chamber of Commerce, Education Committee
Reciprocal memberships are maintained with the Boone Area Chamber, Ashe County Chamber
and Wilkes County Chamber.
Rural Transportation Coordinating Committee/NC DOT
Blue Ridge National Heritage Area
High Country Vision Council
Blowing Rock Tourism Development Authority
Watauga County Tourism Development Authority
The Staff of the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce
Charles Hardin
Executive Director
[email protected]
Loni Miller
Membership Services Director and Art in the Park Director
[email protected]
Billie Rogers
Events Director
[email protected]
Marcia Vaughan
Travel Counselor
[email protected]
Contact Information
Chamber Business: 828.295.7851
Fax: 828-295-7651
Visitor Information (toll free): 800-295-7851
Winterfest information (toll free): 877-295-7801
Blue Ridge Food & Wine Festival information (toll Free): 877-295-7965
Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 406
Blowing Rock, North Carolina 28605
Physical Address:
132 Park Avenue
Blowing Rock, North Carolina 28605
APPENDENIX A: 2014 INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT