2013 annual report - Downtown Kingsport Association

2013 ANNUAL REPORT
January 2013 - December 2013
Who is the DKA?
The Downtown Kingsport Association (DKA) is a private, non-profit
membership organization 501(c)(6) dedicated to Kingsport’s
Downtown revitalization. Our purpose is to promote Downtown
Kingsport as the “heart” of our community, to strengthen the
economic viability by encouraging business diversity, and to
enhance the unique physical characteristics of historic
Downtown Kingsport. The DKA is coordinated by a full-time
executive director, a Board of Directors, support staff, volunteer
committees, business owners, residents, and community leaders.
Mission
To Bring People To the Doors of Downtown Businesses.
Vision
Downtown Kingsport Is A Great Place
Jud Teague
Executive Director
Kingsport Convention & Visitors Bureau
“Having a vibrant Downtown truly enhances the overall Kingsport
experience for our visitors. It also provides an added benefit to
attendees of events, meetings, conventions and group tours. The
Downtown Kingsport Association's dedication to developing our
Downtown is evident to all of the visitors to our city.”
History
The Downtown Merchants Association
precedes the Chamber of Commerce,
dating back to 1939. After functioning
as a committee of the Chamber, DKA
formed an independent organization in
1974. A professional Director was hired
in the late 1970’s.
A Letter From Our President, John Barber
Eastman Chemical Company
2013 was a year of transition for the Downtown Kingsport
Association. However, it was also a year of great accomplishments and contributions. Sherri Mosley was selected from a
field of 39 candidates to be DKA’s new Executive Director.
Chasity Carter was hired as our Director of Marketing and
took on an additional role to help launch PEAK, a new young
professionals group sponsored by DKA. Mid-year, we moved
our offices to the heart of Downtown at 229 Broad Street.
In addition to these major changes, we have been very busy
supporting and promoting Downtown Kingsport. These activities included the following new initiatives and activities:
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Two days of intensive training for 12 DKA member companies on “Achieving World-Class Results” from the Pal’s Business Excellence Institute.
Responding to a record-breaking flood in Downtown Kingsport by contributing many hours of clean-up assistance
and raising over $62,000 for the clean-up costs of 31 affected businesses.
Helping facilitate the formation of PEAK (Professionals Engaged in Advancing Kingsport).
Recording two promotional commercials for downtown
businesses that aired on local TV stations.
Inaugural “Holiday Open House Loft Tours” that was attended by over 250 people on a Sunday afternoon in December.
Introduction of Downtown Loyalty Cards that offered 10%
savings when used at participating downtown merchants.
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A one-day whirlwind benchmarking trip to Asheville and
Hendersonville, NC and Greeneville, SC for 21 friends of
Downtown Kingsport to learn about innovative ideas from
some successful downtowns.
Leading a task force to address problems encountered
with downtown parking.
Arranging for four quarterly issues of Sunday Stories to feature Downtown Kingsport in the Kingsport Times-News
As noted, these were new initiatives and activities. DKA continued to coordinate and fund the 4th of July fireworks display
and the Christmas Tree Lighting. We also continued to provide matching funds for downtown advertisement on interstate billboards. Our annual membership drive resulted in a
100% increase in membership and $45,000 in funding for
many of the 2013 initiatives.
You can see that your DKA has been quite busy in the revitalization and promotion of Downtown Kingsport. It has been my
pleasure to be part of it by serving as President of the Association for the past two years. It has given me the opportunity to
get to know and work with some of Kingsport’s finest citizens
and to make many new friends. I sincerely thank Sherri Mosley and Chasity Carter, our Board of Directors, and our volunteers, donors, and partners for their support and contribution. I am
confident that together we will help Downtown Kingsport fulfill its potential as a Destination Downtown.
Main Street
Four Point Approach
The DKA is a member of the National Main Street Program
under the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Kingsport was
first recognized as a Main Street community in 1985. The City of
Kingsport provides monetary and service support to the DKA
to carry out the association’s mission. Currently, the DKA is
recognized as a state and national Main Street program.
The Main Street Four-Point Approach is a unique
economic development tool and also the foundation
for local initiatives to revitalize their districts by
leveraging local assets—from cultural or architectural
heritage to local enterprises and community pride.
The four points of the Main Street approach work
together to build a sustainable and complete
community revitalization effort.
Organization
Organization establishes consensus and cooperation by building
partnerships among the various groups that have a stake in the
commercial district.
Members: John Barber, Beverley Perdue, Kim Wilson, Penny Gray,
Lisa Williams, Shaunda Blackwell
Achievements
 Coordinated annual board retreat and training.
 Held successful membership drive & increased membership by
100%.
 Partnered with Regions Bank & Fun Fest for Mardi Gras Downtown.
 Successfully organized Fundraising Events:
Masquerade Ball—Annual Fundraiser
4th of July Fireworks Celebration
Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Celebration
 Developed search committee for new executive director position.
 Moved offices and rebranded DKA
 Organized search committee for Annual Awards & hosted DKA
open house.
2013 DKA Annual Membership Meeting & Open House
Christmas Tree Lighting 2013
Masquerade Ball
Fourth of July
Board Retreat
2013 Organization Co-Chairs
Kim Wilson
First Tennessee
Penny Gray
Community Volunteer
Lisa Williams
MSHA
Design
Design means getting Main Street into top physical
shape and creating a safe, inviting environment for
shoppers, workers, and visitors.
Members: Rob Beverly, Julie Gunn, Bonnie Macdonald, Leslie May,
Cindy Saadeh, Lynn Tully and Angela Vachon
Achievements
 Consulted with property owners to show before and after renderings of their buildings
 Worked on parking garage art (banners and benches)
 Coordinated heritage trail re-enactments
 Organized and implemented the “pARTy in the heART” Art Festival
 Hosted and implemented a Flower potting day program
 Assisted with and collaborated on the Center Street road diet,
Positive Parking Forum and the directional signage for the Higher
Education Center
 Had input on the grant submitted to TDOT to add bulb-outs on
Market and Commerce and New and Commerce.
Painting Downtown
Heritage Trail Reenactment
Pocket Park Sketch
pARTy in the heART flyer
2013 Design Co-Chairs
Plant Potting Day
Cindy Saadeh
Bonnie Macdonald
Cindy Saadeh Fine Art Kingsport Cultural Arts
Promotion
Promotion takes many forms, but the goal is to create a positive
image that will rekindle community pride and improve consumer
and investor confidence in the commercial district.
Members: Anissa Kittrell, Corey Shepherd, Emily Macbeth, Hannah
Musselwhite, Jacki Ewing, Jeff Fleming, Melissa Goins,
Molly Noseworthy, Taylor Rutherford, Tracy Morelock
Achievements
 Developed Downtown Loyalty Card with 28 participants.
 Coordinated monthly Cash Mobs to selected businesses.
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Organized and implemented window decorating contests.
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Established first annual Holiday Loft Tours.
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Partnered with Off the Waugh Productions to produce two
Downtown Kingsport commercials.
Orchestrated the Downtown Kingsport Holiday Open House
Cash Mob at Bloom Boutique
1st Place Window Decorating Contest
Ribbon Cutting at Star Trails Downtown
Holiday Loft Tour Ticket
Holiday Open House Billboard
2013 Loyalty Card
2013 Promotion Chair
Jacki Ewing
Owner, Charmed Southern
Economic Restructuring
Economic restructuring strengthens the community’s existing
economic assets while diversifying its economic base.
Members: John Vachon, Jeff Frazier, John Barber, Corey Shepherd,
Jeff Fleming, Pam Mahaffey, Russ Bralley, Kathy Richards, Jeffrey
Stoner, Dan Wernick
Achievements
 Coordinated and implemented the first “Pal’s BEI –Creating a
Downtown of Excellence” class for 12 Downtown Kingsport
Merchants.
 Created a Downtown Building and Business Inventory
 Worked with Times newspaper to offer Downtown Merchants an
exclusive rate and run a quarterly Sunday Stories Issue dedicated to Downtown Kingsport.
 Proposed Gateway Arts District to be tied in with KHRA’s Choice
Neighborhood Initiative
 Submitted 6 Community Improvement Project applications to
the Leadership Kingsport class for 2014
 Coordinated a bus trip to Asheville, Greenville and Hendersonville for 20 colleagues to gather ideas to bring back to our community.
2013 Pal’s BEI Class Graduates
2013 Economic Restructuring
Co-Chairs
John Vachon
Urban Synergy
Jeff Frazier
Eastman/RCAM
The Flood of July 2013
Day after the flood— Market
I <3 Downtown Kingsport t-shirts
DKA fed over 50 flood cleanup volunteers
Lift Up Downtown Kingsport
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Over 65 businesses were affected in the core of Downtown
37 applications were submitted for funding relief and
awarded over $61,000 total.
$332,105 was requested to the DKA Flood Committee
Flood clean up expenses = $71,205
Inventory loss = $158,706
Restoration cost = $102,194
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Flood Relief Committee: John Barber, Beverley Perdue,
Brad Hoover, Eddie Simmers, Ed Baldock, Ken Frolich
DKA Events
Downtown Kingsport Christmas Tree Lighting
Keep Kingsport Beautiful and
Boehm Landscape, Inc. strive to
recognize properties which set positive examples for beautification
and cleanliness.
DKA was awarded the
Re-development award in June.
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Christy Hudson
Owner, Bloom Boutique
“As a (new) small business owner there are many unseen
hours that go into building a successful business, leaving little
time for “networking”. The DKA provides me with resources
and
marketing opportunities that have helped me grow
my business beyond the levels I could have obtained on my
own. The overwhelming response to events marketed by
DKA and the exposure my business has received as a result
of my affiliation with this organization, validates how important the DKA is to our local businesses and to the revitalization of Downtown Kingsport. “
DKA Bowling Team at Junior
Achievement Bowl-A-Thon
TN Main Street Manager “Todd Morgan” Tour
Jeff Fleming
Assistant City Manager
“Downtown is the heart of any community -- it’s everybody’s
neighborhood. DKA works tirelessly to promote downtown
merchants, organize events, and create a fun, vibrant
atmosphere. I am thrilled about the positive direction Downtown
Kingsport is headed under the leadership of DKA and cannot
wait to see what the future holds.”
5 Core Components
Social Engagements: Our social engagement platform will serve as an opportunity
for members to network, both personally and professionally, with fellow PEAK constituents, as well as unwind from the rigors of the workweek.
Civic Volunteerism: The focal point of this component will be the continual improvement and growth of Kingsport through volunteer efforts. We live and/or work here;
therefore we have an innate responsibility to serve in some capacity as stewards to
the Kingsport community.
Professional Development: PEAK will be comprised of a diversely talented constituency, however there is always room for improvement. Through guest speakers and in
-house training the aim of this component is professional growth.
Regional Networking: Engaging other young professional organizations throughout
our region will allow PEAK, as well as individual members, to establish symbiotic relationships with like-minded groups.
Talent Recognition: PEAK ‘s Talent Recognition initiative will serve as an internal
headhunting group geared toward assisting with job vacancies brought forward
from local business and industry.
2013 DKA Members
Platinum ($3,500+)
City of Kingsport
Eastman Chemical Company
First Tennessee Bank
Indian Path Medical Center
Gold ($1,000)
Bank of Tennessee
Domtar
Eastman Credit Union
Health South
Higher Education Center
Mountain Region Family Medicine
TriSummit Bank
Silver ($500)
Appalachian Electric Power
Citizens Bank
Regions Bank
Wellmont
Bronze ($250)
Barberitos
Blackburn, Childers & Steagall
Burger King
Carter-Trent Funeral Home
Chef’s Pizzeria
Dent K. Burke
First Broad Street United Methodist Church
First Kingsport Credit Union
Food City
Grant Tire & Automotive
Hamlett Dobson
Holston Medical Group
Holston Valley Broadcasting
Jefferson Federal
Kingsport Chamber of Commerce
Kingsport Housing Authority
Suntrust Bank
Wilson, Worley & Gamble
Small Business ($100)
A Little Dab
Able Printers
Absolute Communications
AdviCoach
A-Hood Bonding
Aid & Assist at Home
AYP Automotive
Beach Hut Shaved Ice
Bear N Friends Toy Shoppe
Bingham & Hensley
Blakley-Mitchell
Blankenship Law Office
Bloom Boutique
Blue Ridge Properties
Branded
Breaking Tradition
Buddy & Debbie Waggoner
Burk Consulting
Center Key Building
Century 21 Legacy
Cham Percer - CPA
Charmed Southern
Christ Fellowship Church
Cindy Saadeh Fine Art Gallery
Cross Country Mortgage
Cumberland Marketing
Dent Magic
Diamond Exchange
Dirtwerks
Dunkin Donuts
East Tennessee Brain & Spine
Edinburgh Group
Edward Jones Investments
Express Sign
Finer Furnishings
First Bank & Trust
First Community Bank
Edward Jones Investments
Express Sign
Finer Furnishings
First Bank & Trust
First Community Bank
First Presbyterian Church
Fixalotta
Frank Gibson - Attorney
Gateway Self Storage
Gazebo Party Shop
Great Commission Church
Haggle Shop
Holston Habitat for Humanity
Hibu Magazine
Highlands Health Management
Hyatt Cleaners
Imperial Family Medicine
Integrity Capital Management
Jan Mar Restaurant
Kenner & Nancy Mallicote
Kingsport Ballet
Kingsport Centre' Realty
Lake Pointe Advertising
LampLight Theatre
Leaping Lizards
Little Cake
Made in the Shade
Margaret Moore
Mason Jar Eatery
Michael Richards Home Repair
Monty & Deb McLaurin
MR Cleaners
Mr. Turkey Leg
Mustard Seed Café
Nooks & Crannies
Oak Hill Funeral Home
Ozark Mountain Brewing
P & J Antiques
Pal's
Picsee Studio
Pope-Robinette Insurance
POSH Spa & Salon
Professional Women's Network
Rodefer & Moss
Shabby Allie's
Signature Properties
Sonitrol of the Tri-Cities
Sophisticats Spa
Sprouty Pea
Stir Fry Café
Style
Sullivan Lands, Inc.
Summer Fox - Allure Salon
The Bagel Exchange
The Cash Company of Kingsport
The Little Coupon Book
The Nutty Java
Thomas Development Company
Times Digital Group
TK's Big Dogs
Todd & Dossett
Town & Country Real Estate
Tri State Enterprises
Trulife Realtor
Two Dads Café n Catering
Up Against the Wall Gallery
Urban Synergy & BANQ
Variety
Walker's Shoe Repair
Wexford House
White Floral
Wray Law Firm
Xcellerated Fitness
Friend ($50)
Adam Gray
Ashley Nelson
Beine & Associates
Beverley Perdue
Bob Turner
Bobbie Phillips
C & S Transit
Chis & Kim Wilson
David & Yvonne Raden
David Straight
Ed & Pam Mahaffey
Edward Mills
Hannah Musselwhite
Jeff Fleming
Jeff Frazier
John & Karen Barber
John Perdue
Mary Kilpatrick
Message Harbor
Mike McIntire
Pat Lee Harrison
Penny Gray
Ron Garner
Russ & Joyce Brogden
FY 2013 Budget Summary
Ashley Nelson
Eastman Chemical Company
Downtown Resident
”Downtown Kingsport is my main source for shopping,
eating, and local activities. The atmosphere is welcoming
and the progress made there is encouraging for an
exciting future for downtown, especially for young adults. It
has character and potential and people are realizing that
now more than ever.”
Charlie Floyd
Vice President. Operational Performance
Domtar & Downtown Resident
“I see Kingsport as a community that is emerging now at a rapidly
accelerated pace because our Downtown Kingsport Association
'GETS IT!' They have taken a lead role in effectively organizing
each of these entities into a unified team that reflects our true
sense of community in every effort we undertake. Things happen
now - with speed, simplicity, and decisiveness with a smile and a
'can-do' attitude thanks to DKA Leadership.“
2013 Board of Directors
President
John Barber, Eastman
Vice President
Angela Vachon, Urban Synergy
Secretary
Shaunda Blackwell, First Bank & Trust
Treasurer
Beverley Perdue, Downtown Resident
Rob Beverly, Star Trails Downtown
Jacki Ewing, Charmed Southern
Jeff Frazier, RCAM
Penny Gray, Finer Things for Her
Anissa Kittrell, TriSummit Bank
Bonnie Macdonald, Kingsport Cultural Arts
Pam Mahaffey, Eastman Credit Union
Tracy Morelock, ABC TV/19
Stella Robinette, H.O.P.E.
Kathy Richards, AdviCoach
Taylor Rutherford, Stir Fry Café
Cindy Saadeh, Cindy Saadeh Fine Art
Tommy Stanley, Food City
Jeffrey Stoner, Jeffrey Stoner Photography
Wendy Stout, P & J Antiques
Jud Teague, KCVB
Dan Wernick, Domtar
Lisa Williams, MSHA
Kim Wilson, First Tennessee Bank
Ex-Officios
Miles Burdine, Kingsport Chamber
John Campbell, City of Kingsport
John Vachon, Urban Synergy
Jeff Fleming, City of Kingsport
Pat Houchens, P & J Antiques
Dennis Phillips, City of Kingsport
Aundrea Wilcox, KOSBE
Staff
Sherri Mosley
Chasity Carter
Executive Director
Marketing Director
[email protected]
[email protected]
Downtown Kingsport Association
229 Broad Street
Kingsport, TN 37664
For more information, please contact:
(423) 246-6550
Or visit our website at:
www.downtownkingsport.org