Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce 'Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce Monthly Newsletter'

May 2010 Member Newsletter

Posted: 4/27/2010 6:09:36 PM

Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce

May 2010 Newsletter

 

Join the Team: Help Us Help You

If you are on Facebook as a business or personally, post pictures, good experiences, favorite places, or news items directly to the Buena Vista Chamber, Now This Is Colorado (Chaffee County Visitor Bureau), Salida Chamber of Commerce, Colorado.com, Channel 2, 4, 7, or 9 or any other relevant Facebook pages. 

 

Automatic Weather Observing System in BV Now Linked to FAA

Buena Vista has gone global.  The Automatic Weather Observing System (AWOS) in Buena Vista, KAEJ, has been providing weather information for local pilots for years now, but the data has finally been linked to the FAA, allowing pilots anywhere to access our weather conditions.  Also, the Colorado Hourly Weather Data now includes Buena Vista.

www.weather.gov/view/prodsByState.php?state=co&prodtype=hourly

All this means that as time goes on we will be seeing Buena Vista weather data being used more frequently and those outside the valley will start finding out how great the climate is in the valley. 

Additonal information about weather and Central Colorado Regional Airport can be discovered at www.bvwx.net and www.kaej.net.

 

           Enhance Your Listing on the Chamber Website

This past year, the Chamber has offered a Website Enhancement program.  Some of our members participated in this program and we want to remind you of this program. The following are the two options that are available.

Featured Listing:

1)      puts a photo to the left of your web listing; attention grabbing

2)      moves your business to the top of your website sub-category

3)      all featured listing participants rotate at top of web page with every new visit

4)      non featured listings remain below in alphabetical order

5)      cost is $150 for 6 months; $270 for one year

Detail Page with Photo:

1)      puts a photo to the left of your web listing; attention grabbing

2)      click on detail page to list specials or more details about your business with many photos (looks as though you have a web site)

3)      you can receive a password and manage this page and change info daily

4)      excellent opportunity for businesses with no web site; more affordable

5)      cost is $60 for 6 months; $108 for one year

Please compare your listing on our website at www.buenavistacolorado.org to members that are participating to better understand this program.

            We continue to have more visits on our website. The following is the comparison for the last two years. A large percentage of these visits go to the business listings.

 

Visits to Chamber Website

2008                2009                2010

Jan.                              13,668             23,169

Feb.                             11,832             22,737

Mar.     16,072             15,042             27,980

Apr.     20,603             18,024             24,738

May     26,801             25,990

June     22,267             29,420

July      28,116             28,870

Aug.     17,293             25,374

Sept.    15,432             24,267

Oct.     11,266             24,071

Nov.    12,142             20, 264

Dec.     12,142             20,478

 

 

BRING IN YOUR NEW BROCHURES & BUSINESS CARDS. TRAFFIC IS ALREADY PICKING UP AT THE CHAMBER.

 

 

Two Business Education Opportunities Coming up in May

1.“Why should I do Facebook” luncheon planned in cooperation with SBDC. Watch for details in the Weekly Announcements

2. Customer Service seminar coming soon. Watch for details in weekly announcements. We will have two options: meeting with a group or using instructional tapes within your own business.

 

Traffic at the Chamber

Visitors to the Chamber in April-162

Visitor Packs Mailed in April—95

Visitors to the Website in April—24,738

(April of 2009 had 18,024 visitors)

 

 

Business After Hours – Two in May

Courtyard Gallery

310 E. Main    5:00-7:00  May 6

     In late March of 2002, 13 artists sat down with the goal of opening an art gallery where local artists could exhibit and sell their work. These visionaries accomplished their goal with the opening of The Courtyard Gallery on May 15, 2002.

     To showcase local art continues to be our goal. Currently, we now have over 35 artists, but we are always open to new talent.

 

Wilderness Aware Rafting & R31 Schools

12600 Hwy 24 &285

5:00-7:00   May 20

Wilderness Aware Rafting-What Sets Us Apart?

Twice named 'Colorado Company of the Year!'

• White water rafting trips for all skill levels including families.
• Outstanding safety record - we're proud to have one of the best safety records in the industry.
• Elite handpicked guides - the most entertaining and highly trained professionals on the river
• Customer comment cards - your daily feedback allows us to assure you the quality and service you deserve from Colorado’s premier outfitter.
• Industry Leader in renewable energy.
• Helpful, knowledgeable and friendly office staff.
• 1st class amenities - clean rest rooms, retail store, and licensed food preparation facilities.
• Top of the line equipment including two-way radios and satellite phones for increased safety.
• Mouth-watering meals on the river and a free continental breakfast at our Buena Vista, Colorado riverside headquarters.

 

 New Board Member

            Clarke Poos from Springboard Strategies was appointed to fill the vacancy on the board. Welcome, Clarke, and thanks.

We will be looking for five new board members in September.  Meetings are the 3^rd Wednesday of the month from 5:30 to 7:00.  Board members oversee the finances of the chamber, make decisions about marketing and other chamber goals, help with Business After Hours, help with the 4^th of July parade, Gold Rush Days, the membership banquet, Christmas Opening and the Trade Show.

Call the chamber if you are interested in being on the ballot in September.

             

 

Member News

1. Chaffee People’s Clinic Board of Trustees is very pleased to announce that Cara Russell has been hired as our new Executive Director. She will begin employment on April 26, 2010.  Cara has been the Executive Director of Buena Vista Heritage for the past 6 years and is also the former mayor of Buena Vista. Cara has a strong background in non-profit management, community relations, and fundraising, and has also worked for a managed healthcare organization. She has bachelor of business administration and a master of library science. We are very excited to have Cara join our team. She can be reached at 719-530-2596, EDCPC1@gmail.com.

2. Watch for Quincy’s opening for lunch this month.

3. Live Well Chaffee County needs 2 minutes of your time. Help us gather data on worksite health and wellness by completing our 4-question survey.

     Your responses are anonymous and will help us in our work to promote healthy eating and active living in Chaffee County.

     Just click on this link: 

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZCMZK9Q

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZCMZK9Q>

4. Global Cafe Spring Hours: Open Every Day Lunch 11-3; Dinner Every Night (except Sundays) at 5-9pm; Breakfast Sat and Sun 8-Noon.  Saturday and Sunday Bloody Mary bar $3!! See you at Global!

5. The League of Women Voters Chaffee County will have a program on the Economic Development of Sustainable Businesses and Sustainable Business Practices. Representative of Chaffee County Economic Development Group will be the speakers. The program is from noon-1 p.m. on Monday, May 10, at the United Methodist Church at 5th and D in Salida and is open to the public.  You may bring your own brown-bag lunch. Drinks will be provided.

            The LWV is a non--partisan political organization dedicated to participation in government that is open to all.  More information is at www.lwvchaffeecounty.blogspot.com.

6. Family Movie Night at the Congregational United Church of Christ—See Flyer

7. Town Meeting—See Flyer

 

8. Women's Health Day, May 8th, sponsored by Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center--See Flyer

 

9. Courtyard Gallery--Three events this month. 6th-BAH (See Flyer); May22-July18th-First Artists Showcase; May 29-30-Bead and Bangle Trunk Show (See Flyer)

 

10.  Tired of paying too much in taxes on your hard earned business income and not being able to save for retirement? Come to the Edward Jones Business Seminar on retirement planning for business owners and find out how you can save on taxes and plan for the future. Monday, May 3, 2010, from 4:00-5:00 pm.  RSVP 395-9093 by Monday May 3 at Noon.  Seminar at 301 East Main St.

 

Edward Jones Coffee

May 15^th, Saturday      8:30a.m.       301 E. Main

RSVP at 395-9093

Updates & Questions & Answers

Light Breakfast!

Open to everyone!

 

Upcoming Events in May 2010

5/1-Caddis Festival Fundraising Banquet

5/1-Collegiate Peaks Trail Run

5/6-Business After Hours-Courtyard Gallery

5/7-Live Jazz - The CMC Jazz PROJECT –

5/8-10-Adventure Xtreme

5/9-Family Movie Night

5/10-Free Live Jazz Concert-Salida SteamPlant

5/13, 14 - Collegiate Peaks Forum – BV

5/15- Buena Vista Bike Fest

5/20-Chamber Board Meeting

5/21-Business After Hours-Wilderness Aware

5/22-Alpine Orchestra – Mnt. Hts Baptist

5/26-Pimp and Ho Party - The Lariat in BV

5/28-30-Paddle Fest 2010 / Pro Rodeo - BV

5/29-Paddle Fest 2010 - Buena Vista

5/31-Memorial Day services - Mt. Olivet