Summer 2003
Winter 2002
Fall 2002

2004 Membership Drive – Membership renewal packets were mailed to all existing members and some potential new members the second week in September. If you read the summer newsletter, attended the June membership meeting, or caught up with your email you will be aware of the dues increase of $20 for a general membership. A cover letter in your renewal packet also outlines the rationale behind the dues restructuring. Please remember to complete the entire application and check your listing in both the directory and on the web site. We will make every effort to establish an accurate mail and contact list. Please include your summer and winter contact information and if you have any questions, or need additional information, don‘t hesitate to call Greg Edson at 1-800-878-7950.

Search For a New Home – The Stanley-Sawtooth Visitor Center was forced to relocate this spring do to space constraints experienced by the City of Stanley. Thanks to the Sawtooth Interpretive and Historical Association the Chamber was allowed to rent space near the museum for the summer of 2003. Unfortunately, this location was less than ideal and resulted in a 60% decrease in Visitor Center traffic. The results were felt by all chamber members and demonstrate the critical need of the Visitor Centers location. The Chamber Board of Directors has established a short list of alternatives and will be addressing this issue at the October Board meeting. It is hoped that a new, long-term agreement can be worked out and a new location established by December.

Chamber Winter Operations – Did you know during the fall, winter, and spring months your chamber isstaffed seven days a week. Beginning September 1st the Visitor Center closed and all operations were switched to Greg Edson’s offices in Twin Falls. Some people may ask; why is our chamber office moved to Twin Falls? In years past the chamber was sporadically staffed throughout the off season. A chamber staff member would collect messages, return phone calls, and respond to inquiries on a weekly basis. Three years ago, the Chamber board made the decision to hire a full time marketing consultant. Throughout the off season the phone, mail, and email is transferred to Greg’s office. This arrangement has afforded the chamber the opportunity to have a live person responding to customer and member requests for information on a daily basis. When out of his office in Twin Falls, Greg forwards the phone to his cell phone. Phone calls are responded to on either an immediate basis or a daily basis. Email inquiries are handled daily, as is other important chamber business. You don’t have to make an expensive long distance phone call to reach the chamber; you simply need to call the 800#. Should you need to contact the chamber throughout the off season, simply call 1-800-878-7950. Greg can also be reached via email at gedson1@mindspring.com.

Checkout Our Numbers – Since January 1, 2003 the chamber office has been busy keeping up with inquiries, walk-in customers, and requests for information. Take a look at our numbers from January through September 2003. Phone call inquiries – 1,763 vs. 1,368 in 2002, request for information from web site 1,462 vs. 587 in 2002, brochures & information packets mailed 1,105 vs. 1,014 in 2002, 1,574 visitors at the center vs. 3,983 in 2002.

Thank You…to Delores Cook and Jack Sullivan for their hard work and dedication at the Visitor Center. These folks did an outstanding job of directing people to lodging, RV space, food, shopping and area attractions despite adverse conditions. They also provided a positive attitude and smile with each visitor they encountered.

Workshops - Chamber marketing consultant Greg Edson has been attending and will be attending a number of workshops this fall and winter. The ITC has been holding a series of workshops on marketing and branding communities in the State of Idaho. These workshops have been held in several locations throughout the state and outlined a number of ways Chambers can work cooperatively to increase tourism and establish there own distinct brands. Gregalso attended a three-day workshop, for another organization he works with in San Francisco that dealt specifically with the establishment of a branding campaign. Branding is simply a one of two-word phrase that captures the customer’s attention regarding a product, service, or business. Branding is the new term for a slogan, for example “the real thing”. The need to establish a brand is also one of the key area’s the Chamber Board of Directors has identified in their work sessions this past summer. More work will be done this fall and winter with the assistance of the states advertising agency.

Board of Directors Planning Sessions – As a part of the Chambers work cycle the Board of Directors holds planning sessions each fall in addition to their monthly meetings. These sessions are designed to recap the past several months, revisit the Chambers Strategic Plan, and plan for future projects. It is the Chambers role and responsibility to bring issues and people together in an effort to foster discussion and shape strategy. It is also the Chambers mission to encourage and support member businesses and enhance their economic opportunities. Beginning in September, and carrying over to the October and fall Board of Directors meetings, the Board will be working on the development and implementation of an economic stabilization plan. Such a plan, based on community solidarity, working with key community and county organizations is key to turning around the reduced business activity throughout the year in the Stanley Basin. Another key component of the Chamber is the reestablishment of the Visitor Center location. The unfortunate experience of this past summer drove home the value of a properly located center. Members are welcome at all Board of Directors meetings and planning sessions. A full report will be presented at the Winter Membership Meeting and in the next newsletter.

Banner Ads – They are cheap and effective. With over 56,000 visitors to our site in the past eighteen months your investment of $20 per month (3-month minimum) works out to be less than one penny per impression. You don’t need to have a web site, email or even a computer. All you have to do is contact us; we’ll make arrangements with you and our webmaster to design your ad. Target your ad around your season of operation and take advantage of this low cost, effective advertising opportunity.