2019 Annual Meeting State of the Chamber Address

Transcription

1 2019 Annual Meeting State of the Chamber Address

2 The mission of the Seward Chamber of Commerce, CVB is to promote and support our members in maintaining a diversified economy and positive business and living environment in the Greater Seward area.

3 2018 Board Looking Forward Carole Tallman, President Melissa Schutter, VEEP Von Terry, Treasurer Nicola Murawsky Shelly Shank Brenda Ballou Geri Nipp Stephanie Millane Scott Reierson

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6 Who Are We? 69% Small Biz

7 Membership Categories

8 The Mindful Marmot Rachel Gordon Nakao Ceramics Jenny Nakao

9 Thank You!

10 Economic Development Partners Additional revenue assists Chamber in Representing the Seward business community At City Council & Borough Assembly meetings Regional Board - KPTMC Maintaining Visitor Center Growing membership services Attracting media coverage

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12 Creating A Strong Economy SMIC Re-Launch 2019 Seward Economic Growth Plan (SEGP) -Blue Economy ~ Incubator, Business Advisor Justin Sternberg - Alaska Start-Up - Seward Business Network

13 Do you want to grow an ocean-focused business in Alaska? The Blue Pipeline Incubator (BPI) supports Alaskan startup businesses in the blue economy through mentorship, programs, community and access to resources!

14 Alaska Start-Up Week

15 Creating A Strong Economy Industry Shows Pacific Marine Expo Partnerships Alaska State Chamber Alaska Travel Industry Association Foraker Kenai Peninsula Tourism Marketing Council Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District Scholarship Program

16 Advocating for Business Testimony at Local, State, Federal levels Meet the Candidates Forum City Council & PACAB Reports (monthly)

17 Membership Services Membership Luncheons Business Tools Industry Forecasts Partnership Opportunities Project Updates Interact w/elected Officials E-News Marketing & Training Opportunities Chamber Program Updates

18 Promoting the Community 80,000 SDG printed and distributed AK Visitor Centers Anchorage Visitor Sites Cruise Lines Individual Requests

19 Membership Services Kris Harris After Five Events Luncheon Sponsorship Marketing Opportunities Co-Op Advertising Trade Show Buy-in Web Display Ads Business Referrals Educational Workshops

20 Communications Director Jen Leahy

21 Events Coordinator Elizabeth Hashem

22 Social Media reach and engagement continues to 2017 Page likes: 8, ,221 (37% increase!) Joined Instagram in October 2017 Followers: (628% increase!)

23 Seward.com Promoting the Community NEW Individual Event Pages Brand Refresh 80% are New Visitors Maintains a High Search Engine Ranking Spotlight on Members Current Events & News Blog Winter Weekends

24 Promoting the Community

25 Promoting the Community Contract Marketing City of Seward Annual Contract: The Chamber is the Marketing Arm of the City

26 Signature Events Promoting the Community Military Appreciation Picnic Halibut Tournament July 4 th Festival Mount Marathon Race Silver Salmon Derby

27 Military Appreciation Picnic

28 Halibut Tourney Capt Keoni of ProFish-n-Sea Charters and 1 st Place winner Tim Dyer with lb.halibut

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30 Mt. Marathon Race 4 th Festival

31 1st Place $10,000 Angler: Stacey Walters Hometown: Seward, AK Vessel: Top Dog Location: Head of Bay Weight: lbs Silver Salmon Derby

32 Silver Salmon Derby

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34 Length of Stay Kenai Peninsula visitors reported spending an average 11 nights in Alaska and 5 nights in the KP during their trip Highway/ferry travelers report staying significantly longer, at 21 nights in Alaska and 9 nights in the KP Business travelers also report longer stays in the Kenai: 9 nights, compared to 6 nights among VFRs and 4 nights among vacation/pleasure visitors

35 Destinations The most common destination among KP visitors was Seward at 78%. The most common non-kp destinations were Anchorage 92%, Denali 45%, Juneau 40%, and Ketchikan 39% Nearly all (95%) KP air travelers report spending a day or overnight in Anchorage

36 Trip Planning The average traveler decided to visit Alaska 8 months in advance of their trip and booked travel arrangements 5.3 months in advance Despite highway/ferry travelers deciding to visit Alaska more than a year before their trip on average, cruise passengers booked their travel the farthest in advance

37 Demographics Nearly 9 out of 10 KP visitors (87%) were US residents, with 34% of visitors coming from the Western states. An additional 22% of visitors came from Southern states Of international visitors, the highest amount (5%) were European residents

38 Visitor Services 2018 Cruise Ship dockings: dockings in 2019 Viking Cruise Lines Port O Call 55 thousand additional inbound airline seats on flights to Alaska Open Year-Round Phone/ Inquiries 16,540 walk-in visitors Cruise Ship Dock: Welcome Table

39 Work in partnership with the City 2019 and Beyond Climate Change: Advocate for Sustainable, Renewable Energy Housing: Support Residential Development Education: Workforce Development & Education Community Interaction Increase in-state Tourism Increase Shoulder Season Visitation Brand Refresh Seward.com update CRM Customer Relationship Management System

40 Community Awards Nominations Person of the Year Ristine Casagranda, Marianna Keil Biz Person Stephanie Millane, Cliff Krug, Linda Chichester, Laura Schneider, Nicole Lawrence Biz Site Improvement Salmon Sisters, The Highliner Restaurant Civic Engagement Lynda Paquette

41 What a GREAT Team! Thank you for joining us today!