Delegation to Township of Muskoka Lakes Special Budget Meeting of Council Fee for Service Monday April 13, 2015

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1 Delegation to Township of Muskoka Lakes Special Budget Meeting of Council Fee for Service Monday April 13, 2015 Good evening Mayor Furniss, Councillors and Staff: I am representing Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce. We approached you in February requesting an increase to the amount of $18,000 which has been the amount previously received by the chamber as an annual Fee for Service. As you are aware, MLCC has one full time staff member. It has approximately 350 paying and non-paying members, and hosts annual and monthly events, a Christmas Market, and an Annual Santa Claus Parade. The chamber has a full service website and utilizes Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We produce an annual Visitor Information Guide & Member Directory, containing maps of the major towns, the township, and lists of exciting things to do while in MLT. We distribute 15,000 copies at Visitor Centres and CAA offices throughout Ontario and the Border States, and to businesses here in Muskoka. We have visitors in the office constantly, looking for information on what to see and do in the area, where to stay and eat, details on hiking and camping, our cranberry marshes, and where to find services. To summarize: we market the Township of Muskoka Lakes 12 months of the year. We operate the Duke House Visitor Information Centre from 24th of May through to Cranberry Festival; Bala Visitor Information Centre in Windsor Park is stocked and open during July and August. We hire knowledgeable adults, and students through grant programs, giving valuable experience to our local youth. Our professional and well trained staff represents and promotes the Township and its businesses, services, attractions, events and groups in a professional, articulate and consistent manner. We maintain an excellent web site, containing names and data on businesses, events and attractions throughout the area, and encourage community groups to list their events with us. Our office is available for small group meetings and has been utilized by Bala Cranberry Festival, Trek to Bethlehem, Habitat for Humanity, Actors Colony Theatre and many more not for profit organizations ~ info@muskokalakeschamber.com ~ Twitter:@MuskokaLksCC Box 536, Bala, ON P0C 1A0

2 In 2012, we initiated the Township wide Banner Program for which we received a grant to assist with covering costs of the project. We organized five involved community groups, and designed and produced the banners, which utilize Township logo and colours, and unify the entire area. Since 2000 we have facilitated Municipal All Candidates sessions in all three wards. We negotiated with Township to design and display hash tags on Township signage, a program still in operation. We organize monthly Business after Hours events, giving our members, non-members and community organizations the opportunity to network and discuss the business climate here in Muskoka; we invite Township Councillors to all of our events. We initiated a program with all the chambers of Muskoka, Choose a Chamber member first, Keep it in Muskoka, encouraging shopping locally. We promote Township trails all through the year, the Port Carling Wall, Muskoka Lakes Museum, and programs at the libraries. We run a very successful program to help arrange accommodation for seasonal workers, to enable them to locate in Muskoka, where affordable seasonal accommodation is scarce. We hold seminars which have included How to Achieve Success in Working with a Board, Work Place Safety, Wise Investing and Social Media, available to members and non-members. Fifteen years ago we initiated the very successful Bala Farmers Market, and four years ago we began the Port Carling Farmers Market; both of which we have given over to the vendors to operate. With our current staff and finances, we are unable to continue organizing and operating the markets. Utilizing our recent FedNor intern we attended conferences throughout the province, sat on the board of Muskoka Pride, and represented and promoted this Township at World Pride events in Toronto last summer, all focused on increasing traffic to Muskoka Lakes. We produced a Diverse and Welcoming window decal which we continue to distribute to our members. In the past, for your interest, and as a basis of comparison, I have brought to your attention fee for service rates received by various Muskoka Chambers, including: Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce, whose staff consists of an Executive Manager, one full time Events Coordinator, and one Membership Sales and Retention Coordinator, receives $55,000 annually from the town.

3 Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce, whose staff consisting of one Executive Manager and one full time administrative assistant, receives $54,329 annually. Huntsville receives $24,000 for tourism services and $60,000 for community marketing. They have a staff of eight and many more members than MLCC. Port Sydney/Lake of Bays hire staff for 30 hours weekly, and receive $5,000. to operate during July and August. Southeast Georgian Bay Chamber (Port Severn, Honey Harbour, Port McNicoll, Coldwater, Waubaushene and Mactier), receive $11,000 from Tay, Severn and Georgian Bay Townships. At our last delegation to Township questions were raised regarding duplication with Muskoka Tourism Marketing Agency. In 2014 Strategy Corp was hired by MTMA, with the mandate of reviewing who does what and to identify gaps, as well as overlap and duplication. They found that indeed there was very little overlap of effort between stakeholders than initially anticipated by sponsors. The chambers of Muskoka are currently meeting to facilitate a marketing plan to encourage resident of the GTA to come, relax and play in Muskoka this summer, and avoid the traffic created through the Pan Am Games. The Board of Directors of MLCC has recently embarked on a new community based structure to better understand and represent the business voice of all communities of Muskoka Lakes. I have recently completed a Foodland Ontario Grant which if received will be used at our upcoming Spotlight and AGM event in June, to highlight and promote Ontario and locally grown food. Currently we are meeting with OMAFRA and would like to include the Township, to discuss participation in programs such as Downtown Revitalization, a huge undertaking that town of Gravenhurst has just completed, First Impressions Community Exchange, and a business Retention and Expansion program similar to the one completed 10 years ago. Obviously we are unable to enter into any additional programs with one staff person. We believe that we have the knowledge, resources and quality of staff to continue to market Muskoka Lakes, and to participate in programs such as the ones offered by OMAFRA, FedNor, Ontario Trillium, and the like. However, we cannot continue to do so with our current resources, which allow us to hire one staff person, and run an annual deficit of $10,000. If council approves our request for extra funding to the $ currently received, that money will be used to hire additional staff to increase the amount of marketing and participation in programs currently being delivered ~ info@muskokalakeschamber.com ~ Twitter:@MuskokaLksCC Box 536, Bala, ON P0C 1A0

4 We are the catalyst of many issues; we maintain communication throughout the area. Our goal is to work with Township to increase economic development on a twelve month basis and to ensure that Muskoka Lakes Township continues to prosper. We thank you for your time this evening and for your consideration into increasing our Fee for Service amount, and to maintaining the conditions of the operation of the Duke House in Port Carling. Respectfully submitted, Jane Templeton, General Manager

5 Delegation to Township of Muskoka Lakes Committee of the Whole Fee for Service Tuesday February 17, 2015 Some history of the Township as it relates to Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce: from 1995 until 2011, the chamber received $20,000 as an annual Fee for Service for marketing the Township. In 2012 and 2013, that amount was reduced to $18,000. In 2014, Township proposed reducing the fee to $15,000, which amounted to a reduction of 25% during that term of office. However, after delegating the committee, Township agreed to reinstate the amount to $18,000. Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce has one full time staff member. It has approximately 350 paying and non-paying members, and hosts annual and monthly events, a Christmas Market, and an Annual Santa Claus Parade. The chamber has a full service website and utilizes both Facebook and Twitter. We produce an annual Visitor Information Guide & Member Directory, Our year round office located at Bala Pines Plaza, offers excellent exposure, lots of parking and plenty of display space for member and non-member information, brochures, rack cards, menus and maps. We have visitors in the office constantly, looking for information on what to see and do in the area, where to stay and eat, details on hiking and camping, our cranberry marshes, and where to find services. We have a computer for use of the general public, we offer free Wi-Fi services, and make our washroom available to visitors year round. As well as the office being open all through the year, Bala Visitor Information Centre in Windsor Park is stocked and open during July and August. Additionally, the chamber has operated the Duke House for the Township as a visitor information centre since As well as hiring knowledgeable adults, we hire students through grant programs, giving valuable experience to our local youth. Our professional and well trained staff represents and promotes the Township and its businesses, services, attractions, events and groups in a professional, articulate and consistent manner. Membership in our chamber makes up approximately one third of our budget. We continue to invoice members for their annual fees, however, often have a difficult time collecting funds in these turbulent times. We take a gentle approach, hoping to convince members of the benefits of their membership, as opposed to many chambers, who immediately remove members upon non-payment. Some facts about Muskoka Lakes Chamber include the following: We produce an attractive annual full glossy 64 page Visitor Guide and Member Directory, containing information on all our members, a complimentary three quarter page message from Township Mayor, charts on accommodaton, dining, trails and maps. We distribute 15,000 copies throughout Ontario and the boarder states.

6 We have designed and we maintain an excellent web site, containing names and data on all our members, events and attractions throughout the area, and encourage community groups to list their events with us. Since 2000 we have facilitated Municipal All Candidates sessions in all three wards. Although we requested that candidates help cover costs of the sessions in 2014, it was a decision of the board for the chamber to continue to absorb costs, which include rental of three community centres. Our office is available for small group meetings and has been utilized by Bala Cranberry Festival, Trek to Bethlehem, Habitat for Humanity, Actors Colony Theatre and many more not for profit organizations. We have eblasted Township communications on a complimentary base to 450 involved members and community partners, containing information regarding Township Job Fair, Fall Arrest Training, Township Work Place Safety, the Mayors Golf Tournament, the Wellness Centre, Ontario Winter Games, information on Township events and meetings, and much more. We have also sent communications for Meals on Wheels, Port Carling Winterfest, Port Carling Santa parade, Bring Gary Froude Home, Bala and Port Carling Fresh Food Basket, Muskoka Tourism, Muskoka Lakes Preschool, Muskoka Lakes Soccer, Muskoka Lakes Association and Muskoka Ratepayers newsletters and various Muskoka organizations; all at a cost to the chamber, but no cost to those who benefit; simply as a service to our community. In 2012, we initiated the Township wide banner program for which we received a grant to assist with covering costs of the project. We organized five involved community groups, and designed and produced the banners, which utilize Township logo and unify the entire area. Utilizing our recent FedNor Intern we negotiated with Township to design and display hash tags on Township signage, a program still in operation. We organize monthly Business after Hours events, giving our members, nonmembers and community organizations the opportunity to network and discuss the business climate here in Muskoka. Township Councillors are cordially welcome at any of our events. We initiated a program with all the chambers of Muskoka, Choose a Chamber member first, Keep it in Muskoka, encouraging our population and visitors to shop locally, always an issue in our district, and we continue to provide door decals to reinforce and enhance the program. We promote Township trails all through the year, the Port Carling Wall, Muskoka Lakes Museum, and programs at the libraries. Several years ago, we initiated a very successful program to help arrange accommodation for seasonal workers, to enable them to locate in Muskoka, where affordable seasonal accommodation is scarce. This is another expense to the chamber, however, an important and appreciated benefit to the entire Township. We continue to liaise with Muskoka chambers; Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville, Port Sydney/Lake of Bays, Southeast Georgian Bay and Muskoka Tourism, and organize joint events, and exchange best practices.

7 In 2000 MLCC initiated a search for a physician or nurse practitioner for the area. When Councillor Allen Edwards took up the cause with such vigor and success, we were happy to support those endeavors. For two years in a row the chamber entered our FedNor Intern in Port Carling Winter Fest Polar Bear Dip to raise money for the centre. We have passed along monies raised; and continue to place donation boxes in our locations for the new wellness centre to be built here in Port Carling. We hold seminars which have included How to Achieve Success in Working with a Board, Work Place Safety, Wise Investing and Social Media, available to members and non-members. MLCC developed the Muskoka Lakes Garden and Cottage Tour, a very successful endeavor which brought and encouraged visitors to return to Muskoka Lakes. After many successful years, we eventually turned the event over to Bala Communities in Bloom. We started the highly popular Muskoka Lakes Spring Art Tour which we passed on to the artists involved. Fifteen years ago we initiated the very successful Bala Farmers Market, and four years ago we began the Port Carling Farmers Market; both of which we have given over to the vendors to operate. Many of the above events are not revenue producing for the chamber, and indeed when our time is taken into consideration, actually cost money, however, we believe that they fulfill the mandate of our by-laws which state that the chamber is to promote trade and commerce, and the economic, civil and social welfare of the Township. We took a very active role during the Ontario Winter Games to encourage athletes and their families to utilize our member services, while enjoying Muskoka. The mandate of our recent FedNor intern was to increase visitors and tourism to the Township particularly in the areas of LGBT and the Asian Market. Our intern attended conferences throughout the province, sat on the board of Muskoka Pride, and represented and promoted this Township at World Pride events in Toronto last summer, all focused on increasing traffic to Muskoka Lakes. We produced a Diverse and Welcoming window decal which we continue to distribute to our members. The chamber continues to run events, to increase the visibility of Muskoka Lakes, and as community service. Additional activities and events we work on include: Small Business Day in which we collaborate with the other 5 Muskoka Chambers Tree Lighting and Carol Sing, Bala Santa Claus Parade, promotion of Port Carling Winter Carnival, (this year we introduced and staffed a marshmallow roast during the festival), Muskoka Lakes Spring Art Tour, Bala Cranberry Festival, Trek to Bethlehem and Doors Open all of which we promote through our web site and blasts that are all sent to 450 contacts on a complimentary basis.

8 Some facts that you might find interesting as a way of comparison follow. Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce has a staff consisting of one Executive Manager, one full time Events Coordinator, and one Membership Sales and Retention Coordinator. They outsource their invoicing. Service Ontario Clerks assist in the operation of the chamber, and bring increased revenue to the chamber. They have 259 members and host annual and monthly events including a very lucrative car show, and a three day Craft Fair, both highly profitable. Gravenhurst Chamber receives $55,000 annually from the town. Town of Gravenhurst has an Economic Development Officer and staff. Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce has full time staff consisting of one Executive Manager and one full time administrative assistant. Their membership is at approximately 333 members. They do not host events. The town has an Economic Development committee with full time staff. Bracebridge receives $54,329 annually. Huntsville chamber receives $24,000 for tourism services and in 2014 received $60,000 for community marketing. They have a staff of eight. Our proposal consists of three scenarios: The most modest request is to receive an additional $10, annually which would bring this chamber up to the break-even financial status, and would allow us to maintain services that we currently provide. (Each year we run a deficit of $10,000.00). The second scenario that MLCC is suggesting is for Township to provide an additional $30, with which MLCC would hire a part time staff to maintain programs that we have started, and to develop new programs and initiatives. The third situation that we propose is for Township to provide an additional $50,000 annually to enable us to hire one full time staff to better act as the voice of business, to fully compliment Township s Economic Development programs and platforms, and to leverage additional funding. I thank you for your time today, and sincerely appreciate your consideration of our request. Respectfully submitted, Jane Templeton General Manager