ANNUAL REPORT 2017
MISSION STATEMENT The Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce is an organization whereby many different business interests have joined together in a combined manner to maximize their ability to attract and increase the number of visitors to Chincoteague Island. The ultimate goal of the organization is to communicate the message that Chincoteague, the "Beautiful Land Across the Water," is the most desirable location to visit and/or vacation with family or friends.
*Eastern Shore of Virginia was the fastest growing region in the Commonwealth of VA in 2016--- 4.8% *Accomack County saw a growth in visitor spending of 5.9% in 2016 *Chincoteague Island accounts for 91% of the Transient Occupancy Tax receipts for Accomack County. *Chincoteague s robust tourism products and strategic marketing plan combine to drive tourism dollars to our area. *44/133 counties and independent cities received over $100M in domestic travel expenditures in 2016 ($196,143,807-Accomack Co) *Every $1 VTC invests in tourism marketing generates $7 in state tax revenue *For every $1 invested in tourism the community reaps $6 in economic benefits through economic churn, job creation, and business profits.--vtc REGIONAL GROWTH VTC Economic Impact Study 2016
*MARKETING ~Earned Media ~Paid Media ~Organic Marketing Social Media Sharing *BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ~Cultivate Entrepreneurs ~Advocate for Business Relocation to Chincoteague *BUSINESS RETENTION ~Support through assistance with planning, marketing, finances, resiliency, insurance, and other information of interest *MEMBER SERVICES ~Awards, networking, receptions, information dissemination among members STRATEGIC PLAN
*20 Press Releases sent to approximately 400 media contacts globally promoting awards, festivals, shows, concerts and parades. *Assisted over 40 travel writers/journalists resulting in articles appearing in: ~Sidelines Magazine ~Money Magazine ~Southern Living ~Country Living ~Rock the Park (TV) ~USA Today ~Coastal VA Magazine ~Arlington & Bethesda ~Good Housekeeping ~Wanderlust Magazine - UK ~Leisure Group Travel ~Cooking w/ Paula Deen ~VA Living - Best Equestrian Event ~Local Life (Hilton Head) ~Cavaliere Magazine ~Dreamscapes - Canada ~Global Traveler ~Numerous blogposts and websites internationally *Pitched Chincoteague to approximately 50 leads from Virginia Tourism Corporation EARNED MEDIA
*Chamber assisted media outlets directly: ~Thomson Reuter s ~Southern Living ~Meghan Overdeep ~USA Today ~DelmarvaNow.com ~Al Jazeera English ~Heather Radtke - book ~Myscoop.us ~Horse Radio Network ~Voice of America ~WBOC ~Agency of French Press ~Associated Press *Chamber assisted over 1,000 visitors that week via office, phone and email *Chamber nominated Pony Penning Event for VA Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association Ordinary Award - and won!! Will lead to more coverage in 2018. PONY SWIM MEDIA
*Horizon Travel & Lifestyle - insert in Wall Street Journal & Times Square spots Paid $3,500 Value $25,000 *VA Living magazine *Recreation News *VA Festivals *Landmarks of OC/DE *United Motorcoach Membership Directory *Richmond Magazine Top Docs Issue *A to Z Guide to Summer Activities (lead generator) *Leisure Group Travel Mag. *Travel South Paid $3,000 Value $9,500 *VA Travel Guide (lead generator) *Essentials - ESVA Chamber PAID MEDIA
*FACEBOOK ~42% over 2016 ~3,298,503 reached 3,500,000 Facebook Reaches 3,298,503 *TWITTER ~130,908 impressions *INSTAGRAM ~ 14,424 interactions *YOUTUBE ~245% increase over 2016 ~5,925 views 3,000,000 2,500,000 2,000,000 1,500,000 1,000,000 1,338,009 2,316,777 Visitors: 9,135 Phone Calls: 4,949 500,000 0 2015 2016 2017 Emails: 5,275 Web Hits: 187,539 ORGANIC MARKETING & VISITOR STATISTICS
*EASTER DECOY & ART FESTIVAL ~1,000+ attendees *SEAFOOD FESTIVAL ~3,000 attendees *OYSTER FESTIVAL ~3,000 attendees *CHRISTMAS PARADE ~1,000+ attendees Chamber sponsored events stimulate the economy during the shoulder seasons, bringing visitors in for long weekends. CHAMBER SPONSORED EVENTS
*Maintain an active membership of about 340 paid members and 11 Board Members representing various industry sectors *Annual General Membership Meeting to elect new board members *Publish & distribute 110,000 Visitor Guide & Membership Directories *Offer networking luncheons monthly October to June *Offer professional seminars and training opportunities *Honor a Citizen and Business Person of the Year *Provide Ribbon Cutting & recognition to new businesses *Business After Hours opportunities to highlight individual businesses *Partner with Eastern Shore of VA Tourism Commission; VA Tourism Corporation; VA Restaurant, Travel & Lodging Association; Wallops Island Regional Alliance, Accomack- Northampton Planning District Commission and other affiliates to strengthen economic development opportunities and fulfill our mission statement MEMBERSHIP SERVICES & BENEFITS
*The Town of Chincoteague supports Chamber Marketing efforts with funding of 5% of the monthly meals tax revenue collected. A donation to the Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade helps offset costs of this annual tradition sponsored by the chamber. *Meals Tax: 12.5% increase since 2015 *Town of Chincoteague offers other much needed support through labor or equipment for chamber sponsored festivals and parade. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
* UPGRADED WEBSITE: chincoteaguechamber.com (visitciva.com used to track print media) *STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN ADOPTION *CRUSH FRIDAY initiative to encourage long weekend stays ($10,000 grant from VTC awarded) *EXPANDED PRINT MEDIA MARKET to southern states (Travel South) & national/regional markets (Redbook, Woman s Day, Good Housekeeping in Wilmington DE) *RICHMOND VISITOR GUIDE (Daytrips) *EXPANDED VISITOR GUIDE DISTRIBUTION along PA Turnpike SNEAK PREVIEW: 2018