Upper Arlington Area Chamber of Commerce
Business Monthly The Power to Make a Difference
September 2012
Issue 51
Simply the Best:
Spotlighting distinctive gifts from local retailers The third-annual UA Chamber’s Best Gift Ideas program kicks off on October 1st. Dubbed one of the Chamber’s top five initiatives, the inaugural program supported more than 60 area retailers with holiday sales. This local program supports area businesses by helping them leverage their marketing and sales efforts. The Chamber will be showcasing the best local gifts for residents and online shoppers through the end of the year. “We are very excited to have this sort of local program for our area merchants. The UA Chamber’s Best Gift Ideas promotion is an areawide marketing push that ties retailers together in a way that benefits both the stores and their customers,” said Jon Pugh of Ship Print eSell. “This program is yet another way the Chamber is connecting business and community,” says Kathy Gill, Chair
Chamber Retail committee and publisher of TriVillage Magazine. “The beauty of this program is how it offers members an opportunity to market their business through a Chamber promotion while positively impacting their retail holiday sales.”
Publicity for Retailers
The Chamber is promoting the gift program in the Upper Arlington Business Monthly newspaper and the Tri-Village Magazine. In addition to the print marketing, participating companies will receive additional exposure on the Chamber’s website and through social media outlets including Facebook and Twitter. All participants will receive promotional posters highlighting their gift ideas that can be posted in their storefronts. If a participant does not have a brick and mortar storefront, the Chamber will showcase the posters in our front window. The posters will
“The program idea was amazing. Our gift offer for the personalized bottle of wine was an exceptional value and I’m happy that people took advantage of it last year. We plan to do it again this year just as soon as the program launches.” — Ryan Huffman Huffman’s Market be distributed to participants beginning November 1st.
Cost Effective Marketing
As a benefit of membership, the Chamber is offering the program to
its members for only $25, which is significantly less than the cost for non-member participants. Non-members are invited to participate for $100. Even at the non-member rate this program is
Older Adult Resource Group presents Medicare 2013 overview and update
Open enrollment for Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Coverage is Oct. 15 – Dec. 7, 2012. Before selecting a prescription drug plan (PDP) or Medicare Advantage plans, it is imperative that enrollees review the changes to Medicare for 2013, as well as changes in their Medicare prescription drug coverage and Medicare Advantage plans. Prescription drug plan features change from year to year. So, carefully examine all available plans during each annual enrollment period, because your current plan may no longer meet your needs. Be sure to check the features of your plan, including the list of drugs covered, the premium, the deductible, and cost-sharing you pay, and any coverage gap. If you are satisfied with your current plan, you do not need to do anything to keep your plan. If you take no action, you will remain in your current plan. If you enroll in or make changes to your plan during the annual enrollment period, your new coverage will automatically begin on Jan. 1, 2013. The Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information See MEDICARE 2013 on page 2
Inside this issue:
Whetstone Gardens and Care Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Customer Loyalty . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Best Gift Ideas Form. . . . . . . . . . 4 BAC - The Power of Your Voice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
a best-buy, must-buy for local retailers. The marketing exposure alone is valued at more than $400! “Our goal is to bring recognition to our members. We want to attract shoppers to our members’ businesses and online shopping websites. Shoppers receive great prices for unique and fun gift items that they can give as gifts or keep for themselves. This program is one more way that the Chamber helps to promote members within the community,” says Debbie Segor, Chamber Membership Director.
Connecting with Residents
The UA Chamber’s Best Gift Ideas program is designed help member companies brand their names in a very cost-effective way. The program also supports our member’s retail efforts as we remind residents to shop local businesses first and foremost.
By promoting a unique or distinctive gift or some other type of discount or incentive through the program, retailers have the opportunity to attract new customers while strengthening their relationships with current patrons.
How Do You Sign Up?
Chamber members will receive a post card in the mail as well as information detailed in the Chamber’s weekly email newsletter. If you are not a member and are interested in participating in the program, call the Chamber today at (614) 481-5710 or visit our website at www. uachamber.org. “The program idea was amazing. Our gift offer for the personalized bottle of wine was an exceptional value and I’m happy that people took advantage of it last year. We plan to do it again this year just as soon as the program launches,” Ryan Huffman, Huffman’s Market.