Annual Report
2011
Our mission is to build a strong economic environment that contributes to business and community success.
The Craig Chamber of Commerce exists to serve, protect and promote our members. The Chamber was established in 1946. In 1989, the community raised the funds to build a home for the Chamber and Moffat County Visitor Center at 360 E. Victory Way. The Chamber has served the community for 65 years operated the Moffat County Visitor Center and Sportsman Information Center for 22 years.
Financial overview Taxes and utilities 5%
Expenses: Expenses $251,544
Office, postage, equipment - 5% Member & community services - 4% Insurance 2%
Building & Marcia Car - 6%
Banking, credit card & professional fees 1%
Activity report
2011 accomplishments
Remodeled the Chamber/ visitor center building Created a process for improving communication with new members Designed and distributed a discount card to get visitors into more local businesses Repackaged the Chamber Connection to be more environmentally friendly and to take advantage of changes in technology Issued several scam alerts warning businesses of potential threats Repainted the historic Marcia Car Hosted Gov. John Hickenlooper at the Chamber’s annual State of the
Sources of income
Membership continues to be the Chamber/Visitor Center’s largest source of funding. Membership, combined with our cooperative funding agreements help support visitor center services (see page 3 for details). Membership investment combined with income from fundraisers fund the Chamber’s annual program of work. Personnel is by far the largest expense in operating a Chamber and Visitor Center. Staff members are an information resource for businesses, residents and visitors and provide member services. They also monitor and advocate for pro-business legislation, assist in the planning and execution of community events and participate with groups working to advance our community.
County event Posted videos on Channel 17 and began capturing community footage to eventually develop an updated Moffat County video to use to market Moffat County attractions. Expanded staffing to include a membership director and exceeded our goal of 7% membership growth by more than 5%. Launched TGIF luncheon mixers as an additional networking opportunity. Designed an interactive online map for Craig and Moffat County, which was provided to the tourism association for implementation. Co-sponsored the youth Work & Life Skills program and community quality of life slogan/image contest.
Grants 8% Publication sponsorships 4%
Income: $253,319
Misc. income 4%
2011 events
11 mixers attended by a total of 867 people 166 guests for Crabfest 235 guests for State of the County 7 mud volleyball teams Delivered more than 300 gift bags to chamber members for Member Appreciation Day Packaged and distributed approximately 300 information bags for Moffat County visitors. Had information booths at AAU basketball tournament, the sportsman expo sponsored by Walmart and an economic forum hosted by CMEDP. Spree dollars encourage shopping locally. They act as gift certificates to any Moffat County business and can be purchased for face value at the Chamber of Commerce.
Spree doll
$129,
355 s ol d
ars
Membership trends
2010: 319 members New members:
Relay for Life of Yampa Valley Status Symbols Laser Engraving Cactus Patch Fabrication Northwest Auto Stylz 5th Avenue The Jungle Pet Shop Complete Detail Inc. Three Sons Construction Inc. Rocky Mountain Bowstrings Rocky Mountain Machinery Thunder Rolls Bowling Center Meeker Recreation Center The Hearing Aid Office, Inc.
31 drops in 2011
1 - Business Blended/Merged 7 - Business Closed 12.00% Membership snapshot
Membership Growth: 13.78% Membership Decline: 7.57% Cumulative Growth Rate: 6.22%
Loadout Liquors Mally Js Resource Logic Draper Insurance Group The Giving Tree Ike’s Auto & Transmission Shop/Argo TDS, Inc. TNT Custom Body & Paint Quilter’s Quest Colorado State Veterans Home Don Hatch River Expeditions A & E Tire, Inc.
2011: 369 members
Fiesta Jalisco Quality Plus One-Hour Photo Rhino’s Deli Cramer Flooring Holistic Health & Fitness Northwest Colorado Chapter of Parrot Heads Allie Ooop Studio The Dog & I Lube Plus Pankey’s Smoked BBQ Pro-Auto Pizza Hut
3 - Business doesn’t need services 1 - Too busy, don’t need additional business 11 - Financial difficulties
Western Petroleum YampaGeo, LLC High Desert Ranch & Outfitting Arnold Plumbing and Heating D’Tail Dog Grooming Salon Paddy Whack Cool Water Grille Locksmith of Craig Shell Exploration & Production Tumbleweeds and Lace Salon Marilyn Murphy Aesthetic Apeel Moffat County Republicans
5 - Cannot be active at this time 3 - Unhappy with Chamber
10.00% 8.00%
6.00% 4.00%
2.00%
Ser
0.00%
2012 concerns
Continued funding for the operation of the Moffat Visitor Center. The operation of the Moffat County Visitor Center has been supported by the city, county and lodging tax dollars since the passage of a lodging tax in Moffat County. The portion of that funding supported by lodging tax is at risk. Keeping up with advances in technology and helping our members do the same. Ensuring the Marcia Car, which the Chamber oversees on behalf of the community, does not become a financial burden to the community and is located in a safe, user-friendly and visible site. Ensuring that our elected officials make pro-business decisions.
2012 goals
To create policies and procedures that ensure the Craig Chamber has an efficient system for identifying, influencing and communicating local, state and national issues that affect business and to communicate this system to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce by Aug. 31 in the Chamber’s goal in becoming accredited. Update the Chamber’s internal policies and procedures to reflect legal, social and technological changes and ensure that the Chamber meets all the standards outlined by the U.S. Chamber’s accreditation requirements. Design an ongoing program to increase community awareness of Chamber events, services and activities. Update and approve the Chamber’s bylaws and employee manual. Ensure the Chamber’s services meet the needs expressed by our members.
Moffat County Visitor Center Sources of funding $82,652.96 budget
Monthly contacts Phone Walk-in Mailings
Jan 480 240 33 753
Feb 681 289 27 997
Mar 1,029 463 57 1,549
April 494 266 31 791
May 560 594 26 1,180
June 488 532 28 1,048
July 352 475 27 854
Aug 525 685 28 1,238
Sept 418 661 21 1,100
Oct 533 968 11 1,512
Nov 490 788 14 1,292
Dec 317 242 16 575
1,200 1,000 800 600 400 200 0
‘11 Total 6,367 6,203 319 12,889
‘10 Total 5,180 6,267 346 11,793
Phone
Walk-in Mailings
Jan.
Feb.
March
April
May
June
July
August
In addition to the hunting, relocation, business and visitor information we mail, we also sent 5,267 postcards targeting hunters to focus their attention on Moffat County and then provided hunters with free chili and donuts the two days before each of the four main seasons.
Visitor Center services
Provide off-highway vehicle permits for residents and non residents. 234 resident and 99 non-resident sold in 2011
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Marcia Car 290 tours in 2011
Sell annual passes to visit Colorado’s state parks. 27 sold in 2011
Offer snowmobile permits for residents and visitors.
57 resident and 20 nonresident sold in 2011
Process woodcutting and Christmas tree cutting permits. 414 cords and 61 Christmas tree in 2011.
Note: These are not revenue-generating programs for the permits sold Visitor Center. They are pass-through programs the Chamber/ Moffat County Visitor Center volunteers to do as a service to the community.
Governance and Staffing The board of directors
The Chamber of Commerce/Moffat County Visitor Center is governed by a board of 12 elected by the Chamber membership. Board terms are three years. The board of directors is responsible for setting policy for the Chamber, overseeing its finances, directing the executive director and ensures the Chamber has the resources necessary for completing its program of work and daily activities.
President Vice-president Jeff Smith, Renee Advantage Campbell, Water Technologies
Holiday Inn
Treasurer Missy Bonaker,
“Craig Chamber of Commerce board membership has been a gratifying privilege over the past 2 years. My peer association has been a very enjoyable experience. I have had volunteer experience with 3 other non-profit groups serving in a member or board director capacity. I am gratified to work with such hard working and “service above self” individuals. My association with the Chamber has been a boost to my business over the past 15 years. The Craig Chamber is indeed the preeminent visitor center and is recognized as such by the residents of Moffat County.”
Don Jones
Bonaker and Associates
Craig Steel
“I have had the pleasure of serving on the Chamber Board of Directors for over a year and it is has been the best experience. It is such a pleasure working with a terrific, dedicated, and professional group of people who have such a passion for our local community and a dedication to our members and visitors alike. The staff does an incredible job of running and promoting the Craig Chamber & Moffat County Visitor Center to our local businesses and visitors. Everything the Craig Chamber represents is with a high commitment to Craig/Moffat County. Our director, Chris Oxley, and our Board of Directors are always striving to develop new business opportunities and provide information, educational opportunities, networking and special events for the area we love.”
Gail Severson, Severson Supply
Mardi Anson,
“I was so pleased last summer when a friend of mine called and said "Gail, your Chamber people are terrific. I went to obtain a map of the Sandwash area and the employee gave me the map and many wonderful ideas to assist in the vacation of our family" This is one example of many how our staff goes the extra mile to be of assistance to visitors and residents alike.”
The Chamber board meets at 11:30 a.m. the second Thursday of each month at the Chamber/ Visitor Center, 360 E Victory Way.
Ryan Duran Eastside Liquor
Steve Herman, Remax
Audrey Anna Charchalis, Bank of Colorado
Bob Johnson,
State Farm Insurance
“To run and maintain our organization in a fashion that benefits our members & the community as a whole is sometimes overwhelming. My hat is off to Chris, her staff, and the other board members. Because of the commitment of many people who have a passion to make Craig a better place to live and work, our Chamber continues to be a leader, moving forward creating an environment favorable for industry, informative for visitors and friendly for our home town folks.”
Jared Schultz Safeway
Gene Bilodeau CNCC
“As a long time Chamber board member I’m proud to be associated with such a dedicated organization. The Chamber & Visitor Center staff are very helpful and hard working, always making customer service a top priority.”
My first year on the Chamber board, I was amazed at all the things a Chamber did for its members. As a business owner, we always felt that being a Chamber member was just something you did as a business to have a Chamber in your community. I now know that it is far more important than that. The Chamber is here to help the community as a whole. It not only helps business with employee, legislative and economic issues, it also gives them internet visibility, networking opportunities and continuing educational opportunities.The Chamber of Commerce staff and board of directors are the most motivated, enthusiastic business people I have ever met. They are truly in it for the benefit of our community. We are all on the same page and function as a team doing what we feel is in the best interest of the community. The staff at the Chamber/Visitor Center is very knowledgeable. They are friendly, helpful and inviting every time you visit or call. Being a part of the Chamber and Moffat County Visitor Center is a privilege and honor. It is some place that I will always support and respect whether I am part of the board, a business or just a community member.
Anson Excavating
Ambassadors
Adriana Robbins, chair, State Farm Insurance; Laurie Ogden, co-chair, Mountain West Insurance; Audrey Anna Charchalis, Bank of Colorado; Marlena O-Leary, Bonaker & Associates; Lois Wymore, Independent Life Center; Elisa Hayes, CDP/Candlewood Suites; Rachel May, IronClad Mobile Home Park; Vicki Burns , Brass Key Realty; Matt McCarthy, Moffat County School District
S t a f f
Rebekah Christina Oxley, IOM Greenwood Executive Director
Exec. Assist. & bookkeeper
Shannon Russell
Membership & sales
Judy Kostur
Information specialist
Rob Schmitzer Sportsman Information