Message from Chamber Executive Director SHELTONMASONCOUNTY
I am so pleased with the turnout of our 90th Anniversary and Annual Awards Gala. We had nearly 180 people attend, a huge jump from last year’s 104 attendees. It is even more remarkable when you realize that our chamber has just shy of 350 members. Thank you all for being active, interested and involved with the Chamber. Our award winners, Volunteer Patti Tupper, Citizen Forrest Cooper and Business Shelton Life were all deserving. In 2011 they set the bar high, and they continue their generosity in 2012. The time that they volunteer, the needs that they meet and the attitude with which they carry out their efforts are what make me proud to be part of this community. Their humility in receiving these awards is remarkable in the sense that they don’t see themselves as any more deserving than the rest of us. But truly, Mason County is a better place to live, work and play because of them.
yes, we heard you and revised the original plan) and worked with Ambassadors to create a New Member Process to help our newest members become involved (16 new member businesses attended the Gala). The two committees also worked together to hold our inaugural golf tournament which raised more than $7,000 for the Chamber and its programs, and Ambassadors were there for everything from events, workshops, after hours and more than a dozen ribbon cuttings in 2012.
While preparing the State of the Chamber Address for the Gala, I surprised myself. 2011 was an extraordinary year! Even in the midst of change, we accomplished SO MUCH. Beautification raised over $15,000 to pay for 105 flower baskets and the beautiful Christmas decorations (it takes power to light them, you know!).
Tourism also did some phenomenal things this year. Our three visitor information centers hosted more than 18,000 people and took over 2,800 phone calls. Our tourism website, Explore Hood Canal had nearly 59,000 unique views and, thanks largely to the Woytowiches and Pam Merrill, have photos and video footage of most of Mason County’s events, from the Geoduck Festival to Oysterfest, we are well stocked to promote in 2012.
Business Expo and Bite of Shelton had more participants than ever before- we actually had to turn a few businesses away. This year’s registration form is on our website, so get yours in right away! Member Services rolled out a new President’s Circle format (and
We also have established a Facebook page, which had over 5,200 unique views looking at our events, blogs and calendar. Marketing had three main goals: Shop Local, LOCAL BUCK$ and our Newsletter. Shop Local saw 10 times the exposure it had in last
Newest Members! Autism Awareness United
winter’s campaign and LOCAL BUCKS was a huge success, with more than $2,500 out in our community right now! The newsletter speaks for itself, as you can see… isn’t it amazing?! Government Affairs did a great job with the Legislative Send Off, researching and reporting on ballot initiatives that directly affect our businesses and created the Shelton Alliance for Viable Economic Revitalization (SAVER) Committee. SAVER is working collaboratively with the City of Shelton in cultivating our downtown core, and has made some strong steps in increasing the activity and economic success in downtown Shelton. What else did we do? We have a new logo, a refreshed website and weekly eBlasts to keep you informed. Our office is painted (thank you Awnaroll) and the Caboose has been restored (thanks to StoneyCreek Construction). We now have Deidre, office manager extrodinaire, and a strong Board of Trustees to continue setting the vision for the Chamber. If we have accomplished all of the above in a tumultuous year, just think of how much we can accomplish in 2012. So far, things seem to be coming along nicely. So, here is to the next 90 years! Heidi McCutcheon Executive Director
2012 Board Installation
Judge Victoria Meadows presiding — with Victoria Meadows, Melanie Bakala, Drew MacEwen, Rick Verbarendse, Steve Andrewski, Patti Case, Kathryn Kamin, Bob Houle and Patti Tupper at Little Creek Casino Resort.
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3434 Martin Way E, Ste A, Olympia (360) 438-3434 joes@aawlive.info www.autismawarenessunited.org Community Organization
Annie’s Quilt Shoppe 927 W Railroad Ave, Shelton annie@anniesquiltshoppe.com www.anniesquiltshoppe.com (360) 427-6164 Quilting & Sewing Supplies
Butkus Consulting, Inc. 290 E Fern Creek Rd, Shelton (425) 281-8113 info@butkusconsulting.com www.butkusconsulting.com Business Consultant
Carrie’s Cakes
PO Box 1092, Shelton (360) 490-6813 carrielemmoncakes@gmail.com Catering
Joonbug Yoga
221 Railroad Ave, Ste 12, Shelton (360) 556-6205 joonbugdesign@yahoo.com www.joonbugyoga.com Health/Fitness
The Paint Machine
2340 SE Binns Swiger Lp Rd, Shelton (360) 556-6201 thepaintmachine@yahoo.com www.thepaintmachine.com Painting Contractor Know someone else who should join the Chamber? Please call (360)426-2021 or email heidi@sheltonchamber.org.
Shelton Mason County Chamber
February 2012