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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 3, 2018)
4B COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL OCTOBER 3, 2018 CHAMBER NEWSLETTER Our Mission: Th e Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce promotes economic vitality through advocacy and collaboration with its members and the larger community. Director’s Note In January we ask our members to renew their membership with the Chamber of Commerce and continue with their commitment to help foster a prosperous business environment in Cottage Grove. It’s an ongoing process to show people the value of chamber membership. Oft en businesses owners want to see a list of benefi ts or other perks that they will receive in exchange for paying annual membership dues. Many want to know what kind of “return on their investment” they can expect to see aft er joining our membership. Th ese are diffi cult questions to answer because every business is unique and each company has diff erent goals. Th e answer to the “return on investment” question almost always correlates to how involved a business wants to be with their chamber. In other words, those who show up and participate in chamber functions will tend to see more direct benefi t versus those who are rarely seen outside of their businesses. Most any chamber of commerce in the country will likely tell you that they have nearly the same conversation with their members on a regular basis. I think we need to refocus our message when it comes to chamber membership. Instead of trying to tell people what they can expect to receive when they join the chamber, we should be saying to people, “Th ese are the things made possible by your membership dues.” Here are some examples of what our members make possible in Cottage Grove through their Chamber Membership: We host political forums each year where people can learn more about issues and candidates before voting. We produce a summer concert series for people to enjoy with their families and allow small businesses to showcase their products and services. We monitor state and local issues that can potentially impact the people and businesses in our area and advocate for their rights. We take phone calls, emails and visitors from all over the world and refer them to local busi- nesses. Last year alone, the Chamber visitor center served over 10,000 people. We organize and collaborate to produce community events such as the Chili Cook-off, Trick or Treat on Main Street and Christmas in Cottage Grove. And we provide a community cal- endar, newsletters and social media pages for other local groups to promote their events. We listen to the needs of local businesses and work to eliminate obstacles for growth and development. We create committees and task forces to address other community needs. The Airport Wel- come Center and Carousel project started with conversations in our Tourism Committee meetings. We represent the interests of local businesses by being on boards and advisory councils such as the Main Street Program, the Economic & Business Improvement District, the Commu- nity Development Corporation and the Vision Keepers. We promote entrepreneurship through events like the Business Challenge which spurred the creation of 3 new businesses last year. Area Chamber of Commerce and your support of contributions through volunteered time and service to the Chamber. Lindsay Laycock - Keller Williams Realty, Gary Williams, Oregon Resource Guide, Rick’s CG Stor & Lock, Umpqua Bank, Dot’s Trophy Shop, Cottage Grove Historical Society. Trick or Treat on Main Street Join us for the Annual Trick or Treat on Main Street in Historic Downtown Cottage Grove. Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffi c starting at 1pm to allow people to set up booths. Th is event is collaboration between the City, Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Program, EBID and the Cottage Grove Sentinel. If you’re business is not located downtown and you would like to set up a booth on Main Street and participate in the festivities give Travis a call: (541) 942-2411 or send an email: info@cgchamber.com to reserve your space. October Business Aft er Hours Banner Bank will host Business After Hours on Thursday, October 18 at 25 Gateway Blvd from 5:30 – 7:00pm. Please join us for a time to network with others, learn something new, and have some fun! And don’t forget your business card to enter the door prize drawing. Your attendance reinforces the spirit in which the Chamber provides these monthly activities. Cottage Grove and Creswell Chamber members are encouraged to attend this classic, fun networking event! Future Business aft er Hours: November – Village Green Resort December – Cottage Grove Sentinel Mark Your Calendars Now for Christmas in Cottage Grove! Plans are under way for this year’s Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting which will be held on Saturday, December 1st. Bundle up and join us for some family fun! To kick off the day, have breakfast with Santa at the Fire Station, take advantage of various merchant discounts around town, participate in a scavenger hunt, have your picture taken with Santa aft er the tree lighting ceremony, tour Dr. Snapp’s House on River Road and fi nd that special gift for someone on your shopping list at their annual bazaar. What a great way to start the Christmas season! Watch for a schedule of all the events in the coming months. Save the Date. And plan to attend the 2019 Chamber Awards and Installation Banquet - “A Red Carpet Event” the third Saturday in January (1/19/2019). Th e promotions committee is working to bring you an evening to remember! Awards for Business of the Year and First Citizen are among the recognitions presented and we need your help. We encourage you to submit your nominations now. Nomination forms are available on the Chamber Programs tab at www.cgchamber.com, or you can request one by email to beth@cgchamber.com. Chamber Calendar We promote tourism and visitation to Cottage Grove which generates lodging and gas tax revenue. Th e list above is merely a fraction of the things made possible by our members and the dues they pay to support the Chamber of Commerce. Regardless of how personally involved someone is with their local chamber, membership dues support activities that benefi t the community and the local business environment. Member or not, involved or not, we do things every day to benefi t local businesses. If we don’t have members, we can’t continue to do the work of the Chamber. Please support the businesses that are members of the Chamber of Commerce. Encourage other businesses to become members of the Chamber of Commerce and if you’re not already a part of the Chamber, please consider becoming a member today. If you value any of the things that we do, we need your support. Our members are the ones who make it all possible. Chamber Committees at Work Tourism – Chair Julie Johns Be a tourist in your own town and try out the geo-cache trails in the area. Take a drive or bicycle ride on the back roads or trails to enjoy the beautiful display of colors of foliage and evergreens. Tourism projects in town, such as the carousel and fi lm festival, are currently in development and we are excited to see them progress. If you love Cottage Grove and have a desire to share it with visitors to our community, please consider joining the Chamber’s Tourism Committee. Meetings are the second Tuesday of the month, 10:00-11:45 am, at the Cottage Grove Community Center in the Shepherd Room. For more info email Julie at julofl ondon@gmail.com. Legislative – Chair Cameron Reiten Th e Chamber Legislative Committee will host two candidate forums in October at City Hall. City Council candidate forum will be held on Tuesday October 9 th beginning at 6:30. Candidates for the opposed seats include Ward 3 candidates Garland Burback, Raymond Ackerman, Jill Hermansen, and Candace Solesbee as well as Mike Fleck and Ashley Rigel for the Councilor at Large position. Lane County Commissioner candidate forum will take place on Tuesday October 16 th beginning at 6:30. Candidates for this position are Gary Williams and Heather Buch. Th ank you to our supporting sponsors for this event, the Cottage Grove 912 Project, and Th e Blackberry Pie Society. Renewing Members in September Th e chamber’s number one goal is to create a strong local economy. All of the programs and benefi ts supported by your membership investment go toward achieving that goal. Your membership is also a commitment to the entire community and a pledge of support for the economic growth and vitality of the Cottage Grove area. We thank each of you for your Renewed commitment to the Cottage Grove If you have an event you want published on our website calendar, please, please, please submit it to: Go to www.cgchamber.com Click on “Event Calendar” Click on “submit new event” Fill in the blanks and submit Once your event is approved, it will appear on the community calendar. For more details on the events listed below, visit the Event Calendar on our website at www.cgchamber.com. (Chamber events in bold) October 5 Shrek the Musical Opening @ Cottage Th eatre 6 3rd Annual Mayor’s Ball 8 Regular City Council Meeting 9 City Council Candidate Forum 11 Shrek the Musical Opening 11 Greeters Committee 11 Startup Coff ee Meetup 15 Promotions Committee 16 Lane County Commissioner Candidate Forum 16 Th ird Tuesday Poetry Night at Axe & Fiddle 17 Chamber Board Lunch 18 Business Aft er Hours – Banner Bank 19 All Seasons Bazaar 22 Regular City Council Meeting 25 Greeters Committee 2018 Visitor Center Stats Phone calls: Walk-In Visitors: Relocate Requests: Visitor Requests: Referrals to Chamber Members: 2018 Website Stats Business Directory Searches Total Listed: Member Page Views: Event Searches: Events Viewed: Hot Deal Searches: Job Searches: 8/28 thru 9/26 150 340 1 1 75 675 428 1670 847 26 35 YTD 1380 1659 20 43 893 9,402 8,761 15,835 14,509 325 398 Special Thanks to our 2018 Enhanced Members PLATINUM PLUS • Cottage Grove Sentinel GOLD • Pacifi c Power SILVER Banner Bank Blackstone, Inc. – Windermer Real Estate City of Cottage Grove Emerald People’s Utility District Lane Community College Cottage Grove Center Lane Electric Cooperative Northwest Natural PeaceHealth Cottage Grove Community Medical Center South Lane County Fire & Rescue South Lane School District Weyerhaeuser 2018 Chamber Board of Directors, Advisors and Staff Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce 700 E. Gibbs • Cottage Grove, OR • P. (541) 942-2411 info@cgchamber.com • www.cgchamber.com 2018 Chamber Board of Directors: Thank you for your hours upon hours of volunteer time, commitment, and service! Offi cers Chloe Beckes, President Jack Sprats Restaurant Danny Solesbee, Vice Ptesideut 5 Flyiug Moukeys Ruth Liuoz, Sectetaty South Laue Wheels Gaty Mauly, Tteasutet Cottage Gtove Seutiuel Caudace Solesbee, Past Ptesideut Shampoo Dolls Salou Ditectots Cassie Battoug, Gteetets Chait Otegou Aviatiou Histotical Society Dou Williams, T.E.A.M Chait Retited, Past Boatd Ptesideut Judd Vau Gotdet Catousel House B&B aud Catetiug Lloyd Williams South Laue Televisiou Ryau Giffotd Giffotd & Giffotd Attotueys at Law Shauua Neigh, Ptomotious Chait Bustetʼs Maiu Stteet Café Cametou Reiteu, Legislative Chait KNND AM 1400 Advisots Tim Hettmauu Richatd Meyets/Mike Fleck Gattett Btidgeus PeaceHealth Cottage Gtove Commuuity Medical Ceutet City of Cottage Gtove South Laue School Disttict Visitor Center Volunteers: Heidi Abbott, Dotti Bittuet, Suzauue Huebuet-Sauues, Tata Sue Hughatt, Susau Jeppeseu, Matie Lougfellow, Judd Vau Gotdet, Shatou Vau Gotdet, Peuuy Westliug, Shetty Weudt, Noleue Wheelet. Staff: Ttavis Palmet, Executive Ditectot Beth Mattiu, Offi ce Mauaget Mavis Btadsby, Bookkeepet Five Year Vision Statement: Th e Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce promotes Cottage Grove as a prosperous destination community. Economic vitality is at the heart of everything we do. As a resource for businesses, we are the conduit that provides advocacy, marketing, education, and networking opportunities to over 300 members.