Chad Abraham:
"Snowmass Village Councilman John Wilkinson often draws blank stares at other ski resorts, even in Colorado, when he tells fellow skiers where he resides.
But mention Aspen and it’s instant recognition, he said.
Snowmass tourism officials know the feeling. Last week, Susan Hamley, director of the town’s Snowmass Tourism office, unveiled a new advertising campaign that will tout the variety of activities not just in the village but also in Aspen and elsewhere in the valley.
One potential ad Hamley displayed to Town Council on May 21 features a photo of the Belly Up, the popular concert venue in Aspen.
The advert “plays up what we have here in Snowmass, what we have with our partners in Aspen and what you can get in the valley,” Hamley said. “We mention Aspen in the copy as well, saying that the combination of these two neighbors is powerful.”
But Hamley said in an email that the effort should not be construed as the town “abandoning our own identity.”
“While we’ve also always promoted Aspen arts and cultural organizations as well as bigger events there, our board would like to align even more with our highly recognized neighbor,” she said. “Aspen is a key differentiator for Snowmass ... not for all audiences but for many.”...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Showing posts with label snowmass tourism marketing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label snowmass tourism marketing. Show all posts
May 29, 2012
February 9, 2012
SandBox Comments: Snowmass Sun "Barbara Lucks: Coming this summer, AAA baseball"
And it's free.
No tourism marketing funds needed.
No Chamber of Commerce needed. No Chamber Resort Association needed.
No millions of dollars of public funding needed.
How much would it take to get our local municipalities to each hire a couple of good writers to sit on staff and flood the internet with informative columns like this one from Barbara Lucks up on the Snowmass Sun?
Is it possible that a number of the bells and whistles pushed to our esteemed decision makers in fancy power point presentations could be eliminated? And significant chunks of change saved for use in actually bringing draws, events and growing our tourism infrastructure?
Glenwood Springs has a paltry 1.7% increase in sales revenues for the year 2011. Yet we spent a half million dollars+ in 2011 on tourism marketing. Another near clean sweep has occurred on the tourism promotion board and GSCRA has serious internal issues. Snowmass has serious internal issues in their tourism marketing efforts. With outlying communities throughout Western Colorado experiencing similar.
Yet here comes Barbara Lucks with a no cost, upbeat and straight to the point information that will draw folks to the Grand Junction and Mack area this year.
Wonder how long it took her to pump out the piece? Wonder how much exposure it would get if it was positive viral link baited to the right news outlets? Wonder how long it would take to get all that done?
Two hours? Three? Even at a full day of work we would be far better off than dropping millions on glossy ads and high dollar salaries for tourism marketing vendors.
(Read the article? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
No tourism marketing funds needed.
No Chamber of Commerce needed. No Chamber Resort Association needed.
No millions of dollars of public funding needed.
How much would it take to get our local municipalities to each hire a couple of good writers to sit on staff and flood the internet with informative columns like this one from Barbara Lucks up on the Snowmass Sun?
Is it possible that a number of the bells and whistles pushed to our esteemed decision makers in fancy power point presentations could be eliminated? And significant chunks of change saved for use in actually bringing draws, events and growing our tourism infrastructure?
Glenwood Springs has a paltry 1.7% increase in sales revenues for the year 2011. Yet we spent a half million dollars+ in 2011 on tourism marketing. Another near clean sweep has occurred on the tourism promotion board and GSCRA has serious internal issues. Snowmass has serious internal issues in their tourism marketing efforts. With outlying communities throughout Western Colorado experiencing similar.
Yet here comes Barbara Lucks with a no cost, upbeat and straight to the point information that will draw folks to the Grand Junction and Mack area this year.
Wonder how long it took her to pump out the piece? Wonder how much exposure it would get if it was positive viral link baited to the right news outlets? Wonder how long it would take to get all that done?
Two hours? Three? Even at a full day of work we would be far better off than dropping millions on glossy ads and high dollar salaries for tourism marketing vendors.
(Read the article? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
January 11, 2012
SandBox Comments; Snowmass Sun/Barbara Lucks "Marketing board is not a chamber of commerce"
'FCL' (Former Chamber Lady) is bringing you this post. A special shout-out to Nanny for letting me appear as a guest blogger today.
"This is a wonderful column from Barbara Lucks. As Nanny would say, up on the Snowmass Sun.
Succinctly spoken, honest and very accurate in fact.
Just because Chambers of Commerce nationwide decided to tip their hat at tourism and resort marketing a number of years ago does not mean it was a good move.
There could not be two more different beasts than small business stewardship and promotion and tourism/resort marketing. Not to mention the world of differences there are (or should be) in the accounting processes of a 501C-6 entity vs. a publicly funded entity. There is also the obvious (or should be obvious) need for the steward for small businesses to be impartial, caring for all members. Cronyism is just too easy of a trap to fall into when one is in charge of allocating millions of dollars spanning a few years of time out to specific local companies in the name of tourism marketing.
Moffat County Tourism Assoc. and the Aspen Chamber Resort Assoc. are among the most recent to look hard at whether or not to up the individual insurance liability coverage for members on their board of directors. In light of the potential of legal issues in prominent non-profits in Aspen, Snowmass and Glenwood Springs currently; there is a foundation for concern.
The solution is to not only rein in those problems and eliminate them, but to also get back to the business of separation of the functions of a non-profit Chamber of Commerce which is best held in the hands of stewards and for-profit Tourism/Resort Marketing which is best held in the hands of advertising and public relations firms.
Take a read on Donna Wiedinmyer's letter to the Town of Snowmass titled "Thanks, Snowmass, for accountability". Also up on the Snowmass Sun today:
"I have always looked forward to reading Mel Blumenthal's column, and I certainly appreciate his diligence in reporting on what is happening in our village.
On Dec. 30, the Fox Run Homeowner's Association met. Fred Kucker, town councilman and a Fox Run resident, reported on the recent meeting concerning the marketing board mentioned in Mel's editorial. To clarify: Per Fred, the marketing board now has to be “accountable” to the Town Council (as they should be) with their budget, quarterly reports, business plans and performance standards. With a budget in excess of $4.2 million coming from Snowmass Village taxes, the marketing board must now define how, and where, that money is being spent.
They must report on lodging, meals, clothing, sales and lodging taxes, etc. In other words, a metric must be established to determine the performance of the marketing board.
As a permanent resident, I am thrilled that we will finally have accountability. As an example, if $30,000 is spent on marketing, wouldn't we want to see at least $30,000 or more returned to the town?
We certainly would only want to sponsor events that will show a positive return to the town and its lodge owners, merchants and restaurant owners. This is why the marketing board is now answering to the town manager and not, as Mel states, “the cover costs otherwise intended to be covered in other town budgets.”
Unfortunately, most of Mel's column is not stating the real reason behind the new accountability of the marketing board...."
Barbara Lucks:
"...The whole concept of a chamber of commerce is that the one-man auto body shop and the golf course have an opportunity to participate in a larger whole and to wield some influence over the process by virtue of optional membership and voting for the board of directors.
A program completely controlled by the public sector and funded by taxes does not fit that mold. The Snowmass Village Marketing Board does not purport to be anything remotely resembling a chamber.
I am not trying to sugar coat chambers of commerce. Some are drinking clubs, hotbeds of political conflict, personal power trips, ineffective or just plain too small to work.
Recent economic times are weeding out chambers that are not true to community mission or have no hope of viability. Many are consolidating with neighboring small towns, rewriting mission statements and replacing strictly social calendars with an assortment of options for communication, collaboration and education.
Members are demanding more than a coffee club these days. True chambers, not being guaranteed by public funds, must be responsive to community and member interests, or they will quickly die.
Community-centered chambers of commerce have room for the food bank, the local church and the business-incubator effort. They have a place for the long-term resident, the week-long guest and even a part-time residents' organization. Many have a seat on their board for a city-government liaison; some receive small public grants well short of full funding. They may or may not involve themselves in political advocacy, but the good ones do not allow themselves to be controlled by politics.
Snowmass Village's challenges go beyond the mere commercial and into the heart of community. A true chamber of commerce could provide an energetic gathering place for many constituencies ranging from the new window-washing company to the school district. As a safe and informal idea exchange, consider the creative problem-solving potential of a chamber of commerce. Contrast the dynamic of a lively “business after hours” event with a public hearing.
Optional membership makes it far more likely that diverse voices will be heard and considered. True community commerce tends to the soul as well as the bottom line.
Should Snowmass Village residents consider forming a chamber of commerce, I would suggest avoiding an entity created to monopolize and exploit the commercial and civic climate through levying taxes, promoting concentrated power and enhancing short-term gain.
I think you've probably had enough of those."
The citizenry of the Roaring Fork region has certainly "had enough of those", Barbara.
The question of the day is: Why haven't our elected officials had enough?
Or is that a question being asked to cronies who are not about to give as straight-up of an answer as you are?
Here's a trivia tidbit:
Do you know how many millions of dollars per year are spent on tourism marketing in the Roaring Fork Valley?
Answer: On average, between Glenwood Springs to Aspen and based on the past 10 year span: $7 million dollars."
(To read more, please click title and links within post. To discuss, comment below)
"This is a wonderful column from Barbara Lucks. As Nanny would say, up on the Snowmass Sun.
Succinctly spoken, honest and very accurate in fact.
Just because Chambers of Commerce nationwide decided to tip their hat at tourism and resort marketing a number of years ago does not mean it was a good move.
There could not be two more different beasts than small business stewardship and promotion and tourism/resort marketing. Not to mention the world of differences there are (or should be) in the accounting processes of a 501C-6 entity vs. a publicly funded entity. There is also the obvious (or should be obvious) need for the steward for small businesses to be impartial, caring for all members. Cronyism is just too easy of a trap to fall into when one is in charge of allocating millions of dollars spanning a few years of time out to specific local companies in the name of tourism marketing.
Moffat County Tourism Assoc. and the Aspen Chamber Resort Assoc. are among the most recent to look hard at whether or not to up the individual insurance liability coverage for members on their board of directors. In light of the potential of legal issues in prominent non-profits in Aspen, Snowmass and Glenwood Springs currently; there is a foundation for concern.
The solution is to not only rein in those problems and eliminate them, but to also get back to the business of separation of the functions of a non-profit Chamber of Commerce which is best held in the hands of stewards and for-profit Tourism/Resort Marketing which is best held in the hands of advertising and public relations firms.
Take a read on Donna Wiedinmyer's letter to the Town of Snowmass titled "Thanks, Snowmass, for accountability". Also up on the Snowmass Sun today:
"I have always looked forward to reading Mel Blumenthal's column, and I certainly appreciate his diligence in reporting on what is happening in our village.
On Dec. 30, the Fox Run Homeowner's Association met. Fred Kucker, town councilman and a Fox Run resident, reported on the recent meeting concerning the marketing board mentioned in Mel's editorial. To clarify: Per Fred, the marketing board now has to be “accountable” to the Town Council (as they should be) with their budget, quarterly reports, business plans and performance standards. With a budget in excess of $4.2 million coming from Snowmass Village taxes, the marketing board must now define how, and where, that money is being spent.
They must report on lodging, meals, clothing, sales and lodging taxes, etc. In other words, a metric must be established to determine the performance of the marketing board.
As a permanent resident, I am thrilled that we will finally have accountability. As an example, if $30,000 is spent on marketing, wouldn't we want to see at least $30,000 or more returned to the town?
We certainly would only want to sponsor events that will show a positive return to the town and its lodge owners, merchants and restaurant owners. This is why the marketing board is now answering to the town manager and not, as Mel states, “the cover costs otherwise intended to be covered in other town budgets.”
Unfortunately, most of Mel's column is not stating the real reason behind the new accountability of the marketing board...."
Barbara Lucks:
"...The whole concept of a chamber of commerce is that the one-man auto body shop and the golf course have an opportunity to participate in a larger whole and to wield some influence over the process by virtue of optional membership and voting for the board of directors.
A program completely controlled by the public sector and funded by taxes does not fit that mold. The Snowmass Village Marketing Board does not purport to be anything remotely resembling a chamber.
I am not trying to sugar coat chambers of commerce. Some are drinking clubs, hotbeds of political conflict, personal power trips, ineffective or just plain too small to work.
Recent economic times are weeding out chambers that are not true to community mission or have no hope of viability. Many are consolidating with neighboring small towns, rewriting mission statements and replacing strictly social calendars with an assortment of options for communication, collaboration and education.
Members are demanding more than a coffee club these days. True chambers, not being guaranteed by public funds, must be responsive to community and member interests, or they will quickly die.
Community-centered chambers of commerce have room for the food bank, the local church and the business-incubator effort. They have a place for the long-term resident, the week-long guest and even a part-time residents' organization. Many have a seat on their board for a city-government liaison; some receive small public grants well short of full funding. They may or may not involve themselves in political advocacy, but the good ones do not allow themselves to be controlled by politics.
Snowmass Village's challenges go beyond the mere commercial and into the heart of community. A true chamber of commerce could provide an energetic gathering place for many constituencies ranging from the new window-washing company to the school district. As a safe and informal idea exchange, consider the creative problem-solving potential of a chamber of commerce. Contrast the dynamic of a lively “business after hours” event with a public hearing.
Optional membership makes it far more likely that diverse voices will be heard and considered. True community commerce tends to the soul as well as the bottom line.
Should Snowmass Village residents consider forming a chamber of commerce, I would suggest avoiding an entity created to monopolize and exploit the commercial and civic climate through levying taxes, promoting concentrated power and enhancing short-term gain.
I think you've probably had enough of those."
The citizenry of the Roaring Fork region has certainly "had enough of those", Barbara.
The question of the day is: Why haven't our elected officials had enough?
Or is that a question being asked to cronies who are not about to give as straight-up of an answer as you are?
Here's a trivia tidbit:
Do you know how many millions of dollars per year are spent on tourism marketing in the Roaring Fork Valley?
Answer: On average, between Glenwood Springs to Aspen and based on the past 10 year span: $7 million dollars."
(To read more, please click title and links within post. To discuss, comment below)
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