East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce Slidell, … 2010/C114...Slidell, Louisiana 2009 ......

26th

Annual Awards for Contact:

Communications Excellence Dawn Sharpe Brackett, CEO

2009 ACE Awards 118 West Hall Ave.

5. Campaigns and Programs Slidell, Louisiana 70460

Special Events 985-960-3648

East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce Slidell, Louisiana 2009 BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY SHOWCASE

The East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce hosts the largest Business After Hours in

the community through its Business and Community Showcase which features over 100

members sharing their best to advance the general welfare and prosperity of the region.

This free yearly event is open to the public and a great opportunity to promote

community awareness and provide a networking venue for new and established

businesses to demonstrate their products and services. Due to creative marketing to

promote business participation and community attendance, this event continues to be the

largest showcase in the region.

26

th Annual Awards for

Communications Excellence

2009 ACE Awards

Campaigns and Programs Special Events 2009 Business & Community Showcase

Submitted by:

East St. Tammany Chamber Dawn Sharpe Brackett, CEO

118 West Hall Ave. Slidell, Louisiana 70460

[email protected] 985-643-5678 (c)960-3648

www.estchamber.com

2009

Business

Showcase

http://www.estchamber.com/

Business and Community Showcase

East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce

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IDENTIFICATION:

The East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce (ESTCOC) Annual Business

& Community Showcase continues to grow! In 2009, one hundred and

thirty six (136) businesses and organizations were represented under one

roof and approximately 2,000 citizens attended the event. Two years ago,

we were forced to move this event, due to the request for additional member

participation, from the local municipal auditorium where we were able to

present sixty-four (64) businesses and organizations. This event has more

than doubled in size since 2007. The promotion of this event through FREE

ADMISSION tickets being given to the community, e-blasts through the

chamber database, Save the Date cards sent in advance, signs posted in

participating businesses, radio and television advertisements and newspaper

articles helped promote the event to become the success it is today. Through

communication the ESTCOC provides the largest Business and Community

Showcase in the Gulf Coast Region.

Mission Statement:

The East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is organized to advance

the general welfare and prosperity of the region so that its citizens and all

areas of its business community shall prosper.

The Business & Community Showcase is a true chamber event that works in

accordance with the ESTCOC Mission Statement. By bringing together

businesses and community organizations under one roof for free community

participation, we are fulfilling the mission of advancing the general welfare

and prosperity of the region allowing all areas of business to prosper. Some

members set up their individual booths with only their paper information,

some members provide games and/or activities which allow the guests to

win prizes with company logos on them (i.e. pens, umbrellas, piggy banks,

note pads, etc.), restaurants provide samplings of their best recipes, local

bands play on the stage, a local radio station provides a live remote

interviewing booth participants, guests and local public officials. All booths

supply door prizes and collect business cards to build their networking

databases. In order to allow participation from all members, even those who

cannot make it to the Harbor Center for the day, we accept door prizes to

promote their businesses and have a special sign for Door Prize Donators.

In 2009 over 100 door prizes were given away during the 4 hour event.



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The ESTCOC during the 2009 Business & Community Showcase was made

up of four (4) employees: Information Specialist, IT Director, Events &

Marketing Director and CEO. During the yearly retreat, the Board of

Directors appoint a member to chair the Events Committee and a Board

member to chair each of our four major fundraising events. The Board

member assigned to the Showcase, along with all staff members, recruit

additional members to serve on the committee to plan the event. During the

first Showcase meeting, a theme was discussed. Our logo was included for

branding purposes. The “and Community” with the changed font and slant

was decided to promote fun with community activities. The arrows showed

direction, movement, you want to go to the event. The words “Your one-

stop to discover the variety East St. Tammany has to offer!” is inviting them

to the one location where we are displaying the sights, sounds and tastes of

our region. It was decided to list some of the featured items to create

excitement for all ages to attend. Our IT Director is awesome at graphic

designs and during staff lunches and regular staff meeting, the creative

minds of the staff together bouncing ideas off of each other are amazing.

At the end of each Showcase year, a survey is sent to participants for

feedback after the event. At the initial meeting of the year, we reviewed the

past year surveys for pros and cons. Some suggestions from 2008 which

were used again in 2009 included the enjoyment of the Antique Car Show,

the Parish Government Information Center, and the food samplings. A

negative that was corrected from 2008 included the loudness of the area of

where the bands performed. The staff and committee found the surveys to

be very helpful in planning for 2009.

An additional item used in 2009 was the FREE ADMISSION tickets which

included a space to fill out name, address, phone and email. These were

disbursed throughout the community at member businesses and at all

chamber events leading up to the event. The stubs for the door prizes were

collected at the door, along with a staff and/or volunteer who counted with a

clicker counter the number of guests.



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OBJECTIVES:

1. Provide a venue for members to promote their business.

2. Provide a one-stop event that combines business and community.

3. Provide an event that is in compliance with the Strategic Plan and

Program of Work for the ESTCOC, including

a. promoting membership growth

b. being relevant to members

c. providing a voice for business on local, state and federal levels,

and

d. Increasing revenue.

4. Inspiring and entertaining to attendees of all ages.

The ESTCOC Business and Community Showcase targeted the membership

and prospective chamber members, including local municipalities, law

enforcement agencies, nonprofits, and city, state and federal governing

bodies, to provide information regarding their services to the entire

community population.

METHODOLOGY:

The event was held at the Northshore Harbor Convention Center, the largest

facility in east St. Tammany Parish. The event was not only held inside the

convention center but outside as well. The inside of the center exhibiting

area was pipe and draped for each booth with a sign provided naming the

business. An arched, three sided sign, marked the entranceway to the exhibit

hall. One side, listing all vendors, including the marketing watercolor arrow

behind them, name of the event and chamber logo was displayed along the

top. Additional signage in the lobby illustrated a floor plan of the booths.

The St. Tammany News had a booth just to the right of the entryway and

passed out the marketing piece that was the supplement to the Sunday

newspaper, including the floor plan and all vendors with a complete listing.

A welcome letter with information was placed at each booth for the vendors

with information and advertising for our next membership directory.

With over 130 exhibitors, we provided a wide variety of one-stop shopping

and community information. The St. Tammany Sheriff‟s Department

exhibited its Mobile Command Center, helicopter, boat, ATV, and other



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items for curious visitors to examine, hop in and check out. Watch Systems,

a local, international company that provides information to citizens

regarding sex offenders was signing up guests in their national registry for

alerts. One of our largest employers and manufactures in the parish, Textron

Marine and Land Systems, displayed an Army vehicle, which was produced

at their Slidell facility. The local Blood Center had a donor bus to assist with

a blood drive for a local resident. The City of Slidell had a booth with the

display of the renovated City Hall which was almost completed after being

destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Some medical providers provided

screenings/blood pressure and scheduled hearing tests. Brian Harris

Autoplex had a booth inside and cars outside for visitors to check out for

purchasing. Whitney Bank provided a hole in one golf game and winners

received a logo prize. Many restaurants provided food samplings. A local

attorney had a booth “Meet me at the Bar”. With hosting the event just after

the beginning of Hurricane Season, this year we added a Hurricane

Preparedness Section for the businesses that were related to storm protection

or recovery. These are only a few listings of the many exhibitors, please

check out the Supplement to the St. Tammany News which is placed as a

pullout section of their Sunday paper, the Sunday before our event providing

a floor plan and a listing of all vendors participating and ads promoting

chamber businesses.

While recognizing members, the ESTCOC also promotes the basis of our

strategic plan and program of work through the Business and Community

Showcase:

The solicitation of the Business & Community Showcase each year

promotes new member interest and always assists with up to five (5)

membership renewals. The ESTCOC bills on an annual basis, with final

write-offs in April. The first notice to membership of the Showcase is listed

in the Connection, a yearly publication promoting activities of the previous

year and announcing the calendar for the current year. This publication was

sent out immediately after the initial billing cycle to promote awareness of

the ESTCOC activities and payment of annual dues. Immediately after the

final write-offs are taken, in accordance with the By-Laws, a SAVE THE

DATE card for the event is sent to all members, including the recent write-

offs. As the promotion and solicitation for membership participation begins,

members realize that they do not want to be left out of participating in the



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Business and Community Showcase and renew their membership. Through

advertisement in local magazines, newspapers, local cable channels, and

radio, new member interest is always raised. For 2009, three (3) new

members joined just to be part of the Showcase.

“Being relevant and giving back to our membership as much as possible

through providing networking opportunities, educational seminars and a

voice of business throughout the region” is important to membership

retention and is in compliance with our Strategic Plan. To assist members in

preparation of getting the most out of their experience, a special seminar is

available for all vendors entitled “Boothmanship”: Preparing for Manning a

Booth. It is free seminar available to assist the vendors in getting the most

out of their experience at the Showcase. Tips like: Know your objectives,

why are you there?; Know and use your company‟s unique selling

proposition; Be familiar with all the attendees and exhibitors; Be

welcoming; and Be prepared to engage in conversation. The feedback from

members who attended the seminar in preparation for the Showcase was

100% satisfactory.

This Business and Community Showcase is an excellent event for members

to showcase their business and network with over 130 Businesses and

Community Leaders under one roof, with approximately 2,000 visitors from

the community. If a member is not able to showcase their business in the

show, we encourage them join us and bring their business cards to network

from the showroom floor!

“FREE ADMISSION FOR ALL at our event!!!! If you are not

a member, we invite you to come check out what the East St.

Tammany Chamber of Commerce has to offer. Membership is

the heart of all Chambers of Commerce. The financial support

as well as volunteerism to manage and assist in business

programs are only possible through our members. While it is

true that members receive more benefits from the Chamber if

they are a volunteer or attend programs, it is also important to



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point out that even if a member never walks into the door of the

chamber or attends an event, they still benefit greatly from the

Chamber because of the advertising provided with your

membership, member to member referrals, economic

development, transportation and legislative issues addressed by

our Chamber for your business. We do not want any business

to miss out on all of the great opportunities our Chamber

provides to our region and most importantly being a part of a

network of champions!”

Providing a voice of business is a strong part of the ESTCOC Strategic Plan.

By providing a City booth, having Slidell City and St. Tammany Parish

Councilman available during the event, the St. Tammany Parish Information

Center, a Northshore Delegation booth for State Senators and State

Representatives, including State Representatives Kevin Pearson and Greg

Cromer and State Senators Jack Donahue and A.G. Crowe, and a booth with

legislative aides from U.S. Senator David Vitter and U.S. Congressman

Steve Scalise to answer questions and have constituents fill out question

cards, all of the voices of business on local, parish, state and federal levels

are covered.

The ESTCOC also uses the Business and Community Showcase to assist in

recruiting new members, ambassadors and applicants for the Leadership

program. Most Chamber Ambassadors work the “Chamber Booth” for when

guests have questions about how to join the chamber and become a part of

the great organization that sponsor the event. The Showcase is a great

membership catcher each year. Last year fifty-one (51) new members joined

the ESTCOC from May through July, the majority of them was a direct

result of the Showcase.

PRODUCTION SCHEDULE:

The production schedule of the event spanned for many months between the

initial meeting of the Board in preparation of the 2009 Program of Work

until the actual event. Through dedication of the staff, creative ideas,



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production of marketing materials (which are produced in-house to keep

costs down, with the exception of cutting and scoring of the tickets and

signs), volunteer hours of Ambassadors and the events committee, this

fundraiser was a great success for the ESTCOC.

1/2009 Summary of 2008 Event posted in Connection and

Calendar of 2009 Events - Yearly membership

publication mailed to all members

4/15/2009 Save the date cards sent out

4/27/2009 Production of Flyer for Booth participation to be

distributed at chamber events, through email blast and

fax blast

5/11/2009 Tickets designed and prepared

5/11/2009 Posters for businesses prepared 11x14

5/25/2009 Press release to local media, Local Cable Company

Local Magazines, 3 Local papers

6/01/2009 Lake 94.7 Radio promotions recorded

6/08/2009 Event design development – including layout inside

and outside of facility

6/09/2009 Production of Vendor List and Floor Plan for St.

Tammany News Supplement to Sunday Paper

6/11/2009 Final production of signs and archway into Showcase

6/17/2009 Installing of pipe and drape to make individual booths

with signs for each business/vendor load in/ decorations

MARKETING SCHEDULE AND DETAILS:

The event was primarily driven by ESTCOC CEO, Dawn Sharpe Brackett

and the Events and Marketing Director, JoBeth Kavanaugh. All staff,

including Information Specialist, Kay Schewe and IT Director, Kendra

Hamrick, were instrumental in design and brainstorming for marketing

ideas. IT Director, Kendra Hamrick, is our in house graphic design artist,

who is relied upon in compiling the staff and committee ideas into the

marketing materials.

11/2008 Concept developed during Yearly Board Retreat




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4/27/2009 First events committee meeting

4/27/2009 First meeting with Northshore Harbor Center

5/11/2009 Fax blast recruiting booths

5/11/2009 Events committee meeting

5/11/2009 Meeting with sign company

5/11/2009 Meeting with pipe and drape company

5/15/2009 Weekly Chamber E-blast Notice


5/20/2009 Meeting with DJ for music


5/22/2009 Tickets distributed to chamber member businesses

5/22/2009 Posters distributed

5/25/2009 Soliciting door prizes for businesses not able to

participate

5/26/2009 Conifer Magazine Article and Ad Preparation

5/26/2009 Email recruiting booths


5/28/2009 Meeting to schedule Boothmanship seminar

5/29/2009 Invite to participants to Boothmanship seminar

6/01/2009 Northshore Conifer Full Page Ad

6/01/2009 Northshore Conifer Article

6/01/2009 Meeting with press for news articles

6/01/2009 Radio promotions recorded and on site broadcasting

during event scheduled

6/03-17/2009 Radio promotions begin running on air

6/03/2009 Boothmanship Seminar


6/03/2009 Preparation of Guidelines for participants

6/04/2009 Met with local officials to set up booths and exhibits

6/04/2009 Police – Children‟s fingerprints, display of armored

vehicle

6/04/2009 Sheriff – display of operational equipment and



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command center

6/05/2009 Notification of Prevention – registering homes for sex

offender notification

6/05/2009 City of Slidell – Promotion of reopening of City Hall

since Katrina

6/05/2009 St. Tammany Parish Government Control Center

6/05/2009 Fire Department – Smoke house demonstration

6/05/2009 Scheduled with Federal and State Officials

6/05/2009 Met with St. Tammany Tourist Commission

6/09/2009 Interview with St. Tammany News for Supplement

6/09/2009 Complete Vendor List and Floor Plan to St. Tammany

New for Supplement in Sunday Paper

6/10/2009 Ambassador forwarded e-blast from company email

6/10/2009 Met with Sheriff department to discuss display area

6/10/2009 Met with Harbor Center to confirm set up and displays

6/10/2009 Met with Pipe and Drape company to confirm set up

and displays

6/11/2009 Live Lake 94.7 Radio Interview


6/11/2009 Final information to Sign Company

6/11/2009 Times Picayune, community paper Community Report

Article

6/12/2009 Constant Contact E-blast “You‟re Invited”

6/14/2009 Supplemental Pull Out Section to the St. Tammany

News Sunday Paper

6/15/2009 Prepare welcome letter to participants to be distributed

day of event

6/15/2009 Follow up email to vendors reminding of set up times

and forwarding Guidelines

6/16/2009 Floor plan for electricity to Harbor Center


6/16/2009 Prepare membership and Leadership information for



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Chamber booth

6/17/2009 Set up at Northshore Harbor Center

6/17/2009 Event – Live Radio Broadcasts

6/17/2009 Clean up from Event

6/18/2009 Follow up with Vendors with Thank you letter and

Participation Survey

6/18-7/1/2009 Obtained Survey results

6/20/2009 Times Picayune Article and Photo

6/21/2009 St. Tammany News follow up People and Places

Article

7/08/2009 Wrap up event meeting with committee

BUDGET/EXPENSES:

The 2009 Business and Community Showcase is one of five major

fundraisers for the ESTCOC and the second highest in profits.

See chart below for 2008 and 2009 fundraising recaps:

EVENT INCOME EXPENSES PROFIT

Installation „08 $18,350.00 $12,727.30 $5,622.70

Jazz „ 08 $30,560.00 $22,834.28 $7,725.72

Showcase ‘08 $18,923.00 $6,905.63 $12,017.37

Golf „08 $34,905.00 $13,354.95 $21,550.05

Saints Raffle „08 $6,250.00 $3,408.10 $2,841.90

TOTAL 2008: $49,757.74

Installation „09 $27,075.00 $14,151.43 $12,923.57

Jazz „09 $34,700.00 $24,099.78 $10,600.22

Showcase ‘09 $23,200.00 $6,899.36 $16,300.64

Golf „09 $32,737.00 $10,770.02 $22,036.98

Saints Raffle „08 $4,867.00 $3,329.75 $1,537.25

TOTAL 2009: $63,398.66



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Actual Expenses:

The discount of the rental for the Northshore Harbor Center was

offset/traded for publicity and booth rental.

Sponsorships $23,200.00

TOTAL INCOME $23,200.00

Expo Signs,

Signs, Pipe & Drape

$ 6,084.00

Northshore Harbor Center

(Rent)

$ 300.00

Paper for printing

Appreciation Gifts

Decorations

$ 471.86

Speedway Printing

Cutting and Scoring Tickets

$ 207.32

TOTAL EXPENSES $ 6,899.36

A direct increase in the revenue was from the creative marketing campaign

which promoted more participants, including the signs inside participating

businesses, the FREE ADMISSION tickets that were disbursed to local

businesses and throughout the community, local radio spots, magazine and

newspaper coverage.

With approximately 2,000 visitors accounted for by staff and vendors, the

variety of children activities, hands on adult and children activities, music,

over 100 door prizes given away and the success of business promotion, the

objective to be inspiring and entertaining was met by all ages.

The program timeline begins at the Board of Director‟s Retreat in October of

the year before when the Program of Work for 2009 is addressed.

Approximately three (3) months before the event staff begins to coordinate

the marketing plan and theme of the event. Within two (2) months before

the event, the committee (made up of board members, volunteers and staff)

begins to meet and the plan of work is implemented. See the Marketing

Schedule and Details chart listed above.



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COMMUNICATION PIECES:

During the first Showcase meeting, a theme was discussed. Our logo was

included for branding purposes. The “and Community” with the changed

font and slant was decided to promote fun with the community activities.

The arrows showed direction, moving, you want to go to the event. The

words “Your one-stop to discover the variety East St. Tammany has to

offer!” is inviting to the one location where we are displaying the sights,

sounds and taste of our region. It was decided to list some of the featured

items to create excitement for all ages to attend. Our IT Director is awesome

at graphic designs. During staff lunches and regular staff meeting, the

creative minds of the staff together bouncing ideas off of each other are

amazing.

(See Attachments)

A. Save the Date postcards mailed to all members promoting booth

reservations.

B. Participant Form emailed and faxed to over 2,000 email listings

for vendor promotion and booth reservations.

C. 11x14 Posters distributed to Businesses around the community to

promote the event.

D. FREE ADMISSION tickets passed out by participating

businesses, at local community events, local club meeting,

women‟s groups club meetings, Rotary Groups, Homeowner

Groups, Homebuilder‟s Associations and other venues.

E. Northshore Conifer full page advertisement and article in the

June 2009 edition.

F. Times Picayune Newspaper Community News Article.

G. Supplement to the St. Tammany News, in the Sunday edition

before the event. The supplement includes facts and description

of the event; Welcome note from CEO and Chairman of the

Board; Floor Plan of the event; detail contact information of all

vendors participating in the event; and advertisements from

chamber members. All articles, floor plan and vendor lists are

provided by staff for the publication. The St. Tammany News

sells the advertisement to cover their costs of the publication and



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purchases a booth at the Showcase to pass the publication out to

the guests.

H. Photos from the event taken by staff.

I. Press articles after the event in local papers.

J. Weekly Chamber Email Updates; Constant Contact chamber

emails; Ambassador e-mail in support of event.

K. Additional Supporting documents

L. 2009 Budget v. Actual, including Transaction Details of Event

EVALUATION:

Each year, the Business and Community Showcase continues to expand.

Members and community leaders praise the East St. Tammany Chamber of

Commerce for bringing an event together under one roof, promotion

business and community awareness. In 2009, the East St. Tammany

Chamber‟s retention rate was 90%. We gained 140 new members, brining

our membership to an all time high of 851. Revenues grew in an economy

where chambers are having to cut employees and some are closing the doors.

The staff at our Chamber care about the community and the needs of our

membership. We pride ourselves on being the “Chamber on Demand” for

our members. Our Business and Community Showcase is one of our events

that has made the East St. Tammany Chamber known in our community as a

leader for business.

Survey Results:

Each year a survey is sent to the vendors with a letter thanking them for

being a valued participating member, along with a photograph of them in

their booth.

100% of the respondents were satisfied with the event.

100% of the respondents were satisfied with the number of

people in attendance.

100% of the respondents felt that the event was beneficial to

their business.

91% of the respondents felt they had adequate time to set-up

and take down.

82% of the respondents liked the 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. time frame,

while 17% suggested that the event be longer.



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27% of the respondents attended the Boothmanship seminar,

34% did not attend, and 39% were not aware of the seminar.

52% of the respondents contacted customers and clients to

invite them to the Showcase.

100% of the respondents felt they received a value from their

booth participation.

17% of the respondents knew of another business that would

want to participate next year.

61% of the respondents reserved a booth for 2010 at 2009

prices.

Comments written on surveys: “This is our 3rd year to participate in the Business Expo. The staff is always accessible and

great communicators. They make the event fun and easy.”

Suzy Potter, The Blood Center

“Our team at Southern Surgical Hospital will definitely participate next year! We want to

be in the main venue area where we can have more fun!”

Anne Tucker, Southern Surgical Hospital

“I particularly liked the set-up, booth size, arrangement of booths and walkways.”

Cheryl Klein, LA. Tobacco Free Living

“I promote the Chamber of Commerce everywhere I go. We are grateful that you hosted

a booth for the Northshore Delegation. If we are so lucky, next year we have plans for

bigger and better displays and giveaways.”

Lisa Abshire, Legislative Asst. to State Rep. Greg Cromer

“Thanks for providing me an additional location in the back hallway to offer hearing

tests for anyone visiting the Business Expo.”

Jennifer Abney, Northshore Audiology

“Great exposure for our mall, so many people stopped at our booth. We want to reserve

the same location next year.”

Kimberly Jacobs, North Shore Mall



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Email Comments:

Good Morning,

I would like to congratulate all of you and thank you on a job well done. The EXPO was a huge

success. Having 137 booths and over 1,900 people in attendance is a great achievement. There

is no doubt that this a tribute to all of your for your persistence in acquiring booth sponsors as

well as the marketing strategy that was used to promote the event. I apologize that I forgot to

recognize your efforts during the wrap announcement last night. Please know that I and all of

the Board members certainly appreciate all of your efforts. It is now time for us to focus on ways

of capitalizing off of the tremendous success we had with this show. Every person I spoke with

raved about the attendance at the show. For all of the members and businesses that had

booths, I hope they will reap some benefits. For those that chose not to participate, I hope they

will hear about the success of the show and want to get involved next year.

Again, thank you for all of your efforts and all that you do for the East St. Tammany Chamber of

Commerce!

Jack Francioni

General Manager

BRIAN HARRIS AUTOPLEX IN SLIDELL

Jack,

I agree, the event was great. A special thanks to the staff and the members on the

committee that helped make this even such a success!!

Thank You!!

Steve

Only 1900?

Thanks to all. It truly was a fantastic event. Such a high spirit throughout the Center for the

entire 4 hours.

Jack, it was very successful for the Lacombe Chamber. We identified three major sponsors for

the house project for our member VFW Post 8290 and picked up a few new Lacombe Chamber

members.

Again, thanks. This success makes the very sore back much better.

Patti Young

[email protected]



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It was great to come into the expo and see so many folks and hear all the buzz of

activity. It didn't look like a recession to me! Thanks to all of you who put your hands on

this because I think it paid off for our members. You just keep setting the bar higher.

Carlos Yingst

[email protected]

Ditto!

Lots of work, no doubt. As always, the Chamber Staff and volunteers pulled off another excellent

event.

Thanks for all that you do.

Aeh

Alan Hodges

Alan,[email protected]

Enjoyed yesterday JoBeth. Thank you for lunch. Do you have the two page flyer on working the

booth to send to me via email as I want to distribute to my 3 other co-workers who will be

involved at our booth.

Since we want to provide great customer service by escorting the blood donors to the

bloodmobile, a booth closest to the front entrance would be great to save steps for the donors and

utltimately for us. The bloodmobile does not require any hookups just be parked on level

grounds. The front of the site on concrete last year was ideal.

Can you give me a call this morning so I know when to pick up some more of the 1/3 page

handouts. I will need to pick up more for our Picayune Donor Center. Two posters and the

handouts are already in our Slidell Donor Center so that every donor and their companions will

visually see your event till June 17th plus it will be posted at our main office in New Orleans. I

am going to see if I can get it on our website under special events as well.

I am also doing a direct mail to those who gave blood for the past three years at this event. If

you have any ideas for sending to others and you can share resources, please let me know asap.

Thank you for including the bloodmobile in the flyer. I know that you will also promote

continually on your website and in any further communication. Each year, we have been

successful in achieving 15 blood donations so we have kept the goal the same for 2009. Recruit

your friends, family members and enemies if need be to be our community heroes JoBeth.

Thank you and I love working with you not only because we part of the "short" generation but

because of your love of people networking.

Suzy Potter

Community Development Manager

The Blood Center

mailto:[email protected]



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The Chamber did a fantastic job! I had a blast and made some good contacts as well as

assisting quite a few of our local businesses.

We really appreciate the location of our booth and would like to get the exact same spot

next year, so please pencil us in (or use ink as we will be there!)

Thanks again and great job.

The food was superb.

*****************************************************************

Michael H. Tomlinson

Business Development Manager

St. Tammany Economic Development Foundation

www.stedf.org

Jobeth,

Please tell everyone at the Chamber--Thanks for the great opportunity we had yesterday at the

business showcase. I appreciate all of your work in putting this together.

The crowd was great and I feel the show was a benefit to all of us. Great Job!

Thanks again,

Marti

Marti Livaudais

Sr. Vice President Commercial Lending Resource Bank

http://www.stedf.org/

1 | P a g e

Campaigns and Programs Special Events 2009 Business & Community Showcase East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce Program Timeline Campaigns and Programs

The event was primarily driven by ESTCOC CEO, Dawn Sharpe Brackett

and the Events and Marketing Director, JoBeth Kavanaugh. All staff,

including Information Specialist, Kay Schewe and IT Director, Kendra

Hamrick, were instrumental in design and brainstorming for marketing

ideas. IT Director, Kendra Hamrick, is our in house graphic design artist,

who is relied upon in compiling the staff and committee ideas into the

marketing materials.

11/2008 Concept developed during Yearly Board Retreat


4/27/2009 First events committee meeting

4/27/2009 First meeting with Northshore Harbor Center

5/11/2009 Fax blast recruiting booths


5/11/2009 Meeting with sign company

5/11/2009 Meeting with pipe and drape company



5/20/2009 Meeting with DJ for music


5/22/2009 Tickets distributed to chamber member businesses

5/22/2009 Posters distributed

5/25/2009 Soliciting door prizes for businesses not able to

participate

5/26/2009 Conifer Magazine Article and Ad Preparation

5/26/2009 Email recruiting booths

2 | P a g e


5/28/2009 Meeting to schedule Boothmanship seminar

5/29/2009 Invite to participants to Boothmanship seminar

6/01/2009 Northshore Conifer Full Page Ad

6/01/2009 Northshore Conifer Article

6/01/2009 Meeting with press for news articles

6/01/2009 Radio promotions recorded and on site broadcasting

during event scheduled

6/03-17/2009 Radio promotions begin running on air

6/03/2009 Boothmanship Seminar


6/03/2009 Preparation of Guidelines for participants

6/04/2009 Met with local officials to set up booths and exhibits

6/04/2009 Police – Children’s fingerprints, display of armored

vehicle

6/04/2009 Sheriff – display of operational equipment and

command center

6/05/2009 Notification of Prevention – registering homes for sex

offender notification

6/05/2009 City of Slidell – Promotion of reopening of City Hall

since Katrina

6/05/2009 St. Tammany Parish Government Control Center

6/05/2009 Fire Department – Smoke house demonstration

6/05/2009 Scheduled with Federal and State Officials

6/05/2009 Met with St. Tammany Tourist Commission

6/09/2009 Interview with St. Tammany News for Supplement

6/09/2009 Complete Vendor List and Floor Plan to St. Tammany

New for Supplement in Sunday Paper

6/10/2009 Ambassador forwarded e-blast from company email

6/10/2009 Met with Sheriff department to discuss display area

6/10/2009 Met with Harbor Center to confirm set up and displays

6/10/2009 Met with Pipe and Drape company to confirm set up

and displays

6/11/2009 Live Lake 94.7 Radio Interview

3 | P a g e


6/11/2009 Final information to Sign Company

6/11/2009 Times Picayune, community paper Community Report

Article

6/12/2009 Constant Contact E-blast “You’re Invited”

6/14/2009 Supplemental Pull Out Section to the St. Tammany

News Sunday Paper

6/15/2009 Prepare welcome letter to participants to be distributed

day of event

6/15/2009 Follow up email to vendors reminding of set up times

and forwarding Guidelines

6/16/2009 Floor plan for electricity to Harbor Center


6/16/2009 Prepare membership and Leadership information for

Chamber booth

6/17/2009 Set up at Northshore Harbor Center

6/17/2009 Event – Live Radio Broadcasts

6/17/2009 Clean up from Event

6/18/2009 Follow up with Vendors with Thank you letter and

Participation Survey

6/18-7/1/2009 Obtained Survey results

6/20/2009 Times Picayune Article and Photo

6/21/2009 St. Tammany News follow up People and Places

Article

7/08/2009 Wrap up event meeting with committee

The program timeline begins at the Board of Director’s Retreat in October of

the year before when the Program of Work for 2009 is addressed.

Approximately three (3) months before the event staff begins to coordinate

the marketing plan and theme of the event. Within two (2) months before

the event, the committee (made up of board members, volunteers and staff)

begins to meet and the plan of work is implemented. See the Marketing

Schedule and Details chart listed above.

East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce Slidell, … 2010/C114...Slidell, Louisiana 2009 ......

Documents

Transcript of East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce Slidell, … 2010/C114...Slidell, Louisiana 2009 ......