Annual Achievements 2007Chamber Membership
The mission of the Homer Chamber of Commerce is to promote cooperative economic development that preserves the essence of the community and improves the quality of life. Business DevelopmentBusiness Breakfast Round TableThe monthly Business Breakfast Round Tables are now in their second year. This is a popular networking session that provides members a chance to promote their business and network with potential clients, as well as other members. Limited in space, the Business Breakfast Round Table takes place the first Tuesday of the month from 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. during the months of January - April. Economic Development CommitteeThe Chamber's Economic Development Committee reconvened in the fall and is developing long-range economic development opportunities for Homer in the areas of Art, Education and Sustainability. In 2007, the committee was successful in achieving some of their earlier priorities: Kenai Peninsula College Expansion project for the Kachemak Campus and expanded medical services through supporting the South Peninsula Hospital (SPH) Expansion project. Legislative CommitteeThis committee hosted both City and Borough
candidate forums, a VOTE YES campaign for the SPH
expansion project, and successfully advocated for
three of its top 2007 legislative priorities: Phase
II of the SPH expansion project; legislative
appropriations for $2.5 million for the Kachemak Bay
Campus project; and the purchase of a Marine Trades CommitteePublished a new edition of the Boat Owners Guide, which is available at the Chamber and participating businesses. MembershipCurrently boast a membership of 552. MixersMonthly mixers were held that showcased local businesses and provided networking opportunities. The "Business Spotlight" drawing continues to be a popular raffle and incentive for members. It's a "win - win" for both the Chamber and the business that receives free promotional space on the front page of the Chamber Newsletter. Everyone that drops their business card into the raffle at each Mixer has a chance to win. NEW Website DevelopmentThe Chamber hired a new web service provider in mid 2007 to enhance the already existing www.homeralaska.org website, adding new features and providing easier navigational capability for member businesses and Chamber information. The updated website will be unveiled at the 2008 Annual Meeting. Small Business Development CenterThe Kenai Peninsula Small Business Development Center (SBDC) continued one-on-one counseling for local businesses through a partnership with the Chamber. SBDC provides resources and information for start-up businesses, conducts seminars, distributes business relocation packets, offers marketing opportunities, and assists small businesses in development of a start-up business plan, all to promote cooperative economic development in Homer. The Chamber also continued its partnership with APEX (Alaska Performance Excellence Program), a newly formed statewide strategic planning program developed through the University of Alaska and in partnership with SBDC. TourismArtRageous AugustA month long promotion of the arts in Homer co-sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, Bunnell Street Gallery, Homer Council on the Arts, Pratt Museum and other local galleries. Availability ServiceThe Chamber's Availability System is in its second year and has accrued annual revenues of $3,350.00, 10% above the anticipated revenue stream. The availability posting service is for businesses to showcase their availability of services, providing customers with the ability to easily find services they are seeking. It is proving to be a very useful tool for both visitors and the Chamber Visitor Information Center. City Marketing ContractThis 14-year partnership with the City of Homer assists in maximizing marketing opportunities for Homer and its businesses. The funding support received from the City has helped to successfully place Homer on the list of the "Top 8 Hot Spots" designated by National Geographic Magazine. Homer has also gained recognition in national publications such as Coastal Magazine, the New York Times, Los Angeles Times and Wave Length Magazine. Homer was featured on Good Morning America and Discovery Channel's feature of "1000 Places to See Before You Die". We invested a total of $64,100 in marketing Homer. There is no doubt that the Chamber's ability to stretch the dollar for marketing purposes is achieved through matching grant funds and donations; discounts and other benefits not always possible with municipal spending; cooperative marketing efforts with our members; relationships with local and national media, travel writers, film crews, travel agents and other tourism related entities. Kenai Peninsula Tourism Marketing CouncilParticipated in a Peninsula wide "branding" effort to better market the Kenai Peninsula and Homer to visitors. The strategic plan was unveiled in the Spring of 2007, along with a new logo and tag line - "The Kenai - Alaska's Playground". Trade ShowsRepresented Homer in booths at the Great Alaskan Sportsman Show, Fairbanks Outdoor Show and the Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau Conference. We reached an estimated 23,000 potential visitors and distributed over 3,700 visitor guides. Visitor GuideThis marks the fourth year of publishing the Homer Chamber of Commerce Official Visitor Guide, offering a full color, glossy presentation of Homer. The guide features an accommodations grid, useful phone numbers and websites, trail maps, historical information, tide table, information on attractions, fishing and adventure, and a membership directory with an alphabetical quick reference guide. A total of 165,000 were printed and distributed. Visitor Information Center (VIC)/ Airport Brochure RacksThe Chamber employees a full-time staff person who manages the center and coordinates brochure distribution at both the Sterling Highway Visitor Information Center (VIC) and the Homer airport. Additional staff and volunteers assist in brochure distribution during the busy months. The Chamber VIC is open 7-days a week during peak visitor season and is staffed with approximately 15 volunteers. The VIC scales back hours in accordance with both shoulder and winter seasons. The VIC walk-in traffic was down slightly over last year (-4.0%), serving 11,900 people compared to 12,400 in 2006, but up 5% from 2005 and 35% since 2003. RV travelers were up 6% and City campers up 2.5%. All in all, another successful summer visitor season! Visitor InquiriesResponded to 10,760 inquiries in 2007 with the mailing of a visitor guide, a significant 16% increase over 2006. WebsiteHomerAlaska.org averaged 9,560 daily unique visitor hits per month, which is slightly down from last year (-1.5%). With the new website launch, we fully anticipate this number to increase in 2008. The Chamber continues to manage six websites promoting Homer and Homer businesses:
Advertising and Promotion
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