Directors Reports

Directors Recap: January

One of our goals for 2018 was transparency regarding the Chamber offices’ scope of work. In order to facilitate that goal, I will be providing a brief Director’s Recap at the end of each month.

Here is what we accomplished in January:

*Banner Ad sales for www.jacksonmn.com wrapped up on Jan 12^th and all ads are live online.

*Perks cards & 2018 Membership window clings were distributed to member businesses. If you have not received yours yet, please let me know. Many of these were mailed with the 2018 Chamber New Year’s Card.

*The 2018 Membership packet and investment schedule was updated. This is available as a PDF for businesses/organizations wishing to learn more about Chamber Membership.

*The Chamber maintains an annual service contract with Fort Belmont and this month involved renewing the non-profit filing, compiling the Annual Report, 3 yr budget, year-end financials, 2018 marketing plan, and drafts of contracts for 2018. The Marketing plan was approved and work was completed on a dozen+ ads in various print and radio avenues.

*The Chamber’s non-profit renewal, marketing budget, and contracts were also drafted.

*The Chamber maintains a service contract with the Lodging Assoc. and completed ads for the MN Travel Guide, the Southern MN Travel Guide, the Jackson County Travel Guide, maintaining information on www.exploreswmn.com www.swmnhunting.com   www.exploreminnesota.com and www.jacksonmn.com City maps were revamped to include restaurants in Jackson.

*I attended the Explore SW MN Tourism meeting in Slayton and the Southern MN Tourism meeting in Marshall to grow our regional marketing efforts. Explore MN Tourism Conference will be held in Mankato this March 5-7^th. The Explore SW MN Tourism group has been nominated for a marketing award at the conference and a power point of the ad campaign is available upon request.

*Dates were selected for the following events: City-wide garage sales: the weekend of May 5^th. Town & Country Days June 2^nd with parade at 11 am. A new event this year, a World of Outlaw Hauler Parade is set for Wednesday, June 6^th at 6 pm, & Franks-A-Lot night to be held on Thursday, June 21st.

* I was invited to participate in a Career Pathways seminar in Worthington for the second time on Jan 17^th to discuss work force development and the disconnect between students, higher education, and regional work force.

*The Chamber has once again partnered with Collette Travel and Michelle Eckert to bring you a special Travel Opportunity: New England Fall Charm. Dates are Sept. 28^th – Oct. 5^th.  Join us on Feb. 20^th at 5:30 at the Pizza Ranch to learn more about this 8 day adventure to beautiful New England.

Here are a few on-going projects:

*We began work on the Farm and Home Show and continue to look for Farm and Home Show Sponsors and Vendors. This year’s show is March 17^th at the JCC High School. We have the FFA coming back again this year to serve a lunch fundraiser, along with the Prairie Ecology Bus Center providing interactive fun for the kids, and don’t forget free Pie and Ice Cream

*The CVB/Lodging Assoc. have partnered with the Livewire to create a coupon sheet to accompany the City Map for distribution at area lodging establishments, the Motorplex, and visitors to our area. We expect these to be ready in April and will replace the Stay & Play Packages that were part of Targetjackson.com

* The ED Office and Chamber started work on a daycare analysis/survey that will go out to area businesses in February.