Chamber Weekly Digests and Newsletters
Now available! Here's the latest newsletter in pdf format. Chamber Newsletters will mostly be sent to members via email. Printed newsletters will be made available upon request. Back issues of pdf newsletters will be availble on this page.
Weekly Digest
October 6, 2008
Dear Chamber Member:
First of all, be forewarned this is a doozy of a digest, so you better settle in with a pillow and your favorite beverage! It is quickly turning into Fall and, although many businesses are moving closer towards downtime and the "off-season" of the winter months, it seems as though our traditional downtime period is decreasing. This shortening of the off-season is most likely going to continue as a result of businesses devising ways to diversify and lengthen their season and additional events like the Moab Folk Festival and Winter Sun Festival drawing visitors to experience the beauty of Moab in the winter.
Speaking of diversifying, the Moab Area Chamber of Commerce, Moab City Economic Development Dept. and Chamber business leaders met with representatives from Senator Bennett's office last week to initiate the planning process for the 2009 Rural Business Conference that will be held in Moab on February 19, 2009. We outlined a schedule of events, workshop topics, and goals for the business expo. This event will be free and open to all members of the public.
The conference is being designed to respond to the needs of our community and will include valuable information regarding starting or expanding a business in Moab, diversifying our economy, utilizing technology and marketing in a rural community, e-commerce opportunities/strategies, and more. Senator Bennett's representatives stressed their desire to make the conference community focused and encourage existing businesses as well as individuals with business ideas to attend. The conference will include a Chamber luncheon featuring Senator Bennett as the luncheon speaker as well as an afternoon Business Expo that you will not want to miss! Stay tuned for more details...
Chamber Events Galore....
Coming soon from the Moab Area Chamber of Commerce...
8am Wednesday, October 8 - Power Morning Strategizing Meeting.
Join us at 8am this Wed. morning at Red Rock Bakery for a morning of brainstorming and strategizing about how we can best utilize a morning gathering to produce positive results for your business. We will be getting our early morning juices flowing with some innovative ideas (and yummy pastries) that could make the difference for you, your employees and your business. So, set your alarm, or palm pilot or blackberry, or just write a note on your hand to come to Red Rock Bakery at 8am on Wednesday!
12pm Tuesday, October 14 - Chamber Luncheon -- Meet the Candidates for Grand County Council!
Join us at 12pm next Tuesday at Frankie D's Restaurant for our monthly Chamber Luncheon where each candidate for Grand County Council will introduce themselves and answer questions from the audience. Here's your chance to learn about our potential County Council Members and where they stand on important issues facing our community.
6pm Tuesday, October 21 - Free Chamber Business Seminar - E-Commerce - Is it right for your business?
If you have ever thought about the world of E-commerce, or if you had a dream where you thought about E-commerce this is a seminar you won't want to miss. We will be exploring the world of e-commerce and its potential to give small businesses an economic boost and open up doors in a rural community. To register call 259-7814. All seminars will take place at City Hall.
6pm Saturday, November 22nd - Annual Chamber Banquet
You are cordially invited to join us at beautiful Red Cliff's Lodge for a celebration that promises to be the premier event for 2008. This year's banquet will inlcude a fabulous Awards Ceremony acknowledging the special contributions made by the 2008 Business & Citizen of the Year and there will be fine food (w/prime rib!), live music by Mr. Purple, a dance fever contest (just kidding, but there will be dancing, and lots of it!), silent auction and more...all for a mere $38 in advance! Get your tickets now at the Chamber Office - Suite #250 in City Hall -- 259-7814. Also, if you haven't submitted your nomination forms for Business and Citizen on the Year -- the time is now for that too! Stop by the office or call for the forms...
December 6th-7th - Electric Light Parade & Winter Sun Festival
It will be here before we know it , the one, the only, an incredible feast for the eyes, the ELECTRIC LIGHT PARADE. But that's not all...there will be a Tree Lighting, Art Walk, Arts & Crafts Fairs, Winter Sun Run and a chance to pull on Santa's beard. Come one come all....and if you'd like to help out as a volunteer we will put you in an elf's costume and put you to work! Call 259-7814 for more information.
Oh, and did I mention that there is a...
FREE Entrepreneur Workshop Tomorrow!
9am Tuesday, October 7th ~21st Century Entrepreneur Workshop
Join the Wayne Brown Institute at Zions Bank tomorrow to learn about Building a Business Plan that can Raise Money.
The new economy demands a new type of entrepreneur. They need to be smarter, compete harder, and move faster. If you want to attract investment you must be better prepared. In this workshop on business planning and entrepreneurship in the new economy, we'll help you analyze your company or proposed company ˆ identify its strengths and show you how to overcome its weaknesses. You'll use the same tools and techniques the Wayne Brown Institute uses to select companies for its Investors Choice venture capital conferences. Each attendee will receive:
- Comprehensive course materials
- MountainWest Capital Network Deal Flow Book
- The opportunity to have candid conversations with key venture professionals
At the end of this free seminar you'll be able to have your questions answered by a panel of venture professionals. For additional information please go online to www.venturecapital.org or call the Wayne Brown Institute at 801-595-1141.
Government Affairs
***The following are highlights from the Grand County Council Meeting Agenda scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 7th. For a full agenda, please visit http://www.grandcountyutah.net/councilagenda.htm
3pm -- Afternoon Session -- Presentations
E. Outline of a Public Briefing October 9, 2008 on the Department of Energy‚s Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action (UMTRA) Project (Don Metzler, DOE)
F. Affordable Housing Update (Councilmember Graham & Karena Gholson, Housing Authority of Southeastern Utah)
7pm -- Evening Session -- Public Hearings
3. Discussion and Consideration of a Proposed Amendment to the Land Use Code Section 8.2 for the Addition of Two Alternate Members to the Board of Adjustment
4. Discussion and Consideration of a Proposed Amendment to the Land Use Code Regarding a New Section for Evaporation Pond Facilities for Produced Water Disposal Standards
Community Notes
The Moab Free Health Clinic located at 380 North 500 West (in the Red Rock Dental Building) now has a monthly schedule! I have attached the schedule to this email for business owners to post at their business location. For more information please contact Clinic Director, Danette Johnson at 260-0130. This week the Clinic is open:
10/07: 5:30 ˆ 7:30 p.m. and 10/09: 5:30 ˆ 7:30 p.m.
2009 WabiSabi Sponsored Nonprofit Partner Applications Now Available!
Applications to become a WabiSabi Nonprofit Partner are due by November 15th. Selected 2009 nonprofit partners will receive financial awards distributed twice a year. Award amounts are based on the number of votes received at WabiSabi's two thrift stores Individuals are asked to vote for one of our Sponsored Nonprofit Partners each time they make a donation or a purchase from WabiSabi. Financial awards may also be distributed to our Sponsored Nonprofit Partners from WabiSabi events such as our annual Mardi Gras Fashion Show. Don't miss your chance to become a WabiSabi Partner! Call 259-3313 for more information.
Confluence - A Celebration of Reading and Writing in Moab - Oct.14th -19th
This unique literary event will celebrate reading, writing, and the work of Edward Abbey. Confluence consists of 2 main events: an Intensive Writing Workshop and a weekend of readings, discussion, and art for readers and writers of all ages. For more information visit <http://www.moabconfluence.org>www.moabconfluence.org.
The 2009 Pumpkin Chuckin Festival is almost here! The Moab Area Chamber of Commerce will be participating at this year's event (Saturday, October 25th!) selling water and celebrating with some ghoulish games to spread the word about Moab's special businesses. If you'd like to join the fun as a volunteer please call us at 259-7814, or stop by and visit us at the festival!
On a final positive economic note (which I think we could all use...), I have attached the September Sales Tax Report provided by Moab City. This report includes the sales tax numbers from the state‚s September report and shows reported revenue up about 16% compared to the September report for 2007. (Note: this report actually reflects revenue for July).
Hallelujah for Moab and may you all have a healthy and profitable week!
Best regards,
Sarah Bauman
Executive Director
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