Press Kit
Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce On the Move - Wrap Up of 96th Annual Meeting
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 2, 2008
CONTACT: Marti Mayne, 207-846-6331 or Janice Crawford, 603-356-5701
MWVCC 96th ANNUAL MEETING AND WHITE MOUNTAIN TREASURES CELEBRATION, OCTOBER 30 AT GRAND SUMMIT
Upbeat state of the chamber report, Raucous Caucus and White Mountain Treasures filled the evening
North Conway, NH - The Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce (MWVCC) held its 96th Annual meeting on Thursday, October 30, at the Grand Summit at Attitash. Janice Crawford, Executive Director presided, outlining the many exciting programs offered by the MWVCC. A number of marketing initiatives and trends were shared including:
- The chamber's website, http://www.mtwashingtonvalley.org/ logged in 4,238,843 user sessions in FY 2007-08.
- MWVCC dedicates 66 percent of total spending to marketing programs and 34 percent to operations.
- With the generous help of volunteers Barbara and Sandy Brissman, 579 members from Whitefield to Ossipee and Brownfield to Bretton Woods have been plotted on GPS and coordinates have been added to the chamber's website.
- More than 30 volunteers donated 4538 hours of time to assisting the chamber in their marketing mission over the last few years.
James Calomb, Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce Treasurer, reported that the chamber is in "a solid financial position" and followed up by presenting income and spending statements. Janice Crawford noted that in 1995 when she joined the chamber as Executive Director, the chamber had an income of $22,895; in 2008 the chamber's income reported an income of $302, 129.
Marti Mayne, PR Manager for the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce, reported that the PR campaign to attract visitors to Mt Washington Valley resulted in more than 195 million impressions with a retail value (if purchased as advertising) of $750,878. Marti also explained how the meteorologists program will work closely with weather men and women to send up-to-date information, photos and video about the superior snow and skiing conditions in Mt Washington Valley.
Members of the Mt Washington Valley Young Professionals and the Mt Washington Valley Green Team presented information about the upcoming Community Connections Leadership Program and the Green Team Carbon Challenge.
After the business meeting, a reception and dinner followed. The Mt Washington Valley Young Professionals presented the Raucous Caucus ....The Laugh Debate where Henry Mock and George Cleveland cleverly squared off in a mock run for President of Mt Washington Valley. Questions provided by chamber members and young professionals concerning the health of the business environment, the environment and looking forward to 2009 were humorously debated, as Janice Crawford moderated in a shocking pink wig.
Now in its second year, the White Mountain Treasures Award, sponsored by Woodlands Credit Union, was presented to the following individuals:
- Charles "Sut" Marshall of Abbott's Premium Ice Cream, Conway, NH
- Donna Woodward, Business Enhancements, Fryeburg, ME
- Gary Poquette, The Memorial Hospital, North Conway, NH
- Chuck Henderson, Chuck Roast, Conway, NH
Recognizing individuals in the Mt. Washington Valley who have given many years of time, talent and dedication to the Valley, recipients of the award were acknowledged for giving a lifetime of ‘time and talent' to the Valley and for their positive impact on live in the Valley. "They are wonderful examples of all that is right and good. Their stories need to be celebrated," said Cindy Woodward of Woodlands Credit Union.
The Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce Annual meeting was sponsored in part by Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Boston Globe Media and Ruthies Flower Shop.
For more information on Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce and its exciting year-round marketing programs, visit http://www.mtwashingtonvalley.org/ or call 1-800-DO-SEE-NH (800-367-3364).
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Photos available upon request.