December 2008 Issue

PRESORTED
STANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Permit No. 35
The Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce publishes
this monthly newsletter to inform the Gatlinburg
community of Chamber and city news.
Subscription: $12.00 per year. Provided to
all business license holders and Chamber of
Commerce members
December 2008
News Items Welcome!
Deadline for materials: All submissions must
be written and received by the 15th day of the
preceding month of publication.
Trail of Inspiration” a Memorable Evening!
Annual Banquet “
811 East Parkway • P.O. Box 527
Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738
VISITOR INFORMATION
Toll Free: 800.237.4569
www.gatlinburg.com
865.436.4178
Fax: 865.430.3876
Our Services Include
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The Park Vista Hotel and Convention Center was the setting for the 2008 Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce
Annual Meeting and Banquet on Monday, November 17, 2008. A lively reception
sponsored by Park Vista featured the sounds of Kevin McGuire and his musicians of
Entertainment Services. From the reception guests followed “Trail of Inspiration” trail
signs into the ball room to be seated at tables which depicted an event or person
who made an inspiring contribution before us.
Some tables were named for the well known
and others lesser known but equally inspiring.
Among which were Phyllis Higginbotham and
Bruce Whaley. Phyliss, a nurse from Toronto
who worked at the Pi Beta Phi (1912) school
for six years, wrote of the mountain people’s
confusion over the role of a nurse, their
penchant for calling on her over minute issues,
and her difficulties with Appalachian customs:
“I soon found that the people weren’t used to
Kevin McGuire & his musicians entertain guests
Guests follow trail signs to their tables
hurrying, and that it takes a long time of patient
waiting and general conversation to find out what they have really come for, or to get a history of the cases when
making a visit. I have had to get used to getting most of the woman’s symptoms from her husband and not having
heart failure when a messenger comes with the news that so and so is “bad off”, “about to die”, or “got the fever”. Bruce
Whaley improved cable TV reception in 1953, when he and friends plunked an antenna on Campbell
Lead and ran the cable the length of the Parkway.
INFO FAST
Once seated into the Ballroom for dinner, The Warriors of
AniKituhwa Dance Group opened the evening performing
a stirring Native American Dance followed by a moving film
showcasing events leading down the “Trail of Inspiration”.
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AniKituhwa Warrior
Our Data Management Services Include
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A most deserving couple received the much honored William C.
Stevens Volunteer Spirit Award – Jim and Dorothy Johnson who
had just been named Charter Ambassadors
during the ceremony. Toni Flenniken of Sheer
Jim & Dorothy Johnson receive the honored
Envy Hair & Nails was awarded Ambassador of
William C. Stevens Volunteer Spirit Award
the Year. Sherri Webb was 1st Runner up and
Dorothy Johnson was 2nd runner up in the Ambassador category.
David Ogle is presented with the Zeno Wall Tourism
Award by Mayor Mike Werner
David A. Ogle was bestowed with the Zeno Wall Jr. Tourism Award for his selfless
dedication to the promotion of tourism in Gatlinburg and all his contributions
such as the undergrounding of utilities project. Mayor Mike Werner presented a
Proclamation on behalf of the City of Gatlinburg to Mr. Ogle.
October 2008
Phone Request........................................
Web Request......................................... Regular Mail Request.............................. Total Vacation Guide Request .............. October 2008
Local Incoming Calls.....
800 Incoming Calls.............................
Total Incoming Calls........................
Frances Shambaugh honored as Outgoing Director
Event Sponsors
(Left to Right) Ryan DeSear, Vickie Blake and Dan Booth are
honored for 3 years of dedicated service to the Chamber
(Left to Right) Sherri Webb, President; Dan Booth, Toni Flenniken
(who received the Ambassador of the Year Award), Bud Ogle,
Dorothy & Jim Johnson receive Ambassador jackets
Door Prize Sponsors
About You Salon & Spa
Alamo Steakhouse
Alewine Pottery
ART For GOD
Bennett’s Pit Barbeque
Bent Creek Golf Course
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
Buie Pottery
Collier Restaurant Group
Crystallix Tennessee
Dollywood
Flowers of Gatlinburg
Food City
G Webb Gallery
Gabriel’s Horn
Hard Rock Cafe
Jim Gray Gallery
Larry Miller Photography
Lineberger’s Seafood
Lorelei Candles
Me & JP’s Jewelry
Morrison Printing
Ober Gatlinburg
Pancake Pantry
Park Grill Steakhouse
Peddler Steakhouse
Rafting in the Smokies
Smoky Mountain Winery
Smoky Mtn Palace Theater
Tennessee Smokies Baseball
Outgoing President Dan Booth receives Crystal award from
Past President, Kevin Tierney
Chamber Staff
QuickFacts...
Frances Fox-Shambaugh received an Outgoing Designated Director Award for her
term of service. Outgoing Chamber Directors Vickie Blake, Ryan DeSear, and Dan Booth
were thanked for their 3 years of service and Outgoing President Dan Booth received
a Crystal Award from incoming President Jerry Morton. The newly elected Board of
Directors names were announced: Chad Reagan, Robert Montgomery, and Sid Maples.
Congratulations to all of them.
Ripley’s Gatlinburg
Mountain National Bank
BB&T
Citizens National Bank
Tennessee State Bank
Morrison Printing
BDS/InfoFast
Larry Miller Photography
Rex Howard’s Landscaping
Lorelei Production Company
Park Vista Hotel
McCarter Lumber
Crystalix
Kevin McGuire Entertainment
YEAR TO DATE
October 2008
Phone Request.......................
Web Request...................................... Regular Mail Request.....................
Total Vacation Guide Request........... YEAR TO DATE
October 2008
Local Incoming Calls......
800 Incoming Calls............................ Total Incoming Calls.........................
October 2008
Internet Visitors.............................
YTD....................................................
PDF Downloads.................................
YTD PDF Downloads........................ Chamber staff all dressed up for the banquet
President elect, Jerry Morton makes a smooth transition
into his role as a Chamber leader.
2007
1,938
7,862
9
9,809
% of change
-5.2
-16.3
66.7
-14.1
4,188
1,653
5,841
5,771
1,609
7,380
-27.4
2.7
-20.9
23,594
109,940
160
133,694
22,333
120,562
168
143,063
5.6
-8.8
-4.8
-6.5
41,435
17,085
58,520
50,216
18,036
68,252
-17.5
-5.3
-14.3
250,289
2,492,119
2,524
42,012
237,565
2,136,145
2,346
30,757
5.4
16.7
7.6
36.6
*Due to technical issue, Internet visitor & PDF download numbers have been adjusted to reflect corrected numbers.
CITY OF GATLINBURG GROSS REVENUES
(Rounded to the nearest/in 000)
September 2008
Lodging............................................
Restaurants........................................
Amusements/Attractions.....................
Gross Receipts - Other........................
Total.....................................................
YEAR TO DATE
September 2008
Lodging................................................
Restaurants..........................................
Amusements/Attractions.......................
Gross Receipts - Other..........................
Total............................................... BUSINESS BY TYPES
September 2008
Hotel with restaurant.............................
Over 50 rooms no restaurant................
1 to 50 rooms single location................
Chalets, Condos, etc.............................
Campgrounds........................................
Fast Foods/Deli...................................... Family/Steak House Type......................
Sweets/Snack Shops.............................
Retail Sales............................................
Service Business....................................
Amusement/Attractions.........................
Groceries/Markets.................................
All Others...............................................
Devon & David McKinzie enjoy banquet
2008
1,838
6,577
15
8,430
2008
10,609
7,554
2,199
13,699
34,060
2007
11,983
8,529
2,524
15,847
38,883
% of change
-11.5
-11.4
-12.9
-13.6
-12.4
100,621
74,207
36,456
125,928
337,212
103,961
73,803
34,063
133,233
345,060
-3.2
.5
7.0
-5.5
-2.3
1,673
3,556
461
4,862
57
1,247
5,553
754
6,542
2,128
2,199
2,855
2,175
2,306
4,449
667
4,487
74
1,238
6,410
881
8,024
2,045
2,524
3,250
2,529
-27.5
-20.1
-30.9
8.4
-23.0
.7
-13.4
-14.4
-18.5
4.1
-12.9
-12.2
-14.0
WATER USAGE
*Water usage measured between the 18th of the month prior to the 17th of the month in report.
October 2008.........................................
65,843
63,021
4.5
YTD .................................................... 600,594
615,653
-2.5
NATIONAL PARK VISITORS (Gatlinburg Entrance)
October 2008.........................................
400,574
428,306
-6.5
YTD ....................................................
2,883,303
3,098,244
-6.9
Vicki Simms, ext. 109
Executive Director
vickis@gatlinburg.com
Linda Leone, ext. 110
Finance and Administrative Director
Assistant Executive Director
linda@gatlinburg.com
Connie Burns, ext. 113
Member Services Director
connie@gatlinburg.com
Angela Carathers, ext. 102
Internet Communications Director
angela@gatlinburg.com
Gretchen Ogle, ext. 103
Print Publications Director
gretchen@gatlinburg.com
Sherry Holtzclaw, ext. 114
Member Services Assistant
sherry@gatlinburg.com
Gladys Griffin, ext. 106
Lead Area Consultant
gladys@gatlinburg.com
Stephanie Shultz, ext. 101
Receptionist
stephanie@gatlinburg.com
Peggy Pickel, ext. 107
Area Consultant
peggy@gatlinburg.com
Jim Matuszak, ext. 105
Area Consultant
jim@gatlinburg.com
Emily Kelling, ext. 108
Finance Administrative Assistant
emily@gatlinburg.com
Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce
Ethics Committee Report
Complaints for YTD
December 2008
Hotel/Motel
Overnight Rentals
Bed & Breakfasts/Inns/Lodges
Timeshares
Attractions
Shops
Dining & Entertainment
Services
Campgrounds
Wedding Chapels
22
46
0
19
7
6
4
4
1
4
Chamber Events
Real Family Values Intro
January 15
Business After Hours
Smoky’s Pub & Grub
The Gatlinburg Department of Tourism has been working diligently with BCF
(Marketing Company of record for the City) to develop a marketing strategy for
the City to combat the current global economic conditions. After the review of
a variety of research and trending analyses for the future, most analysts seem to
agree on a few key trends. First, they agree that people will continue to travel and
second, that when they do travel they will be more conscious of “Value.”
City Events
On November 17th, BCF presented a promotion to the Tourism Advisory Board
Mass Media Workgroup. The promotion, “Real Family Values.” is designed to be
incorporated into the City’s existing “Reach Higher Ground” campaign which
has been running since mid-July 2008. The Workgroup unanimously approved
the promotion and the Department of Tourism has now begun work on the
implementation process.
December 31
New Year’s Eve Fireworks & Ball Drop
Traffic Light # 8 Gatlinburg
January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Winter Magic Trolley Ride of Lights
Ripley’s Aquarium Trolley Station
January 5 to 31
Night Magic Skiing
Ober Gatlinburg
January 29
Rock Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg Community Center
February 2 & 3
Tennessee Winter Special Olympics
Ober Gatlinburg
February 6
Southern Exposure 2009
Ober Gatlinburg
February 13 & 14
Anna Porter Public Library
Murder Mystery Dinner Show
WL Mills Auditorium
January
Convention Center Events
Date 9-11
16-19
16-18
23-25
29-1
30-31
Event Type Attendance
TN Christian Teen
Crossroads Ministries
Resurrection
Resurrection
Accelerant
Explorers Conference
3,700
900
6,000
6,000
4,000
2,500
For more detailed information and suggestions for the Real Family Values
promotion, go to www.gatlinburg.com/rfvalues to view the flyer or you can request
a pdf by emailing angela@gatlinburg.com.
Advertising in the
current marketing plan
is multi-layered with
Internet, Newspaper,
Television, Magazine and
Radio. Current creative
concepts are related
to the “Reach Higher
Ground” brand position.
Roll out of the Real Family
Values promotion will
commence the first week
in December and, over
the next 6 to 8 weeks,
the “Real Family Values”
promotion will be added
to Radio, Internet and
Newspaper advertising.
French West Vaughan
(Public Relations) will implement earned media strategies and the Gatlinburg
Chamber of Commerce will work the top 50 social media (blogs) in Gatlinburg’s
feeder markets. The Department of Tourism will be soliciting participation
in a Radio Trade for Mention program during the months of December and
January. Business can participate by donating product or services for inclusion in
sweepstakes giveaways in Gatlinburg’s feeder markets.
Board of Directors
Jerry Morton – President
Logan Coykendall – President Elect
Chad Reagan – Treasurer
Paula King – Secretary
Tim King – Parliamentarian
David Perella - Ex-Officio
Dan Booth - Past President
Term Expires 2009
David Dixon - Paula King
Tim King - Jerry Morton
November Business After Hours was Rockin!
The November 13, 2008 Business After Hours was ‘rockin’ as we celebrated with Host
Hard Rock Café among a 150 attendees! This crowd pleasing event took place in
the newly renovated Hard Rock which featured a “Progressive Rock” theme. Olwen
Claiborne, Sales and Marketing Manager did an outstanding job of coordinating
the entertaining evening. Guests not only enjoyed delectable food and beverages,
they took part in a scavenger hunt Hark Rock style finding the answers to trivia
questions on the walls of the Hard Rock Café’s new memorabilia collection. Our host
not only provided a very entertaining function for members – a collection of non
perishable food items was set up at the event for donation to the Cherish the Child
Foundation at the Smoky Mountain
Children’s Home. Todd Rose was on
hand to thank everyone for supporting
the organization’s efforts.
Term Expires 2010
Logan Coykendall
Claudette Geoffrion - Tony Jovee
Deborah Linnert
d, Dorothy Johnson,
Chamber Ambassadors; Sherry Arnol
fun
and Sherri Webb know how to have
Term Expires 2011
Dan and Karen Berry enjo
y the festivities
Sidney Maples
Robert Montgomery - Chad Reagan
Designated Directors
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Cam Caton
Attractions Association
Term Expires 2009
Candace Ogle
Lodging and Hospitality Association
Term Expires 2010
Dan Tilley
Wedding Chapel Association
Term Expires 2010
Jeff Prange
Currently, approximately 25% of people going to the www.gatlinburg.com
website are visiting the Deals and Packages section. It is anticipated that this will
increase with the introduction of the new promotion.
Retail Merchants Association
Term Expires 2011
Don’t miss this opportunity to participate. Post your “Real Family Values”
package(s) on the www.gatlinburg.com website. Please feel free to contact the
Department of Tourism (430-1048) if you have any questions or for assistance as
you develop packages.
Arts and Crafts Community
Term Expires 2011
GreenCorner
get a mug shot
Coffee has become an indispensable part of the working day, but why
not dispense with disposable cups? Life-cycle analysis of the energy
and waste from producing, transporting, and disposing of cardboard
or polystyrene cups shows the ceramic coffee mug to be far more
eco-efficient - even taking into account the water needed to wash it
between uses. Over its life span, a mug will be used about 3,000 times,
resulting in 30 times less solid waste and 60 times less air pollution
than using the equivalent number of cardboard cups. Most take-out
coffee shops will be happy to serve your favorite brew in your own
favorite mug - after all, it saves their business money - and you are
likely to get a slightly larger coffee fix for your effort.
• Less energy use
• Lower carbon emissions
• Less waste
Taken from True Green 100 everyday ways you can contribute to a healthier planet by
Kim McKay and Jenny Bonin
Kevin Tierney
To better serve our community and our environment, the Gatlinburg Chamber monthly newsletter
is printed on 30% post consumer and 100% recycled paper and ink.
Welcome!
Regular Members
Business Partners
November
November
Gatlinburg Farms
Garden Cafe
Rick Joyce
463 Parkway Suite 1
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Dining
Hospitality Management
Solutions
Wojtek Iwaszkvewicz
9900 Barston Court
Alpharetta, GA 30222
HR
Gatlinburg Fine
Arts Festival
Stan Johnson
1504 Arbon Drive
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Attraction/Special Event
Merrill Lynch
Drew Ogle
225 West 1st North #201
Morristown, TN 37814
Investments
Program Sponsored by:
The staff at All Sauced
Up were thrilled
M.A.P. stands for Member Appreciation Program, and the Patrol is made
up of Board of Directors, Ambassadors and staff of the Chamber which is
proudly sponsored by SmartBank.
Each month the M.A.P. Patrol noisily enters random member businesses
bearing balloons and confections courtesy of Food City of Gatlinburg and
The Donut Friar as a gesture of good will and thanks. This month the Patrol
visited Park Grill, Legends by Max, Bearskin Lodge, Little Log Wedding
Chapel, Lineberger’s Seafood, Hollywood Wax Museum, and All Sauced Up.
Park Grill employees get
a
special suprise
Just know if there is loud whooping and hollering behind a balloon bouquet there is no need to be
concerned…it is just the M.A.P. Patrol saying thanks to another valued Member of the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce!
Be ready! You could be next!
Gatlinburg International
Film Festival
Luis Saumell
1946 Six Mile
Maryville, TN 37802
Attraction/Special Event
December
Bearskin Lodg
e on the River
dding Chapel
le Log We
A welcome treat for Litt
Ervin Photography
Bob Ervin
1004 Parkway Suite 821
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Photography
couldn’t be ha
ppier
Hollywood Wax Museum was spee
chless
Lineberger’s Seafo
nt for Legends by
An exciting mome
Max staff
Coming to YOUR business soon!
ul
od was very gratef
Scott Insurance
Greg Henson
2095 Lakeside Centre Way
St 110
Knoxville, TN 37922
Insurance
ServPro
Tesha Raines
717 W. Main Street
Sevierville, TN 37862
Service
Gatlinburg Chamber Library
December
Anchor Advertising
Lori Bailey
801 Narragansett Lane
Key Largo, FL 33037
Advertising
Rex Howard’s Landscaping
Kevin Howard
2635 East Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Landscaping
Smoky Mountain Taxi
Tim Parrott
228 Murrell Meadows Drive
Sevierville, TN 37876
Transportation
Have you CHECKED us out lately?
Are you looking for some cool information about
Gatlinburg or ways you can promote your business?
The Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce library is a great
way to get the information you’re looking for without
the additional cost or investment.
Come “check” out our book and video library today. If
we don’t have what your looking for - let us know and
we’ll try to get it!
Dine & Discover videos are also available to “check out”.