Chamber eNewsletter

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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
News Items Welcome!
Deadline for materials: All submissions must
be written and received by the 15th day of the
preceding month of publication.
Chamber eNewsletter
January 2009
VIEW FROM THE TOP
by Jerry Morton
President
2
008?
Good Riddance!!!
Is that your first reaction
when you think of last
year? Granted, it was not the
best year for most Gatlinburg
businesses including the Chamber of Commerce. It
was very much a wake-up call for our community as
a whole. High gas prices, stock market decline, and
foreclosures. Yes, I agree there is room for concern.
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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Call 436-9344s0/"OXs'ATLINBURGs4.TimsJohn - 414-3001
Concern yes, panic and retreat, no. Maybe we can use
2008 as a learning experience looking ahead to 2009.
I do feel that if we as a Chamber and Community
keep a positive, hardworking, open minded attitude,
we will make it through these difficult times.
Recently, a very wise man put things in perspective for
me. We were discussing the national unemployment
percentage. At the time it was 8%. “That’s a tremendous
amount of people out of work and unable to travel” I said.
“But” he replied “that means 92% are still employed with
means to travel.” This gave me an entirely new way to look
at our situation in Gatlinburg. I, for one, and I’m probably
not alone in my thinking, tended to stress over the 8%.
While we should pray that their fortunes change, we need
to concentrate on letting the 92% know that we are still
here and ready to help them make vacation memories.
The entire Chamber Board of Directors, Executive
Director Vicki Simms, and staff are constantly working
on new ways to promote your business and Gatlinburg.
2009 is the perfect time, not to panic, but to use
the Chamber’s resources, internet marketing
and promotional programs to reach the 92%.
We are long past the days of being able to just
open our doors and wait for the crowds to
rush in. It is time to be aggressive, creative and
open minded to new marketing ideas. Please
contact Vicki and the staff at the Chamber of
Commerce to learn all the ways the Chamber
may assist your business in 2009 and the future.
Think positive,
Jerry Morton
NOW
is the time to advertise!
When the economy heads south, 75% of U.S. companies
respond by cutting back, hunkering down, and trying to
“tough out” the tough times. Advertising is the first
expense that gets eliminated and the overall level of
advertising drops. Why should you aggressively advertise
during an economic recession?
Your “share of voice” becomes multiplied as the
advertising noise reduces. During these times your more
timid competitors will fall behind and likely never catch up.
Remember, during a recession consumers don’t stop
buying - they just become more selective!
The more visible you are the more consumers are
confident in your product.
So...NOW is the time to advertise!
Contact Gretchen at 865.436.4178
for more information on how you can
promote your business!
QuickFacts...
ELF Mini Golf Tournament Kickoff Made Santa Proud!
C
hief Elves Vicki Simms (Gatlinburg Chamber) and Brenda McCroskey
(Sevierville Chamber) made Santa proud by organizing the first ever ELF
(Education and Leadership for the Future) Mini Golf Tournament! This
Elf-tacular event’s proceeds will spearhead the implementation of the Tennessee
Scholars Program into all Sevier County Schools. Both Chambers worked together
as all good little elves do and pulled off an Elf-tastic day at Ripley’s Old MacDonald
Farm Mini Golf Course on Tuesday, December 9, 2008. Event Sponsors Sam’s Club,
Ripley’s Old MacDonald Farm Mini Golf, Cariten Healthcare, Citizens National
Bank, The Thomas Group, Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg, Sevier County Utility
District, Brochure Distribution Services/InfoFast, Little Caesars Pizza, Food City of
Gatlinburg, Starbucks Coffee Company and Coca Cola Bottling Company made
this day possible and we thank them tremendously for stepping up to the plate
Gatlinburg & Sevierville Chamber staff have a blast with Santa!
to support and encourage the Sevier County youth to further their education.
The daytime teams were Chamber Business representatives while the afternoon
round allowed students and teachers a chance to play for a good cause. Dr. Jack Parton, Sevier County School Superintendent deserves
a big round of applause for his instrumental role in the success of this tournament through the school system. Chamber staff donned
Elf Costumes provided by Dixie Stampede to enhance the
Christmasy atmosphere and feel of the tournament. The players
seemed to love having these funny characters follow them
around during play.
1st Place Team: Pigeon Forge Middle Student Council
2nd Place Team: Seymour Beta Club
Highest Scoring Team: Sevier County High School Christmas PI
Best Individual Score: Joel Thompson from Gatlinburg Pittman Highlanders
1st Place Most Uniquely Dressed Team: Pigeon Forge Middle Student Council
dressed as the Griswold family from Christmas Vacation
2nd Place Most Uniquely Dressed Team: SCHS Christmas PI team
Individual Player Zach Preston of Gatlinburg Pittman HS won the Little
Drummer Boy Prize
Looks like he made the nice list
Congratulations to all who participated and thank you – we can’t wait for next year! To see all of the pictures that were taken at the ELF
mini-golf tournament and to see all the winners’ pictures visit www.gatlinburg.com/photogallery
ELF-riffic Hole Sponsors:
BDS/InfoFast, Cariten Healthcare, Citizens National Bank, Coca Cola Bottling Company, Little Caesars Pizza, Food City, Mountain Brook Village,
Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg, Mountain Laurel Chalets, RE/MAX Preferred Properties, Ripley’s Old MacDonald Farm Mini Golf, Sam’s Club,
Sevier County Utility District, Starbucks Coffee, The Thomas Group
ELF-tastic AM Business Teams:
BB&T, Cariten Healthcare, Citizens National Bank, Cortese Tree Specialists, Hampton Inn Gatlinburg,
RE/MAX Preferred Properties, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Sevier County Economic Development Council,
Tennessee State Bank, The Thomas Group
ELF-tacular PM School Session Teams:
PFM Student Council, SCHS Christmas Pi, SCHS Key Club, SCHS 4 Bears, SCHS Jaguars, Seymour Beta Club,
GP Highlanders, GP Interact Club, GP Zach Preston the Little Drummer Boy
ELF-mazing Team and Door Prize Sponsors:
Bent Creek Golf Course, Black Bear Tea Company, Crystalix Tennessee, The Diner Sevierville Winfield Dunn Parkway,
Dixie Stampede, Fannie Farkle’s, Fantasy Bridal, Highlands Union Bank, Movie Rider of Pigeon Forge, McNelly
Whaley Ford Motor Company, Me & JP’s Jewelry, Ober Gatlinburg, RainForest Adventures, Ripley’s Believe It or Not
Museum, Ripley’s Gatlinburg, Ripley’s Old MacDonald Farm Mini Golf, Sam’s Club, Sevier County Rescue Squad,
ServPro, Sheer Envy Hair & Nails, Smoky Mountain Palace Theater Cirque de Chine, The Tin Roof in Sevierville,
WonderWorks
YEAR TO DATE
November 2008
Phone Request.......................
Web Request...................................... Regular Mail Request.....................
Total Vacation Guide Request........... YEAR TO DATE
November 2008
Local Incoming Calls......
800 Incoming Calls............................ Total Incoming Calls.........................
Chamber Staff
2008
1,003
4,680
14
5,697
2007
1,180
5,443
7
6,630
% of change
-15.0
-14.0
100.0
-14.1
2,985
1,542
4,527
4,549
1,926
6,475
-34.4
-19.9
-30.1
24,597
114,620
174
139,391
23,513
126,005
175
149,693
4.6
-9.0
0.6
-6.9
44,420
18,627
63,047
54,765
19,962
74,727
-18.9
-6.7
-15.6
Angela Carathers, ext. 102
Internet Communications Director
angela@gatlinburg.com
201,000
2,692,843
1,711
43,723
178,737
2,481,873
1,607
32,394
12.5
8.5
6.5
35.0
Gretchen Ogle, ext. 103
Print Publications Director
gretchen@gatlinburg.com
2008
17,378
11,061
3,566
17,831
49,836
2007
18,817
11,529
3,603
20,358
54,307
% of change
-7.6
-4.1
-1.0
-12.4
-8.2
117,814
85,121
40,015
143,360
386,309
124,744
85,037
37,666
151,218
398,666
-5.6
.1
6.2
-5.2
-3.1
CITY OF GATLINBURG GROSS REVENUES
Hole in One! Score one for the North Pole!
The afternoon school round winners were:
PFM Student Council wins 1st place
November 2008
Local Incoming Calls.....
800 Incoming Calls.............................
Total Incoming Calls........................
November 2008
Internet Visitors.............................
YTD....................................................
PDF Downloads.................................
YTD PDF Downloads........................ The morning business round winners were:
1st Place Team: Tennessee State Bank
2nd Place Team: Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
Highest Scoring Team: RE/MAX Preferred Partners
Most Uniquely Dressed Team: Citizens National Bank
Tennessee State Bank takes home 1st place
Best Individual Score: Jake Howell of Tennessee State Bank
November 2008
Phone Request........................................
Web Request......................................... Regular Mail Request.............................. Total Vacation Guide Request .............. Executive Directors, Vicki Simms & Brenda McCrosky
have an ELFin good time!
(Rounded to the nearest/in 000)
October 2008
Lodging............................................
Restaurants........................................
Amusements/Attractions.....................
Gross Receipts - Other........................
Total.....................................................
YEAR TO DATE
October 2008
Lodging................................................
Restaurants..........................................
Amusements/Attractions.......................
Gross Receipts - Other..........................
Total............................................... BUSINESS BY TYPES
October 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...............................................
WATER USAGE
November 2008.........................................
YTD .................................................... NATIONAL PARK VISITORS (Gatlinburg Entrance)
November 2008.........................................
YTD ....................................................
2,639
6,220
793
7,616
109
1,689
8,035
1,337
9,413
2,189
3,566
3,635
2,594
3,059
6,714
998
7,938
107
1,502
8,585
1,442
11,782
1,868
3,603
3,740
2,968
-13.7
-7.4
-20.5
-4.1
1.9
12.5
-6.4
-7.3
-20.0
17.2
-1.0
-2.8
-12.6
53,335
653,929
62,745
678,397
-15.0
-3.6
246,955
3,130,258
260,987
3,359,231
-5.4
-6.8
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
Erin Moran, ext. 123
Events/Programs Director
erin@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
Administrative Assistant
emily@gatlinburg.com
Remarkable Business After Hours Hosted By
Citizens National Bank & Calhoun’s
M.A.P. Patrol Strikes Again!
S
everal lucky businesses were paid a visit in the big white limousine driven by
A Step Above Limousine Service on December 17, 2008. The surprised Members
were greeted with loud cheering and whooping and even caroling from
Chamber Directors; Deborah Linnert and David Dixon and Chamber staff. Best Italian
Restaurant, Bubba Gump, Crown Park, Perception in Nature, Ripley’s Aquarium, Smoky
Mountain Winery, and Your Team Cards and Collectables were presented a balloon
bouquet courtesy of Food City and a box of delicious donuts courtesy of The Donut
Friar. Be watching for the MAP Patrol gang – you could be next!
M
Perception in Nature
onday, December 8, 2008 Citizens National Bank hosted
Business After Hours at Co-Host Calhoun’s Banquet Hall to a
packed crowd! The
pre-holiday party treated guests
to a mouth-watering array of
foods and treats while they
enjoyed each others company.
Ken Simonis addressed the
crowd and introduced the
Citizens National Bank staff as
well as President David Verble.
A noteable amount of food
items were collected during the
event for donation to the Sevier (left to right) Ken Simonis, Paula King, and Bank
County Food Ministries. Thanks
President, David Verble
to Paula King and Greta Cole for
coordinating the pleasant evening and to the following businesses for
their donation of a door prize: Citizens National Bank, Calhoun’s/Copper
Cellar, Flowers of Gatlinburg, Fannie Farkle’s, Bent Creek Golf Resort,
Gabriel’s Horn, and Riverstone Resort.
GSMNP
in the News
Smoky Mountain Winery
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
NEW YEAR RINGS IN SMOKIES
75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
G
Crown Park Resort
Your Team Cards and Collectables
Best Italian Restaurant
We Need Your Help in Re-Stocking the Teachers Supply Closet!
T
he school year is half way over and the shelves in the Chamber’s Teachers Supply Closet are
becoming delinquent of items. Many appreciative Gatlinburg school teachers have taken
the opportunity to obtain much needed supplies from our Teacher’s Supply Closet. We want
to continue offering this free service to our deserving teachers throughout the 2009 school year.
Please consider donating supplies when ordering some for your business or make a monetary
donation for the Chamber to purchase requested supplies. Call 436.4178 for more information or
drop by anytime with your donations! Thank you to Ripley’s Gatlinburg for their donation to the
supply closet to help fill the shelves for January!
reat Smoky Mountains National Park,
its neighbors and partners are ready
to celebrate the diamond anniversary
of the congressional action that gave birth
to the national park on June 15, 1934.
Throughout 2009, a series of special in-Park
events and over 100 community events are
planned in North Carolina and Tennessee.
Several in-Park events will be held throughout the year,
including a performance by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra,
an Open House at Park Headquarters, and a ground-breaking
ceremony of a new visitor center.
The last of the in-Park events will be held on September 2nd
at Newfound Gap to recognize a significant event in the Park’s
history - the dedication of the Park in 1940 by President Franklin
D. Roosevelt. The event - at the Rockefeller Memorial which
straddles the Tennessee/North Carolina boundary - will have
limited attendance. An invitation will be extended to President
Barack Obama. If the President is able to attend, he will be the
first sitting President since FDR to visit the most popular national
park in the National Park System.
For more information on these events visit the anniversary
website at www.greatsmokies75th.org.
Gatlinburg Chamber Library
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”.
Could You be a Chamber Ambassador?
C
ongratulations to Michael Simonis with Ripley’s Aquarium
for becoming the newest and welcomed addition to the
Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce Ambassador.
A Chamber Ambassador is an
integral part of the Gatlinburg
Chamber of Commerce. The
mission of the Ambassador is
to represent the Chamber by
exhibiting the highest degree of
professionalism, knowledge and
integrity to our members and the
business community. Ambassadors
will serve as the greeting arm of
the Chamber to promote new
member participation and member
retention.
Michael Simonis is our
newest Ambassador
If you know someone
Program Sponsored by: who would
be a great addition to our
Ambassador
Program please
contact Connie Burns,
Member Services Director
for a nomination form.
Holiday Open House Nets Truckload of Food Donations!
City Events
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
T
uesday, December 16, 2008 the
Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce
hosted its annual Holiday Open
House inviting all Members to stop
by for a visit. The delicious food was
provided by Absolutely Sensational!
Catering, Gatlinburg Farms Garden
Café and Sam’s Club. Attendees were
encouraged to bring food donations
and no one disappointed. Thanks to the
generous spirit of Chamber Members
enough food was collected to fill up the
February 5, 12, 19, 26
Rock Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg Community Center
March 13 - 15
Gatlinburg Screenfest
River Terrace Resort
March 16 - 18
Celebrate Santa
Gatlinburg Convention Center
Beth Moncier presents donation check to Vicki Simms
Convention Center Events
6-8
7-8
12-14
20-22
26-28
27-1
Event Type Attendance
Gymnastics/Retreat
Championships
Evangel Cathedral
Church of Christ
Retreat
Youth Conference
2,200
2,000
2,000
6,500
1,800
4,800
Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce
Ethics Committee Report
Complaints for YTD
January 2009
Hotel/Motel
Overnight Rentals
Bed & Breakfasts/Inns/Lodges
Timeshares
Attractions
Shops
Dining & Entertainment
Services
Campgrounds
Wedding Chapels
back of Jim Johnson’s truck for delivery to
the Sevier County Food Ministries!
Another generous donation was made
by Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg to
Smoky Mountain Area Rescue Minstries.
Beth Moncier of Mountain Rentals
of Gatlinburg presented a check for
$1,000.00 during the chamber’s Holiday
Open House. Thank you to Ted Mullikin
and Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg for
your continued community support!
Chamber Welcomes Erin Moran, Events/Programs Director
February
Date Chamber staff help Ambassador, Jim Johnson load
the truck with goodies
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0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
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O
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
GreenCorner
Term Expires 2010
Logan Coykendall
Claudette Geoffrion - Tony Jovee
Deborah Linnert
Term Expires 2011
Sidney Maples
Robert Montgomery - Chad Reagan
2009 Business After Hours Hosting Opportunities Currently Available!
Jeff Prange
S
The Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce Business
After Hours was the venue on January 15, 2009 of
an exciting Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting for
one of the Chamber’s newest members and host of
the event Smoky’s Sports Pub & Grub. Smoky’s is a
casual sports oriented dining establishment owned
and operated by Carl and Linda Wilson along with
Bob and Linda Hill. Smoky’s is located by traffic
light #10 on the main Parkway at the entrance
to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The 125 guests were treated to a sampling of the
delicious items available at the Pub while enjoying
the warmth of the immense fireplace on the cold winter evening. Chamber of Commerce
Executive Director officially welcomed the new business to Gatlinburg and expressed
excitement of having them as new members of the Chamber of Commerce. Thank you to
door prize sponsors: Smoky’s Sports Pub & Grub, Bent Creek Golf Course,
Gabriel’s Horn, and Flowers of Gatlinburg.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
n January 2, 2009, Erin Moran joined the
Gatlinburg Chamber team. Erin’s postion at
the Chamber will be the Events/Programs
Director and she is very excited about working in
Gatlinburg. Her responsibilities will include member
programs such as “Gatlinburg Goes Green” and events
including Business After Hours, Dine & Discovers, etc.
Erin is looking forward to meeting and working with
all the members. Erin is originally from Memphis, but
moved to Knoxville in 2004 to attend the University
of Tennessee. She graduated this past December with
honors with a major in public relations. She has worked
for the Knoxville Tourism and Sports Corporation and
Erin Moran, Events/Programs Director
a Knoxville realtor, as well as other East Tennessee
businesses ranging from childcare to event services. We are excited to have Erin as
a part of the Chamber of Commerce and hope you will join us in welcoming her to
Gatlinburg.
howcase what your unique establishment has to offer! Currently, the Gatlinburg
Chamber of Commerce has limited availability for Business After Hours Hosting
Opportunities during 2009. If you are interested in welcoming the Chamber
Membership to enjoy a fun networking social event at your business, please contact
Erin or Sherry at 436.4178 to learn more or to sign up.
Smoky’s Sports Pub & Grub Holds Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting
Designated Directors
Cam Caton
Attractions Association
Term Expires 2009
Candace Ogle
Lodging and Hospitality Association
Term Expires 2010
refuse plastic bags
Plastic bags are one of the most ubiquitous items on the planet.
Americans go through 380 billion of them each year, and about 100
million of those are just for shopping (at a cost to retailers of $4 billion).
Their use can typically be measured in minutes - the time it takes you
to get home from the store - but the bags can last for hundreds of
years. Although most go into landfills - only 0.6 percent are recycled an estimated 100 million are let loose in the wild. Those airborne bags,
often called “urban tumbleweed”, clog sewers, gutters, and waterways,
entangle birds, and are swallowed by hundreds of thousands of whales,
turtles, and other marine life. The oceans are full of tiny fragments of
plastic slowly working their way into the food chain. So take a reusable
bag when you go shopping, and say “no” to plastic bags offered at
shops and grocery stores.
• Less energy and water consumption
• Lower carbon emissions
• Less waste
• Healthier environment
Taken from True Green 100 everyday ways you can contribute to a healthier planet by
Kim McKay and Jenny Bonin
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.
Dan Tilley
Wedding Chapel Association
Term Expires 2010
Jim’s our Mr. Green Jeans
T
he Chamber is proud to announce that Jim Matuszak, an
area consultant in our Visitor Call Center, will be taking on
an additional role. Jim will be a Green Consultant for the
Chamber and his duties will include assisting our members in
completing the “Gatlinburg Goes Green” check-list. If you are
currently a member of the Gatlinburg Goes Green Program or
you have needed a little extra help in completing the forms
- Jim is your man. Appointments with Jim Matuszak can be
made by calling 436.4178 extension 105.
Retail Merchants Association
Term Expires 2011
Kevin Tierney
Arts and Crafts Community
Term Expires 2011
Jim Matuszak