2009 CRESTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL REPORT

AMBASSADOR COMMITTEE

General Goal

The mission of the Creston Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors shall be to promote the civic, commercial, and industrial development of the City of Creston by acting and participating as official representatives in all promotions and welcoming new people and businesses in Creston.

·         The Chamber Ambassadors held over 31 coffees, ribbon cuttings and open houses

·         Awarded several First Dollar of Profits

·         Served over 150 people at the Chamber sponsored Employee Appreciation Omelet Breakfast in May during Small Business Appreciation Month as well as serving 100’s of donuts to the employees of Farley’s and Sathers Candy Company and Iowa Tool & Manufacturing in October during Salute to Industry Month

       For the second straight year co-sponsored one of the free breakfasts held during the Union County Fair

·         Co-sponsored the Veterans Appreciation Breakfast for the second year

·         Continued to Spotlight our members

·         Newsletter Inserts

·      Chamber Annual Report appears annually  in the Creston News Advertiser in April

·         Provided Chamber-wide Email Updates and Alerts to membership

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Currently this group meets the third Thursday of every month in an informal round table setting.  It is open to any woman in business.

SUMMER GOLF OUTING

Sponsored the 12^th Annual Chamber Golf Tournament at both Crestmoor and Pine Valley Golf Course in Creston.

This is a successful fundraiser for the Chamber and networking opportunity for those who participate.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

General Goal

To continue to create and maintain a positive image of Creston for current and future residents and businesses while maintaining and improving the business climate.

• Continued to collaborate, work with and promote partnerships with various organizations, governmental bodies and groups in Creston to maintain and improve Creston’s quality of life and economics – last year the Chamber worked with the following: Creston/Union County Tourism, City of Creston, Union County Development Association, Union County, the Union County Visitors Center, Creston High School FFA, EAST Class, Union County Conservation, Creston Park & Recreation Board, McKinley Lake/Hurley Creek Watershed Group, Western Iowa Tourism Region, Central Iowa Tourism Region, Southern Exposures Tourism and Iowa Tourism Department, Creston Volunteer Fire Fighters Easter Event, Community Preparedness Group, Housing Group, Uptown Creston Retail Committee, No Place Like Creston for the Holidays, Santa at the Depot,  Iowa State Extension Service, Youth Plus, Creston Tennis Association, Quiet Zone Committee, Crestland Betterment Foundation, Creston Diversity Coalition, Friends of the Library, CARE and Creston Schools Mentoring Committee.
• Continued to work and assist in retail and commercial recruitment and expansion to strengthen and expand the economic base of Creston 
• Continued to focus on an assist current businesses, while at the same time continue seeking  new business opportunities 
• Continued to assist industry  members as requested
• Continued to promote the Creston Commercial Property Loan
• Continued to work with and support the South Central Iowa Small Business Development Center        
• Continued to assist and recognize local businesses and organizations
• Continued entrepreneurial initiatives
• Maintained MyEntreNet Partnership
• Continued the Gold Star Honor for businesses who maintain their property
• Continued the  Hi-Five Honor for great customer service
• Continued monthly Chamber spots on radio and in the newspaper
• Continued to market Creston to the area, state and beyond as a business and regional hub
• Maintained Chamber Web pages to promote Creston
• Maintained various Creston Brochures to promote Creston
• Continued to provided business referrals, relocation packets, student requests and prospect packets
• Continued offering newcomer packets
• Continued speaking to service clubs and other groups about the Chamber and Creston
• Continued to attend City Council meetings and work with and assist local government
• Continued to hold Legislative Coffees and remain in contact with elected representatives.
• Continued involvement with the 10,000 Crestonians, Balloon Days & Lighted Christmas Parade and No Place Like Creston Group
• Continued to facilitate Uptown Committee

IMAGE ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE

General Goal

To create and maintain a positive image of Creston through beautification, restoration and enhancement activities.

In the past this group has spurred many projects that are in place today  or has taken place:  city-wide commercial loan program, junk car ordinance, mowing of property, Gold Star  and Hi-Five Honor, junk houses awareness, Iowana refurbishing, garbage for renters, started the Welcome to Creston sign project with the Trees Forever, flower pots in Creston, street cleaning and snow removal in Uptown Area – odd even parking to make this possible, Clean Sweep Days, City-wide Community banners, Yards  & Areas of the Month, Paint Creston Project in 2007,  Updating citywide Christmas decorations with City in 2008, removal of Kum & Go building along Highway 34.

• Continued to collaborate and work with other groups and organizations in maintaining and improving the image of Creston– City of Creston, UCDA, FFA, etc.
• Continued to work with City and others on buildings, yards and homes in disrepair and other nuisances 
• Continued Yards of the Month, areas of the Month and flower pots of the month
• Continued to work with the City on the Iowana Project – currently rehab project is moving forward

RETAIL PROMOTION & SHOWCASE COMMITTEE

General Goal

To market, promote, retain and highlight businesses and industries in Creston through various activities and promotions.

·         Continued to hold quarterly retail promotions – Moonlite Madness, Citywide Garage Sale, Crazy Days and Tax Free Weekend, Holiday GiveAway

·         Continued to promote the use of Creston Bucks – Sold a record $125,260 in Creston Bucks from October 20, 2008, through October 26, 2009, compared to the old record set in 2008 of $121,320, which were spent only at Creston Chamber businesses

·         Continued to promote the Shop/Buy Creston First Campaign

·         Continued to Spotlight Members in the Chamber Newsletter

·         Worked with Uptown Committee on projects and ideas –  Uptown Thursday Nights, “No Place Like Creston for the Holidays”

·         Continued to market events and promotions outside of our area

TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

General Goal

To continue to attract visitors to the area by marketing Creston as a tourism destination

• Continued to update and distribute brochures, SET, ads and other materials locally, regionally and statewide

• Continued promoting area through various websites, DM Register, KCCI, WHO and ABC, etc., State of Iowa and their Welcome Centers across the State

• Continued promoting area and events through various ads – Iowa Travel Guide, AAA Living, statewide newspaper advertising, various regional newspapers and radio stations

• Continued Visitor Packets – mailed out over 430 packets on Creston and Union County

• Maintained and updated tourism Web pages

• Maintained our Ad on ZOOM – found at the Welcome to Iowa Visitor Centers along Interstates 35 & 80

• Continued to work with local groups involved in tourism to promote and assist Creston and the area – Mt. Pisgah, Union County Historical Society, the bed and breakfast establishments in the area, local motels and various organizations that hold activities in the area

• Continued to promote the area locally, regionally, statewide and to surrounding states

• Continued to work with Western Iowa Tourism, Central Iowa Tourism, Southern Exposures Tourism, Iowa Group Travel Association, regional groups and State of Iowa Tourism Office

• Continued to promote the various celebrations in Creston – 10,000 Crestonians 4^th of July, 32^nd Annual Creston/ Southwest Iowa Hot Air Balloon Days, Lighted Christmas Parade and “No Place Like Creston for the Holidays”

• Continued to pursue new opportunities that will increase or strengthen tourism – bank travel groups, bus tours etc  

• Continued recognition of volunteers

• Maintained the Visitors Center
  

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