Special Report for the

Presented May 14, 2019 by Laura P. Doster, Executive Director

Agenda

• Introductions

a) Executive Director

b) Staff

c) Executive Board

d) Board of Directors

• Chamber Items

a) Mission

b) Services

c) Committees

d) Economic Development

e) Marketing

f) Promoting the Gorge

g) Gorge Events

h) Membership

i) Community Development

j) Financials

• Closing Remarks

IntroductionsExecutive Director – Laura Doster

Contracted Staff –

Valerie Hoffman – Marketing/PR

Allyssa Dixon – Administration

Karen Yarborough – Financial Advisor

Executive Board -

Patrick Bryant – President

Bob Keith – Vice President

Bill Ashman – Secretary

James Cain – Treasurer

Board of Directors –

Crystal Morrison – Morrison Photography

Thomas Keever – Executive Director, LLCA

Jennifer Duncan – Branch Manager, Carolina Bank & Trust

Teri Coutu – CEO – Teric Enterprise Solutions, LLC

April Schick – Owner, April’s Boutique

Mary Jaeger-Gale – General Manager, Chimney Rock @ CR State Park

Laura Krejci – Communications Director, Town of Lake Lure

Howard Redmon – Owner, Cedar Creek Stables

Our Mission

To promote economic progress and quality of life in

the Hickory Nut Gorge Community while helping to

protect the natural integrity and unity of the

communities of the Gorge.

The Chamber is a catalyst for the creation of activities

and opportunities for both visitors and residents and

promotes an atmosphere that encourages visitation,

business growth, and a strong sense of community.

Strength of our

Services

Sense of

Community

• Lift up, support, & promote all of the non-profit organizations.

• Consistent networking opportunities through monthly re-

Charges, Ribbon Cuttings, Milestone Anniversaries & other

Chamber Signature Events.

• Public source of referrals for volunteer opportunities –

providing numerous opportunities to “plug and play” in the

Gorge community.

Economic

Progress

• Active participant in Gorge-wide consortium to enhance

Internet & Cell Services in the Gorge

• Leader of revitalized Task Force to bring YMCA services to

the Gorge.

• Organizers of the largest annual event in HNG, the Dirty

Dancing Festival, which showcases the Gorge to nearly 4,000

people.

• Publishers of the only Online Business Directory focused on

Gorge businesses

• Representative voice for the business and tourism

community in economic and community development issues

and projects in the Gorge and across the county.

• Managers of the only comprehensive clearinghouse for

business referrals in the Gorge – connecting businesses to

newcomers, visitors & homeowners.

• Sponsor, co-sponsor or volunteer for major events, all to

attract visitors and residents alike while bringing economic

benefits to local businesses.

Committees

Planning & Economic

Development

Marketing

Events

Membership Services

Community Development

Executive

Committee

Our Board at Work

Economic

Development

Affinity

Assisted Living

Facility

YMCA

HNG Technical

Consortium

Community

Center

• Asset Management - Review land/buildings owned by the Town available

for lease/purchase – how can the Chamber support?

• Revisit the Arnett-Muldrow Study & Recommendations with the Town to

determine what can still be implemented.

• Build a marketing portfolio of assets to present to realtors.

• Workforce Initiatives – how to support existing businesses, expand the

labor pool, and keep our graduates here.

• Identify grant writing expertise – explore possible grants.

• Partner with the Town to identify key projects – i.e.; Town Center Master

Plan; Build the Boardwalk; NC Corridor Master Plan

• Performance Agreement b/w theTown and Chamber with SMARTgoals &

objectives.

In the Works

Economic

Development, Cont’d

Shoulder Season ActivitiesPortable Ice Rink

Father/Daughter, Mother/Son Dances

Movie Night

Restaurant Week

Octoberfest

Craft Night

Memorial Hwy Christmas Lighting Event

ServicesDry Cleaner

Car Wash

Laundromat

FedX Type Center

Water Shuttle

Children’s Day Care

Dentist/OBGYN

Conference Facility

Storage Building Facilities

Before/After School Program

ActivitiesMovie Theater

Bowling Alley

Indoor Community Center

Art Center

Rowing Club

Marketing

• Primary stewards of the Hickory Nut Gorge Brand.

• Publishers of the Gorge's only regular tourism and

business focused e-newsletter to a subscriber base of

nearly 6,000

• Consistent social media presence dedicated to

exclusively promoting Hickory Nut Gorge as a

destination.

• The most comprehensive, daily managed, and all-

inclusive Online Events Calendar focused on Hickory Nut

Gorge Events. HickoryNutGorgeEvents.com

• A Chamber website and database that serves as our

members’ direct connection to market their products and

services to consumers who visit our website and social

media pages. Includes a business description, Google

mapping, web and social media links, images and events,

even job openings.

• Featured monthly member spotlights

Marketing, Cont’d

• Primary media liaison and trip organizer for visiting

writers, bloggers, photographers, and production teams

wishing to promote the Gorge.

• The only entity in the Gorge focused on creating specific

PR & Social Media Campaigns around Seasonal Themes.

This includes: promoting “Easter in Hickory Nut Gorge,”

“Christmas in Hickory Nut Gorge,” “New Year’s Eve in

Hickory Nut Gorge,” “Memorial Day Weekend Fun in

Hickory Nut Gorge,” and “Autumn in Hickory Nut Gorge.”

• Only organization in the Gorge that has consistently

pushed for, encouraged, and carried out candidates’

forums.

• Committed to partnering with the Chimney Rock Village

Community Development Association to ensure that the

visiting public sees and experiences the distinct, but

compatible aspects of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock

Village

Promoting the Gorge

Gorge Events

Polar Plunge* Sale on the Trail*

July 3rd Fireworks Raptor Run

Power in the Flower Dirty Dancing*

Classic Boat & Auto Show Christmas Gala*

Arts & Crafts Festival Candidate’s

Forums*

Chamber re-Charge Events* Olympiad

*Signature Chamber Event

Membership

In the Works

• Workshop Series –

a) Business Education Program – sponsors/outside speakers

b) Chamber Member Businesses – promote your business – members

lead

• Volunteer Program – Community wide database, event support

• Benefits –

a) Coupon Book for Members – all businesses w/Membership offer a

discount to Chamber members only

• Membership Campaign – target missing industries, remote workers, lost

businesses, residents

• Surveys – what members want, what topics for workshops, end of year

satisfaction survey

• Member Welcome Packet

Levels of Investment

Summit - $10,000 Riverfront - $500

Ridgeline - $5,000 Gorge - $200

Hill - $2,500 Non-Profit - $100

Valley - $1,000 Contributor - $50

Community

Development/Initiatives

Community

Involvement

TDA Outreach

CRV/CDA HNG Foundation

LLCA Rutherford County Government

Rutherford County COC Friends of the Mountain Branch Library

Hospice

In the Works

• Charity for Children - providing stuffed animals to police and

fire stations to hand out when children are involved in

emergency calls.

• Potential training/discussions on topics small businesses

would not have the resources to undertake, such as active

shooter.

• Community Alliance Committee – Quarterly meeting of key

stakeholders of Gorge communities

• CRV through TOLL Beautification Effort

• Newcomer’s Welcome Booklet

Financials

The Chamber of Hickory Nut Gorge

2018 P&L and 2019 Budget2018 YTD Totals 2019 Budget

Income

Events & Fundraising 154,378.00$ 165,500.00$

Membership Investment 46,147.00$ 50,000.00$

Total Income 200,525.00$ 215,500.00$

Expenses

Advertising -$ 1,000.00$

Personnel 43,962.00$ 57,000.00$

Events & Fundraising 108,541.00$ 95,500.00$

Office Expense 8,553.00$ 8,950.00$

Operations Expense 10,912.00$ 9,714.00$

Total Expense 171,967.00$ 172,164.00$

Net Income 28,511.00$ 43,336.00$