Messages From the Executive Director

January 2010: Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! 
I know it might sound funny to say that this far into January and almost February, but I have not had a chance to tell you all that yet so I hope you will smile at my good wishes.
 
2010 is already off to a great start! The snow is flying again and so are the ideas. Just yesterday, our Chamber Board of Directors met to set our goals for the year. We had a great turnout and some outstanding discussion. We started out with a recap of our 2009 year and took a detailed look at many of the successes that I shared with you just before Christmas. They also took a hard look at some of our places where we might need to make adjustments. Some-times these type of assessments are not always easy but extremely necessary
.
Once that exercise was completed, the board did some visioning activities to voice what they thought a “perfect chamber” might look like. That then led into a goal setting and brainstorming session that had ideas fast and flowing. Throughout this process, the board was asked to look at everything through some watchwords that we have established for 2010. Those watch words are: Value to our Members, Increased Volunteerism, a solid Chamber Identity and Mission and finally a Commitment to Proper Transparency in our operations.
 
One of the goals that came out of that meeting was a commitment to hear what you, as our membership, would like to see as part of our future goals. To try to solicit your thoughts and ideas we are considering doing a survey of our entire membership. I think this is an outstanding idea and I look forward, with the rest of the board to hearing your thoughts. The survey is not ready to go out yet, but stay tuned…
 
Some of our other goals involved an increase in quality communication with our members and the community in general. This will happen through some adjustment to some of our operating committees and some increased attention to our web site to make it more user friendly and information filled.
 
One of our biggest goals involved continuing the success of our membership drive that happened last fall. Like any membership-based organization, we need to always be looking for ways to invite new members to join and take advantage of the opportunities that are available to our members.
 
In short, it was a great session yesterday and you can be proud of your Board of Directors and Chamber Staff for getting 2010 off to such a positive start! If you would like more information as to some of the specifics of our goal setting session or if you would like to be involved in some of the exciting new opportunities for our Chamber…please do not hesitate to give me or any of our Board Members a call, and remember, “It's Always a Great Day in the Harbor Springs Area!!”
 
Take Care,

Scott

December 2009: Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! 
I know that this is an odd day to be sending out a chamber newsletter but I wanted to make sure that we got one out before Christmas and the New Year. Speaking of years….2009 was an outstanding year for our Chamber!! I know that many of the highlights were presented at our Annual Meeting on December 3rd but I thought I would reiterate some of them here.
 
2009 saw an increase of more than 50 new members join our ranks!! We started two new events that will continue into 2010: The Gallery Walk and Cars in the Park and increased Street Musique into September! Craig Bell headed up the Gallery Walk, Guy Britton, Dave Hinz spearheaded the Cars in the Park, and Sheryl McCleery and Jim Gillespie did an amazing job putting together the best Street Musique ever! 

Administratively, we saw our Ambassadors Team more than double in size, our Business Committee was re-formed, and we conducted an extremely successful new member drive that resulted in more than 15 new members joining in a short two-month time span!! Chrystal Ketchum was elected as the new Ambassador Chair, Tom Hannah now heads up the Business Committee and Dennis Hug was responsible for the success of the membership drive.
 
Not a single event was in “the red” this year; every last one of them made money for our chamber and contributed to our overall success and great visibility for Harbor Springs to the many visitors that come to our area! Two events; the Wine Festival, which is a partnership with Scenic Michigan, and the Taste of Harbor Springs chaired by Mary Ellen Hughes had significant increases of income. All of this good event management by our chairpersons and office staff resulted in a solidly balanced budget for the chamber in 2009!
 
2009 also saw the Board of Directors increase their numbers to the full 15 that are authorized in our bylaws. The 2010 board members who were elected by the general membership and took office on December 3rd are as follows:
 
Joe Breighner – President, Boyne Highlands; Dennis Hug – Vice President, Harbor Springs IGA; Sue McGlaughlin – Secretary/Treasurer, Toski Sands Market; Gregg Garver – Past President, 1st Community Bank; Tom Hannah – Business Committee Rep, By The Bay; Sandy Koehler, Harbor Springs Title; Lynn Steffens, Walstrom Marine; Mary Ellen Hughes, Mary Ellen’s Place; Liz Ahrens, Crooked Tree Arts Center; Barb Berry, Northern Michigan Regional Hospital; Lindsey Walker, Stafford’s Pier; Crystal Ketchum, Boyne Highlands; Kristen McDonald, Schaffer Real Estate; Jill Petro, Harbor Point Association and Tom Trautman, Irish Boat Shop.
 
I hope you will join me in congratulating them on their new positions and thank them for volunteering to represent you in 2010. They have big shoes to fill to make 2010 even better than 2009. I think they can, and I think we can as a chamber. I am excited to work with all of them and thank the 2009 Board of Directors for setting the standard so high!!
 
An amazing number of volunteers made 2009 as successful as it was. There are far too many to list here but we had an opportunity to thank many of them at our Annual Meeting. Thank you again to each and every one of you!
 
Finally, thank you from Marge and myself to all of you for making our jobs that much more fun to come to every day! We really do live in a special place, and Marge and I have the benefit of representing it and you every day! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from your Chamber Staff and remember:
 
“It's Always a Great Day in the Harbor Springs Area!!”
 
Take care,

Scott

November 2009: Gearing up for the Holidays and a New Year

Gearing up for the Holidays and a New Year.

Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away. There are just over 40 shopping days until Christmas and January 1 2010 is coming up way too fast! With all that going on, I thought I would just write a quick piece about what is going on with the Chamber as we close out 2009.

Many of you may still have not heard that the annual Holiday Open House has had a date change. Many of the merchants in our downtown district wanted to try something a little new this year and see what an open house would look like on a weekend rather than a weekday. So it was decided, earlier this year, to move the Holiday Open House to Saturday December 12. As one who has not yet had the opportunity to attend one of our famous Open Houses, I am very much looking forward to attending. I hope you are too.

The second question that we seem to be getting this time of year is about the Tree Lighting Ceremony. From what I understand, there has been a great discussion over the years whether to move the Tree Lighting from the traditional Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend to the Saturday of Thanksgiving. To be completely honest, I can see very logical thoughts in both options. However, the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony date has not been changed. It will be on its traditional Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. 

As part of those festivities surrounding the Tree Lighting, we as the Chamber of Commerce will also be awarding the winners of the Window Judging Contest. This year anyone can participate in this contest whether they are a chamber member or not. But, the entry form is only found on our chamber website. So, if you know a nonmember business that might be interested in participating, be sure to direct them to our web site to find the entry form.

Many of you that are getting this newsletter are new members to our Chamber. If I have not told you yet…."welcome aboard!!" Many of you also know businesses that are not yet members and should be. At last months board meeting the Chamber Board of Directors voted to extend the special membership drive a little longer to give as many businesses as possible a chance to join. That deadline has now been extended to December 1 2009. As part of a special partnership that we have formed with our good friends at both the Harbor Light Newspaper and the Petoskey News Review; any new business that joins the Harbor Springs Area Chamber of Commerce before the deadline of December 1 2009 will receive vouchers for $200 of free advertizing in each paper. A total of $400, just for joining our organization.

Last but certainly not least, our annual meeting is fast approaching. Once again, this year we are being hosted by Stafford’s Pier Restaurant. In addition, while all the specific details are still being worked out for this event, your board of directors has stated that they would love to see as many of our members in attendance as possible and will provide lunch at no cost to all voting members who attend. Stay tuned for more information and your invitation coming soon.

That’s a little bit of what your chamber is working on right now to wrap up 2009 and get ready for 2010. I hope to see you all at the many great holiday themed events that we have coming up and also hope that you have made plans to take some time out to spend with family and friends.

Remember…It’s Always a Great Day in the Harbor Springs Area!!

Take care,

Scott

October 2009: Belonging to the Team

Belonging to theTeam
We as human beings have an intense need to have a sense of belonging. When you first meet some one some of the first few questions that usually get asked are; where are you from?, where do you work?, where do you live?, etc…. this time of year one of the questions, many times is; what school did you go to? Or, what school do you support in the big game? This can be either a reference to high school or college, depending on the context. This week the questions get more intense; are you a Michigan fan or a Michigan State fan?

We ask and answer these questions out of a need to belong. Humans are pack animals. We need to feel that connection and camaraderie with those around us. We need to know who is on “our side.” Once we have those basic connections figured out, we feel safe and draw confidence from that group support. With that support, we often feel as if can do anything! If you do not believe me, just walk through any parking lot of tailgaters and eavesdrop on the conversations. Surrounded by their fellow supporters and with the sense of belonging that comes from having a common connection, every fan feels that their team is “Number 1” and can beat any opponent!

A Chamber of Commerce should have the same feeling for its members. We are a team of our own! School colors are replaced by "Chamber Stickers" on the door. Our fight songs are the laughs and smiles that come out at one of our community events! Our tailgating is done at business afterhours, at events like this last weekend’s Taste of Harbor Springs or at the up coming Harbor Heroes Dinner! Our practices are held at chamber seminars like the ones coming up for the Entrepreneur Club and the Tony Rubleski class about “Stop Whining and Start Selling.” Our opponent is obviously the economy! And, I believe that we are on a playoff run! We can win this one! Fourth quarter, score is tied, time for a big play…..

What’s in your playbook? Are you on offense and going for a quick strike down field for a touchdown? Are you on defense getting ready to make a big stop and get the ball back to score? What’s in your playbook?

Here at the Chamber Office we want to make sure that the stands are packed with screaming fans! On September 14, we rolled out our 2009 membership drive to achieve that goal. We have been joined in this effort by two "hall of fame" players.

The Harbor Light Newspaper and the Petoskey News Review have each pledged $200 of free advertising to any NEW Harbor Springs Area Chamber of Commerce member that signs up for membership. To be eligible, a business must sign up before October 26! This must be a NEW member but it could also be a member who used to have a chamber membership and would like to rejoin the team.

If you have a potential member that you would like to have join our team, give me a call and we can make it happen. Everybody deserves to belong to a winning team on a playoff run!! Who would you like to join our team?

Remember: Its Always a Great Day in the Harbor Springs Area!!

How’s the energy?

Take care,

Scott

September 2009: Recharge

Recharge

The last few months have seen some “interesting” weather for us here in Northern Michigan. Below average temperatures, an extra amount of rain, clouds and frost; and that was just in July. However, since Labor Day weekend, it feels like some one flipped a switch and we have been having the “perfect” summer type weather that we are normally known for. Seventies and Eighties during the day with pleasant evenings with cool breezes off the water.

That’s the kind of weather that I associate summer in Northern Michigan with. That is the kind of weather that I missed while living down near Kentucky the last few years. Miles and miles of Indiana and Illinois corn fields broken only by brown river water just can not compete with green rolling hills, beautiful sand dunes and majestic lime stone bluffs leading down to bright blue water accented by the golden rays of the setting sun. Throw in the call of a seagull and the sound of a loon echoing in the distance and it almost brings a tear to your eye. Unfortunately, we don’t always realize how lucky we are to live here until we have moved away and come back with fresh eyes.

Winter will soon be here though, my friends. And, while that season also has striking beauty in Northern Michigan, it is this time of year that I remember most. It is this time of year that things seem to slow down for us. No longer the frantic busyness of the peek summer season and not quite yet the bluster of a winter ski season.

Now is the time for us in Northern Michigan to recharge our batteries. So, here is my advice and wish for you over the next few days or weeks……take time to recharge your batteries. Go to a high school football game and feel the coolness of the evening just start to creep back. Take a good long walk or ride a bike along the Lake Michigan shore. Enjoy a sunset and perhaps a picnic with someone special. If nothing else….take a deep breath outside in our northern woods, smell the trees and just say “thank you.”

Recharge your batteries. People come to us from all over the state and nation to do that very thing. Isn’t it time we took a moment to do it ourselves?

Remember: It’s always a great day in the Harbor Springs Area!!

How’s the energy?

Take care,

Scott

September 2009: Labor Day History

Labor Day History

For this weeks letter from me I thought I would share some interesting history about the origins of Labor Day that I found on the U.S. Department of Labor web site. I will admit that I did not know much about the history of this holiday. Like many of you, I knew it had something to do with “labor” but I more associated; cook outs, time with family, and the end to summer break with this weekend than anything celebrating the fight of early labor organizers. This is what I found. I hope you find it as interesting as I did.

Labor Day: How it Came About; What it Means
 
Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. 

The First Labor Day
 
The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.
 
In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885, Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country. By 1894, 30 states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers, and on June 28 of that year, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.
 
A Nationwide Holiday
 
The form that the observance and celebration of Labor Day should take were outlined in the first proposal of the holiday — a street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations" of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families. This became the pattern for the celebrations of Labor Day. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civic significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday proceeding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.
The character of the Labor Day celebration has undergone a change in recent years, especially in large industrial centers where mass displays and huge parades have proved a problem. This change, however, is more a shift in emphasis and medium of expression. Labor Day addresses by leading union officials, industrialists, educators, clerics, and government officials are given wide coverage in newspapers, radio, and television.
 
The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker.

Interesting, isn’t it? I just wanted to give you all something to think about as you are enjoying the outstanding weekend. 

“It’s always a great day in the Harbor Springs Area!!”
 
How’s the energy?
 
Take care,
 
Scott

August 2009 : Keep That Summer Spirit!

Keep that Summer Spirit!

Many of you either already know, or got to meet Penny Cassidy who did an internship with us here at the Chamber office earlier this summer. Well, she just stopped by a few minutes ago to say one last good bye. She is heading back to school, today. In fact, she excitedly told us that she was leaving in the next hour! 

For those of us who operate businesses in Northern Michigan, this is a very familiar, annual occurrence. Outstanding Summer Staff heading back to school. Many of you are experiencing this very thing in your own businesses. This usually signals the end of the summer season. However, it is not really the end is it?
 
When I came here it was April, then May was my first full month on the job, and everyone was getting geared up for the up coming Summer Season. Excitement was in the air. Things were moving fast. Everyone was trying to be “that person” who was going to accurately predict what kind of season we would have. Now as I look around town and talk to people, it very much feels as if things are slowing down. But, are they really?
 
As for us here at the Chamber office, things are not slowing down at all! In the next two months we have still two more Street Musique nights. We have the annual Sidewalk Sales (which are now open to all businesses, not just downtown), The Taste of Harbor Springs and of course Harbor Heroes. September will also see the return of Business After Hours with the first one on Wednesday September 16th. Then, there is always this little holiday known as Labor Day.
 
Commerce never rests and neither should we. We all need to keep that summer spirit and enthusiasm! Many of you have told me that you had better than expected summer seasons at your businesses. I have to believe that much of that success came from quality planning and good old-fashioned summer enthusiasm. There is no reason for us to rest on that success. We need to find a way to have that enthusiasm all year long. 

That is our goal here at the Chamber, to keep that summer spirit all year long! Are you on board too? What’s your plan for keeping that summer spirit? It’s always a great day in the Harbor Springs Area!

How’s the Energy?

Take care,

Scott

August 2009: Gone Green!!

Gone Green!!

Did you know that the Harbor Springs Area Chamber of Commerce has “Gone Green?” Throughout this year we have been trying to do as much of our communications, billing, invitations for events etc through e-mail, and other electronic communications.

This is an effort on the part of our chamber to not only keep our operating costs low but also to be conservation minded. I know many of you know the logging history of much of Northern Michigan. In several places along I-75, you can still see the stumps of the Giant White Pine Trees that covered our area hundreds of years ago. It has taken almost that long to get back the beauty that must have been in this area when the first European Explorers came through.

What does this mean for you? Well, we have been seeing some confusion in the office from members who did not know that we had started our new “Gone Green” campaign. Many members were still looking to the mail from the post office for their yearly Membership Investment Invoice (“dues bill”) rather than their e-mail. Once we noticed this trend, we have been trying to get the word out as quick as possible. All Membership Investment Invoices will go out by e-mail from now on.

Here is how you can help. If all of our communication is going to the right people in your office, you need to do absolutely nothing! You are already “good to go,” as they say. If you have any questions as to what e-mail we have on file for your business or if you would like to make other billing and communication arrangements, please give either Marge or my self a call hear at the office and we will be happy to make what ever arrangements work the best for you.

I hope that you embrace our new “Gone Green” initiative as much as we have. Stop by, see us some time, and tell us what you think. 

“How is your energy?”

Remember:

“Its Always a Great Day in the Harbor Springs Area!”

Take Care,

Scott

July 2009: Mid-Year Update

Mid-Year Update

Believe it or not, but 2009 is more than half over. In just a couple of months, you will be getting your invitations to the annual meeting. Therefore, this month I thought I would give you a quick mid year report on how your Chamber is doing and a little bit of what is on the horizon.

One of the first things that everybody wants to know is about money. I am pleased to say that you can feel very confident that your Chamber Administration (the Office and the Board of Directors) are being good stewards with your dues and sponsorship monies. As I look at our budget numbers for the end of June it appears that we are doing a good job of keeping expenses down and that the revenues from our events and your dues is about where we would expect it to be for mid-year.

As I have talked to many of you about how your business is doing this summer, several members have used the words “holding our own.” I would say the same thing about our Chamber finances. We are “holding our own” quite well.

The next thing that many people ask is how the Chambers membership is doing. I am pleased to say that at least 30 new businesses have decided to join the Harbor Springs Area Chamber of Commerce since January 1! “Welcome Aboard” to all!!

While that is great progress for now, our membership numbers are not quite where we would like them to be by the end of the year. So, we are looking to try to put together a “Membership Blitz” for the early fall! This will be a great time to invite other businesses to join with us and become part of this growing organization! If you have suggestions of businesses that we need to go talk to please let me know here at the office.

The third thing that people usually want to know about is what is coming in the future. Well, currently our ambassador team is working to be caught up on some of the ribbon cuttings that are needed for those 30 new members. The ambassadors’ team has also started the planning for a few Business After Hours events to take place this fall, and well as having secured a date and location for the much-anticipated Harbor Heroes Dinner in October! We have added some new events to the calendar. Some of them have already happened and turned out very well. The Fine Arts Gallery Tour was an outstanding event and we hope that the new Cars in the Park event will follow suit.

Street Musique is planning to run into the first week of September this year. Sidewalk sales will be on Labor Day weekend. And, the Taste of Harbor Springs is set for its usual weekend in September.

In short, your Chamber is alive and well and moving in a great direction! I know that I believe that and I hope you do to. Marge and I are here to help you. If there is any suggestion that you have to make things better, please do not hesitate to give us a call, send an e-mail, or just drop in for a chat! We would love to see you.

Remember:  "Its Always a Great Day in Harbor Springs!!"

Hows the energy?

Scott

July 2009: Harbor Springs Wins Best 4th in the North.

Harbor Springs Wins Best 4th in the North.

Many of you have probably been anxiously awaiting the results of the survey that was sent out a week ago to determine which community had the “Best 4th in the North!” It was a competition put on by MyNorth.com between Harbor Springs, Frankfort, and Leland. I am pleased to say that because many of you voted passionately, Harbor Springs was victorious!!

Congratulations Harbor Springs and Thank You to all who voted!! Click on this link below if you want to see the results and read the great article that MyNorth.com wrote about our outstanding town.

Habor Springs Wins Best Fourth in the North
As for me, I thoroughly enjoyed myself during my first Harbor Springs 4th of July! The Parade. The Fireworks. The Art Fair. The Paul Revere Run and all the guests made for a fantastic first impression for me. I did get a little sun burned though…..but the weather could not have been better so I really cannot complain.

Now that the 4th is over here at the office we can take a little bit of a breath from all the preparation activities that lead up to the Golf Tournament, the Wine Festival, the Fine Art Gallery Tour and of course the 4th of July. However, for most of you members out there, you are probably, hopefully, up to your eyeballs in guests and visitors. The initial reports that I have heard from several of you sound very positive and that is encouraging!

Therefore, I ask you my question that I have ended the last few letters with. With the 4th a recent memory and the full summer season now upon us…….. “How is your energy?”

Talk to you soon and remember:

“Its Always a Great Day in the Harbor Springs Area!”


Scott

June 2009: Fourth of July – A Time for Memories

Fourth of July – A Time for Memories.


What is the first thing that you think of when you hear the words “Fourth of July?” What about when you hear the words “Fourth of July in Harbor Springs?” Are they two different thoughts or the same one?

I am a history buff so I think of a bunch of wealthy old men in white wigs sitting in a room in Philadelphia. Could they see 233 years into the future and know that their act of treason to the British crown would usher in the greatest nation on the earth? I like to believe that they did have that foresight. What they were willing to risk is truly amazing and we are the fortunate ones to reap the benefits! What an outstanding country we live in. What an outstanding area we live it!

I have been hearing so many great stories and memories of the Fourth of July here in Harbor that I am very excited to experience my first one. When I asked Penny Cassidy, who has been doing an internship with us, what her thoughts were about the Fourth of July she was smiles from ear to ear. Great memories of growing up in Harbor Springs just came flowing out! Marge Owen has a similar reaction but she actually said that even though she also grew up in the area she did not experience her first Fourth of July in Harbor Springs until she was at least 16. Both of them say that they would not ever miss the Fourth of July here ever again!

We all probably have memories of burgers on the grill, family reunions at the park, marching bands in the parade, little kids running around with sparklers, and of course the much anticipated fireworks show at the end of the day with those big BOOMS that rattle in your chest!

What kind of memories will be generated this year? What part will you play in generating those memories for our guests? I know that I am looking forward to making my own memories of the Fourth of July in Harbor Springs! I hope you are too!


How’s the energy?

Scott

June 2009: Its All About Attitude and Energy

Its All About Attitude and Energy.

It may not look like it from the weather, but the 2009 summer season is here! Trees and flowers are in bloom. Memorial Day has come and gone. People are busy opening their cottages. Traffic through town is starting to pick up. And everyone is wondering….what kind of season will it be?

Good question. Do I have an answer? Nope. However, I am not worried. Why? Because, it all comes down to attitude and energy! Michigan has been in a tough economic spot for the last year or more. It was even on the news down in Southern Indiana, where I lived previously. But, what are we going to do about it? I know what my answer is…..I’m not going to participate! And I would encourage you all to have that same type of attitude and energy!

We have all heard the quote from President Roosevelt, “We have nothing to fear but fear itself!” That is the kind of attitude and energy that I am talking about. It would be very easy for us to all succumb to the fear of the economy….not going to participate. It would be easy to listen to the national news each day and get discouraged……not going to participate. It would be easy to have worried conversations with friends……not going to participate. Am I advocating making irresponsible business decisions? Not at all. It’s all about the “attitude of success and the energy of confidence.”

We live in an outstanding area that people from all over the country want to visit to get away from their stresses of normal life. Just by visiting our great area, they are saying that they are not going to participate in the recession. What kind of attitude and energy will greet them when they arrive? This is our opportunity to shine and make their stay, whether for a day or for the entire summer season, one to remember. They will remember a great smile or perfect directions. They will remember a welcoming handshake or a good “insiders” tip on which beach is the best. They will remember and be sure to tell others!

Summer is always such a magical time in Northern Michigan and especially the Harbor Springs Area. I know that I am looking forward to spending my first summer back along the shores of our bay. What are you looking forward to? What are our visitors looking forward to? Will they find that “attitude of success and energy of confidence” from you and your staff members? From the people that I have met and the individuals that I have talked to so far, I have no doubt that they will!

Now as a chamber, we need to be the cheerleaders in this campaign of attitude and energy. We need to support each other and make sure that energy is everywhere. When you see another Harbor Springs Area resident or business owner, give them a smile, a good shake of the hand and a big old pat on the back and ask……, “how’s your energy?” Hopefully their response is……, “Outstanding!” I know that is what my response will be!

So, how’s your energy?

Scott

May 2009 : Greetings from the desk of your new Executive Director

Greetings from the desk of your new Executive Director,

As I write this letter to you I have been on the job not quite two weeks but, let me say, “Wow is it good to be ‘home.’”

As many of you have probably heard, I am not only a Michigan native but a Northern Michigan native. I grew up in Traverse City, and worked in the Fort on Mackinac Island one summer during college. I have hiked, camped, canoed and fished in every possible Northern Michigan weather condition all over this area. For nine years I worked in and was a manager with the resort hotels on Grand Traverse Bay. From 2003 to 2007 I lived and worked as an Executive for the Boy Scouts of America, just across the bay, in Petoskey and administered the scouting program for all of Antrim, Emmett, Charlevoix, Cheboygan and Otsego Counties. I have seen the amazing sunsets from the bluffs over looking Lake Michigan and, I will admit, a tear came to my eye when I first smelled the breeze off Little Traverse Bay after being gone for two long years. This is home! And I am very glad to be home!

Ok, enough of the nostalgia. You all want to know what kind of Executive Director of your Chamber I will be. My degree comes from Spring Arbor University and is in Management and Organizational Development with extensive study in Hospitality Business and Human Resources. I am a graduate of the Leadership Little Traverse Program with nine years of experience in the resort heavy economy of Northern Michigan. I have almost six years of experience being a director in a national non-profit organization (BSA) and have worked with volunteers and volunteer boards in three different states. I am very proud to say that in six years with the Boy Scouts of America my service areas, in two different states, were recognized as National Quality Districts, five times. Quite a feat. I know we can achieve that same type of success here in Harbor Springs.

These successes could not, and can not, be achieved without the help of outstanding volunteers and passionate members! I have been very impressed, thus far, with the passion that I have seen here in the Harbor Springs Area. I am looking forward to working with you and helping to tap into that passion to make our Chamber and our communities the best they can be.

How do we do that……? That’s what I want, and need, your help with. I want to hear your ideas. I have some of my own, but yours are the ones we need to be listening to. I have been slowly making my way around to area businesses and organizations in an effort to get familiar with both our current members and potential new members alike. But, I also want to try something new.

Starting Monday May 11th, Marge and I will have a suggestion box on the front desk in the Chamber office on Main Street. If you have ideas for new programs that might be of benefit to our community or our local economy, write them down. If you have general comments or suggestions that you want us to hear, put them in there. If you have a complaint, I want to hear those too. If there is something or someone who needs a compliment and a pat on the back, feel free to submit that too. Everything is fair game with me. I promise to read them all. If you would like to sign your comment card, that would be great. If you want to be anonymous, that is fine too. A good executive is only as successful as his members and volunteers. To borrow a very over used line from the movie Jerry McGuire: “help me, help you.”

In closing, thank you for this opportunity to be your Executive Director. I look forward to getting to know all of you soon. Please feel free to stop me on the street or come into the chamber office to introduce yourself. We live in an amazing area. I did not fully realize that until I moved away. My goal is to make our Chamber the shining beacon for this area that we all know it can be. I hope that is your goal as well.

“It’s always a great day in Harbor Springs!”

Take care,

Scott

March 10, Street Musique Chair Announced

Dear Members,

I am pleased to announce that Sheryl McCleery, owner of Tom’s Mom’s Cookies, has agreed this year to be the chair person for the Street Musique Summer Concert Series.  Sheryl has a real passion for this event and is very interested in making it more successful and will be contacting members soon seeking feedback on the program.
 
Street Musique promotes cultural tourism during the summer in Harbor Springs, Michigan.  This program has been in collaboration with the Blissfest Music Organization since 2004 and has provided live music and entertainment in downtown Harbor Springs from late June through August.  Street Musique encourages local residents and visitors to stroll the town on Thursday evenings and experience presentations of diverse musical styles from local and regional artists at 3 or 4 downtown locations.  The program provides a cultural component to enhance the local tourist economy and the vitality of the area.  As a community activity, it provides opportunities for local performing artists and encourages the participation of both locals and visitors.
 
A healthy arts community is an asset for economic development and helps attract businesses and an educated, creative work force that businesses and communities all desire.  This event helps the area generate more revenue from cultural tourism.  Visitors spend their time at restaurants, hotels, clubs, bars and retail stores in the community.  When our visitors return to their hometowns, they will also share their experience in northern Michigan with their friends and family.

Gregg Garver, Chamber President

February 13, 2009: Links To Harbor Springs Announced

Dear Members,

Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, June 3, 2009 as this will be the date of the annual Links to Harbor Springs golf outing at the historic Wequetonsing Golf Club.  This event is always a great day of golf, fun, networking and fellowship. This is one of the Chamber's largest benefit events of the year and provides crucial dollars needed to help support the mission of the Harbor Springs Area Chamber of Commerce.  For those who have always participated in the past, be on the lookout for early registration forms soon.  As always, we allow time for the prior year's participants to reserve their foursome prior to opening registration up to the entire membership. Those interested in sponsorship opportunities can feel free to contact me directly at gregg.garver@firstcb.com or event chair, Jaime Ash at j2ash@yahoo.com.

Gregg Garver, Chamber President

January 30, 2009: Leadership Search Continues

Dear Members,

The Harbor Springs Area Chamber of Commerce’s hiring committee is sorting through several resumes and are thrilled with the response to our current job posting for an executive director.  We will continue to receive resumes through this weekend and then the committee will be scheduling interviews soon thereafter.  In the absence of a director, volunteers continue to plan for the year ahead.  Arrangements are currently being made for the 2009 golf outing, business during and after hours events, the 4th of July festivities, and many more activities that the Chamber is involved with.  I encourage those interested in volunteering their time on events or committees to please contact Marge at the Chamber office.  Marge can direct interested volunteers to committee chair people for further discussions on sponsorship opportunities.  You can also find a list of committees on our website.
 
Also, mark our calendars for Thursday, February 12th.  We will be having a business during hours event at Stafford's Pier Restaurant and it will be the last official business during hours lunch with Fred Geuder in attendance as City Manager.  We will be wishing Fred well and encouraging him not to be a stranger to the Chamber.  The Pier Restaurant will also be the site of a happy hour get together to wish Fred well on Friday, February 20th.  I encourage all members to participate in both events.

Gregg Garver, Chamber President

January 9, 2009: A New Director In Our Future

Dear Members,

The Harbor Springs Area Chamber of Commerce has started the search for a new executive director. We are currently running the job posting in the Harbor Light, Petoskey News Review, and on the Michigan Chamber of Commerce website. We will be receiving and reviewing applications until January 31st and then scheduling interviews for February. At the March Board meeting, the hiring committee is exciting about the possibility of having a recommendation to the Board of directors for a new hire to start in April. The number one priority for the new director will be membership recruitment and retention. A strong relationship between a director and the membership will create a stronger Chamber.

Thank you to all of the volunteers who have been helping to fill the void of an Executive Director over the last several months. We look forward to your continued support as we find a new executive director this spring that will help steer our Chamber of Commerce into the future.

Gregg Garver, Chamber President