Anacortes Communicator Anacortes Communicator

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A Message from the President Four new divisions move forward on 2007 initiatives December was a busy time at the Chamber. I want to thank all of our members who helped contribute to a successful Holiday season. The Celebration/Art Walk, street lighting, holiday banners, carriage rides, and merchant Vince Oliver window decorations were well received and contributed significantly to the festive spirit in town. The coming year will be both challenging and exciting—our agenda is ambitious. I believe our new divisional structure will result in a more proactive Chamber. A few of the initiatives that I expect you will see Tourism Marketing We consider how to draw tourists, what to do with them By Steve Berentson You might think the season for “making a list and checking it twice” is past, but at the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce we are busy combing through last year’s tourism marketing plan with new and renewed “partnerships” in mind. As noted last month, our list of tourism partners ranges from local publishers (Skagit Valley Publishing and MacGregor Publishing companies, for example) to the Anacortes Arts and Skagit Valley Tulip festivals. We have also agreed to invest once again in a “Treasured Islands” cooperative that includes tourism marketing organizations from the San Juans, Whidbey and Camano islands. That partnership will in- in 2007: � A membership directory � A redesigned website, incorporating ease-of-use with increased functionality � Creation of a blog, allowing Chamber members to effectively network on-line � Banner advertising, increasing member reach to web visitors � Position papers/membership surveys on key topics � Quarterly member forums incorporating areas of interest � Quarterly new member orientation sessions � A quarterly breakfast networking meeting � Redesigned events, including a new shoulder event—the Salmon Derby in March—which the Chamber is promoting � A renewed focus on business development, with video streamed to the website � Enhanced partnerships with both the clude display ads in Sunset magazine and a new European travel magazine, among others. Changes to the Chamber website (www.anacortes.org) are already underway, in cooperation with Chamber member How It Works and a committee of volunteers. We will also explore opportunities to tell the Anacortes story elsewhere on the web. As we move into 2007, we are working diligently to prepare for Chamber of Commerce events including the Waterfront Festival, Shipwreck Day and the Anacortes Jazz Festival. We are also working closely with the Port of Anacortes and the Fidalgo Island Chapter of the Puget Sound Anglers Association, proud sponsors of City and the Port Each of our divisions—Membership, Marketing & Promotions, Economic Development/Governmental Affairs, and Finance—is focused on a number of action items. They will be actively meeting on at least a monthly basis beginning this month. I will be reporting on their initiatives and recommendations in later columns. Please make a note on your calendar that our annual membership meeting will be held on January 9, 5:30 p.m., at the Salvation Army. We will review key aspects of our 2007 Plan at the meeting. I would appreciate your attendance and input. On behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, I wish you a happy, healthy, and productive New Year. As always, I welcome your comments. I can be reached by e-mail (voliver@islandhospital.org) or telephone (299-1300). the Anacortes Salmon Derby scheduled March 10 and 11. We met recently with representatives of Washington State Ferries (WSF) in regard to marketing the 2007 season for the Anacortes/Sidney, B.C. ferry. Reduced rates will once again be offered for RVs and buses, but we will also place new emphasis on pedestrian and vehicle travel, a plan that inspires its own set of challenges. This season opens on April 1. Look for exciting developments regarding that opening date. A re-designed tourism brochure has once again found its way onto our “to do” list, and we look forward to continued cooperation between the Anacortes Cham- (Continued on page 3)
Member Profile Anacortes Marine Supply & Hardware It began in 1913. Seven years after arriving in the U.S. from Greece, Efthemios “Mike” Demopoulos moved west, settling in Anacortes. Mike began scouring roadsides for discarded items that he figured were resalable. He expanded his business after saving enough money to buy a horse and cart, and in 1910 purchased waterfront property downtown for his ‘Anacortes Junk Company.’ After securing financing three years later, Mike started a marine supply and hardware store to accommodate the burgeoning fishing industry in town. Today Marine Supply continues to carry marine, clothing, hardware, antiques, How to draw tourists, what to do with them (Continued from page 2) ber, its neighbors and the state tourism organization. It is our hope that your 2007 “to do” list includes a tourism category as well. How do we draw tourists, and how do we treat them once they are here? How can we contribute to a memorable experience, the kind that leads to return visits? How can we encourage tourists to “linger” here, rather than having a hit-and-run experience? We will continue to share our plan with you. Please feel free to share your ideas with us. Consider an insert in the Communicator Take advantage of the opportunity to share news or promotions with other Chamber members with an insert into the monthly Communicator. In 2007 the insertion rate will be $75. and surplus merchandise too-numerous to list. People know that if it’s available anywhere, it’s available at Marine Supply. Whether you are stocking a fleet of purse seiners or a cottage kitchen, you’ll probably find it here. With its wood-burning stove, oiled wooden floors, and thousands of bins stocked with surplus, the current store provides a “journey” back into the past - and the future. Marine Supply is going strong, having upgraded from the original ledgers to computer accounting systems and a Destination Downtown Anacortes members made a decision at their November meeting to suspend operations for the first half of 2007, review Chamber progress mid-year, and based on that review, potentially disband. The Chamber wishes to recognize this organization for its many accomplishments over the years and the significant impact it has had within Anacortes. We intend to continue DDA’s focus on pro- web presence. Mike’s grandson, Steve, now runs the business, which is listed on the Washington Centennial registry of historic places. If you are a visitor to the Northwest, this is one store worth looking for - we’re located at the water’s end of Commercial Avenue in Anacortes. Stop by and visit, 202 Commercial Avenue. DDA contributions recognized Special Thanks to... The following businesses added to the excitement of the Business After Hours at Upstage Boutique and Men’s Store with their generous donations of door prizes: Cap Sante Inn Lighthouse RV Park & Mini Storage Mark Nilson Mortgage Consultant Read Me a Story Upstage Boutique & Men’s Store moting our merchants and the ambience of our downtown corridor. A special thanks to Duane Clark and his commitment to DDA—your efforts and results are greatly appreciated. Next ‘Taste’ Jan. 17 As planned, the “Taste of Anacortes” has been transitioned to the Anacortes Restaurant Trades Association. Call Nicole Holbert at The Adrift for information (293-0653).Tickets for the Jan. 17 “Taste of Anacortes” will be available at the Chamber.
Page 1: The Anacortes Communicator Volume 1
Page 5 and 6: New Members Jean Groesbeck Individu
Page 7 and 8: Anacortes celebrates Christmas 2006

Anacortes Communicator Anacortes Communicator

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