Malta Merchants January 2017

Malta Chamber Merchant’s Committee Meeting

Jan 4, 2017

Stretch’s Pizza

Approve Minutes  - as read

In Attendance:  Avery, Mardy, Lori, Mark, Kaylee, Julie, Danni, Jacy, Valene, Eric, Dara, Alisha, Kathy O., Dina

Committee Updates

• Marketing and Tourism
  • Mailout Tourism Brochures
  • Phillips County in Winter Flyer
  • Billboard Complete
  • Business After Hours - Open Months Available
    • BAH in December has light attendance, and considering a revamp for next one.
    • Family Matters and Todd’s – July BAH

Old Business

• Selfie Spot Contest
  • Two week intervals, with $50 Dino Dollars at end of each quarter.
  • Must take pic with selfie sign and #pclifestyle or share to Chamber page to enter.
  • Dina to create rotation for Merchants
  • You can choose to not post it in your shop. If so, just bring it to the next shop on the list.
  • Benefits – put sign next to products you are looking to highlight or move. Can move it throughout store during your time.
  • Merchants Responsibility – once your time is up, bring it to the next shop on the list.
  • Let Dina know if you want a certain 2 week window. Will start by reviewing and handing out sign at Feb.1  Merchants Meeting.
• After Action Report of Holidays
  • Holly to Malta’s Jolly
    • Great response. Different crowd and relaxed atmosphere.
    • Next year, do 100 bags
    • Tentative date of nov 19
    • Time from 11-3? Need to finalize next year
  • Capture the Holiday Moment
    • Lighter response, maybe too long or didn’t know about it.
    • Need to do earlier in the day, lost light for pictures
    • Julie and Mardy sending thank you cards to photographers.
  • I Spy
    • 11 entries, but assuming more participating but didn’t turn in
    • Need to have more structure around the cards and answers
    • Easy program, not a lot of work on merchants, and can highlight a product or line in the store.

• Can Drive
  • Ended up with about the same amount of donations that we do without the community group competition.
  • Think that there are already lots of groups that raise donations, and stretched too thin.
  • Likely will go back to KMMR coupons on Monday night only.
• Kids Weekend
  • Good turnout, even with cold weather, not much that merchant’s responsible for
• Buttons
  • All were sold to the merchants, but merchants sold less than in previous years.
  • Strong consideration to go back to “be present to win” and three minute intervals for button numbers.
  • Need to have prize amounts and be 18 to purchase on tree signs
  • Merchants- keep your trees until next year.
  • Could add a “Button Button” promotion to replace Can drive. Merchants (sim to food bank coupon) offer a certain amount off if you present your Chamber button during that Monday night.
• Advertising and Communication
  • Encourage to stay open during week leading to xmas, seemed to be busiest for shoppers.
  • Sundays – 11-3 seems to be the strongest hours to be open overall
  • Need to use Parade of Lights as kickoff for all holiday promos. Have the details ready
  • Keep using all forms of media, including articles for each week’s events.
    • Good feedback from PCN articles and What’s Happening coverage
  • Keep using the small cards/magnets with the events, clip and save
  • Dina to create a Merchants closed group on Facebook.
    • Can talk about hours will be open, concerns, issues and ideas.
    • This in addition to the traditional email correspondence
    • Merchants can post their questions, and keep one place to check – esp during holidays, it was hard to know who was open and for what hours.
    • Could also use to let each other know what is on special or promoting at a certain time.
  • 2017 Holiday Weekend TENTATIVE Dates:
    • Nov 19 –Bags
    • Nov 27 – None (keep open this after Black Friday)??
    • Dec 4
    • Dec 11
    • Dec 18
    • Xmas eve is the next Monday

New Business

• Election of Officers President and Vice President
  • Kathy 1^st and Eric/Dara 2^nd Motion to keep officers as is.
    • Jacy – President, Avery VP
  • Calendar Events for 2017
    • Send your events to Dina so can have up to date 2017 events.
  • How Merchants Give Back Flyer (Shopping Local All Year Round is Rewarding)
    • List of which organizations and groups the Merchants give to each year.
      • Send Dina your list or post on FB group
    • Show impact of how Merchants give back and support the community
    • Make tie that as you support your Merchants – this is the direct impact they are able to make back to the community
    • Dina to create a flyer with the list and be ready for Feb Merchants meeting.
    • Go out to local media, Facebook and print outs for each merchant to have in shop.