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.
- Holly to Malta’s Jolly
- 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 1st and Eric/Dara 2nd 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.
- List of which organizations and groups the Merchants give to each year.
- Kathy 1st and Eric/Dara 2nd Motion to keep officers as is.