CHAMBER UPDATE

Welcome to 2002. We hope everyone had a prosperous holiday season and that 2002 is healthy and successful. We realize that we haven’t sent you any information recently, however the office has been very busy the past few weeks preparing our sections for the Explore Bobcaygeon 2002 book Everything is on-track with the book and now the staff is back to their normal activities.

WELCOME NEW MEMBER: TaraByte Designs (Web site design), Tara Blythe, 731-0318 www.tarabytedesigns.com

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION: Thanks to all of you for renewing your memberships - we see it as a positive reinforcement of the work that we do. In the next few weeks you will be receiving your receipt, decal to be placed on your membership plaque and your Ontario Chamber of Commerce window sticker.

OTHER CHAMBERS INFORMATION: The Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Family Business Success Planning Seminar on Monday, January 28th. Click here for information and registration details.

The Collingwood Chamber of Commerce and Welcome Center is inviting everyone to their 2nd Annual Ski and Snowboard Day being held on Monday, February 1st at Blue Mountain Resort. Cost is $90.00 which includes a gift bag, memento photo, Raising the Roof toque, lift ticket, games, challenges, Murder Mystery Dinner. For additional information, or to register, please contact them at (705) 445-0221 or chamber@town.collingwood.on.ca.

ONTARIO TOURISM MARKETING PARTNERSHIP: OTMPC is seeking new members to fill upcoming vacancies on its Market (Americas, Asia Pacific, Domestic and Europe) and Product (City, Outdoor and Touring) Committees. The marketing committees evaluate marketing strategies and vets partnership opportunities and investments. Product committees manage the development of new product opportunities, build new strategic alliances, and create new product packages. Both committees have input from the OTMPC’s research and marketing teams. Committee members provide marketing expertise and help to build awareness of Ontario as a four season, year-round, premier tourism destination. Committee members are nominated from a cross-section of tourism businesses and appointed by the Nominations Committee of the OTMPC Board. Terms run for a 2-year period with a possible extension of another 2 years. Committees meet quarterly. If you are interested, please send a letter of interest with resume and reference letters to Vanine Yee, Partnership Coordinator/Corporate Board Secretary. Telephone (416) 314-7107 or email: vanine.yee@omt.gov.on.ca

ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES: The Ministry of Tourism currently has two advertising opportunities available: 1. 2002 Passport Magazine & Coupon Book. This successful publication has an enormous circulation of 1.5 million copies and extensive distribution to 14 Ontario markets and 4 U.S. Border markets. For specs and rate card please call (416) 868-4386 or email: membership@attractionsontario.ca. 2. Summer Experience Ontario Guide. This is a full colour 170+ page seasonal publication, printing 200,000. There will be a controlled distribution to qualified US and domestic tourists through Travel Info Centres and 1-800-ONTARIO, with editorial on resort getaways and outdoor experiences. Margaret Cunningham, Tourism Development Officer for the City of Kawartha Lakes advises that as the destination marketing organization they have been offered a 15% discount and she invites anyone interested in a 1/6 page ad for $750 to contact her. Margaret can be reached at 324-9460 ext. 233 or e-mail: mcunningham@city.kawarthalakes.on.ca. Space needs to be committed by February 1st so please call as soon as possible.