Thursday, January 28, 2010

IN MEMORIAM


The Prince Edward County Chamber of Tourism & Commerce is very saddened to hear the news of the passing of Babbs Welsh on January 27th, 2010.


As some of our long time members know, Babbs was the face of Tourism for Prince Edward County, always with a terrific sense of humour, laughter and a dedication to our organization and community.


On behalf of the members, board of directors and staff our heartfelt condolences go out to her husband, Paul and her wonderful family.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT


From the Desk of Dave Ashton

Join us for a great evening out… with a beautiful dinner and entertainment by “The Newcomers”, a dynamic trio that will entertain us with top pop songs and ballads. Brush off the winter blues by attending


PECCTAC’s Annual General Meeting

on Thursday, March 25th, 2010 at the Waring House.
Hear what is new and mingle with fellow members.

Program for the evening:
5:30 - Cocktails
6:30 - Dinner
7:30 - General Meeting
President’s Address
Annual Reports
Presentations
Nominations & Elections
Introduction of the New Board
8:30 - Special Presentation: “THE NEWCOMERS”

Dinner - $45.00/person or $80.00/couple inclusive of gratuities and taxes.
Non-members - $55.00/person or $90.00/couple inclusive of gratuities and taxes.

Please RSVP by March 5th by email to pec@reach.net or phone 613-476-2421

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Cast & Catch Charters / Feather & Down
Taxidermy (Steve Dingman)

Harbour View Suites

Waring Creek – IT Services (Gary Scharf)

2010 MEET & GREETS

April 13th – Saraswati Spa

June 15th – Moontide Studio & Gallery

October 19th – Casa-Dea Estates Winery

December 14th - TBA

What You Said…. (PECCTAV Survey)

Some interesting information was garnered from the recent member survey.
Thank you to everyone who participated.

Here are some of the highlights:

77% of the businesses surveyed have less than 4 employees.

Top 3 categories members identify with?
Young Business Person, Women in Business, Experienced Business Person.

Method of Communication?
Email is the preferred method of communication (98%).

Main reason members joined the Chamber?
#1 reason - Access to information (E-blast, Web etc)

A close second is - Discounted Advertising; Seminars and Speakers; Meet & Greets; Ontario Chamber of Commerce and Advocacy.

How important are these services?
Website (www.pecchamber.com) -Very Important Service.

Important Services – Meet & Greets; Chamber Affiliations; Media Access; E-blasts; Newsletter; Online Directory; Access to Information; Access to government and community Info; Business Excellence Awards.

Neutral: Advocacy Work; Other Networking Events; Seminars & Speakers; Ontario Chamber updates; Discounted Advertising; Group Home & Car Insurance, Group Health Insurance.

Not Important: nothing reported.

PECCTAC’s performance?
Excellent performance – website and e-blasts

Good performance – Advocacy; Meet & Greets; Networking; Chamber Affiliations, Ontario Chamber updates; Newsletter & online directory.

OK performance – Seminars and Speakers; Discounted Advertising

POOR – nothing reported - thank heavens!

Would you recommend the Chamber to another business?
81% of members surveyed reported they would. The remaining said maybe.
HMMMMM!

Do you support HST?
77% reported: NO
11% reported: YES
The remaining reported they needed more information.

Accommodation Sector Answers
47.8% reported they are open for business May to October.
43.5% reported they are open for business year-round.

2009 Occupancy?
31.8% reported over 75%
31.8 percent reported 50 to 75%
27.3% reported 30 to 50%
9.1% reported less than 30%

Was your occupancy in 2009 an increase over 2008?
50% reported yes and 50% reported no.

If you answered yes what was the main reason?
55.6% reported PECCTAC referrals.
44.4% reported AAPEC
44.4% Increased advertising

What was the main reason you believe caused the decrease in occupancy?
100% reported Economy.

Do you feel PECCTAC’s referral service is working for your business?
47.8% report yes
13% report no
39.1% report maybe

Where are your customers coming from?
83.3% report Toronto & Area
66.7% report Quebec

AAPEC Members
Do you feel the online reservation and availability system is working for you?
58.8% report yes
23.5% report no
17.6% report maybe

NEW PECCTAC WEBSITE OFFERS OUTSTANDING MEMBER OPPORTUNITIES


With the launch of PECCTAC’s new website there will be 2 distinct features:

CHAMBER and TOURISM.

www.thecounty.travel will focus on County tourism and

www.pecchamber.com will focus on Chamber member issues.

Both sites are interlinked!

The new website, expected to launch in February, will include opportunities for members to increase their web presence through "company profiles". Also available will be banner ads throughout the website itself for optimum exposure. All ads will be included in a monitoring system which will track ‘hits’ and ‘visitors’.

To get more information about our new website and how to improve your on-line presence call us at 613.476 2421

GENERAL TRANSITIONAL RULES FOR ONTARIO HST

The 2009 Ontario Budget proposed a comprehensive package of tax changes.
Central to this tax package is the proposed Harmonized Sales Tax for Ontario (HST), which, subject to legislative approval, would come into effect on July 1, 2010.

The government has provided details of the proposed measures that would build on Ontario's comprehensive tax package and help consumers and businesses transition to the HST.

For these details on the transitional rules for HST go to:
http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/en/notices/hst/03.html

MESSAGE FROM THE OCC


Scam Alert
A local Chamber of Commerce in Ontario has sniffed out a scam that is currently going around. An independent sales organization is doing phone solicitation regarding merchant accounts saying that they have the support of the "XYZ Chamber of Commerce" or "chamber group" and want to offer a better program etc.
They are asking for merchant information that in no way should be shared with third parties. While this has happened most recently in Ontario, this company may move elsewhere and try the same thing in your region so just an FYI.

It is good practice to remember businesses should not provide information like this over the phone or submit any documents (merchant or bank statements) to an entity that is unknown to them.

UPDATE FROM THE BAY OF QUINTE TOURIST COUNCIL


Prince Edward County is well represented at the many Ministry of Tourism meetings to discuss the formation of "Regional Tourism”.
The County is part of Region #9" whose boundaries were designated by the Ministry of Tourism last December.
Regional Tourism Organizations (RTO’s) have been asked to come to the table to facilitate marketing, tourism product development and training for Region 9.
The Bay of Quinte Tourist Council is attending all these meetings to ensure Prince Edward County is well represented.

For further information on this initiative please visit the Ministry of Tourism's website at http://www.tourism.gov.on.ca/english/regions/index.htm

THE POWER OF CO-OP MARKETING

Be a part of an exciting tourism initiative to help your business expand and enhance your marketing dollars!
The Bay of Quinte Country website www.bayofquintecountry.com
is undergoing an innovative remake which will represent the entire region, designed to interlink with the businesses and tourism attractions that surround us.

As a stakeholder you will have a voice in how you wish to see the Bay of Quinte region promoted and through the innovative Bay of Quinte Country website bring business to your door and enhance economic growth of the entire region.
All the details of this extraordinary opportunity
is on our website at…….. www.pecchamber.com.

Contact Alison Dickey, BQTC Marketing Coordinator 613.813.3702
info@bayofquintecountry.com

Children's Aid Society


Children’s Aid Society - Angel Tree Foundation accepting PECCTAC’s check for $675. Thank you to all that participated

VISITORS INFORMATION SERVICES

Then and Now

Visitors ..1998: 5,845 2008: 13,648 2009: 14,469

Telephone Calls ..1998: 3,453 2008: 4,905 2009: 4,719

Information Packages..1998: 302 2008: 1,904 2009: 2,260

Emails..1998: 0 2008: 5,807 2009: 5,913

Website Hits ..1998: 0 2008: 1,174,951 2009: 1,173,762

COUNTY RED MAP

PECCTAC will be printing 84,000 County Red Maps in 2010.
The map will be available in February

TOURISM AMBASSADOR?

Want to participate in our next Tourism Ambassador program?
PECCTAC is looking into co-ordinating this.
Call us if you or your staff is interested in attending

MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS BENEFITS!

Are you taking advantage of all the benefits PECCTAC has to offer?

Group Health Insurance:With the Ontario Government decreasing the benefits you receive in healthcare coverage, PECCTAC members have the opportunity to be covered by our group health insurance plan.
PECCTAC’s group insurance plan covers: chiropractic and physiotherapy treatments, eye exams, acupuncturist, masseur, naturopath, osteopath, podiatrist and more.
Contact PECCTAC’s insurance representative Shannon Neely for a personal confidential quote. Phone 613.966.1020.

Group Home & Car InsuranceDon’t pass up this great opportunity to save money on your home and car insurance. Call Don Stanton at 613.476.2776.

VISA & MasterCard


ARE YOU PAYING TOO MUCH?
VISA - 1.68%
MasterCard - 1.79%

Call PECCTAC at 613.476.2421 or e- mail mailto:pec@reach.netto find out how you can get these rates.

Newsletter Insert


Let all your fellow members know what your business is doing or special features/events that are coming up.

For $50.00 you can insert a flyer/brochure into the PECCTAC newsletter.
Call Jan @ 613.476.2421 for information on size and quantity.