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.

PECCTAC Business Information Survey

The Prince Edward County Chamber of Tourism & Commerce is requesting insight from its members as we develop a new strategic plan.

We are also reviewing our offered programs and services with the hopes that we can tailor them more effectively towards our members needs.

Please take a few moments to provide us with the following information about your business.

The results of this research will help focus future planning on areas members think need improvement and or change.


Thank you for your continued involvement and support.


To enter the Survey please:

The Survey is closed now!

PECCTAC Christmas Meet & Greet

The last Meet & Greet and Christmas gift auction was a wonderful experience at beautiful Browns Manor B&B.

Thanks to our hosts, Diane and Ross Lindsay we had a great time with homemade pizzas, Artisan Cheese and complimentary wine (again!) from Del-Gatto Estates Bella Vigne.

The exciting auction raised close to $700.00 for the CAS campaign which PECCTAC supports for the last years. Thank you all for your donations and enjoy the gifts you bought.

At the end of the season we wish you all the best, Merry Christmas!

(For more pictures please look at the slideshow at right)

Message from the President December 2009

From the Desk of Dave Ashton

As some of you might know Rainer Prill of LARP Consulting has announced his retirement. Rainer has been PECCTAC’s go to person for all IT related concerns and developments. He has been instrumental in developing PECCTAC’s website and on-line accommodation availability and reservation system.
He has ensured the sites to be state of the art and current.
On behalf of the Board of Director’s and membership I want to thank Rainer for his dedication and support over the last 9 years.

A strong membership makes strong Chamber members.

Dave

Welcome New Members

Blossom Ridge Farm Vacation
Del-Gatto Estates Bella Vigne
Hinterland Wine Company
Humanity Calls Centre for Learning
Laurie Nadeau – Commerce Advertising & Marketing
MTO - Glenora Ferry Service
Scott Wentworth Landscaping Group Ltd.
Skypower
The County Tack Shop

Meet & Greet Successes 2009

A great turnout at the October Meet & Greet held at Loyalist Lofts.

Julia Latendorf Owner of Loyalists Lofts hosted the event.



Gillian Chapman, Business Development Manager from Prince Edward/Lennox & Addington Community Futures Development Corporation (PELA CFDC) was on hand to announce the winners of the 5 year $50,000 Business Plan award.

Congratulations to McDougall Stanton Insurance for

receiving this award.

Winners of the $5,000 regeneration competition went to:

East & Main Bistro,
Armstrong Glass Works and the Side Street Gallery.


CHRISTMAS MEET & GREET



Everyone enjoyed the wonderful festive evening at Brown’s Manor B&B. With the talented auction master Rick Caruso, members raised $675.00 for the CAS Christmas Angel Campaign. A big thanks to all that could make it and special thanks to our hosts Diane and Ross Lindsay and Pat from Del-Gatto Estates Bella Vigne Winery.

2010 Meet & Greets

April 12th – Saraswati Spa
June 14th – Moontide Studio & Gallery
October 19th – Casa Dea Winery
December 14th - TBA

Winners of the 2009 Quinte Business Achievement Awards!

CONGRATULATIONS to all the winners of the 2009 Quinte Business Achievement Awards held at the National Air Force Museum of Canada on Friday October 23rd, 2009.
Prince Edward County was well represented at this year's GALA event with many Prince Edward County winners:

NEW BUSINESS AWARD:
DIXIE LEE CHICKEN & SEAFOOD RESTAURANT & COUNTRY FARM MARKET

SERVICE PROFESSIONAL AWARD:
INDULGENCE SPA & SALON

RETAIL AWARD (LARGE):
PICTON HOME HARDWARE

HOSPITALITY/TOURISM AWARD:
MILFORD BISTRO

MANUFACTURING AWARD:
THE CARRIAGE HOUSE COOPERAGE

For all the details please go to: http://www.qbaa.ca/winners_2009.html

Special thanks to all the members that attended and congratulations to all the nominees. You are all winners.


Deb Izumi, Indulgence Spa and Mayor Leo Finnegan

Remembrance Day 2009

Brian Munro, PECCTAC Vice President and PECCTAC member Tamara Porter of Design Planet ready to lay their wreaths.

Update from the Bay of Quinte Tourist Council

THE POWER OF CO-OP MARKETING
The Bay of Quinte Tourist Council invites you to participate in an exciting Tourism initiative to help your business expand and enhance your marketing dollars. The Bay of Quinte Country website is currently 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 are on our website at www.pecchamber.com

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

The Bay of Quinte Tourist Council is made up of representatives from the Prince Edward County Chamber of Tourism & Commerce, Taste the County, Belleville & District Chamber of Commerce, Quinte West Chamber of Commerce, Brighton & District Chamber of Commerce, and the Napanee & District Chamber of Commerce.

New PECCTAC Website Offers Outstanding Member Opportunities

The Prince Edward County Chamber of Tourism & Commerce is pleased to announce that we are undergoing a complete new look to our website. The redevelopment includes:
· Email Forwarding
· Site Design
· Articles Module
· Newsletter component
· Membership Management
· Directory Management
· Email System
· Ad Management
· Event Registration
· eCommerce
· Forms & Surveys

The new website, expected to launch in the New Year, will include opportunities for members to increase their web presence through "company profiles".
All members in good standing are listed in the database under their classification or category as part of their membership.
Each member ‘listing’ containing pertinent contact information has the ability to be “Expanded”, offering a direct route to their existing website and acts as a mini-website for smaller firms who have no web presence at all.
“Enhanced Listings” will include a Company profile page, Google map, photo gallery plus printable coupons and articles page. The new website will have video capabilities.
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

JUST TO LET YOU KNOW
WEB hits on the www.pecchamber.com in July 7,516 per day and August 5,656 per day

YTD average per day web hits 3,889!

The new entrance is ready

As announced earlier, the Prince Edward County Chamber of Tourism & Commerce (PECCTAC) has received $15,000 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to provide wheelchair access to the Visitors Information Centre located at 116 Main Street, Picton.
“Chamber Members can feel proud that wheelchair accessibility will be addressed as our Visitor’s Centre is located in a very prominent building in our community, states Lawrie Ackerman, General Manager.”
“Our organization is very cognisant of the needs of our visitor’s as more and more senior’s and person’s with limited mobility are visiting our area. We want everyone to be welcomed and have a positive experience.”

The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the government of Ontario.

A special thanks to the Scott Wentworth Landscaping Group Ltd for the excellent craftmanship!

The Power of CO-OP Marketing

With an exciting, new Tourism initiative presently being implemented, the Bay of Quinte Tourist Council (BQTC) is looking to expand and enhance upon it.

You are cordially invited to become a stakeholder with the Bay of Quinte Tourist Council in their ongoing endeavours to promote the Bay of Quinte Country region.

The success of past projects including the Bay of Quinte Golf Map, the Bay of Quinte New Angling Adventures Map, and other destination marketing eff orts has already generated higher market visibility but this is just the tip of a much greater marketing initiative.

CLICK HERE to view this new marketing option!

Remembrance Day 2009

Remembrance Day 2009

Laying the reef at the Cenotaph in front of the PECCTAC Office.

PECCTAC Vice President Brian Munro.