August 2008

Featured Business~Skagit Bay Hideaway

After eleven wonderful years as a bed and breakfast we decided it was time to close and rent the suites out full time. What can we say? When we sent an e-mail out to our guests we had no idea what a response we would get. We were flooded with replies telling us of our guests time here and how much it meant to them. So we rethought what form of transition we would make and are back but as a vacation rental! There are full kitchens in each "condo" suite including: stove, refrigerator, dishwasher and microwave. Guests may cook in but with La Conner's fabulous restaurants just 5 minutes away that may be a difficult decision! Outside there is a barbecue for their use. A washer and dryer is available for stays of four days or longer. Each has a large private deck overlooking the bay! Please call or e-mail for extended stay rates. Thanks La Conner, Earlene, Kevin & Skagit Bay Hideaway! Please call or e-mail for extended stay rates. (888) or (360) 466-2262 or visit www.skagitbay.com .

From the Board President~Cindy Tracy
We have wanted to have a La Conner television commercial for years. How about billboard signage on Highway 20 or I-5 that advertises our wonderful town and lists current events. Although, we have researched both it costs thousands of dollars to make it happen. Our small membership has just not had the funds. Well opportunity is knocking on our door!!
The CTED or Community Trade and Economic Development of Washington State is offering a Tourism Competitive Grant Program. This will allow us to request funds to “Make it Happen” for La Conner. The development of this program was called out in the recent tourism legislation, RCW 43.336.040, and is for the purpose of awarding grants to local area organizations to support marketing activities that enhance tourism economic development. The Commission is seeking projects that closely align with the Strategic and Marketing plans and that build and reinforce the strategic objectives of the Tourism Commission.
So if you have been thinking you want to help bring more tourists to town, but you weren’t sure how to help. We need you! The minimum grant is $5000.00, the maximum is $25,000.00. This money could help us produce a commercial; develop a tourist marketing and advertising plan or help pay for a bill board sign. Or maybe you have a better idea!? But we need your help to help write the grant proposal. If you would like to serve on a committee to “Make it Happen for La Conner”, please contact me or Marci and join the committee. In these economic times, creativity will make all the difference.

Deception Pass Tours in the Media
Evening Magazine, KING5 TV, will be airing a feature story on Deception Pass Tours, Tuesday August 12th, 2008 at 7:00pm. The show highlights the tourism industry in Skagit County, as well as the circumstances that brought this local company into existence.
Local chambers of commerce, and residents participated in the video shoot, which took place on June 20, 2008. On air personality, Kim Holcomb, interviewed the crew and guests about the success of the company, and how the owner, Brett Ginther’s dream of a boat lead to the formation of Deception Pass Tours.
“Being on a television show like Evening Magazine is not only a great opportunity for this business, but for the entire tourism community. We will all benefit from the added exposure to our region,” says Shanden Templar of the La Conner Channel Lodge.
Deception Pass Tours will host a public preview of the show at Flounder Bay Café located in Anacortes on July 15, 2008 from 6pm-8pm. Those interested in learning more about the company are encouraged to attend. www.deceptionpasstours.com

Volunteer of the Year~Patsy Love
Patsy Love, right, accepts the Skagit County Historical Museum Volunteer of the Year Award from Janet Oakley, Curator of Education.
Patsy Love of La Conner, School Tour Docent at the Skagit County Historical Museum, received the Volunteer of the Year Award at the museum’s Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon last week at the Hope Island Inn. Janet Oakley, Curator of Education, lauded Ms. Love for her faithful service since 2001, and for her versatility in making the museum tour an enjoyable educational experience for both elementary and pre-school students. Ms. Love, retired from the University of Washington academic staff, is author of “Take a Crab to Lunch, A Cookbook for Kids.”

L Conner Chamber of Commerce Marketing
Western Washingtonians are changing the way they travel. Consumers are now looking to their backyard when they plan their weekend getaways. La Conner Chamber Marketing Committee has participated in three concurrent marketing campaigns that will run through summer 2008: KIRO 7 and KIROTV.com's "Trips on a Tank Full" campaign for the thrifty traveler, La Conner Chamber's Staycation Promotion, and KING5 permission based email.
KIRO 7's "Trips on a Tank Full" is focusing this campaign on top local air and the web stations to get more travelers to be aware of La Conner. This campaign gets customers here.
The Chamber's "Staycation Promotion" gets customers to stay by providing specials when staying and dining for a minimum of three nights in La Conner. Visitors just need to show their Staycation Certificate for discounts. If you want to participate, email Marci(director@laconnerchamber.com), or call 466-4778.
The third marketing venture taken with the intention of not only generating foot traffic, but to drive paying customers to our stores, restaurants and inns is participating in a KING5 permission-based email campaign. People who are interested in our area sign up on KING5 to be reminded of events and happenings in La Conner.
Have you looked at www.laconnerchamber.com lately? It is a valuable lure for visitors planning vacations, or staycations. Whether looking for webervations (reservations to spend the night-on line), dinner menus, or a store and their websites, www.laconnerchamber.com is a wealth of information for you and your customers.

Google Stats

June 22-July 22
7,647 Visits
23,561 Pageviews

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