Newsletter Prince Edward County Chamber of Tourism and Commerce www.pecchamber.com www.thecounty.travel

Prince Edward County
Chamber of Tourism & Commerce

NEWSLETTER
May - June 2009

1905 - 2005

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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
On May 21st General Manager Lawrie Ackerman and I attended the Regional Planning Session hosted by the Ministry of Tourism. This session resulted from the recently released report on the future of Tourism. Discussions and topics included: • Roles and responsibilities of a Destination Marketing & Management Organization (DMMO) • How should a DMMO be organized? • How should the Ministry of Tourism funding be distributed? • What criteria should be used to determine regional boundaries? • Plus much, much more Many other Chambers of Commerce and Tourism organizations were represented there. PECCTAC is your voice at these important meetings, bringing the County’s voice to the table. Your Chamber plays an active role in our community, keeping the interests of our member’s front and centre. Warmest regards, Dave Ashton, President PECCTAC		Dave Ashton, President


Dear Members: All our newsletters are posted on our website at www.pecchamber.com If you do not want to receive a printed copy of the newsletter please call and let Jan know and we will take you off the mailing list.


2009 Marathon Weekend
PECCTAC has met with the Marathon organizers to discuss how we can help them with the accommodation for the runners and families. The marathon website will have PECCTAC’s accommodation website link as well as our 800 telephone number posted. Although many runners book their accommodation late in the season, many are booking now. If you have accommodation availability for this weekend and want to participate please let us know the following so we can refer visitors to your accommodation business. 1. Will you accept 1 night’s accommodation? Yes / No 2. Will you accept an early check in? Yes / No 3. Will you accept a late check out (3pm) Yes ? No 4. What is the price? Details of the 2009 Marathon Event are shown at right: LET’S HELP TO MAKE THIS YEAR’S MARATHON EVENT A COUNTY SUCCESS!	Saturday, October 3 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. Registration & Tradeshow Crystal Palace, 375 Main Street, Picton, ON Sunday, October 4 8:00 am Marathon and OPP Team Challenge Race Starts - Main Street, Wellington 10:00 am - Half Marathon Race Starts - County Rd 12/County Rd. 18, West Lake 1:30 pm - Awards Ceremony - Crystal Palace, Picton 3:00 pm - Event Closes, Last Bus Run For all the details please refer to - www.countymarathon.ca

ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS
Canada Ontario Business Service Centre (COBSC) Canada Ontario Business Service Centre (COBSC) provides free access to accurate, timely and relevant information on federal and provincial business-related programs, services and regulations. The COBSC offers over 1200 business information documents that cover a broad range of topics including business planning, financing, marketing, and human resource management. For further information please go to: http://www.canadabusiness.ca


MEET & GREET APRIL 2009 Mindful Movements
President Dave Ashton opens the meeting and introduces the hosts Kathy and Kim.		ATTENTION: NEXT MEET & GREET Note change of Date! Join us in celebrating our summer season kick-off at the Prince Edward Yacht Club. New date June 16th, same time - 5-7 pm Same location - Prince Edward Yacht Club This is the 2nd Meet & Greet of only 4 that will be held this year. This one is the season kick off and our host, the Prince Edward Yacht Club has plenty of room so let's make this a biggie. Take advantage of this opportunity; bring your brochures, business cards, whatever and network with your fellow businesses. See you there!


TOURISM AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
The Prince Edward County Tourism Ambassador Program held the 1st C-TAT seminar May 6th. Some of the attendees gave these remarks…. “I don’t know why every business in the County doesn’t have at least one person attending this session” states Kemp Stewart, Hillier Creek Estate Vineyard & Winery. “Reminded me of the importance of customer service and that I’m selling the County & Tourism every time I give someone directions”, states Julia Latendorf, Loyalist Lofts. A big thank you to Lori Farrington and the Prince Edward Learning Centre for making this initiative happen.		YOUIR CHAMBER @ WORK: On June 22nd at the Bloomfield Town Hall, 10 am to 3 pm, we will put on a shortened C-TAT session focusing on customer service training. The cost is $12.00 pp + GST. Contact us at 613.476.2421 for further information or to sign up. To review the curriculum please go to www.thecounty.travel.

ATTENTION CAMPGROUND OWNERS	Dates to Remember!
If you still have campground space available Friday morning please let us know. PECCTAC will email the Sandbanks Provincial Park with accommodation availability of private campsites each Friday at noon throughout the summer.	June 16	Prince Edward Yacht Club
	October 20	Loyalist Lofts
	December 8	Brown's Manor



Welcome New Members	ARE YOU PAYING TOO MUCH?
+ Blue Willow B&B at Lion House + Cherry Valley Springs Ltd. + Chesterfields Homegrown Cafe + Limestone Beach Loft + LynK Outsourcing + Magpie Investments + Suites on West Mary Thank you for your support!	VISA - 1.68% MasterCard - 1.79% Interac - $0.09 CALL US TODAY TO GET THESE GREAT RATES! 613.476.2421 or e-mail pec@reach.net



BAY OF QUINTE TOURIST COUNCIL	BENEFIT OF MEMBERSHIP
Your Bay of Quinte Tourist Council has been very busy this year promoting the Bay of Quinte region. Activities and initiatives for 2009 include: + Participation in the Canadian Fly Fisher television promotion featuring the Bay of Quinte area; + Redevelopment of the Bay of Quinte website www.bayofquintecountry.com; + Distribution of brochures and maps throughout Ontario, and Canada - new sites added to list; + Featured in the Destination Ontario tour routes marketing the Bay of Quinte area to Quebec, Ontario and overseas markets; + Featured in the very popular French and NEW English Directions Ontario guide book; + Lobbied the Ontario Ministry of Tourism to recognize the Bay of Quinte Tourist Council as the regional Destination Marketing Organization; + Lobbying the Ontario government to have a year-round tourism information centre located on the 401 representing the Bay of Quinte region. Over the past 26 years, the BQTC has been successful in its mandate to promote tourism for the Bay of Quinte region. The BQTC is made up of representatives from the five Chambers of Commerce and 1 territory located within this area: The Prince Edward County Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, Belleville and District Chamber of Commerce, Quinte West Chamber of Commerce, Brighton & District Chamber of Commerce, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, and the Napanee & District Chamber of Commerce representing a region with more than 200,000 population.	FREE COURIER SERVICE Bring in Your Water Samples for PECCTAC’s Free Courier Service to the Kingston lab. Drop your water sample in before noon; pick up is every Tuesday! 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 8 ½ x 11” flyer/brochure into the PECCTAC newsletter.


ADVOCACY: PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY CHAMBER OF TOURISM & COMMERCE RECEIVES AWARD FROM ONTARIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
TORONTO: The Prince Edward County Chamber of Tourism & Commerce (PECCTAC) has received provincial recognition for their extensive policy work over the past 20 years with an Advocacy Award from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC). The Chamber has worked on many policy issues over the years that have had extensive results in the furthering of both the business community and the community at large of Prince Edward County. Although small, this Chamber does not shy away from large projects and has worked to keep the County sustainable. “PECCTAC has provided outstanding leadership for its community and for its members by proactively tackling issues of concern to the community and the region, and in so doing, the chamber has made Prince Edward County a better place to live and do business,” says Len Crispino, President & CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. “Advocacy of this nature is exactly the kind of work that chambers are expected to do in their communities.” The legacy of this 20 year commitment to advocacy can be seen in a more sustainable region and in such specific initiatives as Taste the County, the continuing free ferry service to and from Prince Edward County, and numerous community events and landmarks. PECCTAC has also advocated on such issues as bringing recycling to Prince Edward County and clean water and the reduction of phosphates in lakes. “This award is about the impact our Chamber has on our community and represents the great work of all the Chamber volunteers, past and present,” states Lawrie Ackerman, General Manager and Past President. “Our community is so fortunate to have such outstanding individuals that give their time and effort in ensuring our community prospers”.		PECCTAC President and past presidents were available for the photo opportunity
SUMMER HELP
We are thrilled to have Elyse Platt return this summer. Joining her this year is Jarrod Keogh. Jarrod is completing grade 11. Please stop in and introduce yourselves.