As I said at the last Meet and Greet at The Regent Cafe, "E-mail
everyone on your list tonight, inviting them to the Adventure."
This event is designed to make you money, so use it! Book
your rooms, sell passports, and get people here. This event
belongs to all of us. Don't sit back and hope someone else
will do it, or someone else will make the money YOU should
be making!
We have also stepped in to help Bergeron's Wild Animal Sanctuary
with their zoning and signage challenges. Working with the
Planning department and many very passionate people willing
to help out, we are hopeful the signs will be back up soon
to give Bergeron’s a chance of survival.
On an unusual note, I was able to use my position as President
to help one of our members with a problem. It seems this member
had applied for a loan to expand their business and the loan
was approved, but put on hold due to an inaccurate entry on
their credit report. They had sent proof that the debt that
was holding up the loan had been paid months ago, but the
credit reporting agency said there was nothing they could
do.
It would take a month for the corrected information to appear
on the report. The bank would not issue the loan without an
amended credit report. This meant the person would lose an
important opportunity. The member asked if the Chamber could
help. I had no idea, but said I would try. I made a phone
call to the credit reporting company, introduced myself as
the President of PECCTAC and asked for their help in resolving
the problem. The report was changed in five days! They got
their loan. We do have power when we act as a group, not just
as individuals.
Speaking of which, most of you read that the government has
put Majesty Charters out of business by their ridiculous liability
insurance requirements. There's no way I could ever afford
to make back $27,000 in liability coverage in three months.
It was a sad day when we took Majesty out for her final cruise
on Aug. 15th. PECCTAC will be joining with the Canadian Passenger
Vessel Association to fight this insane new rule. However,
as a wooden charter boat - the last licensed wooded charter
boat in Canada by the way- it won't do me any good, as once
I am out of the charter business I will never get re-certified.
The story gets worse! The Federal government has now decided
that this $350,000 per passenger level is a good idea, and
has extended it to include ANY vessel that carries passengers.
Yes, that's right. This includes canoe rentals, kayaks, paddleboats,
fishing charters and ferries. So if you rent a canoe that
holds two passengers you now need $700,000 in liability insurance!
A five-passenger paddleboat requires $1,750,000. million dollars
in liability insurance. Without it, you are not licensed and
not insured. This is insanity, and your Chamber will work
towards appealing this draconian decision.
To me that's the greatest benefit of being a Chamber member.
As one little charter boat, I have no voice. As a member of
an international business association employing millions of
Canadians, I have a very powerful voice. Even the Post Office
had to listen when we spoke up against the community post
boxes and the planned retail expansion that was seemingly
a fait accompli.
So when someone asks you "What has the Chamber done
for you lately?" tell them, it's not what they’ve
done today; it's what we can all do together as a group. Every
business should be a member of PECCTAC. To let others pay
the costs to protect their business is freeloading. They get
the benefits we win on our member’s behalf - like the
water testing, the post boxes, the zoning problems. These
are all of our issues. It's too late to join when the government
steps in and decides to tax your company out of business.
Sincere Regards, T. Rob Brown - President
General Manager's Report
The 2005 Prince Edward County Business Survey (BR+E)
is now closed and the East Central Ontario Training Board
is currently underway analyzing all results and preparing
a final report.
There was tremendous participation by the business community
and many significant challenges and opportunities were put
forward. These issues and suggestions will provide a solid
basis for future planning and development in support of local
businesses.
The official launch of the report and findings will take
place on
Tuesday, October 11 at the Picton
Town Hall (above fire station) at 7:00 p.m..
All businesses and the public are welcome and all area politicians
will also receive invitations.
The monthly Meet and Greet will also take place at
the same location and same day, from 5 to 7 pm, just
before the public meeting.
We thank all the Chamber members who participated in the
survey and look forward to working on behalf of the entire
business community on important issues identified through
the project.
Lawrie Ackerman – General Manager
2005
Amazing Loyalist Adventure Update
| Starting Saturday September 17th, 2005 and running weeklong
till the 23rd this will be a countywide celebration of
events.
Our Mission is to highlight all that makes The County
unique. By incorporating the PECCTAC “Red Map”
within the passports, all the County’s features
and communities are showcased. Each passport holder
receives over $400.00 worth in Amazing Advantage Coupons.
This will secure loyalty from event to event. The value
to your business is the extensive marketing and advertising
coverage. Brochures are available for your business
to participate in promoting this wonderful week.
Passports: $12.00 adult - $5.00 children under 13 Group
and Bus rates available upon request. Check out the
“Amazing” website at
www.amazingloyalistadventure.com
Tamara Porter – Project Administrator
613 476-9246
e-mail: adventure@pecchamber.com
www.amazingloyalistadventure.com
|
|
AAPEC Message:
Our Accommodation Association (AAPEC) will be celebrating
our first anniversary this August. Our webervations
system started with the five ad hoc committee members
one year ago. AAPEC now has 50 members and our association
represents approximately 70% of the beds in PEC.
In 2004 we had 3,693 direct visits
to our web site.
So far this year up to July 15/05 we have had 16,862
direct visits. This is a very good result and
proves the "visibility" of the system. All
AAPEC members should update their availability as soon
as possible after confirming a booking.
With the funds from our PELA CFDC grant we printed 15,000
copies of our guidebook. Lynne McMullan our marketing
director spent a lot of time on this project and has
produced an outstanding full colour booklet. We will
now start to ship the booklets to the various tourist
information centres. The booklets are stored at my home
and any members wanting a supply can contact me.
Your executive has had a very busy year marketing and
promoting AAPEC for the benefit of all members. In one
short year we have accomplished a great deal. My wife
Deb has done a great job setting up our web page with
BBCanada and putting together our first e-traveler newsletter.
Member input and suggestions are always welcome, have
a great fall.
Rick Caruso Chairman AAPEC
|
|
Tourist Office Stats:
Your Tourist Office has been busy
| Jan through July Statistics: |
2004 |
2005 |
|
| Visitors Through Our Door |
7,384 |
7,463 |
|
| Telephone Calls |
3,296 |
3,590 |
|
| Info Packages mailed |
1,710 |
2,021 |
|
| E-mail |
2,372 |
3,763 |
|
Welcome New Members:
Empire Financial
Clapp & Jackson Plumbing & Heating
County Gift Baskets
Hillier House
Ideal Bike
Intermedia Communications Group
Meet & Greet Schedule:
Oct 11, 2005 - Picton Town Hall, 5-7pm (prior to the Presentation
of the BR+E Survey).
|
If you are not attending the Meet
& Greets you are missing a great opportunity to
showcase your business!
Come out and introduce your business to the community,
jump-start your business and get the results of the
BR+E survey! |
The Iron Duke Cafe, July 2005
|
Quinte Business Achievement Awards
Dinner
Friday , October 21st 2005, Knights of Columbus Hall, Trenton.
Join us for this special annual event celebrating the successes
of our business community.
The evening gala includes welcome drinks, dinner and lively
entertainment followed by the presentation ceremony.
Come out and support our community businesses. Book your ticket
or table by calling Christine Painter, BAA Co-ordinator at
613 968-6481 ext 3226 or call Jan at 613 476-2421. Tickets
- $40.00 per person
COUNTY HOSPITALITY
I just wanted to let you know how grateful and impressed
we are with Karin & Michael Potters and the wonderful
staff at the Milford Bistro. The past Friday evening we were
totally lost & almost out of gas. It was 10:30 pm and
we were passing thru Milford looking for a friends trailer
in a near by park using a 15 year old map. The staff at the
Bistro gave us a new map, showed us exactly how to get there,
called the park and even offered to drive us there if the
need be. We found the park in minutes and enjoyed the rest
of our weekend. Their help was very much appreciated.
Sincerely,
Cathy O'Keefe
Wow- thanks so much for passing that along- it really made
our day! They were very sweet people... and because we had
the red map, we were able to give them one- thanks for giving
us the tools to give to guests.
Karin & Michael Potters
A Picture Is Worth......
 |
Visitors to the Tourist Office love to
see what is available in the area from menus to places
to sleep and things to do.
We provide to member businesses (accommodation, restaurant,
recreation) an opportunity to display information and
pictures of their business in special presentation binders.
Please bring in pictures of your business along with
a short description/menus so we can add your business.
What better way to show off your place of Business!
|
Show off your Business
 |
One of our members has provided a beautiful
showcase display cabinet. Take advantage to showcase
your business at the Tourist Office.
Any PECCTAC member is invited to display items at
the Tourist Office for a 2-week period for a nominal
fee. Some restrictions do apply.
Contact Jan at 476-2421 for further details. |
PELA CFDC Business School
In September of this year the Prince Edward - Lennox
& Addington Community Futures Development Corporation
will release information about the Community Futures Development
Institute.
This exciting development will provide online learning opportunities
for the business community and will be made available to the
Chamber of Commerce and its members/partners at no cost. To
review the course selection you can visit www.cfdlearn.ca.
For more information contact Trish Thompson S.E.B. Program
Co-ordinator Prince Edward / Lennox & Addington Community
Futures Development Corporation at 613 476-7901.
Enterprise Quinte
Enterprise Quinte is your link to Ontario’s small business
support network, which is the leading source for business
information in the Bay of Quinte Region. Whether you are just
starting your own business or have been in business for less
than five years, Enterprise Quinte provides you with the resources,
tools and no-cost consultations to help turn your small business
into big dreams.
For more information please contact: Dale Lehtila, Manager,
Enterprise Quinte - Quinte Business Development Centre 284B
Wallbridge-Loyalist Rd., Belleville, ON K8N 5B3, Phone: (613)
961-0590, Fax: 613) 961-7998 Email: enterprisequinte@loyalistc.on.ca
, web: www.quintedevelopment.com
|
