Promo Minutes - September 21, 2007

Present: Nick Diak, Rona Fraser, Chris O’Brien, Noreen Young

Recommended reading for the MAAP Executive:

2 to 4

Recommended reading for other MAAP committees:

2 to 4

Minutes

1.                    Promotion Committee structure changes since last meeting

1.1.   Chris O’Brien has consented to join our committee.

1.2.   Rona has spoken to 2 shop owners (recommended by Ruth-Ann) about joining.  They are both thinking about it.

1.3.   Kelmany Ross has resigned as Chair and Rona accepted the position.

2.                    Ideas from Chris, discussed by group

2.1.   Subsidization of group advertising: we could start an initiative that when 5 or more businesses go in together on an ad, we could pay 40%.

2.2.   Podcast walking tours: With the help of Michael Dunn, Vicki Veenstra, Rob Riendeau, etc, we would have 10 different walking tours, mainly audio with some maps and architectural photos, for an i-Pod, which you could borrow from Miller’s Tale or the Chamber…

2.3.   Signs in empty shops: We would talk the owners of empty shop buildings into letting us post signs (which they would hopefully pay for), which would perhaps have the puppet likeness of a shop owner with a bubble saying something like “Hey, ever thought of opening a business right here?  Come and talk to ______ [puppet likeness] at ________ [shop] and that shop owner would have information on that empty location.  This would increase talk, put the concept of actually owning a shop more clearly in the people’s minds, increase business traffic into the knowledgeable shops, etc.  Perhaps we could even have a bit of art in there, as long as it doesn’t make the shop look ‘occupied’, which is apparently a worry of some of the shop owners.

2.4.   Delivery stickers: We could create stickers promoting downtown, which we would supply to all of the downtown businesses that deliver, eg. ‘Downtown Almonte – We deliver’.

2.5.   Quick signs for drive-by traffic: quick cheap signs (like the one outside the Arena), on the road to CP etc, to remind people to SHOP LOCALLY.

2.6.   Signs on our 2 bridges stating “You are now entering Downtown Almonte”.

2.7.   Colour flyer of the downtown: to have at events, in shops, in welcome baskets for new residents… with info on downtown businesses, upcoming events.

2.8.   We should keep a media archive of publicity found of all Downtown Almonte businesses.

2.8.1.    Note: Exec Committee suggested we could let all committees know and have a media log on the MAAP website…

3.                    What is of concern to Downtown Almonte

3.1.   Local shops are concerned about the WalMart to open soon in CP.

4.                    Questions for the MAAP Executive

4.1.   Who is responsible for designing the logo?

4.1.1.    Answer: The MAAP Exec is in the process of finalizing a design for a MAAP logo (ie, one that will be used to denote things sponsored by MAAP).  There is no Downtown Almonte logo in the works, though they said we should check out the old logo (BIA?) that is apparently displayed in Baker Bob’s somewhere.  They said that Promo could work on it.  So let the ideas flow.

5.                    Homework

5.1.   Chris - to write up details for podcast idea to present to Promo next meeting.

5.2.   Everyone – give thought to a Downtown Almonte logo.

5.3.   Next meeting: Friday, September 28/07 – Groundz – 9am [Note: meetings will be every Friday morning for the time being.]

------ The following are notes from previous meetings, that we may need to keep in mind. ------

1.                    The role of the Promotion Committee

1.1.   We see our purpose as:

v      Promoting Downtown Almonte to itself. 

By informing the Downtown about all of its businesses and upcoming events, we become a more informed and cohesive force, easily able to promote our neighbours to customers, friends, etc. and to combine our forces.

v      Promoting the Downtown Almonte experience to the world.

By developing a system to get information out to Mississippi Mills, Ottawa, and beyond, we will share with the world the many reasons to visit, stay, and fall in love with Downtown Almonte.  We aim to reach shoppers, diners, new businesses, new residents, and, well, anyone with money or at least a smile.

v      Supporting Downtown Almonte businesses and events.

We endeavor to have all downtown businesses and events, new and established, feel promoted, heard, supported and an important part of the Downtown Almonte community.

2.                    Our ‘Top 3 Priorities’ and then some:

2.1.   Create and maintain a newsletter/calendar.

This would contain information about Downtown Almonte businesses, happenings, and upcoming events.  Our objectives are: to create promotion opportunities by informing businesses of upcoming events they may want to support or incorporate into their promotion or stocking (eg stocking marionettes during Puppets Up!, Celtic tablecloths during the Highland Games and Celtfest); to foster community by introducing ourselves to ourselves; to raise awareness so that we can promote our town through our awareness.  To accomplish this, we will need to:

2.1.1.    Find volunteers to help us obtain and compile info.

2.1.2.    Complete an initial survey of the Downtown Almonte businesses in order to introduce people to MAAP Promo and obtain contact info, business info, etc.  As the Economic Restructuring Committee has also mentioned wanting to do a survey, though possibly not one of their top priorities, we must discuss this.  The Chamber of Commerce may also be able to help with information.

2.1.3.    Compile a comprehensive list of events that could impact the downtown.  Mississippi Mills has a list.  The Humm as well.  We could compile the appropriate events from there and add others, perhaps obtained from sports/recreational groups, churches, etc.

2.1.4.    Create a newsletter template.

2.1.5.    Write and distribute newsletter.

2.2.   Send out regular press releases regarding Downtown Almonte.

2.2.1.    Create a media list, contact list, interested parties, etc.

2.2.2.    Determine scope and presentation of press releases.  Possible rules could be: must be proofread by the business/group involved, must have Downtown Almonte as a constant in the background, must mention Downtown Almonte: The Art of Living or Basketball or whatever, etc.).

2.2.3.    Have local businesses etc send us info.

2.2.4.    Write and distribute.

2.3.   Use our resources to assist in promoting upcoming local events.

2.4.   Create a flyer promoting Downtown Almonte.

2.4.1.    This is very much in the early discussion stages.  Possible ideas for the flyer include: simply incorporating a Downtown Almonte section in the Mississippi Mills flyer; having a comprehensive list of things to do (places to shop, dine, enjoy nature, enjoy art, enjoy festivals); something similar to a mall directory (listing by women’s clothing, restaurants, etc), possibly with store hours, tel no, etc.

3.                    Ideas :

3.1.   Regular articles & ads in local papers, focused on Downtown Almonte.

3.2.   Organizing cross-promotion of businesses/events.  When people come for one event (eg Busfusion), they should find info for local businesses, other events…

3.3.   Christmas Shopping in Downtown Almonte – flyer or ad.  Similar to what the Humm does, but Downtown Almonte only, listing suggested presents by category (eg babies, teens, golfers, cooks,…) along with price and shop. 

3.4.   Coupons/flyers at restaurants to promote local businesses (as people come for food and then don’t know what else to do).  Could be 4-5 businesses on each coupon…

3.5.   Store coupons.