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More about the Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce
· History
o GPCC has been in place since 1968
o Set up offices in the Log Cabin to manage the Visitor Information Center
o Obtained a grant to build the additional space
o Developed informative material to pass out to visitors
o Moved into current offices 2008
· Current GPCC services to Palmer
o Visitor information
§ Phone
§ Walk-in
§ Web site
o Relocation packets
§ Phone
§ Mail packets
o Business Service inquiries
§ Walk in, email and phone referrals
o Coordinate and produce events that promote Downtown Palmer
§ Colony Days
§ Colony Christmas
o Partner with other groups to support their Palmer events
§ Provide financial support and/or marketing
§ Some of these events:
· Who Let the Girls Out
· Midsummer Garden and Arts Festival
· Hot Summer Nights Car Show
· Mayor's Ball
· Any event the occurs during Colony Days or Colony Christmas
o Review business & economic concerns
§ Weekly speakers
§ Governmental Affairs Committee
o Survey and provide information
§ Sales tax and business licensing in Palmer
§ Member survey provided to Palmer Economic Development Board
§ New survey on Smoking in businesses to go out this week
o Promote Palmer to other entities
§ Provided information at Anchorage, Wasilla and Fairbanks shower in conjunction with MSCVB
§ Alaska Day at the Fair
o Tourism Committee
§ Developing opportunities to promote Palmer
§ Working with bus companies to develop Palmer Day Trips
§ Received Award from MSCVB 2010 for tourism activities
o Palmer Economic Development Authority
§ Board selected by GPCC Board
§ Producing Friday Flings beginning 2011
§ Future plans include
· Retreat for strategic planning for 2012 and beyond
· Seek grants to benefit Palmer community
· Partner with local businesses
o Walking Map
§ Assisted Downtown Palmer Merchants Association in development
§ Tourism committee members contacted local businesses to advertize on first edition
o Meet & Greet New Palmer businesses
§ Meet & Welcome
§ Provide information
§ Ribbon Cuttings
o Provide Community Forums
§ Monthly on the First Wednesday, open to the public
§ City and Borough invited to update the community
§ Other groups and government officials welcome to provide information
§ Election Forums
o Sponsor business workshops
§ Variety of topics - such as Palmer City Sales Taxes
§ Often provided free of charge
o City of Palmer
§ Attend City council meetings as able
§ Provide quarterly update to Council of Chamber activities
§ Co sponsor public forums - such as on Palmer-Wasilla Highway changes
§ Sit on City Committee - Palmer Economic Development Board
§ Co host Annual Clean Up Day
§ Co host Palmer Pride Picnic
o Mat-Su Borough
§ Seat on Mat-Su Economic Development Board
§ Provide forum for Borough announcements
o Promote economic development of Chamber members and sponsors
§ Provide marketing for members
· Website
· Weekly E-news
· Spot announcements
· Member Announcements at weekly meeting
§ Networking
· Business After Hours to promote Palmer businesses
§ Chamber Events and Activities promote sponsors |
