Chamber conducts annual meeting

On April 12, the Thermopolis-Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce held it annual board meeting.

During the meeting, Board Chair Greg Willson spoke to the chamber’s mission statement.

According to the statement, the chamber is organized for acting as a community resource, promoting economic growth and tourism.

The chamber exists to support the community as an active, positive and innovative force. As a representative of its membership and community, it’s committed to act with responsibility and integrity, through collaboration by partnership between members, organizations and government entities, sustainability through good stewardship, embracing creative diversity and resources, and communicating exceptional qualities of the county to residents and visitors.

Strategies for the chamber include retention and expansion of membership by providing value and resources to existing members and showcasing benefits to attract new members, organization of staff, board and volunteers to serve the chamber mission and practicing good stewardship.

Willson noted as a community resource the chamber printed and distributed more than 200 newsletters to chamber members last year. The chamber also has an online presence and has posted some online videos. Willson also noted the chamber printed and distributed 10,000 city and county maps last year, and the project was such a success they’re doing it again this year.

The chamber also serves as a visitors center and works to be a communication hub, collaborating with other resources to make sure people get where they need to go.

The chamber has one full-time employee and four part-time employees, Willson noted, and has been open seven days a week since 2014.

Also during the meeting, Executive Director Meri Ann Rush reported on this year’s banquet. There were 150 tickets sold and the event generated a total profit of $4,201.99. Attendance was 163, up from 131 in 2017. The committee for the banquet, Rush noted, has already started planning for the 2019 banquet. There was a positive response to this year’s speaker, V.J. Smith, and the committee is looking to see who is available for next year.

Amanda Moeller, reporting for Hot Springs Travel and Tourism, said they’ve gone through some budgeting items and are facing some fairly drastic changes. Since the lodging study came out, she noted, it has affected how the Travel and Tourism board looks at everything. One of the things they will concentrate on is a campaign of civic pride to restore care and pride in our community.

As for changes that affect the chamber, Moeller said Travel and Tourism would pay up to $680 in postage for the coming fiscal year, which will cover the mailing of about 1,000 visitor guides. Moeller said they’ve gone over budget on the postage and did not realize how much was going out in each visitor packet and how much each cost.

Another change for the chamber, Moeller noted, comes with staffing. She explained the contribution from Travel and Tourism over the past three years has been to keep the chamber office open seven days a week year-round.

0The lodging study, she said, has shown that is not necessary. The scale back will continue to make sure the office is open on holidays and weekends during the summer. Travel and Tourism will provide $3,000 for staffing the office.