MINUTES OF THE MONTHLY GENERAL MEETING May 20th, 2009 At – Black Bull Golf Resort

Next General Meeting Information: Next Executive/Directors Meeting – June 11th (Thursday) at the Chamber Office – 6:45 pm

The Monthly General Meeting of the Regional Chamber of Commerce was held at “The Black Bull Golf Resort”. Janet Hutsulak said grace before the meal was served. Twenty- Eight members and guests attended the meal and meeting that followed. President, Sharon Will called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m.

The Chamber Members thanked “Judy and staff at the Black Bull Golf Resort” for the delicious meal they served.

CHAMBER MEMBER PROFILE:

Forevermore…Photographic Art - (Rachelle Kuzyk/Nilsson) We were very pleased to have Rachelle give the members a profile of her business. Rachelle joined the chamber over a year ago. Her studio is the perfect destination for children’s portraits of the highest heirloom quality, offering award winning photographic art that simply can’t be found elsewhere. They will capture your child’s personality within a fun story telling, setting- stopping time just for a moment-creating a work of art that they guarantee will touch your hearts and warm your home. They currently have a studio at Pigeon Lake and a studio in . Contact Rachelle at 1-780-335-5012 Pigeon Lake or Edmonton 1-888-433-2344 please check out her website www.foreverorestudio.com you will be impressed.

Marketing Presentation Blair Northfield, Shirley Hauptman, Doug McKenzie and Carmen Frick volunteered to work on Marketing Strategies for the chamber. They gave a presentation to the chamber executive at the May 14th executive meeting. At that meeting it was decided that they present their ideas to the general membership for their approval. The following presentation was given at the meeting. Please read the following information and remember that each chamber member will be asked to decide on the three branding choices and which one they prefer.

Pigeon Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce –Marketing Strategy

During a recent review of current Chamber marketing and advertising of Pigeon Lake, it was determined that, while a lot of good efforts are underway, there remains an opportunity to significantly enhance the visibility and appeal of Pigeon Lake to the broad general public. The 2

opportunity presents itself at a time when the negative stigma of blue-green algae has overtaken Pigeon Lake press in recent years. This calls for a renewed emphasis to reflect on the positive attributes of our lake and surrounding area. Attractions should be highlighted such as: - The beauty of the lake and its many water sports and activities; - The camping, camps, bed and breakfasts, inns, cabins and communities around the lake; - The abundance of excellent golf courses; - The peaceful, serene, and historic nature of the area with a country get-away look and feel to visitors; - The varied attractions around the lake and in neighboring communities (Reynolds Museum, International Raceway, Rundle Lodge, Emp-Te-Town, Buck Lake, Twin Lakes ……); - The scenic trails of Peaceful Valley and the Trans Trail for hikers and bikers; - Family recreation including beaches, championship mini golf, gold panning and go carting; - The various restaurants, unique shopping and Spa services offered at different spots around the lake; - Complementary services including two boat launches, a car and RV wash, full service market, convenience stores, gas stations and support services for your car, boat and RV – as well as medical, dental and pharmacy services; - Family community events throughout the summer including farmers markets, community celebrations, country fairs, rodeos and special events at the Village. - The close proximity of Pigeon Lake to major centers in central and easy access for day trips or longer visits.

……All focused on healthy family recreation with the opportunity to recharge your batteries and refresh your positive outlook on life – while creating everlasting memories of enjoyable experiences at Pigeon Lake with family and friends.

In the coming year, to mark the 20th Anniversary of the Chamber, we propose to “tell our story” about the beauty and attractiveness of Pigeon Lake in traditional media publications the Chambers website and through Travel Alberta’s varied marketing vehicles – all focused on increasing the range, reach and effectiveness of our marketing and advertising efforts to the general public. In addition, the Chamber proposes to frame ‘our story’ through a Branding exercise what will entice more interest from the general public and create a unique familiarity with Pigeon Lake – one that will separate us from other summer vacation destinations and lakes in .

Presentation - Blair Northfield The “Surf and Turf “Capital of Prairies (Pigeon Lake)

Who says you need access to an ocean to enjoy the luxury of Surf and Turf? Located in the heart of central Alberta, Pigeon Lake serves up Surf and Turf in style – prairie style!

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The Surf at Pigeon Lake comes up in May and doesn’t go down until September every year. Couple this with a scenic body of water, 22 kilometers (14 miles) long by 11 kilometers (7 miles) wide and five months of Alberta blue sky, and its easy to see why Pigeon Lake is one of Alberta’s premier lakes and rapidly developing vacation destinations.

Catch a wave and enjoy an abundance of water sport activities including boating, sailing, water skiing, wake-boarding and swimming. Then slow the pace down with some relaxing fishing and try and reel in that trophy walleye. Maybe take it down a notch further and catch a few rays on the numerous beaches or at the provincial campground. Camping, Inns, Bed and Breakfasts, a Spa and some great restaurants and scenic stops around the lake – lots of super options, to make your stay and play at Pigeon Lake an enjoyable experience.

The Turf at Pigeon Lake is found on no less than six scenic and challenging golf courses around every corner of the lake. Make a week of chasing that illusive hole-in-one and then bring the family to the South Shore where they can enjoy a round of 18 terraced holes of adventure mini golf, followed by some fun in the family park, the excitement of go carts, or a walk-about through the unique stores, country market and Spa at the Village at Pigeon Lake. For the more active visitors, the Trans Canada Trail provides for a scenic bike ride around the lake to get a first hand look at the serenity of Pigeon Lake. It just doesn’t get any better than Pigeon Lake for Surf and Turf to recharge your batteries and refresh your positive outlook on life.

In addition to the recreational focus, Pigeon Lake offers a full set of complementary services to enhance your visit – everything from two boat launches, a car and RV wash to a fitness center. Surrounding Pigeon Lake and in close proximity are also many worthwhile attractions, such as Reynolds Museum, International Speedway, Rundle Mission, Peaceful Valley and Em-Te-Tow, as well as additional lakes and parks.

Check out the Chamber’s Websites www.pigeonlakechamber.ca and www.pigeonlake.com or call (780) 586-6263. to request a Fun Map to guide you on a tour of Pigeon Lake this summer with your family and friends.

Less than an hour and a half’s drive from Edmonton, Red Deer, , Lacombe, Ponoka, Leduc, Calmar, Winfield and Camrose, Pigeon Lake’s easy accessibility and full range of Surf and Turf activities and services make it a must see – must do family experience. The welcome mat is always out in Pigeon Lake, along with western hospitality at its very best.

Presentation - Shirley Hauptman Pigeon Lake Do It In The Country!

Welcome to Pigeon Lake! People from all over the world have discovered the perfect destination location for a country getaway. Here you can:

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Camp-Stay-Shop-Dine-Spa-Relax-Golf-Play--

Winter- Spring- Summer- and Fall- there is always something happening here at Pigeon Lake... Here we "Do it in the Country"!

Presentation - Carmen Frick Pigeon Lake Where Memories are Made… Pigeon Lake Where Memories are Made… Start creating yours today Everyone I spoke to who has ever been to Pigeon Lake has a story to tell. Be it coming out to the lake with their family as a kid, or with their own kids as an adult, a weekend with friends, or a getaway all on their own, but all had a common thread…

The Memories they had of the adventures, the friendships, the family togetherness, the peace & serenity of just getting away from it all. And it all happened right here…At Pigeon Lake… “Where Memories are Made”

In this regard, the Chamber submits the following three branding options for vote by the membership at large in the general meeting on June 17th, 2009. Please note that, regardless of the branding choice, the full ‘story’ of all attributes of Pigeon Lake will be included with within the marketing material. Also, following the branding decision, a logo and banner will be developed to reflect consistency of all marketing material produced for the lake in coming years. The three options are as follows and are briefly introduced in draft form (just examples) in the attached material:

- Pigeon Lake – the Surf and Turf Capital of the Prairies - Do It In The Country – Pigeon Lake - Pigeon Lake – Where Memories are Made.

We need the memberships input and agreement on this very important initiative for all businesses across our region. So, please plan on attending the June 17th, meeting and expressing your views – they are all valued and welcome. If you cannot attend the June meeting, please feel free to drop off your ballot (attached) to the Chamber Office prior to June 15th, 2009

You will find your ballot at the end of the minutes – please take time to respond if you are not able to attend the meeting. If you plan to attend the meeting please bring the completed ballot to the June 17th Monthly General Meeting.

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INTRODUCTION OF MEMBERS & GUESTS: Introductions proceeded around the room with each person introducing themselves and the name of the business they were representing.

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING: Each month chamber members are either faxed, emailed or mailed minutes from the Monthly Chamber Meetings. At that time members are asked to review the minutes and If corrections are required please call the chamber office.

President, Sharon Will, asked for a motion to accept the minutes from the April 15th, 2009 Monthly General Meeting.

A motion to accept the minutes from the April 15th, 2009 Monthly General Meeting was made by Laura Johnson and seconded by Janet Hutscal. The motion was carried.

The minutes were signed and dated by President, Sharon Will.

BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES:

WAYS & MEANS Dashboard – Website Information Shirley Hauptman explained the monthly chamber dashboard to the members. She explained that the website has more visitors on the site compared to last month. This is due to the season. Shirley informed the members that the Rotating Banner Ads have currently been installed on the site. Chamber Members are encouraged to check the websites and take advantage of the advertising opportunities that are available to them.

MEMBER SERVICES COMMITTEE Chamber Bylaws Secretary/manager received information regarding the New Bylaws. The letter indicated that the motion would have to be worded differently.

Wes McDowell made the following motion: The motion that was made at the March 18th, 2009 was repelled and the following motion was made. I hereby certify that the following Special Resolution was passed at a meeting of the members of the Pigeon Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce Association on March 18th, 2009. The existing Bylaws are repealed. They are replaced with the attached Bylaws. The motion was seconded by Mary Benko and the motion was carried.

The secretary/manager will again send this information to Alberta Registries for approval.

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DEVELOPMENT

STEP Program The Chamber has once again been accepted to have the STEP Program. This program will run for 8 weeks- $9.50 per hour. If the executive/directors know of a student that is looking for summer work, they can send their resume to the chamber office or contact Darlene to discuss the program. The ad will appear in the Millet Pipestone Flyer next week and the deadline for applications is June 1st.

PROMOTION & MARKETING Marketing in Provincial Park Secretary/manager contacted Conservation Officer, Grant Santo to have him attend the May Chamber Executive Meeting and the May Monthly General Meeting, but due to work commitments he could not attend the meetings. He however agreed to have the Chamber Fun Maps available at the Provincial Parks. Shirley Hauptman agreed to deliver the Fun Maps to the park.

Chamber Logo Window Stickers Secretary/manager will get more information on the Chamber Logo Window Stickers for next months meeting.

CORRESPONDENCE County of Wetaskiwin 2009 Budget Approved Provincial Grant Funding Approved for PLR-Wastewater System Pre-design Leduc County Public Notice of Community Consultation Meeting

TREASURE’S REPORT Financial Report – Brenda Leibel gave the Monthly Financial Report- If members wish to view a copy of the Financial Report they can contact the chamber office.

A motion was made by Ron Taylor and seconded by Mary Benko that we accept the Financial Report as presented. The motion was carried.

REPORTS Ice Golf /Sled Dog Races 2009 Doug McKenzie gave the Final Financial Report for Ice Golf /Sled Dog Races 2009. Total revenue was $17,110.00 less the expenses $9,019.23 for a total profit of $8,090.77. Doug shared the states from the previous years 2006-2007- and 2008. The history indicated that the 2009 has been the best year yet.

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Doug informed the chamber members that the secretary/manager has booked the Mulhurst Community Hall, Mulhurst Legion Hall and Ronnie Catering for the 2010 Ice Golf/Sled Dog Races which will be held on March 13th, 2010.

NEW BUSINESS Website Hosting – Concerns Shirley Hauptman informed the executive/directors about a situation that one of our chamber members experienced. The member was contacted by a Web Host who is located in United States. This Web Host suggested that he could increase the member’s search engine rating. The Web Host was advised to go ahead and make the changes which cost $800.00; His website turned out to be a total mess and contacted Shirley to fix up his website. Shirley felt it was important to inform the chamber members about the situation. No web host can increase the search engine rating any better then it already is. The website is already #1 when the name Pigeon Lake is goggled. Shirley advised the members to be careful when they are contacted by web hosts such as these.

Tourist Booth Secretary/manager informed the executive/directors that the Tourist Booth will be open daily starting July 1st when the student starts work. Letters were sent to the various senior groups in the area to see if they would volunteer to work at the tourist booth on weekends. Darlene will make arrangements with one of the village businesses to keep the key so the seniors can pick it up when they work the booth. The seniors who work the booth during the summer months will be invited to attend the Chamber Awards Night on December 4th.

Carmen Frick volunteered to plant the planters located at the booth.

20th Anniversary Celebration The executive/directors discussed the Chambers 20th Anniversary Celebration at the May executive meeting. The Chamber hosted their first meeting on December 6th, 1989. The Chamber became incorporated under the Societies Act on March 15th, 1990. The executive/directors decided to host the Anniversary Celebration on December 4th at the Awards Night Event. Shirley Hauptman volunteered to chair the Awards Night Event.

2009 Awards Night Shirley Hauptman volunteered to be chairperson for the Awards Night Committee. Darlene has booked the Lakedell Ag Society, for December 4th (Friday). The following chamber members volunteered to help Shirley with the event. (Sharon Will, Carmen Frick, Laura Johnson, Ron Taylor, Deb Northfield and Darlene Kobeluck). Shirley will plan an organizational meeting soon.

OLD BUSINESS If any chamber member wishes to give a Member Profile on their business, they should contact the chamber office to make arrangements.

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DOOR PRIZE – The door prize was donated by Blackstone Family & Adventure Park- (gift certificates for 2 - Free game of Mini Golf). Thank you to Blair & Deb Northfield for their generous door prize. Winner was Ken Will.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 pm

Submitted by: Darlene Kobeluck Secretary/Manager

______President Date

-Next Executive/Directors Meeting –June 11th (Thursday), 2009, 6:45pm at the chamber office

-Next General Meeting –June 17th, (Wednesday) at The Village Creek Restaurant & Lounge

(Reminder: there will be No Monthly Meetings during July & August)

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Pigeon Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce Marketing Strategy Ballot June 17th, 2009

1. We are in favor of a renewed emphasis by the Chamber in the marketing of Pigeon Lake to the General Public.

___ Yes ___ No

2. Our Choice for a theme or brand to frame the marketing initiative is:

____ Pigeon Lake – The Surf and Turf Capital of the Prairies ____ Do it in the Country – Pigeon Lake ____ Pigeon Lake – Where Memories are Made ____ Other (please specify)

______

Optional

Company Name: ______

Contact (name/phone): ______

Please return to the chamber office or by fax – 780-586-6263

Mail: Pigeon Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce 6B Village Drive, RR # 2 , AB T0C 2V0

Or drop the payment off at the Chamber Office located above the MIA CASA Furnishings Store, at The Village at Pigeon Lake. My usual days of work are Tuesday and Thursday. Any questions please call the office or leave a message at 586-6263.