Congratulations to the Fraser Valley Metropolitan Recreation District Board and Staff on the completion and opening of the Grand Park Recreation Center!

Happy New Year to All! Resolutions Worth Keeping…
by Catherine Ross, Executive Director

I have been pondering making some resolutions that are meaningful enough to keep in 2010. Perhaps you have been thinking about the New Year and how you can make 2010 a great year.  On behalf of the Chamber Staff I will name a few things we will all be trying to work on for 2010:

Use Resources as Effectively as Possible – We strive towards this goal at all times but in 2010 it will be first and foremost in everything we do. We respect the tough times that all our members are having and we want to offer you the most services we can throughout the year. Resources mean people and dollars. We will be working hard to do more for the membership with a strong team, volunteers and great partner support.

Market, Sell, Drive Business into Your Doors- With the new combination of Marketing and Sales Council the Chamber is positioned to offer more direct sales to your door. Give us your input, ideas and feedback to make the program better than ever. We are adding small, yet dynamic, pieces like the Winter Scavenger Hunt to encourage guests to come to your business.

Big Events, Big Business- 2010 will have more events than ever before offered in Winter Park and The Fraser Valley. It is our goal to work with local business owners to find ways to bring direct benefit to your business through event promotion. Again, help us by letting us know how we can get these visitors to your door.

Serve the Community- The Winter Park-Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce is here to promote year business opportunities in Winter Park and the Fraser Valley. We believe our purpose is to serve the community by helping all businesses to be successful. In our efforts we also wish to be a positive force for the local non-profits that are serving charitable purposes. In 2010 we hope to continue to build awareness for these groups and share the needs of the Grand County Community.

On a personal note, I will be resolving to enjoy the beauty that surrounds me each day. Too often I miss the small moments that can bring me so much happiness by having my head down, forging forward with the work tasks at hand. I resolve to raise my head up, take some deep breaths and be happy at least once a day!  I wish you all a Happy New Year filled with beauty, peace and friendships you can hold dear!

Beginner Snowshoe Hikes for Guests
The Chamber of Commerce is once again starting our beginner snowshoe hikes from the Visitor Center on Saturdays at 1pm.  This is a once a week offer for guests to enjoy during their stay.  Guests and locals need to sign up through the Visitor Center at 970.726.4118.  This is a free hike with free snowshoe rentals for the duration of the hour long hike. 

Many members have several other snowshoe hikes and tours throughout the Fraser Valley.  Click Here for a full contact list of other beautiful scenic tours and trails everyone can enjoy including:  Snow Mountain Ranch, Devil’s Thumb Ranch, Winter Park Resort, SolVista Basin at Granby Ranch, and Grand Lake all have snowshoe rentals and most have tours.  Call the Visitor Center for a list of the several places in town to rent snowshoes.
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"The Link" Winter Park's Improved After 5pm Shuttle Bus Service.  The Link is an on-call Lift Bus that services routes located off Highway 40 in Winter Park.  Call 970.726.4163 for a Link bus location after 5pm -11pm.  Service along Highway 40 will be on regular route schedule.
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Tourism Day At The Capitol, January 25, 2010 1-4pm. Join tourism ambassadors, industry members, and business leaders from across Colorado to learn about the legislative process, how funding for promoting the state's tourism industry is determined, and the many ways you can become involved in supporting Colorado as a premier travel destination. 

RSVP now online at Attend Tourism Day at the Capitol or no later than Wednesday, January 20, 2010, for Tourism Day at the Capitol. Colorado State Capitol is on 200 E. Colfax Ave., Denver CO 80203 Cost: FREE. 
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Ski For NSCD Pledge: Everyone’s invited to help raise money to support the life changing programs of the NSCD and win great prizes like Wells Fargo Ski Cup weekend accommodations, ski passes and VIP hospitality as well as season passes at Winter Park, ski equipment and chances to win great raffle prizes. So grab your ski buddies and register to attend this fun event while supporting ski programs for children and adults with disabilities. Register at www.SkiForNSCDColorado.com.

New Member Spotlight:  It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere
It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere is the latest project of Kara Delay and Rami Carter, founders of Pick Me! Floral and Event Design. After five years of planning and decorating events in Colorado, Mexico and Costa Rica, the dynamic duo decided to revisit their roots and "uncork" It's Five O'Clock Somewhere - The Mobile Bar.

Why a mobile bar? Carter explains, "We are constantly searching to raise the level of service for events in and around Colorado. We keep hearing the need for this type of service from our clients at Pick Me, so we asked, "Why not?".  With bartending experience in Dallas, Chicago and even here in Winter Park, we have the know-how and we enjoy it. Delay adds, "Matching the right personality for the event is the secret. The right person behind the bar will help make your event a success."

"Our job is to help you create a unique theme, signature cocktails, and determine quantities of alcohol and mixers to purchase. Using the network of TIPS certified bartenders across the state of Colorado, we will provide you with certified bartenders and cocktail servers besides connecting you with wine and beer experts. We can suggest caterers for your theme and budget, give entertainment advice, as well as help book transportation so your guests arrive home safely. Our goal is to help you locate the best purchase price for all your party needs."
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Member Limelight: Winter Park Dental - Make your appointment today, 726-5556.

Winter Park Dental will be entering its 22 year in servicing Grand County.  Dr. David C. Lurye started the practice in 1988 and in 1997 Dr. Mark Chua joined the practice. Dr. Lurye is currently serving as president of the Colorado Dental Association. Both are graduates of the University Of Minnesota School Of Dentistry and they are active members of the CDA and ADA.  Winter Park Dental employs three registered dental hygienists, seven dental assistants and administrative personnel.

Winter Park Dental provides high quality, gentle dental care from a patient centered approach working to improve oral health through prevention, restoration, and education. Come to their Appreciation Open House on February 23, 2010 from 4:30pm-6pm.  If you’ve ever been curious about the dental field, have questions about maintaining good oral health, or just want to mingle with the fun staff, drop by!

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Did You Know...

Mountain Grind Coffee and Bistro in Cooper Creek Square has been remodeled and expanded with a full service bar.  It's also the new home of Java Mic Nite every Friday night.  Great for breakfast and lunch till 3pm.  Great place to pick up books, small gifts and cards.  Stop in for Flavor Burst soft serve with 8 different flavors.
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Holden's Hard Drive provides PC tuneup & cleanup, networking, virus control, and computer repair services.  Certified computer specialist, Rick Holden can be reached at 970.531.8673 or in his office at the Fraser Marketplace.

Ullrs Tavern (in Buckets previous location) has ladies night every Wednesday and has great live music every weekend.  It's the hottest dance club in town. 
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SolVista Basin at Granby Ranch has Night Skiing and Tubing every Saturday night.  Dinner is also available at Seven Trails Grill. 887-5123 for info.
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Smokin' Moe's has fried pickles, tasty ribs and BBQ brisket and even a portabella mushroom sandwich. They even have a salad bar for those light or hearty eaters.
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RSN Resort TV is here in Grand County on Comcast Cable channel 18.  It has daily weather and snow conditions, local news, events, what to do, where to eat and so much more!  Tune in to RSN Movie Nights at 8:30pm; we show a different movie every night. TV18 is locally produced and nationally recognized; turn us on - you'll be glad you did!  Call 970-531-6839 for our special introductory advertising rates.
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Sushi King in downtown Winter Park near Rudi's Deli gives a 15% discount to chamber members.
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The Salon at Winter Park specializes in the latest cuts and styles.  Walk-ins welcome.  Located next to Ski Depot Sports.

Do you have a quick tidbit about your business?  Or want to be a "Member Spotlight" or "Limelight"?  Send to mchavez@playwinterpark.com by 20th of the preceeding month to be in the next newsletter.

PlayWinterPark.com Your Marketing Tool - Using the Chamber Website to Increase Your Business

In January, the Chamber’s major focus for Marketing and Sales will be driving inquiries to the website through our email database which has thousands of email addresses. We will be building interaction through contests and event promotion. The Winter Park Winter Carnival and Dog Days of Winter will be a major highlight for the email marketing.

Please make sure you are using the website to attract guests to your business:

• Have a deal posted on the “Welcome Back to Winter Park” page. You can have a special deal just for Winter Carnival Weekend! – contact Sara at sales@playwinterpark.com.

• Update your listing with something new and exciting- contact Maria at mchavez@playwinterpark.com for your password.

• Become a fan of our Facebook page and chat it up with the social networking community.

• Buy a link or be a Local Favorite to increase your exposure. Only a few spots left - contact Maria at mchavez@playwinterpark.com.

• Keep an eye out for the Social Networking Seminar coming in February that will focus on working together as a community. 

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Marketing and Sales Council to Meet Monthly
The new Marketing and Sales Council will be meeting monthly in 2010. The next meeting will be held January 11th at 8:30am at the Winter Park Town Hall. Please feel free to attend the meeting to present your concerns or ideas. Contact Catherine at cross@playwinterpark.com for details and an agenda.

Sales Updates, by Sara Sable

Welcome to the Lifestylez College Group of 1,100 Students visiting Winter Park area January 3-9.  The majority of the group will be staying at Winter Park Resort and visiting downtown Winter Park and Fraser after ski time.
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Attention Lodging Properties: If you have a Group you would like us to welcome in a Chamber E-Blast, let us know!  Please send us the Name of the Group, Dates of Stay, and Number in Group.  All groups will receive the FREE Coupon Book (based on availability).  Contact Sara Sable at 726-4118, or email sales@playwinterpark.com. 

Check out our website, and send guests to www.WelcomeBacktoWP.com for Special Local Deals.
 
Want More Exposure? Get your offer on the WelcomeBackToWP.com Deals Page!  It's FREE to have an offer posted on the website!  Click Here for the form.
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Get In The NASTAR Guidebook
SKI magazine and Winter Park Resort are excited to bring the NASTAR Final Championship to you in March 2010. Align with the largest grassroots ski racing program in the country through the NASTAR finals and connect with this passionate audience.   Over 1,300 racers, plus an additional 5,000 friends and families, will be attending.

You have the incredible opportunity to showcase your services and products to this diverse audience from around the country in the NASTAR guidebook.  The guidebook will go to contestants at registration and will include schedules, maps, and where to race.  Click Here for more. (This is seperate opportunity to advertise in Ski Magazine. This is not a Winter Park - Fraser Valley Chamber marketing piece.)

Winter Park Winter Carnival & Dog Days of Winter Jan. 22-24

Celebrate Winter Park’s 70th Anniversary and Mary Jane's Birthday at the Winter Carnival.      Be “Old School” by celebrating and dressing in your favorite decade apparel. Family fun activities will be happening all around the Winter Park/Fraser Valley, including Grand Park Dog Days of Winter and an “Old School” outdoor Parade followed by Fireworks and cupcakes.

The carnival theme is Winter Park Resort's 70th Anniversary, hence the term "Old School".  Click Here  to sign up now for “Old School” dress up at your work and decorate your business for the weekend or the outdoor “Old School” Parade on Main Street. Make your parade float hip with lots of lights!  Pets on a leash are encouraged to march in the lighted parade too.  Get your blinking dog collars at Mountain Dawg Outfitters in Fraser.  There will be prizes for the "Best Dressed Old School" pet . Click Here for Pets on Parade Information.

Grand Park Dog Days of Winter:  Come watch the dog agility shows with different types of vendors, walk at the Pet Pals Stomp and Romp, plus more.  Click Here for details.

COMMUNITY EVENTS IN JANUARY

CLICK HERE for a the complete calendar and details of community events.  Is your event not listed on the web site and you would like it to be?  If so, email Kristyna Nedele at chamber@playwinterpark.com with your event(s).
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January Chamber Board Meeting:  Wednesday, January 13 at Winter Park Town Hall at 9:15am after Coffee With The Board at the Visitor Center. (See Luncheon/Mixer Section of Valley View for details.)

Coffee Talk with the Chamber Board