Volume 2013, Issue 11

The Chamber Vista A monthly publication of the Sierra Vista Area Chamber November 2013

Volume 2013, Issue #11

“We Mean Business”

Update from

Executive Director Amanda Baillie

2

Support Local Business and Start Your Holi-day Festivities

2

New Executive Benefits

3

Market to thousands at the annual Festival of Trees

4

November Schedule of Events

4

October Events at a Glance

5

Member Spot-light—Bedmart

6

Member Page 7

Board of Directors / Chamber Staff

8

55th Christmas Light Parade helps showcase local businesses By Amanda Baillie

Executive Director

From ranching, rodeos,

saddles and spurs to

chaps, campfires, boots

and bandanas, cele-

brate cowboy culture

this Christmas!

Put your own festive twist on the Wild

West and be a part of the 55th Annual

Christmas Light Parade.

While it has been a tough economic year

for many local

businesses, the

Chamber’s annual

Christmas Parade

plays a part in both

lifting festive spir-

its and promoting

business.

This long time tra-

dition offers a

unique opportunity

for businesses and

organizations to

market themselves to the thousands of

spectators who will line the parade route.

It also demonstrates to those same peo-

ple that Sierra Vista is home to busi-

nesses willing and able to give back to

their community by participating in this

hugely popular event.

In recent years we have seen the night

time parade grow, with the number of

lighted floats nearly doubling in 2012 to

more than 40 of the total 77 entries.

And this year’s theme, A Cowboy Christ-

mas, appears to be a particularly popular

choice, judging by the positive reaction

we have had so far.

Sponsored by Lawley Automotive and Cox,

the Christmas Light Parade will take place

on Saturday, December 7, at 5:30 p.m.

It will again step off at the corner of Sev-

enth Street and Fry Blvd., making its way

east along Fry and ending at Avenida

Esquela, next to the Ace Hardware park-

ing lot.

We are encouraging as many businesses

as possible to participate by entering a

float, vehicle or

even a walking

group that will fill

the night air with

music and lights.

Don’t forget to in-

clude a banner or

sign letting the pa-

rade viewers know

who you are and

how they can con-

tact you.

Chamber members

receive a discount on the entry fee, which

has remained at the same low rate for the

past several years.

And if the parade is passing your busi-

ness, why not stay open late and hand

out hot drinks, candy and snacks to those

watching the festivities?

In keeping with the theme, the grand mar-

shal this year will be Cowboy Poet veteran

Steve Conroy.

There is much to see and enjoy so don’t

miss your opportunity to participate. Just

visit www.sierravistachamber.org to

download an entry form. Deadline for en-

tries is November 22.

They say change is constant,

and that is certainly the case

at the Chamber.

If we want to grow as an or-

ganization and better serve

local businesses, then the

Chamber must always be

looking for new ways to carry

out its mission.

That is why we took a look at

the Executive Club benefits

and decided to remove a

few we felt were not working

and added new ones we be-

lieve will add value and in-

crease member exposure.

You can see the list of bene-

fits for yourself on page 3,

as well as information on

how you can upgrade your

membership and receive

more than $1,500 worth of

marketing.

Also new this year is the Cham-

ber’s involvement with the Fes-

tival of Trees.

When we realized the hospital

foundation was no longer able

to continue this event, we felt it

was a great fit for us.

The Festival offers another ave-

nue of exposure for local busi-

nesses and a revenue stream

for the Chamber, while also

benefiting area charities and

low income families.

We think that’s a winning com-

bination.

We hope many of our members

will take advantage of this

event to enter a tree and pro-

mote their business.

Another new addition is the

Shred-a-Thon, which will take

place on November 2 at the Mall.

This is a good opportunity for

businesses and individuals to get

rid of unwanted documents in an

affordable, professional and se-

cure way.

We are also holding this event on

the same day as the Mini Expo to

attract increased traffic for our

home based and non-profit ven-

dors.

The cost will be $5 per copier box

(additional charges apply to lar-

ger boxes) and the proceeds will

go straight back into helping fund

our programs and benefits to bet-

ter serve the membership.

Chamber Update by Executive Director Amanda Baillie

“If we want to grow

as an

organization...the

Chamber must

always be looking

for new ways to

carry out its

mission.”

Page 2 The Chamber Vista

Support local businesses and start your holiday festivities

Before taking their seats of

honor at the rear of the pa-

rade, Santa and Mrs. Claus

drop by the Sierra Vista ACE

Hardware parking lot to visit

with hundreds of children.

Once again, the couple will

land via helicopter, courtesy

of Air Evac.

They are due to arrive on

Saturday, December 7, at 9

a.m. and will spend at least

two hours hearing the Christ-

mas gift wishes of local kids,

and kids at heart.

There will also be photo opportunities, seasonal entertainment and food from

Schlotzsky’s/Cinnabon will be available.

Sponsored by ACE Hardware, Aegis, Air Evac and Schlotzsky’s/Cinnabon, the

Santa Fly-In is a great way to start the holiday season.

Bring the whole family out to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, have lunch in town

then start some Christmas shopping at local stores before enjoying the 55th

Annual Christmas Light Parade at 5:30 p.m.

If you still have the energy, end the day with dinner at one of our great area

restaurants.

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Southeastern Arizona Workforce

Connection (SAWC) requests public

comment.

A copy of the proposed plan is available

for public inspection on the Southeast-

ern Arizona Workforce Connection web-

site at the link below:

https://www.seazworkforce.org

The Southeastern Arizona Workforce

Connection will accept written com-

ments on the plan sent to any of the

following addresses:

Email: Vickie.Simmons@cpic-cas.org

Fax: (520) 458-9308

Mail: Southeastern Arizona Workforce

Connection

ATTN: Vickie Simmons

1843 Paseo San Luis

Sierra Vista, Arizona 85635

Written comments should be sent so

that the Arizona Workforce Connection

will received them before 5:00 PM

NOVEMBER 13, 2013, and should in-

clude contact information for the per-

son providing comments, as well as the

name of any organization that person

represents. Questions may be directed

to Vickie Simmons at (520) 458-9309.

Page 3 Volume 2013, Issue 11

By Amanda Baillie

Executive Director

The Sierra Vista Area Chamber al-

ways strives to improve the services

it offers its members.

We recently reviewed the benefits we

offer our Executive Club members,

resulting in an improved program for

those businesses to enjoy.

Our continuing goal is to provide

value and relevancy and we believe

our newly added benefits, along with

the existing ones, will help us to

achieve that aim while helping our

local businesses to grow.

Not an Executive Club member? You

can become one any time—just call

Membership & Marketing Director

John Hargraves to find out how.

Here is a list of the benefits that Ex-

ecutive Club members, listed on

page 7 of this newsletter, can take

advantage of:

Business logo on Chamber web-

site home page with link to your busi-

ness site—NEW BENEFIT

Featured listing on the Cham-

ber’s smart phone APP (coming

soon) - NEW BENEFIT

Additional listing on Chamber

website via Executive Club page

Highlighted listing in the Annual

Community Profile & Membership

Directory (10,000 copies distributed)

Additional listing in the Annual

Community Profile & Membership

Directory (three listings total)

Listing in the Annual Report, dis-

tributed at the Annual Membership

Meeting and available year round on

Chamber website

Listing on Executive Club signs

displayed in Chamber lobby and at

selected events

Listing in monthly newsletter dis-

tributed to all Chamber members

and additional subscribers

Two FREE inserts per calendar

year in Vista newsletter (regularly

$99. Some conditions apply) - NEW

BENEFIT

Half price on Vista inserts ($49

per mailing) when you have used free

mailers

Free membership database for

your business marketing mailings

(regularly $50)

5 free Sierra Vista maps

Two additional annual board

election votes, as per the Chamber

bylaws

Special recognition at the Annual

Membership Meeting

A unique wood crafted member-

ship plaque to distinguish your busi-

ness as an Executive Club member

The estimated total value of this

package is more than $1,500.

The cost to you? Just $300 annually.

It’s easy to upgrade your member-

ship to Executive Club level.

Just one call and you can start enjoy-

ing these extra benefits immediately.

BUSINESS AT TWILIGHT Hosted by:

Thursday, November 14

5:00 pm

4641 S. Highway 92

Food! Fun! Raffle! Prizes!

New Executive Club benefits offer greater exposure Don’t forget to download the free

Chamber APP for all your local

shopping and services’ needs.

Featuring only Chamber members,

events, hot deals and more!

Advertise to 651 local businesses

for about 20 cents each!

Schedule of Events

Nov. 2—Mini Expo 2013, 10 am to 4 pm,

The Mall at Sierra Vista.

Nov. 2—Shred-A-Thon, 11 am to 2 pm,

The Mall at Sierra Vista (parking area).

Nov. 6—Bring a Vet to Lunch, 11:30 am,

Thunder Mountain Activity Center, Ft. Hua-

chuca.

Nov. 14—Business at Twilight, 5 pm, Puro-

clean, 4641 S. Highway 92.

Nov. 15—Ribbon Cutting, Sierra Vista

Flowers & Gifts, 4 pm, 1400 E. Fry Blvd.

Nov. 20—Leadership Sierra Vista, Health

Day, 8 am to 5 pm.

Nov. 20—Military Affairs Committee Meet-

ing, 8 am at the Chamber office.

Nov. 22—Chamber 101, 11:30 am at the

Chamber.

Dec. 7—Santa Fly-In, 9 am, Ace Parking

Area

Dec. 7—55th Annual Christmas Parade, Fry

Blvd., 7th St. to Avenida Escuela, 5:30 pm

Page 4 Newsletter Title

Reach over 650 businesses in Sierra

Vista and surrounding communities

Take advantage of this member-only

benefit!

We insert and mail for you!

Super low advertising rates! Members

pay only $99. Executive Club Members

pay just $49.

SPECIFICATIONS: Inserts must be on

8.5x11, flat, non-glossy, standard weight

(20lb.– black & white, 24/28lb.— color)

paper.

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE:

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

NOTE: Insert space is limited and is pro-

vided on a first come, first serve basis.

For information, call the Chamber at

458-6940 or email:

mdillard@sierravistachamber.org

Page 4 The Chamber Vista

There is still time make sure your

business is promoted during the

14th Annual Festival of Trees.

Deadline for entry forms is Friday,

November 8, so don’t delay in letting

us know you want to participate.

The festival is being jointly hosted

and organized by the Chamber, Si-

erra Vista Herald and the Mall at Si-

erra Vista.

The collaboration of these three ma-

jor entities means exposure of this

event and its participants will signifi-

cantly increase.

That’s good news for businesses

looking for some creative, low cost

ways to get their name out to thou-

sands of potential customers.

We are encouraging Chamber mem-

bers to get involved by entering a

tree for display at the Mall during

the 12 day festival.

The cost to you is the tree and its

decorations—there is no entry fee.

Your tree will be viewed by the thou-

sands of people who visit the festival

from November 24 until December

5.

All of the trees, along with the ginger-

bread houses, Christmas wreaths

and centerpieces, are sold to the

public, who can Buy It Now at full

price or at the auction on December

5.

One of the goals of this event is to

raise enough funds to pay for a new

library at the Boys & Girls Club of

Sierra Vista clubhouse.

Currently, the club is using its dining

facility as a makeshift library, which

does not allow the children to have a

quiet area for reading and home-

work.

Also benefiting from this event will

be a soldier’s family, chosen by the

Fort’s Chaplain’s office.

This family will be the recipient of

the Charity Tree.

In addition, a number of local non-

profits have families that cannot af-

ford their own tree. Members of the

public are able to purchase trees

and donate them to Good Neighbor

Alliance, Forgach House, the Salva-

tion Army, Habitat for Humanity and

St. Vincent de Paul.

The presenting sponsor of the Festi-

val of Trees is Sierra Vista Health

Regional Center and our major me-

dia sponsor is Cherry Creek Radio,

featuring K101, KWCD and KTAN.

Other sponsors include Jo-Ann Fabric

& Crafts, Arizona Lottery, Northrop

Grumman, RV City, Horizon Moving

Systems, Subway, Pioneer Title,

Cochise Flooring, Bob and Jane

Strain and Dickerson Fundraising

Solutions.

Businesses that participate in the

festival, either as a sponsor or tree

donor, may be eligible for a market-

ing dollars tax deduction (see your

tax professional for details), while

those who purchase a tree, ginger-

bread house, centerpiece or wreath

will receive a tax deduction receipt

from the Boys & Girls Club.

All Chamber members should have

received a letter, entry form and

sponsorship form in their September

newsletter.

This information is also available on

our website

www.sierravistachamber.org.

For more details, call event manager

Market to thousands at the annual Festival of Trees

Page 5 Volume 2013, Issue 11

For upcoming events please visit us at www.sierravistachamber.org/events

Top Row: Business at Twilight hosted by Prestige Assisted Living who chose a lively

“Medieval Theme.”

Rows 2 : Staff and Ambassadors celebrate Ribbon Cuttings at Echoing Hope

Ranch, Jo-Ann Fabric & Gifts and Valley Imaging Solutions.

Row 3: Honorees and presenters at the Military Affairs Luncheon

Row 3 & 4: Leadership Sierra Vista 2014 class participates in Government Day.

Page 6 The Chamber Vista

Member Spotlight: Bedmart

For more than 40 years Bob Avant has

been helping people to get a

good night’s sleep.

As the manager of the only

store in Sierra Vista focused

solely on beds, Bob is the go

to person when it comes to

picking the right spot to lay

your head.

Bedmart has been serving

the community’s sleeping

needs since 1991 and aver-

ages a choice of 50 models

on the shop floor most days.

The store, located at 325 W.

Fry Blvd., carries three ma-

jor companies – Simmons,

Serta and Tempur-Pedic.

“We sell sleep and we sell

value,” explains sleep con-

sultant Wayne Durham. “We offer the

best pricing.”

Bedmart offers its customers everything

from a complete bed to pillows and Bob

says they will beat other prices for the

same products by five percent.

“We are your home town based dealer,”

said Bob, who has been selling beds

since 1972.

Buying a new mattress involves a lot

more than simply lying on one for a few

minutes.

Bob and Wayne will first take the time to

find out if the customer has any health

issues, such as back problems

or arthritis, before guiding that

person to the mattress they be-

lieve will best meet their needs.

“We recommend that customers

lie on a mattress in the store for

at least 10 to 20 minutes and

even take nap,” said Wayne.

“We also ask them about the

firmness and comfort level they

like and we match them with a

mattress that will keep their

body in its proper alignment.”

For those looking for more than

just a place a sleep, the store

currently has a bed that plays

music via Bluetooth, has an ad-

justable mattress, a built in light

and even massages its occu-

pants – all with the touch of a button on

a smart phone.

To find out more, visit Bedmart at its

Sierra Vista location, call 452-0355 or

visit www.azbedmart.com

Email Marketing This Holiday Season

Although it’s often considered over-

used, email remains inexpensive and

easy to implement when it comes to

maintaining contact with existing cus-

tomers. That’s a key to remember – to

be effective, email marketing should be

used with folks

you have al-

ready done

business with

or who have

expressed an

interest in your

business and

have requested

email from you

(otherwise known as permission marketing).

Keep these tips in mind if you plan to

use email to support your holiday mar-

keting efforts:

Keep the e-mail short and

sweet. Link directly to the content

of interest so you make the proc-

ess as easy as possible for your

customers.

Clearly state the email’s intent in

the subject line. For example, "A

Special Offer Just for You. Thanks

for Your Business in 2013.”

Be festive in your design. Appeal

to the sights of the season with a

special design

for the holidays.

Follow

online market-

ing rules. Don't

forget that online

marketing is

regulated, so

whatever tactics

you employ be sure to fol-

low government guidelines that

apply to list management, SPAM

and other guidelines.

Excerpted from “5 Ways to Market Your Business for the Holiday Season” To read the full article , visit: http://www.sba.gov/community/blogs/5

-ways-market-your-business-holiday-

season

www.facebook.com/SierraVistaChamber

www.twitter.com/SVChamber101

Ribbon Cutting

Sierra Vista Flowers & Gifts

November 15th

4 pm

1400 E. Fry Blvd.

Page 7 Volume 2013, Issue 11

Thanks to these members for renewing their commitment to the business community

A Special Welcome to Our New Members!

Executive Club Members Allstate Insurance Company - Pat Meldrum

American Southwest Credit Union

Arizona Water Company

Beacon Group

Bishop & Brown, LLC

BrightStar HomeCare

CACI, Inc.

Castle & Cooke Arizona, Inc.

Castle & Cooke Mortgage, LLC

CerendipiTees *Home Based Business of

2012*

CGI *Large Business of the Year 2012*

Cherry Creek Radio

City of Sierra Vista

Coca-Cola Refreshments USA, Inc.

Dental Village

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott

Garden Terrace Assisted Living Home

General Dynamics Information Tech.

Hobby Lobby

Horizon Moving Systems of Sierra Vista, Inc.

JR's Food and Spirits

KKYZ Radio

Landmark Cafe, The

Las Palomas Apartments

Lawley Automotive Center

Lawley's Team Ford

Life Care Center

Long Realty Co.

Longhorn Restaurant

Mall at Sierra Vista - Management Office

ManTech Telecommunications & Info Sys-

tems

Mr. Fix It of Sierra Vista, LLC

Naco Dental

National Bank of Arizona

Netmedix IT Solutions

New Frontier Animal Medical Center

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Patio Pools & Spas

Pioneer Title Agency

Pueblo del Sol Country Club

Rommel Equipment Services

Rosemont Copper Company

Sierra Vista Ace Hardware

Sierra Vista Herald & Bisbee Daily Review

Sierra Vista Regional Health

Southeastern Arizona Contractors Assoc.

Southwest Gas Corporation

Southwestern Eye Center

Specialists in Dermatology

Stachel & Associates, P.C.

Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Coop.

Sun Canyon Inn

Systems Integration

Tailored Living

The Boeing Company

TownePlace Suites by Marriott

University of Phoenix-Sierra Vista Campus

Waddell & Reed Financial Advisors, David

Burnett

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Wayland Baptist University

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Inc.

Windemere Hotel & Conference Center

Ameriplan (520) 397-4068

Jamberry Nails (760) 552-1198

Raxx Direct Marketing, LLC (520) 426-2074

Stronghold Signs (520) 439-4442

The BBs Dance Troupe (520) 224-8279

Tractor Supply (520) 458-5098

Vista Pediatrics, PLLC (520) 459-0203

Air Force Association Cochise Chapter 107

Allstate Insurance

Bonanza Cleaners & Laundry

CGI *Large Business of the Year 2012*

Coca-Cola Refreshments USA, Inc.

Echoing Hope Ranch

Economic Development Foundation

EKS Group, LLC

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

ICE (Intelligence Communications & Engine

Nature's Healthier Alternatives

New Frontier Animal Medical Center

Office Smart

R. L. Workman Homes

Specialists in Dermatology

The Social Register

Truly Nolen Sierra Vista Branch Office

Walgreens

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

21 E. Wilcox Dr.

Sierra Vista, AZ. 85635

The Chamber Vista is a publication of the Sierra Vista Area Chamber

21 E. Wilcox Drive, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 (520) 458-6940, Fax: (520) 452-0878 www.sierravistachamber.org

Mission Statement

The Sierra Vista Area Chamber promotes business and provides leadership for the improvement of the community.

2012-13 Board of Directors

Executive Officers

Chairman - Michael Benson - TDY Housing Past Chairwoman - Dee Dee Hoeft, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Chair Elect - Rick Shelley - Horizon Moving Systems Treasurer - Anita Farrow, National Bank of Arizona Secretary - Jack Blair, SSVEC

Board Members

Frank Gonzalez, - Lawley Automotive Elsie MacMillan - Sierra Toyota Ken Cecil - Mall at Sierra Vista Phil Vega - Sierra Vista Herald / Bisbee Daily Review Nancy Nash - Stuff ‘N Baskets Nathan Williams - Nathan Williams, Law Office Glen Cobb - Sierra Suites Kevin Peterson - CGI Mary Tieman - Southeast Arizona Workforce Connection

Sierra Vista Area Chamber PRESORTED

STANDARD

US POSTAGE PAID

HEREFORD, AZ

PERMIT NO. 29

CURRENT RESIDENT OR

Chamber Staff

Executive Director - Amanda Baillie, abaillie@sierravistachamber.org Membership & Marketing Director - John Hargraves III, jhargraves@sierravistachamber.org Communications Director - Margaret Dillard, mdillard@sierravistachamber.org Office Manager - Toni Rogers, officem@sierravistachamber.org Events Coordinator - Diane Erwin, derwin@sierravistachamber.org