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PRESIDENT'S
MESSAGE
A big welcome is extended to all new members. We hope you enjoy
your business experience and that you make many new friends through
your customer base. Customers, generally, are very loyal to a "brand"
and when businesses change hands they are ready to support the new
operator. I cannot stress how important the initial greeting is.
All it takes is a smile as you say hello. Even if you are very busy,
smile and let the customer know that you are aware that they are
waiting and that they are "important" to your business.
The first five months of 2008 have slipped past rapidly. Most businesses
have reported good trading figures, largely due to a big increase
in tourists that extended into the autumn quarter. The number of
"grey nomads" is increasing and they seem to be extending
their visitation.
At a recent seminar I was disturbed to hear from a State Government
official that his perception of the Portland business community
was that it was not very helpful or friendly towards visitors. So,
even if one person has this perception then, potentially we have
a problem. Please take the time to be a " visitor" in
your business. Step back and observe your staff. Do they treat all
people equally? Are they pleasant and courteous at all times? Do
they take time to answer the customer's question and give them clear
directions etc? These are all small tasks, which set the benchmark
for your business. Remember that your staff is your first customer.
Do you value your staff and treat them like a customer?
I have had a request from a Portland business to run a customer
service module. If you are interested in becoming involved in such
a program please e-mail sandilandsvic@hotkey.net.au. A small
fee will be charged to cover the cost of the training session.
With winter rapidly approaching use this time to complete all those
unfinished jobs and make sure that you take a break and recharge
the batteries.
Pam Bourke,
President, PTA Inc.
NEW MEMBERS
If you have a website please send the links through so that we can
put you on the www.portlandholidays.com.au website. This site has
a strong presence and is coming up really high when you Google Portland
accommodation. The more operators that link to this site the stronger
its presence will become on the web. WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE LOTS
OF SITES OUT THERE THAT WE COULD LINK. YOU JUST NEED TO PROVIDE
US WITH THE LINK. I am happy for you to e-mail your details
to: sandilandsvic@hotkey.net.au and I will forward the information
onto the site.
MEMBERSHIPS
PLEASE, IF YOU HAVE NOT RENEWED YOUR MEMBERSHIP FEES, MAKE AN
EFFORT TO DO SO TODAY. Your memberships help us to promote Portland
and the Discovery Coast at trade fairs, produce the Portland and
Discovery Coast Handbook, run off peak marketing campaigns and organise
the Portland Bay Festival. We have had record tourist visitation
this season, and it appears that all the hard work through our co-operative
marketing is starting to pay dividends. Failure to renew your
membership means that your promotional brochures will be removed
from the Portland Visitor Information Centre and your website link
will be disconnected from www.portlandholidays.com.au.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
The committee meets the second Tuesday of each month, 2.00 pm, Sandilands,
33 Percy Street, Portland. As a member you are welcome to attend
meetings. If you have any ideas on how to further promote our city
please come and make a presentation. We are always looking for new
ideas, and we welcome new members. Please note the next meeting,
16th June 2008.
PORTLAND
BAY FESTIVAL Chair PBF: Anita Rank
Planning is progressing for this year's Portland Bay Festival. If
you are interested in joining the sub-committee to help grow this
festival please contact Anita Rank or Pam Bourke.
Kerri Jennings has contacted many musicians and the lineup for the
two days is starting to take shape. This year we intend to have
one big marquee for the entertainment, located near the Angling
Clubrooms. We will be following the same format as the 2007 festival,
with a few minor modifications. We intend to simplify our ticketing
system, with an "early birds" discount for purchases before
October 2008.
PORTLAND
BUSINESS NETWORK Chair PBN: Liz Lindsey
On 17th & 18th April the PBN had Ms Sue Anderson from the Retailers
Association come to Portland for a merchandising seminar which was
attended by 73 retailers and staff. Sue was very impressed by the
attendance, as this was the most for a country area. The evening
was excellent and Sue conducted it in a manner that left everyone
wanting to get back to his or her shop to try out the merchandising
ideas. Over the two days twelve retailers booked private consultations.
Because a number of businesses have expressed their interest in
a repeat session we are hoping to get Sue back in the not too distant
future. The PBN and the Glenelg Shire conducted this event.
PBN held an evening get- together on Thursday 1st May, 5.30 pm at
The Watchhouse. About 34 businesspeople attended this evening and
an enjoyable time was had by all. Due to the success of the function
we are planning another evening get together in about 3 months time.
RESIGNATION OF PTA SECRETARY
Richard Mooney, Secretary PTA Inc. handed in his resignation in
April. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Richard for
his hard work during his term as secretary. Richard conducted his
duties in a professional manner and he is to be commended for his
diligence. The committee wishes him well in his future endeavours.
COMMITTEE FOR PORTLAND
On behalf of the PTA committee I would like to pass on our congratulations
to Anita Rank on her appointment to the position of Executive Officer,
Committee for Portland. I urge all Portland businesses to get behind
this committee as the only way to improve infrastructure and facilities
is through lobbying Local, State and Federal Governments. Anita
is a high achiever, who approaches every task in a professional
manner. She consistently delivers a good product and I am sure that
this will show in the results for the committee and the wider Portland
community.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The 2008 AGM will be held on Monday 11th August at 7.30 pm. Venue
and Guest Speaker to be confirmed. Members will be e-mailed these
details in June.
Please think about taking a more active role in the running of your
association. All positions on the committee are up for re-election.
Indications are that most of the Executive Committee will not
be seeking re-election. I will be standing down as President and
nominating for the General committee. As my interests are the
Portland Handbook and the Portland Bay Festival I will nominate
for those sub - committees.
It is time for new people to step up and lead our association
in the next phase of growing our tourism product. We need new ideas
and enthusiasm.
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