Chamber Membership Meeting
Ellicottville Chamber Membership Meeting
The Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce invited members of the Chamber to their monthly membership meeting July 22, 2020. The meeting was held at the Wingate.
MEMBERSHIP DUES
Barb Pump, the Chamber’s Project Development Manager, shared with those present that members can now opt to pay their membership dues on the Chamber’s website. Members can access this option via the “Join” tab on ellicottvilleny.com. New memberships can also be completed online via the “Join” tab.
FALL FESTIVAL
According to Brian McFadden, Executive Director, the Chamber Board has been discussing Fall Festival for several weeks now, but it came down to crunch-time last Thursday, when a final decision regarding the cancellation of the event had to be made. As Brian explained, “The Chamber needs to apply for licensing and permits for Fall Festival at least 90 days prior to the event. With the current situation and the health risks involved due to Covid-19, the state and health departments are not issuing permits for any of these types of events. It just can’t happen.”
Since the Chamber announced the cancellation, there have been many comments circulating on social media. Brian reported that although there have been a few negative comments, most have been positive. As Brian explained, the health and safety of the community members, business staff, and visitors is #1 priority, and without the proper permits and licensing, there’s nothing they can do about it anyways. Brian shared with the group that there is still tremendous opportunity to attract Fall visitors, and that he has heard from many local businesses that surprisingly, weekday numbers have been very good. Laura Solly (Daff) agreed, sharing that she has had many weekday shoppers in her store.
EVL PLEDGE
The Chamber is working with videographer Ashley Baron (ABCinema / PandaGoat Media) on commercials promoting Fall visits and all the exciting things to do in Ellicottville, including chairlift rides, Sky High, and small promotions that some of the downtown businesses are planning.
To help bring those visitors here, Barb expressed that it is important that businesses do their part in helping to showcase the cleanliness of our village by following mandates, wearing masks, sanitizing regularly, and by taking the EVL Pledge.
The EVL Pledge is an initiative the Chamber created to relay to visitors that Ellicottville businesses are taking the proper precautions to make people as safe as possible, so people coming to Ellicottville can enjoy their visit with peace of mind. Any business can take the EVL Pledge by going onto the Chamber’s website and filling out the Pledge form. Once your business takes the Pledge, you will receive a Pledge poster to display in your storefront window, and your logo will be included on the Chamber website.
Barb encourages EVERY business to take the Pledge. “The more businesses that are onboard, the better it will represent Ellicottville as a safe place to visit.” On the Pledge poster is “OUR PROMISE” … As Barb explained, “‘Our Promise’ means that you care about those people that are coming into your business. You’re letting people know that you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing according to state and federal guidelines.”
“When visitors walk down the street, they’re going to look for the places that look the safest,” said Brian. “I think we’ve done a really great job downtown to show that we are following the rules and that we’re doing as much as possible to be safe.” Brian and Barb reported that the number of Guide requests that the Chamber has received in the past month has gone up significantly, and clicks on the “How to Get Here Link” on the Chamber’s website are up 160%, indicating how many folks are looking for a small town getaway.
Laura Solly (Daff) suggested that businesses post photos on social media of their staff in masks and using the hashtag #evlpledge to help grow awareness.
FOOD AND WINE WEEK
In place of this year’s Taste of Ellicottville (which obviously is also cancelled), the Chamber is proposing a week-long promotion to encourage people to frequent the downtown district for their dining pleasure, Aug. 7th-16th. The idea is for restaurants to offer their fan-favorite Taste foods from previous years, on specific days of the week, or as a special plate. To add to Food & Wine Week, it was suggested that restaurants could partner up with one of the shops, and diners would receive a coupon or voucher to that shop with their check.
Bill Finnerty (Finnerty’s Tap Room) suggested doing a promotion where if someone dines at X number of restaurants during that week, they would be entered into a drawing for a gift basket with gift certificates and goodies donated from local businesses.
Barb plans to reach out to Chamber members to see who is interested. The Chamber will need the majority of restaurants to agree to participate by July 29th or they will not proceed with the promotion. Once details are organized, the Chamber will have a poster designed, which will promote Food & Wine Week, list all participating businesses and begin a promotional campaign.
ROCK N’ ROLL WEEKEND
Cancelled. However, it was proposed that Ellicottville host informal Cruise Nights one day a week during September, open to anyone that wants to bring their cars down to display. Michael Sherburne (Wingate Hotel) offered the Wingate parking lot as potential space, depending on dates/times and space availability.
GOLF OUTING
Barb announced that the Chamber Golf Outing is a GO. It is scheduled for Sept. 10th at Holiday Valley. Foursomes can sign up at the Chamber office or on the website at www.ellicottvilleny.com.
GAZEBO SERIES
Brian reminded meeting participants that the Gazebo Series has started and is seeing a good turnout. There’s a different band scheduled for each Thursday, 7-9pm, and will run through Aug. 13th. The Gazebo Series is sponsored by CCSE Federal Credit Union and is free to attend.
