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August 12, 2014 - In This Issue:
  

GREETINGS FROM THE CABOOSE

 

It's Time to Start Thinking of Snow...

It's that time of year when the leaves whisper change and we begin to think of powder-covered mountains. Members of the Basalt Chamber of Commerce and their eligible employees will again receive significant savings on season ski passes from Aspen Skiing Company.

 

This year the benefits are even better, with an option of 50% off lift tickets at six other world-class ski destinations. You'll find all the details here.

 

Step 1: Pick up your voucher at the Basalt Chamber Office, M-F, 9am-5pm

Step 2: Purchase your Season Pass by September 12 for the best deal

Step 3: Get ready for the snow!

 

... and all the other great benefits of being part of your local Chamber of Commerce

Of course, with your Chamber membership you receive so much more: networking and educational opportunities, merchant and other discounts on office supplies, auto rentals, fitness clubs, local advertising and more. We're always looking for new ways to support our members, so check the website and watch for notices to get maximum value for your investment.

 

In addition, as a member of the Basalt Chamber, your business is prominently displayed on the Chamber's website and in our social media pages, and promoted through direct referrals from the Caboose office and at many events.

 

Most importantly, by getting involved you're playing a key role in defining the character of our community, contributing to it's thoughtful development, and ensuring it's ongoing economic vitality. Whether you're in the Willit's Town Center; Basalt Business Center (Southside); Mid-Valley Design, Industrial or Medical Centers; Orchard Plaza; El Jebel; or along the historic streets of downtown Basalt, your ideas and support are what make our Chamber exceptional.

 

Do You Hear the Buzz in Basalt? 

 

Today as I walk through town, the sidewalks are abuzz with visitors. A week ago, more than 500 people attended the Town's first Basalt Live 4-day event with music, theatre, art, and great food from our fantastic local restaurants. Thanks much to the inventiveness and hard work of Jayne Gottleib Productions, the many volunteers, the collaborative support of the Town of Basalt, Basalt Downtown Business Association and our Chamber Board of Directors and members. Next week, for the first time in our history, the USA ProChallenge Cycle Race will come through Basalt. See below for information, and come out to cheer some of the world's top athletes as they speed along Two Rivers Road. Broadcasts will go throughout the world, so let's make a great show!

 

Across Two Rivers Road, tractors and backhoes are clearing the ground for two new centers of innovation and collaboration: the Roaring Fork Conservancy and Rocky Mountain Institute. Soon we'll have a multi-use River Park for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike. Ideas abound for ways and proposals to revitalize "Our Town" and bring together Basalt's varied commercial centers. Everyone I meet has something to share and, better yet, wants to get involved.

 

As you look ahead to a new year with the Basalt Chamber of Commerce, or if you're considering renewing a lapsed membership, please consider how we might help you to network most productively with your fellow business members and community. Are you interested in events, marketing, hospitality or tourism? Do you have an idea for a new program or want to join in welcoming new businesses? Would you like a seat on the Board of Directors? Let us know. We'll find a fit that's both enjoyable and rewarding for you and your business.

 

It's an extraordinary time in the life of our town! On behalf of the Chamber Board and departing director, Heather Smith, I want to thank you for your ongoing support and participation over the years. I look forward to meeting each of you, sharing ideas and working together to assure a bright future for our businesses and our community.

 

Please stop by the Caboose to say hello, email director@basaltchamber.com or give me a call at (970) 927-4031 any time you'd like to chat.

Robin

Robin Waters

President/CEO for Your Chamber of Commerce

 

P.S. Mark your calendars for the Chamber's final two Live After Five Wednesday night concerts.
They're sure to be a rockin' rollin' hit with the Caleb Dean Band in Lions Park on August 13 and Starwood & Night Plane in the Triangle Park at Willits on August 20.
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS
Thursday, August 21

Our August Business After Hours will be hosted by webShine at 231 Midland Ave Suite 101, Basalt, and co-hosted by Footsteps Marketing and The Aspen Clinic from 5:30-7:00pm, Thursday, August 21st.

This event is a great networking opportunity full of great food, prizes, and fun! Our host and co-hosts are planning a fun, easy going Backyard BBQ theme, with fun lawn games, delicious food, and drinks which will be provided by Four Dogs Fine Wine & Spirits

Be sure to enter your name for some great door prizes! Don't forget your "Business Bragging Bucks" so you get 30 seconds on the mic to tell all you can about your business during the event! 

Make sure you RSVP by 5pm Wednesday, August 20th, to receive your pre-printed name tag and to be entered to win the Business Spotlight for August! .

Business After Hours is a member benefit and is FREE for members of the Basalt Chamber. First time guests may attend for free and returning guests are $20.   

"LIVE AFTER FIVE" SUMMER CONCERTS
Tomorrow - 
August 13th
5:30pm-8:00pm in Downtown Basalt, Lion's 
Park!

 

 

Join us in Lion's Park tomorrow, August 13th for The Downtown Basalt closing show with Caleb Dean Band! Caleb Dean is a Country Singer and Songwriter, raised in the Snowy Rocky Mountains of Colorado!  For more information about this band go to calebdeanband.com. 

 

There is a beer garden this week! The Chamber's beer tent will open at 5:30 featuring Aspen Brewing Company, Coors, and Wine from Jimbo's Wine and Liquors.  Please note: No outside liquor will be permitted in the park for this concert as it will violate our liquor permit.  


Heather's Savory Pies and Tapas Bar will be there with food for sale, along with pies from the Basalt Community United Methodist Church!


Come hungry, thirsty, and ready to kick off those shoes to dance your midweek stress away!


We still need volunteers for this week!  
Please call Sam at 927-4031 or email  info@basaltchamber.com if you are able to help out during the event this week!
NOW ACCEPTING 2015 BOARD NOMINATIONS
3 Full Terms Opening in January!

 

The Basalt Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is looking for nominees to fill out the 2015 Board of Directors. If you or someone you know are interested in getting involved, helping us to fulfill the mission and vision of the Basalt Chamber and provide meaningful support to your business community, send a letter of interest to Chamber President & CEO, Robin Waters, at director@basaltchamber.com or Chamber Board Chair-Elect, Bill Simon, at simon81612@gmail.com or call us for more information at (970) 927-4031. It's a great team and a great way to make a difference in your community!

USA PRO CHALLENGE CYCLE RACE                
First Time in Basalt on August 19...
Don't Miss this Historic Event!

 

On August 19, for the first time ever, the USA Pro Challenge Cycle Race will pass through Basalt. Around 11:30 a.m., some of the world's top athletes will race down Hwy 82 along Two Rivers Road from east to west, then beyond Aspen Junction back onto Hwy 82, past Willit's Town Center and El Jebel on their way to Crested Butte .

 

20+ Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are critically needed to make the event go smoothly and help ensure the safety of bicyclists and spectators. This includes controlling intersections and managing pedestrians, stray animals and traffic along more than 5 miles of roadway from the Roaring Fork Club to Willits. To sign up to volunteer, contact Steven Chase at aspensailor@comcast.net. In addition to the Town's great appreciation and the opportunity to be part of this historic event, you'll receive a ProChallenge t-shirt (be sure to give Steven your size). All volunteers must be at the Basalt Town Hall by 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday to receive assignments.

 

Let's Line the Streets with 1,000 Cheering Supporters

This is one of the biggest cycling events in US history and the largest spectator event in the history of the state so the media coverage will be huge. For a special window of time next Tuesday morning, the world could get a glimpse of Basalt as the racers come through. There will be a large arch stretched across the 4-way stop at Midland Avenue, a Sprint Challenge near Town Hall, and a children's bicycle race on Two Rivers Road after the racers go through.

 

Please volunteer to help make this premiere event a great success and, of course, all of Basalt are invited to join us as we cheer the bicyclists down the road. Come on out... let's have fun!

  

For details on road closures please go to USAProChallenge  

WEEKLY BUSINESS TIP
Beware of a New Kind of Business Identity Theft

For many business owners, avoiding identity theft means taking steps to prevent the loss of data that could lead to financial fraud. But there is another type of business identity theft emerging: online identity theft related to review and social sites such as Yelp, Google, Facebook and UrbanSpoon. Cyber criminals or other businesses hack into these sites to post false information about a company or illegitimate reviews -- all with the intent to harm the organization.

The challenge of having to manage their business reputation is not new for company owners. Yet the Internet has changed the way people make decisions and how reputations spread. While it's easier for the advocates of a business to sing its praises, the reverse of this is also true: It's easier for competitors to post false information and reviews in an anonymous way through the Internet.

 

As this type of online identity theft spreads, business owners should keep a close eye on what's being posted online about their companies. Here are some tips for doing so:


 

1. Consider use of a reputation-management service. While reputation-management services have been around for a while, historically they've been used by enterprise businesses because of their high cost. But technology advances have made these services more automated, bringing down the price to a level that's more attractive for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

2. Set up a social media presence. Even if a business doesn't currently have plans to actively post to Facebook or engage on Twitter, it should create social accounts in the company's name. This will prevent others from creating accounts and posing as the legitimate business.
3. After an unusual drop in business, check online. Recently there have been instances of competitors hacking Google Map's verification system so as to post false information about a business. This includes updating the business' hours of operation to imply that it's closed or even posting a false location for the company.

If there's an unusual drop in company ledgers that can't be explained by the typical highs and lows of a business cycle, check online. It could as simple as a bad review, which can be addressed. Or it could also be that someone has updated the company's business information. Sites to check include Yelp and Google Places.

 

Small business owner should not ignore what's being said online about the company. This practice can lead to trouble. Take a proactive approach to online reputation management and build it into your business plan and marketing strategy. No time to do so? Explore reputation-management services that can take care of it.

To read the full article by Joe Ross go to http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/236121
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Is Your Money Market Account Due For A Promotion?

You work hard for your money. Your money should work hard for you too. If a promotion for your money is long overdue-introduce your savings to Sheri Smith
or Ricardo Hernandez at Vectra Bank and give your money the boost in responsibility it deserves!


Sheri Smith-sheri.smith@vectrabank.com
218 E. Valley Road, Suite 108
Carbondale, CO 81623
(970) 963-6096

Ricardo Hernandez-ricardo.hernandez2@vectrabank.com
218 El Valley Road, Suite 108
Carbondale, CO 81623
(970) 963-6096

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE!
Exclusive Member Only Advertising Opportunity

 

We can help you get the word out about your specials or sales for only $20!  This is an affordable avenue to reach your fellow business associates as well as community members. We have over 1000 contacts and a high open rate on our campaigns.  All you need to do is send us up to 200 words of what you want included as well as a picture.  We can also insert a link to a pdf of flyers or invitations into the article, so send us as much as you can.  We need all information by Friday at Noon to be included in the Tuesday newsletter.
 
Have an extra special fundraiser or event and only want your item highlighted in an email?  We can send out an email campaign on your behalf for $100 (that's less than 10 cents per contact!)!  We do need 48 hours notice and cannot send one out on a day we already have a campaign scheduled, so get your request in early.


5TH ANNUAL ROCK N ROAST Rock 'N Roast
Support Your Local Pre-schools!

Please Support Our Preschools!


Joining forces:GrowingYears, Mt. Sopris Montessori School, and Children's Rocky MtnSchool, are pooling efforts to put on our annual collaborative fundraiser. The funds raised from this exciting event wilbe used to support these higquality Early Childhood Education programs, where children learn and grow, whilstill remainiaffordablto working parents in our area. ThRock N' Roast wilbheld oOctober 17th, 2014. The event will include a variety of BBQ roasting stations and gourmet side dishes from several of our local restaurants.


This is going to be another fantastic year for the event! 400+ people have attended our Rock N'Roast fundraiser!


Tickets include entrance in to the event, food, drink tickets, music,and a chance at some of the best silent auction items in the valley! This event is open to the public so invite friends and family! This celebration and event is in honor of children but is FOR ADULTS. YOU MUST BE 21 TO ATTEND!


 ALL FUNDS RAISED SUPPORT QUALITY,NON- PROFIT, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTERS LOCALLY


Support These Local Preschools- Mt Sopris Montessori School:Carbondale Children's Rocky Mountain School:Carbondale GrowingYears:Basalt Your sponsorship OR donation is tax deductible. We will send a formal letter of THANKS with the tax ID number for your records. We will also run an ad in a local paper thanking businesses for their support.


For more information please contact:  Adele Melnick @ (970) 927 8008


{This Week In Basalt}

   

To view the calendar click HERE
Basalt Area Chamber of Commerce
The Red Caboose in Lions Park
POB 514
Basalt, CO 81621
970.927.4031

Our Mission:  To advocate for, promote, and serve our members.

 

Our Vision:  To grow Basalt as a destination for businesses, locals, and visitors. 
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