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Chamber marks dynamic year
New leadership meant growth year for group

Grand Canyon's Chamber of Commerce Board (from left): Secretary Heather Walton of Papillon, President Patty Brookins of Grand Canyon Association, outgoing President Mike Freeman of Xanterra, Ann Wren from the Quality Inn, Treasurer Brent Kok of the National Geographic Visitor Center/IMAX, Greg Bryan of the Best Western Squire Inn, Chamber Executive Director Craig Andresen and Don Keil of APS.

Grand Canyon's Chamber of Commerce Board (from left): Secretary Heather Walton of Papillon, President Patty Brookins of Grand Canyon Association, outgoing President Mike Freeman of Xanterra, Ann Wren from the Quality Inn, Treasurer Brent Kok of the National Geographic Visitor Center/IMAX, Greg Bryan of the Best Western Squire Inn, Chamber Executive Director Craig Andresen and Don Keil of APS.

At the Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau annual luncheon last week, members saw the difference that a year can make just by looking around the room.

"I think this is the biggest annual meeting we've ever had," said incoming board President Patty Brookins, retail manager for Grand Canyon Association. "It's been a great year of changes and we're really excited about what we've been able to accomplish."

The biggest success of the year was fulfillment of their 2007 goal to hire an executive director who could bring a new level of leadership and professionalism to the Chamber.

The board began the search early last year after a facilitated retreat during which they talked about the impact of Grand Canyon West's aggressive marketing on the park's image and the need to develop a strong identity for the Grand Canyon-Tusayan area.

"We looked at what we wanted the Chamber to look like in another year, another five years," said Brookins. "We had projects we wanted to do but those on the board had full-time jobs. They didn't have the time or expertise to do the level of work we wanted done."

They joined chamber executive associations to reach out to candidates with the right background. Seven businesses - Red Red Feather, Xanterra, National Geographic Visitor Center, Papillion, Best Western Squire, Quality Inn and Delaware North - pledged a total of $65,000 annually for three years, after which the position was expected to be self-supporting.

In May, they hired Craig Andresen from the North Phoenix Chamber of Commerce.

Though he was only on board for part of it, he managed to make 2008 one of the organization's most dynamic years. Members saw the introduction of a regular newsletter; a new, feature-packed Web site; and Chamber visibility at community events.

Revamping the Web site was one of his first priorities. Andresen said that when he arrived in May, a Google search of "Grand Canyon" put the Chamber's site on page 12; now it comes up on page four.

"We had a Web site that wasn't exactly what we wanted people to go and see. It wasn't doing as much as a Web site should be doing," he said.

He contracted with Chamber Nation to develop a new site that went online this summer. It provides marketing and tracking tools for businesses as well as more information on the park's history and features, photographs and a blog.

The coming year will also see more visibility for the Chamber's site. They've joined the Arizona Western Heritage Trails Association and will have a page on a new site launching this spring in a $2 million campaign to reach people interested in heritage travel nationwide.

The aim is to make it the "411" for those planning a visit, he said.

The Chamber and its members also helped establish last summer's Tusayan shuttle, which carried more than 1,000 riders and kept between 300-400 cars out of the park each day. Andresen said they plan to extend that further into the shoulders of the 2009 season.

Last fall, the Chamber office moved from the Tusayan Fire Department building, to the gift shop plaza across the street.

"The firehouse served us well but it wasn't very accessible to foot traffic," Andresen said. "This is a place where the public can come in and see what we have to offer."

In the spring he expects to have a one-stop tour and lodging reservation system online.

Building community is another goal for the Chamber in 2009.

"This is a unique place and opportunity to work with a chamber and a board of directors who have such a deep belief in what they're doing for this community," Andresen said.

He said that last July 4th parade in the rain was emblematic of the community's spirit.

"I wondered if anyone was going to be out," he said. "But the streets were packed."

Discussions are ongoing about new offerings for locals such as outdoor movie showings and community awards. They've also talked about an annual holiday tree lighting and festival, and a vintage bike rally starting and ending at the Canyon.

Andresen said they are also looking at ways to build promising new events like the fledgling Grand Canyon Marathon, and improve on those with a longstanding tradition like the July 4 parade, adding things like a battle of the bands and laser light show.

Membership almost doubled in the past year, from 29 to 54, with the search going well beyond the immediate area. Andresen said that with increased involvement from member businesses, he plans to ramp up recruitment throughout the region in 2009.

"I don't just mean Tusayan," he said. "It's the National Park and the surrounding area. We're all linked together and we're promoting tourism not only at Grand Canyon but to get to Grand Canyon. Together we can make 2009 the best year ever."

"I came last year when you were talking about getting an executive director," said Williams Chamber Chairman of the Board Connie Hiemenz. "It's wonderful to see how far you've come."

To get more involved in next year's Chamber successes, contact Andresen at info@grandcanyonvisitorbureau.com.


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