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Grand Canyon Chamber presents new board members

The Grand Canyon Chamber and Visitors Bureau board. From left: President Freda  Rahnenfuehrer, Kurt Draser, Clarinda Vail, Julie Aldaz, Clayann Cook, Julie Aldaz and Darleen Bitter. Not pictured: Richard Milliron. Clara Beard/WGCN<br /><br /><!-- 1upcrlf2 -->

The Grand Canyon Chamber and Visitors Bureau board. From left: President Freda Rahnenfuehrer, Kurt Draser, Clarinda Vail, Julie Aldaz, Clayann Cook, Julie Aldaz and Darleen Bitter. Not pictured: Richard Milliron. Clara Beard/WGCN<br /><br /><!-- 1upcrlf2 -->

TUSAYAN, Ariz. - Bigger events, new board members and a new brochure were all on the agenda during the Grand Canyon Chamber & Visitors Bureau annual membership dinner on Jan. 9.

While chamber members enjoyed a three-course meal at Big E Steakhouse, incoming Board President Freda Rahnenfuehrer stressed moving into 2014 with a clear sense of purpose and a budgeting plan.

"We have a unique situation of being both a chamber and a visitors bureau," Rahnenfuehrer said. "But most importantly, we are the Grand Canyon and we need to recapture that."

Along with Rahnenfuehrer, the new chamber board includes Vice President Clayann Cook, Secretary Darlene Bitter, Clarinda Vail, Julie Aldaz, and Rich Miliron.

Grand Canyon Half Marathon

This May, Vacation Races will put on Grand Canyon Half Marathon as part of its National Park race series. The race route starts in Tusayan, loops through Forest Service roads and ends at the Imax Theater. Runners will not enter into the Grand Canyon National Park.

Already, the half marathon is 75 percent full and is capped at 1,200 runners. The race anticipates participants will travel from all over the country to Tusayan, and usually bring two other people with them.

Race organizer Salem Stanley said the total economic gains, based on information from other races in the series, comes to around $908,000. By the third year, Vacation Races estimates the number will grow to $3 million.

"We think it will be a good, healthy race," Stanley said.

Interested parties can get involved in sponsorship or volunteering by emailing Salem@vacationraces.com.

More information about the Grand Canyon Chamber and Visitors Bureau is available by calling (888) 472-2696.


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