Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce

As an active member and investor in the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce, you play a vital role in the success of our community at large. Without your support through the Chamber, many of the accolades and accomplishments that make Dahlonega and Lumpkin County great could not have happened.

Here are just a few of the Chamber’s accomplishments of the past year that are a direct result of your investment in the community and your peer businesses through the Chamber.

Delivering Value to Our Members…

• Held monthly “What’s Up Wednesday” luncheon networking opportunity for members.
• Hosted the Saints On the Square Student Block Party in August.
• Created an opportunity for members to reach their target market through website banner ads.
• Held monthly Young Professionals Group social hours.
• Coordinated monthly Business After Hours networking events, adding the “Random Riches” rollover drawing.
• Hosted the June Chamber Business After Hours & Open House.
• Held Monthly "Morning Mingles" for member networking opportunities.
• Held three Chamber 101 Orientation sessions for Chamber Members to educate them on the utilization of Chamber benefits
• Enhanced the Lumpkin Youth Leadership Program.
• Produced Movies Under the Stars, a fundraiser for the Lumpkin Youth Leadership Program.
• Hosted the Small Business Development Center “Utilizing Google Tools” educational class and the Constant Contact “Constant Contact Marketing Workshop” education series, in addition to our regular Nuts & Bolts Workshop series.
• Worked with the Dahlonega Nugget to produce a monthly Chamber Newsletter section in the newspaper.
• Produced over 200 weekly e-newsletters sent to over 900 Chamber Member representatives and over 8,000 Events & Entertainment subscribers, and enhanced social media communication.
• Established the Chamber of Commerce Twitter page.
• Installed ChamberMaster SEO module to the website to enhance member’s business listings.
• Worked with the Chestatee River Diving Bell Committee to launch the Diving Bell logo contest.
• Facilitated member information to groups and conference attendees.
• Coordinated members to promote events by hanging banners on chamber balcony.
• Produced Dahlonega and Lumpkin County’s Community Guide and Wedding & Event Planner.
• Held a Women In Lumpkin Leadership planning session and revitalized this leadership program.
• Held the “Brand the Bear” contest in a community-wide effort to name the Ranger the Bear mascot.
• Held Chamber Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony.
• Held monthly Ambassador meetings and utilized the services of these dedicated volunteers.
• Created the Chamber Downtown Merchant Coalition to enhance communication and facilitate community partnership.
• Installed the ChamberMaster Referral module to our website to provide leads to our lodging members.

Attracting Visitors to Our Community…

• Launched Comcast and GPB Commercial Advertising: Chamber / DDA on Comcast for HGTV. Commercial reinforced through Online Banner ads, Facebook and YouTube channels.
• Updated and redesigned 2011 Community Profile sheet for 2012 media efforts.
• Participated in ITB Berlin International Southeast Tourism Media Co-op including a press event for Berlin, Germany (Submitted Community Profile and Photographs for language translation).
• Partnered with Dahlonega Nugget newspaper and Big Canoe-based Smoke Signals newspaper for Advertising and Editorial.
• Extended invitation for wineries to participate with free booth at the Best of Atlanta Magazine Event at the Cobb Galleria.
• Hosted eight Travel Writer visits to Dahlonega and Lumpkin County.
• Held planning meetings, visited local attractions, and worked with Pineapple PR for publicity and media releases.
• Participated in multiple radio interviews promoting Dahlonega and Lumpkin County events and tourism.
• Produced media event for U. S. Travel Rally Day during National Travel and Tourism Week including a joint City/County Proclamation of May as Arts Month in Lumpkin County.
• Participated in “Georgia on My Mind” day and “Holidays On My Mind” day at the State Visitors Center promoting Lumpkin County.
• Continued to promote Appalachian Jam and Dahlonega Farmers Market with DDA staff.
• Promoted community events and attractions through PR, web, and social media.
• Welcomed Parents of Freshman Class Students at NGCSU, promoting destination Dahlonega-Lumpkin attractions.
• Managed production process of Phase II of Community Commercial with Video Craft Productions and planned multiple community unveilings and showings of the commercial.
• Met with technology partner, Populace, for content development of mobile app for Hospitality Highway Partnership.
• Provided Promotional Print Materials for annual Georgia Mountain Regional Commission meeting.
• Assisted Jaycees with logistics for Fox 5 News live Dahlonega segment promoting Gold Rush Days festival.
• Continued to develop social media campaigns through Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and new Pinterest effort targeting market segment interests and themed shoulder season promotions.
• Continued weekly Events & Entertainment e-newsletters averaging 8,000-10,000 subscribers.
• Coordinated “Escape to the Southeast” Online Banner Ad agreement and served on multiple events committees to help develop events and attractions.
• Produced the inaugural Dahlonega Wine Trail event.
• Facilitated the May Arts Walk event, partnering with Chestatee Artists, North Georgia College & State University, and Dahlonega Arts Council.
• Assisted historical attraction enhancements, including Chestatee River Diving Bell and Captain McDonald House.
• Conducted Research for new Lumpkin Civil War History Points of Interest trail development.
  
• Initiated development process for Lumpkin County mobile iTour History Points of Interest with Populace Mobile App company.
• Assisted launch of Dahlonega Haunts walking ghost tour brochure and website, produced by Leadership Lumpkin Class Projects, and advised Holly Theater affiliates on producing ghost tours.
• Attended initial meeting interest in creating Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Barn/Quilt Art Trail.
• Distributed Student/Parent Event Calendar to Chamber partner lodging properties.
• Fulfilled Leads for direct mail information requests generated through GA Travel Guide and Ad placements with NEGMTA and Hospitality Highway Co-op programs.
• Submitted bid to host GDEcD-produced Travel Media Market Place.
• Assisted Southeast Tourism Society Conference, acting as a business community liaison and partnering with DDA for weeklong shopping program to host conference.
• Offered April 2013 National Chevy Car Show logistics recommendations and permitting direction.
• Chamber hosted Leadership Georgia representatives for development of 2013 visit.
• Produced new pad map and re-printed Visitors Guide brochures.
• Interviewed local hotels regarding wedding industry lodging booking trends.
• Presented importance of film friendly readiness to County Commissioners and City Council.
• Assisted NGCSU Students and local Film Projects with site locations and other logistics.
• Served as the community liaison for Georgia State Film Office, providing tours of local assets to State staff and movie scouts.
• Assisted local horse-drawn carriage company with logistics launch for permanent downtown tour attraction.
• Met with both NGCSU Athletic Department for communication and promotions of University Sports and Public Services regarding group meetings/small conference requests.
• Began development of comprehensive Events Sponsorship Packet for fundraising.
• Held monthly Tourism Committee and Sub-Committee stakeholder meetings.
• Hosted Georgia Department of Economic Development Agri-Tourism Product Development Representative from Presidential Pathways Region of Georgia.
• Invited all lodging members and conducted Lodging Properties meeting.
• Invited and welcomed state Tourism Director Kevin Langston to Dahlonega and Lumpkin Visitors Center Plaza promoting the new Georgia with a Twist Campaign.
• Assisted Holly Theater with Fox Theater Institute Visit / Interview for attempt at grant support.

Growing the Economy…

• Worked with the Economic Development Team in the creation of a Community Visioning RFP.
• Installed the MarketSpace module in ChamberMaster and began work on a loyalty/value-added program for local and visitor spending.
• Promoted the North Georgia Economic Development Summit, produced by North Georgia College & State University.
• Operated the County Directional Signage Program for enhanced wayfinding in partnership with Chamber Volunteers.
• Assisted potential new and expanding business prospects in Dahlonega and Lumpkin County.
• Promoted the Mike Cottrell School of Business "Speaker Series" locally and regionally.
• Coordinated 30 Ribbon Cuttings for Chamber Members and promoted them in partnership with the Dahlonega Nugget.
• Presented the "Power of Facebook" educational program in partnership with DDA at a Women In Lumpkin Leadership meeting.
• Served as the community sponsor for the Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) Program.
• Revamped Chamber Economic Development Committee, creating Economic Development Team with DDA and LCDA representation.
• Partnered with the Dahlonega Nugget and DDA on the “9-9-9 Local Economic Stimulus Plan”, generating over $80,000 impact to the local economy.
• Partnered with Lumpkin County and North Georgia Resource Management on the Lumpkin County Great American Clean Up campaign.
• Continued work with the Friends of Dahlonega’s Gold Museum and Chestatee River Diving Bell committees, and partnered with committee and DDA to plan Diving Bell Ceremony.
• Held the first annual Strawberry Shortcake Social Agri-tourism and Agriculture networking and educational event.
• Met with potential business owners to discuss possible business opportunities in Dahlonega and Lumpkin County.
• Worked with Merchants, North Georgia College & State University, and the Gold Museum to produce the Trick-or-Treat Dahlonega event.
• Marketed and promoted “Shop Small” to Dahlonega and Lumpkin County to encourage local spending at our small businesses.
• Produced the Merchants Decoration Contest to encourage shop owners to decorate in a cohesive theme for maximum visitor impact.
• Created and produced the “Dahlonega’s Elf” Social Media campaign to encourage local shopping and dining during the holidays.
• Worked on branding and messaging for “Invest In the Future” to raise money in partnership with the Retired Educators Association for teacher grants in Lumpkin County classrooms.

• Communicated and advocated with our state representatives through visits to the Capitol, letters, and emails.
• Visited and communicated with numerous businesses on their needs and concerns.
• Produced a Town Hall Meeting and Candidate Forum.
• Held educational Town Hall meeting on SPLOST.
• Met with regional partners to create a TSPLOST messaging campaign and attended regular meetings with regional Chambers on Citizens for Better Transportation.
• Held Eggs and Issues Breakfast at the NGCSU Dining Hall.
• Attended Main Street Mayors Luncheon in Atlanta.
• Communicated with Lumpkin County Planning on behalf of Chamber member lodging properties on acreage ordinance and land use issues.
• Attended Tourism / Hospitality Day at the Capitol.
• Attended Lumpkin County Commissioner and City Council meetings and reported on Chamber activities.
• Supported the right of Dahlonega and Lumpkin County citizens to vote in regards to HB 69.
• Encouraged small businesses to participate during the “Red Tape Watch” initiative.
• Educated members on HB 386, an updated tax code to help attract new investment, encourage job creation, provide support to existing businesses, and improve competitiveness.
• Held an Office Day with Tate O’Rouke (on behalf of Senator Johnny Isakson), inviting Chamber members to come ask questions.
• Represented Dahlonega and Lumpkin County at the 2012 GA-400 Summit.
• Worked with Georgia Chamber to host the Georgia Chamber Power Lunch.

Running the Chamber Effectively…

• Enhanced the Six Gap Century Bike Ride fundraiser and the Six Gap Criterium to further enhance the weekend of events, attracting thousands of visitors to our community with over $1 million economic impact on our community.
• Re-designed the Six Gap website to better market the ride and meet cyclists’ needs.
• Created partnership with USA Pro Cycling Challenge for enhancement to Six Gap Century Bike Ride.
• Hired a part time Programs & Communications Coordinator position to better serve our member’s needs.
• Completed construction and remodeling on City- and County-owned building, including replacing the rotted dormer windows, roof, and enlarging the Chamber of Commerce internal office and conference room space.
• Installed ChamberMaster Event module to the Chamber’s website.
• Produced the Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center Annual Planning Session and created 2013 Program of Work with Board of Directors.
• Attended Chamber Committee and Economic Development Partner meetings.
• Held monthly Chamber Executive Committee and Board of Directors meetings.
• Prepared and submitted monthly activity reports to the City of Dahlonega and Lumpkin County.
• Completed technology upgrades on all workspaces.
• Utilized the Internship Program available through North Georgia College & State University.
• Encouraged professional development of staff through industry training and conferences.
• Held Staff Planning Session at Achasta Grille.
• Performed upgrades to the Chamber computer network and server.
• Implemented new Daily Reconciliation procedure and reporting system for better efficiency.
• Held newly developed Chamber 101 orientation session for Chamber Board of Directors.
• Completed the Hotel/Motel Tax Report for the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
• Completed a hotel/motel tax compliance audit and were found compliant in all areas.
• Visited regional Visitors Centers for ideas on enhancing the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Visitors Center and Public Restrooms with renovations scheduled for 2013.
• Held preliminary visioning meeting for Visitors Center design enhancements.
• Held Visitors Center Staff and Volunteers group meeting with focus on Visitor Services and Customer Service.
• Conducted tours of area lodging/attractions/assets for Visitors Center staff and volunteers.