Judy Martens, chamber executive vice president, said that planning has already begun on a number of events for the fall. Before explaining those events, Martens reflected on the spring and summer months, which proved to be busy for the chamber.
Martens explained that this summer the chamber has been occupied with the distribution of vacation packets about the area to tourists. Many vacationers and tourists visited the chamber, wanting to know what the area has to offer.
To aid in the distribution of information, the chamber, thanks to a grant from Sallisaw Main Street, will now be able to offer information after hours to travelers.
Martens said the chamber received a grant from Sallisaw Main Street for the purchase of a brochures holder for after hours travelers and tourists, which was installed Aug. 3 in front of the chamber office.
"We're appreciative and excited that we're working together with them," Martens said, referring to Main Street. She noted that Main Street has put a lot of hard work into their events, and the chamber always needs to be a supporter of those kinds of groups.
Martens praised the generosity of sponsors and all chamber members, which helped the chamber have a successful spring and summer.
"They are the ones who keep this going. Without their support, there wouldn't be a chamber."
Martens said something they are proud of is the chamber's application for two Redbud Awards through the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association, which is part of the state tourism department.
The tourisms awards will be presented at an awards banquet on Oct. 1 in Tulsa during the governor's conference on tourism.
The chamber applied for two awards, including Outstanding Centennial Project and Outstanding New Event.
Martens explained that they applied for the Centennial award because of the unique Centennial projects the chamber hosted during the DiamondDaze Centennial Festival in May, including cakes and candles in honor of the Centennial, a Famous Oklahomans costume contest, mock land run, and photo display.
To apply for the new event award, the chamber had to show that the event improved from one year to next. She described this year's DiamondDaze festival as a 180-degree turnaround from last year, which was a money loser because of wet weather. This year, Martens said the chamber made $8,200 during the festival.
"Whether we win or not, people at the tourism department will know Sallisaw exists," Martens said. "It's well worth the effort to let them know what we're doing here."
GRANT FOR SIC
The chamber is not the only group busy this summer. Martens said the Sallisaw Improvement Corporation (SIC), with which the chamber works, has also been busy with its business incubator project.
Martens said the SIC was approved for a $45,000 rural development grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a business incubator project.
She said the north side of the chamber building will be renovated using the grant money, as well as $18,000 from the city and additional funding from SIC to complete the project.
"It will house a start-up business until they outgrow it, which is the premise of a business incubator," Martens said. "It's just another way to bring jobs to Sallisaw."
Construction on the project will start in the next several weeks.
New businesses apply through SIC, which screens the applications for the project. Martens said they have a prospective tenant, but no agreements have been finalized. She expected the new business to be moved in by November.
As part of the project, the SIC give a new business one year rent-free, with the business paying all utilities.
She said the project helps a new business get started, and as the business increases employees and profit, they will move into a building in the community. Then the next new business will move into the incubator building.
FALL EVENTS
The chamber is also looking forward to upcoming events for the fall and winter season.
The Bassnanza fishing tournament is one of the first big events for the chamber this fall. Martens said the tourney will be held on Kerr Lake on either Sept. 22 or Oct. 6.
Also in September, the chamber plans to give away hot dogs and cold bottled water, with the city's character traits on the bottles, on the library lawn during the football homecoming parade, which is usually held in September.
The character traits are part of the city's Character First program, initiated by the chamber to improve character in the community. Each month a different character trait and definition is announced in the community.
"We're excited about the character council," she said. She pointed out that the character program will be in all three Sallisaw school sites this year. She said the middle school is planning to order character trait banners, which proclaim the character trait of the month and definition. She said last year the high school ordered banners every month to display in the school. This year, the elementary school will be participating in the program by awarding prizes to children who portray a particular character trait of the month.
Martens said the chamber is funding the prizes for the elementary schools.
In October, Martens said the chamber plans to help sponsor, along with Your TIMES, the annual Women's Expo, which will be held Oct. 17.
In November, Martens said the chamber will begin Christmas events, with the Christmas lighting set for Nov. 15 and the Merchants Christmas Open House on Nov. 18. The premise for both events is the same as last year. For the Open House event, there will be basket giveaways for customers who shop during the open house.
The chamber will also be initiating the Shop Sallisaw campaign again, which gives residents an incentive to shop in Sallisaw during the holiday season. Last year, $2,500 in cash prizes were given away. Martens said she hopes more cash will be given away this year.
Sallisaw's Christmas parade on Dec. 1 will cap off this year's chamber events.
