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Think You Know Your Business? What Do Your Customers Think About Your Business?

Posted on August 23, 2011 by admin

Weekly Newspaper Column by Vail Valley Partnership Executive Director, Chris Romer

A relatively simple question, and at the same time a question whose answer will likely raise many not-so-simple questions. Do your customers – or potential customers – think of your business the way you want them to think about you? If no, what do you do about that?

The question of “what do your customers think about you” was a discussion topic at a recent Vail Valley Partnership ambassador meeting. Our ambassador group meets once a month & they are active VVP members in the community. The Partnership keeps these good folks updated on a variety of our events & new initiatives so they can help us spread the word about our programs to the community at large. Our discussion focused on what VVP members think of our organization.

When you think of the Vail Valley Partnership-the Chamber & Tourism Bureau, what do you think of? You might think of one of the following:

  • the 20+ networking events we host annually?

  • the 8+ educational programs we host annually?

  • the marketing benefits including the new lead-share program?

  • our social media and web platform available to members?

  • our numerous cost-savings programs?

  • the variety of new member media benefits?

  • the VailonSale.com website providing last minute lodging deals to destination guests?

  • our publications including the Visit Vail Valley-Official Visitors Guide, Vail Valley Wedding Guide, Vail Valley Volunteer Guide or Vail Valley Green Guide (produced in conjunction with the Eagle Valley Alliance for Sustainability)?

  • our signature programs such as the Certified Vendor Program, Lodging Quality Assurance Program, Platinum Service Program or the Non-Profit Network?

  • our new collaborative programs including the Vail Valley Merchant Alliance, the Vail Valley Volunteer Connection or the Vail Valley Sports & Event Coalition?

  • some of you even probably think we’re the Vail Valley Foundation (love that organization, by the way)

  • our group sales efforts that bring in over 13,000 room nights of group meetings & participatory sporting events every year?

  • our leisure sales efforts that bring in over 10,000 room nights each year?

These were all mentioned in the discussion with our ambassadors. Wrap it all up, and we’re keeping busy. But we don’t want the Vail Valley business community to think of us in any of the ways listed above. Don’t take that the wrong way – we are proud of each and every one of those efforts and each and every one of those results, and we will continue to work hard to bring more guests to the Vail Valley and to continue to provide benefits to our member businesses.

That said, when someone says “Vail Valley Partnership”, we want the community to think of the regional organization that promotes our destination & provides the resources for businesses to succeed. At the end of the day, that’s our role – a role we relish, a role we work hard at and a role we continue to try to improve at.

So don’t sit on the sideline. Your businesses membership in the Vail Valley Partnership helps us achieve each of the above. At the end of the day, it’s a small price to pay to help us promote the destination to thousands of destination visitors and to help our local businesses work together through the events and marketing channels we offer.

As always, I encourage all member businesses to get engaged with the Partnership and to contact us with any suggestions you may have to help us better serve you. Call us at (970) 476-1000 or stop by our offices in Avon at Traer Creek Plaza to share your feedback.

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County Encourages Residents to Plan Ahead to Enjoy the USA Pro Cycling Challenge

Posted on August 23, 2011 by admin

Residents and Guests Will Have the Opportunity to View Top Three Tour de France Finishers

The inaugural USA Pro Cycling Challenge will ride through Eagle County this week, bringing residents and guests the opportunity to witness the world’s best cyclists including the top three finishers of this year’s Tour de France. The event will cover 600 miles over 7 stages starting today through Aug. 28, and includes the Stage 3 Time Trial in Vail on Thursday and the Stage 4 start in Avon on Friday. Eagle County is encouraging community members to plan ahead in order to enjoy the race and get to their destinations with minimal delays.

The Aug. 25 Vail Time Trial race will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Prior to the start of the race, honorary forerunners will be riding the course from 12:15 to 1 p.m. Other activities include a Bike Expo in Vail Village from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and a free concert at Mountain Plaza in Vail Village from 5 to 7 p.m. Spectators and commuters heading into Vail on Thursday should plan to use public transportation, carpool or ride their bikes as parking will be limited. ECO Transit will offer free express service from the Beaver Creek parking lots in Avon to the Vail Transportation Center every 20 minutes from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Events surrounding the Stage 4 start in Avon on Aug. 26 include the Avon Festival and Bike Expo in Nottingham Park beginning at 9:30 a.m.; the Chromoly Chef Challenge at 9:45 a.m.; the Strider Cup at 10 a.m.; Scout the Stage citizen’s ride at 11:15 a.m.; and a kids bike race at 12:45 p.m. Visitor parking will be available in the Beaver Creek Elk and Bear lots and is expected to fill quickly. Spectators are encouraged to ride their bikes into and around Avon.  Free secure bike storage will be offered in Avon in Nottingham Park from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on race day, courtesy of the Ski and Snowboard Club Vail volunteers. 

Starting ceremonies for Stage 4 will begin at 11:30 a.m. with the race start set for 12:30 p.m. Racers will ride through Avon in two counterclockwise laps before breaking loose on U.S. Highway 6 near the West Beaver Creek Boulevard intersection. A rolling road closure will be in place and will follow the race westbound on Highway 6 from Avon to Wolcott, then up State Highway 131 toward Steamboat Springs and the Stage 4 finish. Motorists are advised that traffic can travel on highways 6 and 131 ahead of the race and behind the race, but cannot pass the race. ECO Transit will suspend all bus service to Avon Station between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Temporary road closures will be in place within the towns of Vail and Avon during the two race days. Visit www.vailgov.com/ProCyclingChallenge and www.avon.org/USAProCyclingChallenge for additional event, spectator and road closure information.

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40th Annual Vail Mountain School Home Tour & VMS Golf Tournament

Posted on August 23, 2011 by admin

Proceeds to Benefit VMS Students in Need of Financial Assistance

40th Annual Vail Mountain School Home Tour & VMS Golf Tournament

  • All proceeds from Home Tour ticket sales, The Gourmet Pantry, and the Home Tour Raffle will be used to help provide over $1 million in financial assistance to VMS students in the 2011-12 academic year. Over 1/3 of the students at Vail Mountain School will receive financial assistance during the 2011-2012 academic year.

  • All proceeds from the VMS Golf Tournament will help provide unique programs, activities, and resources that enable students to achieve excellence both in and out of the classroom in the 2011-2012 academic year.

  • The Home Tour began as a kitchen tour in 1972 and has since evolved to include a tour of the entire home, a beautiful Luncheon, the Gourmet Pantry, and new this year, the VMS Golf Tournament at 1:30 p.m., the afternoon of the Home Tour, at Sonnenalp Golf Club, allowing golfers to enjoy the Home Tour and Luncheon in the morning and play golf in the afternoon (or, send their spouse, family, or friends on the Tour while they play golf!).

Date, Time, Place

  • Sunday, September 18th, 2011

  • Home Tour at Arrowhead at Vail: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Golf Tournament at Sonnenalp Golf Club: 1:30 p.m. Shotgun Start

  • Headquarters, parking, and complimentary transportation at skier parking lot at Arrowhead at Vail

  • Luncheon at Vista at Arrowhead (see below for more details)

  • Gourmet Pantry at Vista at Arrowhead, 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.—casseroles, compotes, cakes, and more all prepared by some of VMS’s finest parent chefs.

  • Trade Show at Arrowhead Alpine Club—Certain VMS sponsors will share information on their business or organization

The Stops on This Year’s Home Tour (7 magnificent homes and the Arrowhead Alpine Club)

  • Arrowhead Alpine Club—offers a variety of social events and community involvement opportunities for its members. Tours of the club and refreshments will be made available throughout the day of the Home Tour.

  • 2495 Cresta Road—sits atop the slopes of Cresta Run

  • 2105 Cresta Road—also known as “Lone Pine Lodge” high atop Cresta Road—Adirondack-style home built with lodge pole pines from the Yellowstone fire of 1988.

  • 35 Cresta Court—the home of a German/Texan couple, the décor represents both members of the family!

  • 328 Arrowhead Drive—a 7,000 square foot post and beam, with a “roof raising” remodel in 2007

  • 199 Windermere Circle—a sophisticated alpine home situated along the fairway of the first hole of Country Club of the Rockies

  • 1 Arrowhead Place, A302—a three bedroom condominium overlooking the Arrowhead Bahn Lift at the base of Arrowhead Mountain, this home is full of Western art and artifacts

  • 74 Sawatch Drive—nestled next to the 11th green at Country Club of the Rockies, a western-themed home with incredible views all the way to Castle Peak in Eagle

VMS Golf Tournament

  • Golfers can enjoy the Home Tour and Luncheon in the morning at Arrowhead at Vail and play golf in the afternoon at Sonnenalp Golf Club. Or, send their spouse, family, or friends on the Tour while they play golf!

  • 1:30 p.m. shotgun start on the afternoon of the Home Tour at Sonnenalp Golf Club (five minute drive from Arrowhead and Home Tour Headquarters)

  • Registration fee includes Luncheon at Vista at Arrowhead and an hors d’oeuvres reception at Balata after the Tournament

  • A golfer can purchase a Home Tour ticket for his/her use at the discounted price of $25

  • Scramble tournament

  • Fun contests, prizes, and giveaways

  • Transportation between Home Tour Headquarters and Sonnenalp Golf Club provided

Home Tour Tickets & Golf Tournament Registration

  • Advanced tickets and registration can be purchased by calling 970-477-7170 or visiting www.vms.edu/hometour.

  • Home Tour

  • Home Tour tickets are available at:

- Vail Mountain School

- Gorsuch Ltd. in Vail Village and Beaver Creek

- MARKET Café at The Sebastian-Vail in Vail Village

- Maximum Comfort Pool & Spa in Eagle-Vail

- The Bag & Pack Shop in Avon

- Slifer Designs in Edwards

  • Day of the Tour tickets can be purchased at Home Tour Headquarters at the skier parking lot in Arrowhead at Vail.

  • Seniors (62+) and students: $40/person in advance; $55 day of tour

  • All other guests: $45 in advance, $55 day of tour—all other guests

  • Group pricing available (more info. on website)

  • Golf Tournament

  • Individual Entry: $195

  • Team Entry (foursome): $700

  • Hole Sponsor: $500

  • Hole Sponsor Plus Team Entry (foursome): $1,000

  • Register online at www.vms.edu/hometour

Luncheon

  • Complimentary transportation will take guests to Vista at Arrowhead for the Luncheon

  • Fifth grade students will be serving the food in chef caps and aprons, and students of all ages will provide entertainment throughout the luncheon.

  • Food will be served from 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

  • Don’t forget to stop by the Gourmet Pantry, where hundreds of homemade epicurean delights will be on sale from 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Vista at Arrowhead

Home Tour Raffle

  • Raffle offers over $18,000 in prizes, including:

  • $5,000 Gorsuch shopping spree

  • Five-day/four night stay in Royal Towers at Atlantis in the Bahamas

  • Denver weekend getaway for two plus two tickets to a mutually agreeable Denver Broncos regular season game this coming season

  • $1,200 shopping spree at Wishes, The Toy Store and a family portrait sitting and print

  • Beautiful earrings from Betteridge

  • Lift tickets and adventure package with dinner for four

  • Golf packages

  • 40 days of parking at Solaris Residences

  • Entertainment packages

  • An iPad2

  • Raffle tickets cost $5 each or six tickets for $30.

  • Raffle tickets may be purchased prior to and on the day of the Tour. Call VMS at (970) 477-7170 for tickets.

  • The drawing for the winning tickets will be held on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at Vail Mountain School. Winners need not be present at the drawing.

Vail Farmers’ Market Booth

  • Home Tour tickets, Golf Tournament registrations, and Home Tour Raffle tickets will be sold at the Vail Mountain School booth at the Vail Farmers’ Market each Sunday from June-September.

Community Involvement

  • Over 300 volunteers participate in the production of the event—parents, students, faculty, and staff.

  • Students, parents, and teachers act as greeters at homes.

  • Students help with luncheon and the Gourmet Pantry.

Guests

  • Guests come from near and far year after year, many making plane reservations well in advance of the Tour.

Vail Mountain School

  • Established in 1962

  • Eagle and Summit County’s independent school

  • College preparatory for students in grades kindergarten through 12

  • Approximately 350 students attend the school. Small classes allow for unique teacher-student relationships.

  • Character education and community service are important aspects of the curriculum, as well as frequent interaction between age groups.

For More Information:

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Tough Mudder Colorado 2012 Registration is Now Open!

Posted on August 23, 2011 by admin

Register Now and Save $10! Tough Mudder

Colorado Mudders–

The time has finally come: Tough Mudder Colorado 2012 is now open. Use the code COPreReg and receive $10 off regular registration. This discount code expires Thursday, August 25th. Register now by clicking here.  

Tough Mudder Colorado will be held Sat. June 9 & Sun. June 10, 2012 at Beaver Creek Resort. The course will be 10 miles and include at least 26 badass obstacles designed by the British Special Forces. Only those that finish will earn the right to be called a Tough Mudder.

Check out the Tough Mudder New England  2011 Official Video for a taste of what’s in store:

Tough Mudder New England 2011 Official Video

Tough Mudder New England 2011 Official Video

Click below to:

REGISTER NOW

Once you’ve registered, it’s time to start training. Check out our Training Page for the Tough Mudder Workout.

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Special Events Commission Accepting Applications for 2012 Vail Special Events Funding

Posted on August 23, 2011 by admin

Submit Your Application Today

The Town of Vail’s Commission on Special Events (CSE) is currently accepting funding requests from special event producers for 2012 events occurring in Vail. The RFP, guidelines and accompanying information are available online at www.vailgov.com; at the Vail Municipal Building, 75 S. Frontage Road; or by calling 477-3551.

The CSE receives its funds from the Vail Town Council, and is charged with allocating these funds to stimulate the local economy and to promote an atmosphere of vitality, year-round fun, sense of community and increased quality of experience for Vail’s guests and residents.  Funding amounts will be determined based on an event’s potential to increase sales tax and lodging tax returns, increase a visitor’s intent to return, how well the proposal matches the “Vail Brand,” how it will increase a sense of community in Vail, how sponsorships and media exposure will complement the CSE’s funding, and if the timing of the event will promote economic vitality in the community by strengthening the shoulder seasons.

In 2011 the CSE allocated over $800,000 to support 26 special events, including such major events as Teva Mountain Games, Vail Film Festival, Taste of Vail, Spring Back to Vail, Snow Daze, Vail Farmers Market and the upcoming Vail Soul Music Fest. The CSE has also supported a number of smaller, more ambient events such as the Whitewater Kayak Demos, the Vail Antique Festival, and the LionsHead Saturday Afternoon Club. Participatory athletic events such as the Vail Lacrosse Shootout, King of the Mountain Volleyball Tournament, Kick-It 3v3 Soccer Tournament, and most recently the Vail Kids Adventure Race are sponsored annually and generate a large number of room nights. 

Event funding applications are due no later than 5 p.m. Oct. 17 and should be submitted to:  Town of Vail Commission on Special Events, 75 S. Frontage Rd., Vail, CO 81657.

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