2006 - 2007 KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
FOCUS AREAS

w Visitors
 
l Web ~ Created a marketing campaign promoting the Saugatuck Douglas Area. Tied our new "Six Seasons" campaign with updates on our website. Website giveaway promoting consumer traffic to utilize website. Handouts to educate others on our new website. Cling window displays were created to identify SABA members and promote the SABA website.

Coordination and hiring of web master for the SABA website. Bids are accepted every other year. Individual works with the SABA Board on ongoing changes, updates and improvements.

Ongoing improvements and updates are completed with our own website http://saugatuckdouglas.com. Continuously update member listings, creating an events page to better communicate community events, a community wide events calendar is maintained and updated regularly, looking to form a SABA newsletter for consumer distribution to increase awareness.
l Brochure ~ SABA creates a map and brochure listing of all  members for consumer use. Added an ad directory to the brochure. Created revenue to allow improvements.
l Community Walking Maps ~ In 2007, SABA created stand-alone walking maps of Saugatuck and Douglas showing most members in the Saugatuck-Douglas area for tourist use. In 2008, plans are to integrate the Walking Maps and Brochure into one product.
l Outdoor Community Maps ~ Looking to display the community walking maps in outdoor kiosks downtown Saugatuck and Douglas. Allowing consumers to conveniently locate business members within each of our cities.
l Drug Store Wall ~ Maintain and handle the Saugatuck Drug Store Wall signage.
l Information Booth ~ Working with local volunteers and the Information Booth in downtown Saugatuck.

w Members

l Email Blasts & Periodic Mailings ~ Regularly communicates information to members through periodic emails and written correspondence when needed. SABA funnels community based information for non-profit groups via email blasts.
l Preferred Insurance Rates ~ Priority Health insurance is available as a SABA member. Three insurance agencies that are members of SABA are available for assistance.
l Information Surveys ~ SABA prepares and sends surveys to each member to determine the focus and directions the organization should concentrate its efforts.
l Calling Tree ~ SABA coordinates the Community Calling Tree to funnel urgent information to members and other entities such as the Cities of Saugatuck and Douglas, Douglas DDA, CVB, and the local police department.
l Training & Seminars ~ Priority Health presentation, Hospitality Training, TIPS/TAMS Training, Marketing/Advertising. Website, Police Dept - Check Fraud, Small Business Management
l Networking ~ SABA coordinates and supports the following networking opportunities for members: Fish Philosophy, Spring Kick-Off, Fall Get Together, Holiday Social.
l Restaurant Menus ~ Copies of restaurant menus are now available on the SABA web site.
l Marketing Coordinator ~ Plans are underway to hire a coordinator for all marketing activities of the Business Association.
l SABA Committees ~ Events Committee, Brochure/Map Committee, Website Committee, Marketing Committee, Membership Committee, Services Committee
l Advertising Efforts ~ Ongoing promotion of local activities and events through newspaper and radio advertising.
l SABA Bucks ~ In the process of creating Saugatuck/Douglas dollars. Consumers would be able to purchase these to support the local economy.

w Partners

l City Government & Community Leaders ~ Facilitate meetings between Saugatuck City government, leaders within the community, or special interest groups to determine a solution or reach a common understanding. In the past assisted with the following topics or parties with issues: Art Fair Committee, local police, business owners with a liquor license, Saugatuck Information Booth, business license fees, Sparkle Committee, downtown merchants in Saugatuck concerning winter hours, the Green Market and the Saugatuck Center for the Arts and Harbor Committee.

Board members appointed liaisons with local governments - working to build a working relationship between government and the business community. Allows better communication and formally bring business issues to local government in a professional manner. Each of the Co-Presidents meet with members of Saugatuck City Council every month. Currently working with the Douglas DDA to establish an ongoing bridge of communication.
l Garden Club ~ Collaborating with the Saugatuck-Douglas Garden Club on the ongoing maintenance needed for the pots of flowers for downtown Saugatuck and Douglas. Assist with paying a student to water these plants throughout the summer.

w Events ~ Local events assisted or sponsored include

l Town Crier 5/10K Race
l Saugatuck and Douglas Sidewalk Sale
l Festive Fridays
l Saugatuck Music in the Park		 l Waterfront Film Festival Fundraiser
l Winter Festival
l Saugatuck and Douglas Holiday Preview Weekend
l Carriage Rides Downtown Saugatuck and Douglas

l Prepared "Sandwich Board" to promote events sponsored by SABA. Used for Carriage Rides in front of Drug Store.

w Some others

l New logo ~ Created a new logo ~ see above.
 l Administrator ~ Hired and renewed Fred Schmidt's contract as SABA Administrator for another year. He handles routine daily administrative work for the Business Association.
 l Membership ~ Increasing emphasis on membership renewals and new member additions by reaching out and contacting business owners on the business license lists to become members, send renewals to existing members, personally make phone calls to new and existing members to join SABA, ongoing visit with members to pave a path for better communication with each member.
l Last Call ~ SABA works to keep the "LAST CALL" service available each season. LAST CALL provides a free ride home to those who may have partied too long.
l Information Surveys ~ SABA prepares and sends surveys to each member to determine the focus and directions the organization should concentrate its efforts.