While we’re very committed to shopping locally, Astoria/Warrenton may be the closest place to buy office paper by the ream.  So, fellow merchants, here’s a great coupon offer (pdf) on 20# office paper, good at the new Staples in Warrenton.  $20 for a case of Hammermill that works in inkjet or laser copier/printers, good through the end of April.

We also have it on good authority that it’s a great paper for drawing and coloring (source: Avary & Royce Murry, ages 5 & 11).

UPDATE: We’re shutting down the shop on Monday so we can all attend this workshop. Hope to see you there!

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Brad Worthley is a acclaimed customer service trainer whose client list includes Macys, Nordstrom, McDonalds, Alaska Airlines and Western Union, as well as small and medium organizations from a variety of industries. His mission? To help organizations create service cultures: A place where employees love to work and customers love to do business.

Brad equips companies with dynamic customer service and leadership essentials. Brad’s research shows that it is easy to change people, but unless the leadership has undergone specialized training on how to manage a service culture, the employees will revert back to their old ways within 90 days.

• Eliminate office politics
• Increase employee retention
• Increase employee performance
• Increase customer retention
• Increase sales
• Increase profits

Renowned for captivating his audiences, many have referred to his lively presentations as “shows”.

• Brad keeps seminar participants entertained while helping them retain the information they learn.
• He is a master storyteller and delivers his powerful message from the customer’s perspective.

Thanks to the Willapa Harbor Chamber of Commerce and the Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau, you can attend a Brad Worthley seminar in  your own back yard on April 11th.  In fact, you can even afford to bring–or send–your front line employees!  These two organizations are subsidizing the cost of the workshop, making it only $10 each – INCLUDING LUNCH!  If you’re a member of the Willapa Harbor Chamber (details), it’s only $5!  You can’t beat that.

You want a sweeter deal still? Okay, how’s this?  Pacific Transit will take care of transportation to South Bend if only 15 Peninsulans register to take them up on the deal by April 1st.  Free transportation, free lunch, and only $5-10 for a speaker one would typically pay $50 to see?  Come on!

Register: Contact the Willapa Harbor Chamber at 360-942-5419 or info@willapaharbor.org

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We’re participating in For Japan With Love, which generates funds for Shelter Box, an outstanding program Keith and Keleigh first became acquainted with through Rotary several years ago.  Shelter Box made a significant difference to survivors of Haiti’s earthquake and are now doing the same in Japan.

ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity that delivers emergency shelter, warmth and dignity to people affected by disaster worldwide.  Each box supplies an extended family of up to 10 people with a tent and essential equipment to use while they are displaced or homeless.  There is a great breakdown of what’s in the box at http://www.shelterboxusa.org/about.php?page=9.

If you prefer, you can donate directly to Shelter Box via their online form, and even track your box as it makes its way to Japan.

 

What do Clatsop Community Bank, Knutsen Insurance, Clatsop Coin and Town & Country Home Furnishings have in common?

They all believe in protecting their customers’ personal information and are sponsoring a community “Shred-It” event:

Saturday, April 16th

10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Outside the Astoria Branch of Clatsop Community Bank

10th & Commercial Streets – Astoria

Suggested Donation of $5 per ‘banker’s box’ or large bag

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Many of you know, but others may not have heard, due to recent budget cuts, the Washington State Tourism office within the Department of Commerce will be eliminated this year.  Here is some background information and an update on the current situation.

Is there anything we can do to retain the state tourism office?
No. The governor, Department of Commerce leadership and the legislature have agreed on closure of the office. The only question that remains is the closure date, which is currently May 1st in the Senate version of the supplemental budget, but could choose to keep the program running through June 30th.

What did the industry do to keep the tourism office funded?
Industry stakeholders fought quickly and aggressively through strategic lobbying in Olympia, direct meetings with the governor and legislators, and broad-based pleas to constituents across the state to voice their concerns in Olympia. While advocacy efforts of the past five years have been highly visible and inclusive, the unexpected and urgent nature of the proposed tourism office closure required fast behind-the-scenes work by industry leaders.

What Happens next?

Although this can be considered a crisis, it can also be seen as an opportunity. The industry leaders and  partners have been working hard on a transition plan for the immediate future. We need your to help set the course for long range plan. Please attend the upcoming summit on March 31st to learn about what is happening and how you can provide input and direction into the future of our state’s fourth largest industry. Tourism Matters and so does your opinion. Please join us.   

The Washington State Tourism Industry invites you
Join us for a half-day tourism industry summit to talk about what happens next as we work toward a unified, statewide tourism plan.  

This summit is sponsored by the newly formed Washington Tourism Alliance (WTA), a 501[c]6 established by industry stakeholders with the sole mission of sustaining destination tourism marketing for Washington State. Our plan is to procure and administer funds for statewide destination tourism marketing activities and create and implement a strategic statewide destination marketing plan.  WTA is governed and overseen by the tourism industy and is not a state government organization.

Please come prepared to join us as we initiate the Washington Tourism Alliance!

WHEN:
March 31, 2011
8:00 am – 9:00 am Registration, Breakfast & Networking
9:00 am – 12:00pm Program

WHERE:
Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center
17620 International Blvd.
Seattle, WA  98188   

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
Anyone with a vested interest in a successful statewide tourism program.  

COST:
Complimentary but pre-registration is required.  Click here for information and to register.

SUPPORT:

• Washington Lodging Association (WLA)
• Washington Destination Marketing Organizations Association (WSDMO)
• Puget Sound Attractions Council (PSAC)
• Washington Restaurant Association (WRA)
• Port of Seattle
• National Tour Association (NTA)
• Washington Economic Development Association (WEDA)
• Association of Washington Business (AWB)
• Many more organizations, association and supporters join as we grow

QUESTIONS? Visit, www.watourismalliance.com

If you need overnight accommodations, please call Debbie at the Hilton Seattle Airport at 206 248-7150 and ask for the WTA rate.

Thanks to Mary Kay Nelson & the Visit Rainier Board of Directors for this information.