Brewster Chamber reviews 2023 advertising and scheduled events

BREWSTER – The Brewster Chamber of Commerce discussed its Downtown Strategic Vision, advertising plans and upcoming events at its regular monthly meeting held at the Pateros-Brewster-Bridgeport Senior Center last Wednesday, Feb. 8.

Downtown Strategies update
President Mike Mauk handed out information from the Downtown Strategic Vision’s five-year year plan, with highlighted pictures and information on what was recommended for Brewster. Chamber members discussed three low-cost items that can be achieved in the next couple of years to move the community ahead. The Board has formed a committee to start the process.

“Right now, it is just the Chamber board of directors, but open to others that want to help,” Mauk said.

Downtown Strategies will present its report to the April city council meeting.

“The Chamber has given the report to the council in hopes they will look it over and understand what is going on with it and will be ready when Downtown Strategies meets with them,” Mauk said.

Upcoming events
The 4th of July celebration and August Salmon Derby were both approved by the city as applied for.

Booths have been reserved for both the Central Washington Sportsman show in Yakima, Feb 24-26, and the Big Horn Sportsman Show in Spokane, March 16-19.

“The idea is to bring visitors and tourists to our area,” said Mauk, “and to sell Derby tickets and Chamber and Derby t-shirts,” said Mauk. “We are trying to get brochures and business cards from our members to have on our tables at both shows.”

Mauk said the Chamber will share the Spokane booth with Simple Derby - who handles ticket sales for the Derby - plus Lure Safe and LEOS Flashers, both Derby sponsors.

“At Yakima we will be sharing with Northwest Portal, whom we are a big sponsor with, and they will be promoting our area with the maps and data they offer,” Mauk said.

Advertising and LTAC Funds

The Chamber is splitting up its advertising out of the area this year to get the most out of the limited LTAC (Lodging Tax Advisory Committee) dollars collected from the city.

“We will have an ad in Recreationland that the Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune puts out,” said Mauk. “We also will advertise on digital billboards in Everett and Woodinville and in Yakima for the Salmon Derby to bring visitors to our area.”

Mauk said the Chamber will not purchase the back page of the Omak Chronicle Vacationland in favor of an inside page inside costing less money to help pay for other outside advertising.

“We still have our full page and businesses listed in the Omak Chronicle INFO book,” said Mauk. “The new edition has just been released.”

Mauk apologized for any businesses missed and will update the listing again at the end of the year. The membership report counts 43 chamber members so far in 2023.

Mother’s Day Festival (Dia de la Madre)  

Manny Hurtado and Esteban Camacho presented what they have been working on for the
El dia de las madres” Mother’s Day Festival this year. They are working on a date and will submit an event application to the city for approval.
The Chamber will host the event with the understanding that the Brewster Business Association will handle all the plans, volunteers and work. The chamber will cover the insurance, form filing and help with advertising and sponsors and manage the funds for the event.
“We hope to make it into the No. 1 big annual festival for Brewster,” said Mauk, “and make it big like in past years.”
To view YouTube videos of past years check the website: https://youtube/S0yWx0dWCBY.