The Board

President           – Ted McKeown
Treasurer           – Vacant...........................Temporary by Glenn Bassett
Secretary           – Greg Britten
Vice President  – Steve Brickley
Committee         – Dale Jessup
Committee         – Neil Bourke
Committee         – Geoff McLean
Public Officer    – Steve Brickley

MERIMBULA & SAPPHIRE COAST PROMOTIONS ASSN INC.
Newsletter March 5th
After the Canberra Show
www.merimbulatourism.com.au

Hi Members,

As you are aware we attended the Royal National Capital Agricultural Show in Canberra in late February to which we invited the Eden and Bermagui VIC’s to participate with us.The stand went under the banner of BEGA-BERMAGUI-EDEN & MERIMBULA.

Both Eden and Bermagui distributed brochures, whilst once again we distributed our Merimbula
Shopping bags, which contained the latest Visitor’s Guides, members’ brochures, Merimbula magnets, pens and our latest promotional DVD.

On Saturday it was great to see some 1000 yellow Merimbula bags advertising this great area, in the hands of the patrons of the Show.

Last year this Show was attended by about 122,200 people over the three days.I have just spoken to the CEO of the RNCAS who has told me that the show this year had an increase in
patronage to 126,800 visitors. Which he said was very pleasing given the current climate.

Like him we noticed an increase at our stand, which was also very pleasing to us.

We handed out over 2000 bags this year which was comparable with the number we handed out in 2009. Last year we only handed out 1565. The criteria for the people to receive a shopping bag was that they had to fill in a form with their name, Ph no and postcode. Not an easy feat in this day and age given the number of telemarketing and internet operators who always on the prowl for ph numbers and email addresses to build up their databases.

At this stage I would like to thank Michael and Robyn from Robyn’s Nest for the loan of their vehicle for the trip and arranging our accommodation at The Waldorf in Canberra for the 4 day stay.
Thanks also to Betta Electrical Bega for the loan of the TV to show the DVD which we have had produced to promote the area.

I would also like to thank the volunteers (listed below) who gave their time over that weekend to work with us, as well as the operators (also listed below) who gave accommodation and attractions prizes to help with the promotion of Merimbula & the Sapphire Coast.

Thanks also to those who supplied their brochures, so that our bags contained relevant information, which is what is required by those interested in our area.

In all we distributed about 2100 bags, 2000 DVD’s, plus pens & magnets and some 15,000 brochures provided by our accommodation and attractions members.

If you get a chance have a look at
http://raybennell.myphotoalbum.com/view_album.php?set_albumName=album176&page=5
there are more pictures from the Canberra Show on this site.
Ray Bennell was the official photographer for the RNCAS and was the guy who took the photo collection for Merimbula Tourism last year.A special thanks to Ray for his continuing contact and support of us.

Given that Canberra is a large target market for us, our presence at this large event is critical in the overall promotion of Merimbula & the Sapphire Coast.

Thanks once again for the support of all, in an effort to continue our promotional push of this great area.

Our next promotional effort is the TV promotion of 9 weeks split up over several times during the year and shown across the Gippsland, Shepparton, Albury, Wagga, ACT and Coastal Regions with Southern Cross 10.If anyone is interested in being involved in this promotion please do not hesitate to contact us by return.

Regards, 
Ted McKeown  - Chairman - Merimbula & Sapphire Coast Promotions

Volunteers at the show were:
Shirley Bassett (Sandpiper Units), Nita Vandertoorn (Treasure), Marilyn Jessop (Ocean Break Tura), Lynda Nicholl (Penguin Mews), Janet Watterson (Merimbula Dive), Rob Issell (Top of the Lake Holiday Units), Julie Pennefather & Gwilym (Woodbine Eco Cabins), Ted & Jennette McKeown (Beachwalk Apartments).

Donors of Holiday Packages:
Pacific Heights, Robyn’s Nest, Penguin Mews, Woodbine Eco Cabins, Seashells Apartments, Fairway Motor Inn, Beachwalk Apartments, Countryside Caravan Park Kalaru.

Donors of Attractions or other packages.
Merimbula Marina,   Pambula & Merimbula Golf Club,    Club Sapphire Merimbula.