The
Sedona Main Street Program nominates the Sedona Main Street District
“Hours of Operation publication” for Best Promotional Materials, based
on the following letter from the Business Enhancement Committee:
For years the
Sedona Main Street District had the reputation of closing it business
doors and “rolling up the sidewalks” at 5:00 p.m. As employees who work
in the Sedona Main Street District we knew this wasn’t true and needed a
way to get the word out to the residential community and all who visit
our fine City.
The members of the
Business Enhancement Committee wanted to finally put to rest this
reputation. To do so, we developed an “Hours of Operation” publication.
All members of the committee took an equal portion of the businesses in
the Sedona Main Street District and wrote letters (attached), emailed,
phoned or visited each business in person to get their current hours of
operation. The response was great and as no surprise we found out that
the majority of businesses in the Main Street District do stay open past 5:00 p.m.
The committee then
compiled the information into an easy to use publication:
businesses are grouped by type under five major categories (Galleries,
Retail, Restaurant/Specialty Foods, Tours/Activities, and
Service/Other); the name of each business is followed by their standard
operating hours, seasonal/other hours and holiday hours. This
publication was mailed or delivered to all District businesses, their
property owners, community stakeholders including City Council and
Commissioners, the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Centers and also all the
lodging businesses in the greater Sedona area. It was so well received
by the members of the Sedona Lodging Council that they requested the
document electronically. Of course, we complied. Concurrently, press
releases were submitted and printed in local media, a “Chamber E-Flash
article was sent to more than 1200 on the Chamber of Commerce’s email
distribution, and an article was included in Sedona Main Street
Program’s quarterly newsletter “Street Talk”. See attached copies.
The Business
Enhancement Committee identified a misconception by community residents
and visitors alike and then successfully created a useful promotional
tool to dispel this myth. It is designed to help local business owners
educate their employees (the inherent ambassadors for the area), and
encourage Sedona residents and visitors to more fully appreciate and
take advantage of the opportunities to shop, dine and enjoy the
magnificent Sedona Main Street District.
Sedona Main Street
Program’s Business Enhancement Committee took great pride in this large
undertaking, and is very pleased with the results of the “Hours of
Operation list”. This effective promotional publication promotes the
SMS District as a vital destination. It is also sustainable, because we
update the information with volunteer time and minimal cash expense. We
as a committee firmly believe that this goes a long way toward promoting
our businesses and helping people realize there IS something to do in
Sedona after 5:00 p.m.
Thank you,
SMSP’s
Business Enhancement Committee
Attachment #1
