GROW News
September 30, 2009
Last Day to Sign up for Lincoln Holiday Store
The GROW Nebraska Lincoln Holiday Store will be open this year from mid-October through mid-January and will be in the same location as last year in Westfield Gateway Mall.
Due to an increase in membership, we can only accept displays and tables that are 4' or smaller in length and width to ensure there is room for everyone who would like to be involved. ALL TABLES MUST BE APPROVED BY GROW.
SIGN UP NOW >>
Remember, this is a separate opportunity from the Kearney and Grand Island stores. You MUST sign up to be included. Deadline for signup is September 30th! That is
TODAY!!!!
Message from Janell Regarding State Fair
Thank you to all the businesses that participated in the GROW Nebraska General Store at the 2009 Nebraska State Fair! We had our best ever sales and we are looking forward to continuing our partnership with the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island.
Checks and sales reports have been mailed out if you have any questions about your report or check, please contact me by October 9 at
info@grownebraska.org or 888.GROW.NEB. After October 9 all the files will be transferred to storage.
Again, thank you for your participation we are looking forward to a strong 2009 holiday season. The Lincoln Holiday Store will be opening October 15 so please be sure your business does not miss that opportunity!
Notice to Members Regarding Businesses Seeking Donations of Products
There are many wonderful causes that are extremely worthwhile and GROW Nebraska has been contacted regarding the availability of our members donating products for gift baskets etc.
My recommendation to you is if your business is approached for a substantial donation you ask the organization if they will purchase one of your products for every one that you donate. My suggestion to you is to never completely donate your product unless it is only for a few items.
As I am sure you know, you can write off your donation as a business marketing expense. In this economy every penny counts and I strongly believe the organization hosting the event should have a stake in your donation as well. Just this morning I had a call with a wonderful cause that is going to be hosted in our fine state.
They have a 9 million dollar budget and to date have raised 6 million. They asked if the companies GROW works with would be able to donate 100+ items. My comments above reflect my answer. If you ever have any questions about making a donation, please do not hesitate to contact me at
info@grownebraska.org or 888-GROW.NEB (476-9632). ~Janell
Need some extra cash for the holidays? Why not work at a GROW Nebraska Store!
GROW Nebraska is currently interested in hiring GROW members to work at the Kearney and Grand Island retail locations and the Lincoln Holiday store.
If you or someone you know may be interested, please send resumes to
info@grownebraska.org. Please specify which store you are interested in working in.
SIGN UP TO WORK NOW >>
Do you have holiday items or new items? Send them to us!
Do you have new items or holiday items you'd like to sell this holiday season? If you have new products that aren't in our retail locations yet, now is the time to get them to us so we can get them in our system. Please contact us at
info@grownebraska.org for more information.
Marketing Workshops
GROW Nebraska is offering Marketing Workshops throughout the state this fall. The workshops, titled
Enhance Your Online Marketing Strategy, are a great opportunity to learn more about marketing your business online.
Reaching your target market and customer base today has become more challenging! There are so many ways to reach your target market with all the online applications and tools available today - Facebook, Delicious, YouTube, Flickr, Twitter, Friendfeed to just name a few!
As part of your online presence learn how to enhance your chances of effective customer communication with search engine optimization and incorporate these online tools into your marketing strategy. It’s all about making sure your web site is search engine and customer friendly.
Below are the locations and times of our workshops. They $10 each and are open to both members and non-members of GROW Nebraska. If you are interested in attending one of these workshops, please sign up
HERE.
- October 28 - Fremont - 9-12 at First State Bank and Trust
- October 28 - Omaha - 3-6 at New Development Corporation
- October 29 - Nebraska City 9-12 at Kimmel Research and
Education Center
- November 17 - Valentine - 9-12 at Niobrara Lodge
- November 17 - Bassett - 3-6 at North Central Nebraska RC&D
- November 18 - Norfolk - 9-12 at Northeast Community College
- January 26 - North Platte - 3-6 at West Central Research and Extension Center - NEW!
- January 27 - Chadron – 3-6 at Chadron State College Student Center
- January 28 - Scottsbluff - 8:30-11:30 at UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center
- January 29 - Sidney- 9-12 at Western Nebraska Community College - Room 112
Buy Local Celebrations
October 1-4, GROW Nebraska will be celebrating in the Kearney and Grand Island stores with Buy Local Celebrations! We plan to do sampling and door prizes.
If you would like to be a part of this please sign up
here. We would like to offer our members the opportunity to sample at one or both stores and to donate a door prize. This is an exciting chance to create a buzz about your business right before the holiday shopping season begins! If you have any questions about it contact us at
info@grownebraska.org.
Speaking of Tourism: Inspiring speakers at Nebraska’s Travel and Tourism Conference, Oct 20-22
LINCOLN, NEB. (Sept. 24, 2009)—Listening to speakers is a huge part of any professional development conference, and the 2009 Nebraska Travel and Tourism conference, hosted by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s Travel and Tourism Division is no exception. This year’s slate of speakers should prove to be, interesting, pertinent, and timely.
Roger Brooks, a founding member of Destination Development, Inc., will give the keynote speech Wednesday, Oct. 21. His talk, “The New Age of Tourism: Is it working for you?” will give delegates a chance to hear from one of the country’s most recognized experts in tourism, consumer trends, marketing and project development. Brooks has worked in tourism and economic development for more than 25 years, and co-authored the book “Your Town a Destination – The 25 Immutable Rules of Successful Tourism.” His dynamic approach and tell-it-like-it-is style have made him a very popular public speaker, and he’s well known for his step by step instruction in helping communities make something happen. He has recruited more than $2.8 billion in new tourism development projects to rural communities and resorts.
Other speakers that day include
Pamela Lainer, of Lainer Publishing, who will speak on “Passionate Marketing”;
Jeanne Baer, of Creative Training Solutions, who will speak on “The Good, the Mad and the Ugly: Tough Customers”; and
Rene Welti, of America Live Ads and ECHO Encounters, who will speak on “Turning Green into Nebraska Gold.” Delegates will have the chance to hear two of these three speakers during concurrent breakout sessions.
On Thursday, Oct.22, the focus changes to hospitality, service and social media. A meet the media panel will include
Omaha World-Herald reporter
David Hendee, Kansas City-based freelance travel writer
Diana Lambdin-Meyer and Nebraska TV producer
Brandy Klingelhoefer, from Kearney.
Connie Francis, extension educator from the University of Nebraska Rural Initiative will speak about “Red Carpet Service Online,” and
Steve Schmader, of the International Festivals and Events Association, will speak on “The Making of a Festival.” A social media panel will include
Caleb Pollard, executive director at Valley County Economic Development Board/
Ord Area Chamber of Commerce;
Steph Romanski from the
Grand Island Independent; and
Dawn Ream from Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo.
Whether your customer is a Nebraska resident looking for a fun, affordable vacation destination close to home, or an international traveler wanting to live the Nebraska cowboy life for a few days, there is something for you – something worth learning – at the Nebraska Travel & Tourism Conference. Online registration and a full schedule of events are available now at
www.visitnebraska.org/industry under the “conferences” tab.
Get Your Products on the GROW eCommerce Site
GROW Nebraska is calling all members to submit their products to be on the eCommerce site! To qualify, all you need is for your product to be in the Kearney retail store.
Sales on
ShopGrowNebraska.org are up 133% from last year, and we anticipate this trend to continue through the holiday season. Additionally, GROW Nebraska is currently re-designing their eCommerce site to offer better functionality! These changes are anticipated to be done prior to the busy Christmas season.
Did you know that 60% of GROW Nebraska eCommerce orders are from outside of Nebraska to people who have no prior connection to our state? What a great way to expand the market of your product!
To find out which of your products are currently for sale, please visit
growneb.com/store/manufacturers.php and find your business name, then click on the link.
To have your products added to the eCommerce site, please fill out the online form
HERE. Once you have submitted the form, be sure to send pictures of your products to
erin@grownebraska.org. Without pictures we cannot post your product for sale! Pictures must be on a solid white background. If you need pictures taken of your products, please contact Erin at
erin@grownebraska.org.
Member News
Mac's Creek Vineyards was recently featured in Nebraska Rural Living's Newsletter. You an view the story
here.
Member Barn Tells a Story was recently on Nebraska, the Good Life on NTV. You can watch the two part series
here.
Member The Barn Candle Company was recently on NTV for their Barn Festival. You can watch the video
here.
The Food Network show “Unwrapped” planned to sent a film crew to the Beatrice Bakery Co. to get video of fruitcake production. Air date for the show has not been determined.
