Marketing

  • INVESTED in our chamber website to o er new opportunities for our members including personalized mobile apps along with advertising opportunities including directory pages, member spotlights, job postings, and event page at no cost to our members.
  • TEAMED with the Port Clinton City Schools, City of Port Clinton, and Magruder Hospital to create the Guide to Local Activities.
  • PARTNERED with Ottawa County Chambers and LESI to co-host booths at the Great Lakes Home & Flower Show, Ottawa County Fair and the National Matches at Camp Perry.  
  • CREATED and distributed 6,000 Downtown Coupon Pages.
  • DESIGNED a Port Clinton Page and encouraged members to purchase ads in the Lake Erie Shores & Islands Travel Planner at a discounted rate.
  • MAINTAINED four Facebook pages and Twitter accounts with daily posts.
  • COMPLETED the 2018-2019 Ottawa County Chamber Directory with Marblehead and Oak Harbor. With 3,425 copies distributed from our office and 1,100 at events.
  • COORDINATED the professional printing of the 2018-19 Ottawa County Map & Resource Guide using local chamber members.
  • MARKETED Chamber members by placing materials at the Ohio Turnpike plazas.
  • TEAMED up with Lake Erie Shores & Islands to showcase the Port Clinton area and our members at the AAA Great Vacation Travel Ex-po.
  • PLANNED the 3rd Speed Networking event held at the Ida Rupp Public Library where businesses could network in a fast-paced atmosphere. 

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Facts

  • COORDINATED over 6,900 volunteer hours worked in the community in 2016.
  • DISTRIBUTED $95,000 in Downtown Improvement Grants since 2013 to downtown businesses and building owners.
  • CONTINUED Gift Certificate Program, keeping dollars in the local economy.
  • COORDINATED seasonal planings in downtown streetscape planters.
  • WALLEYE FESTIVAL chosen as one of the “Best Festivals” by the readers of Lake Erie Living Magazine and won The Beacon’s “2018 Best of the Best Award.”
  • FOUNDATION served as Fiscal Agent for the Fireworks Committee.
  • AWARDED scholarships for a high school student and Leadership Ottawa County.
  • OPPORTUNITIES to contribute to the Chamber’s success by inviting members to serve on committees that direct Chamber activity.
  • BUSINESS counseling and member assistance for various services are available. The Chamber/Main Street provides referrals and diligently works to provide business related workshop information  offered by other organizations including NOACC, BBB, the Ohio Chamber and the Center for Non-pro t Resources.
  • WORKED closely with City Council and Administration for the creation on and adoption on of the City’s Downtown Revitalization on Plan. ​
  • In 2017 a report presented by BGSU studied The Main Street Port Clinton Walleye Festival. The study concluded that the annual Walleye Festival contributes to Ottawa County’s tourism economy. Tourism generates jobs, income, and economic output, which helps to diversify local and regional economies!
    Total Impact = generated 67 jobs, $1.8 million in labor income, $2.1 million in value added (GDP) and $3.8 million in total economic output! 

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Membership

  • MAINTAINED 400 members and supporters while welcoming 14 new members.
  • ASSISTED and participated in 22 ribbon cutting ceremonies for businesses and members.
  • CONTINUED to grow the Ambassador’s Program.
  • COORDINATED 10 Business After Hours held at various businesses with an average attendance of 60 members.
  • PROVIDED relocation on packets to people moving to or considering a move to the Port Clinton area, distributed tourist information on packets, and provided area information to students studying Ohio history.
  • ​DISTRIBUTED two hardcopy issues of the Compass Newsletters to 1,400 businesses in Northern Ohio and four digital issues of the Newsletters were emailed to our members. ​

Events

  • RECOGNIZED outstanding businesses and their contributions during the 2018 Annual Dinner at the Mon Ami​Historic Restaurant & Winery with over 200 members attending.
  • HOSTED our first Job Fair in conjunction with the Port Clinton High School and Ohio Means Jobs where over 50 Chamber members were on hand to fill both seasonal and year round positions.
  • HELD the 9th Annual Sunset Cruise on the Jet Express in July where friends and family enjoyed a wonderful evening on Lake Erie.
  • PLANNED the Jerry Lippus Memorial Classic Car Show in August.
  • HOSTED the Chamber Golf Outing at the Catawba Island Club in September and raised $500 to fund a scholarship for a graduating senior in Ottawa County awarded in May 2019.
  • CO-HOSTED Candidate's Night with the Port Clinton Business and Professional Women.
  • COORDINATED the 7th Annual Downtown Port Clinton Trick or Treat and Halloween Pub Crawl.
  • ORGANIZED and planned the Community Christmas including the Gi of Lights, 5th Annual Lighted Holiday Parade, 4th Annual Chili Cooking Contest, Downtown Window Decorating contest, children’s activities and caroling.
  • HOSTED the Holiday Mixer as a thank you to Chamber members in December.
  • COORDINATED the 38th Annual Main Street Port Clinton Walleye Festival over Memorial Day Weekend including the Civilian Marksmanship Program Grande Parade, & Skipper Bud’s Kid’s Fishing Derby.
  • ORGANIZED the inaugural Rock the Light Music Festival, held the 2nd full weekend in September on the shores of Lake Erie. 
  • ​TEAMED up with the City of Port Clinton to host the Annual Easter Egg Hunt held at Lakeview Park.

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Benefits

  • PUBLIC Notary is available at our Chamber Office for our members at no cost.
  • CONTINUED the Member Discount Card Program.
  • DISCOUNTS for electric & gas consumption. Shipping discounts available with FedEx along with a bulk mailing rate for postage on large mailings and access to group health insurance & worker’s compensation.
  • 13,792 REFERRALS received for daily inquiries via email, phone, website, social media & walk-ins for products & services for chamber members only.
  • CONTINUED the Lunch N Learn series and teamed up with the Ohio Chamber of Commerce to bring in guest speakers that focus on topics that are relevant to our members and their businesses.