TGS President's Report August 2013

Tourism Greater Shepparton President's report 2012/2013 President: Cheryl Hammer

This past 12 months as TGS president has been a rewarding and productive time working with an organised and pro-active board and a growing membership base.

The board has been able to deliver a number of projects highlighted as a priority at last year's Annual General Meeting, as well as continue its work on building benefits for its members. Tourism Greater Shepparton now enjoys a stronger and more consistent profile within the Greater Shepparton business and general communities, allowing us to "have our say" more regularly on issues that affect our members.

TGS, like most other business organisations, cannot ignore the challenging economic times we are experiencing in our region, in the fruit growing, general farming and retail sectors, however we take the view that it is an opportunity for the tourism industry to step up, be more proactive and ultimately help "fill the gaps" or "plug the holes" if you like, and be a driver of alternative economic activity in Greater Shepparton.

We have grown our member numbers by 20 per cent in the past 12 months and have established a number of strategic partnerships with media organisations, professional services, such as marketing and social media specialists, Shepparton Chamber of Commerce and Greater Shepparton City Council, in particular the Arts, Events and Tourism department.

A stronger membership and these positive relationships have assisted TGS to a number of successes.

These are some from the past 12 months.

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First time to reach 100 members

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Interactive newsletter reaches approximately 200 tourism stakeholders

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The Marketing with No Money business breakfast and workshop with Leah Squire

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Sponsorship of Kidfest with advertising in 90 000 calendar of events brochures and a member page on the Kidsfest website.

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Co sponsor of the Tourist Attraction of the Year Award as part of Powercor 95 3SR Business and Excellence Awards

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Regular program hostings from our members businesses by Southern Cross' Weeknights program

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Roving board meetings at member businesses to make the board more accessible

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5th annual Tourism Month, with a calendar of events of 65 things to do in Greater Shepparton in October

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Compilation of the 5th annual 52 Great Discoveries booklet delivered directly to 20 000 letter boxes throughout the area.

With recent statistics provided by Goulburn River Valley Tourism showing that the Visiting Friends and Relatives market makes up more than 52 per cent of visitors to Greater Shepparton, 52 Great Discoveries is an important publication for our operators, and is an integral part of TGS' role in educating locals about what is worth visiting in their own backyard.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our outgoing board members for their commitment to TGS and our members. These positions are voluntary and often take them away from their own work commitments to spend time working on projects to benefit all tourism businesses.

Thank you Kaye Bernardi of Big 4 Shepparton East, Gracie Sharwood of GV Hotel and Morry McKellar, representing the Shepparton Chamber of Commerce.

To the future board, I hope TGS can build on its profile and good work for even better results in the next 12 months.

Thank you Cheryl Hammer