Per this article by Caleigh Cross in the Stowe Reporter, the Stowe Area Association is having important staff changes, and is about to embark on new directions in promoting the region.
Key points:
- Staffing
- In October, the Association hired Amy Morrison as Executive Director, replacing Ed Stahl who resigned earlier this year.
- Marketing Director Jasmine Bigelow resigned in September to take a job with the Mad River Valley Chamber.
- Sales Director Susan Rouselle resigned last week.
- Long-time staffer Dean Burnell also resigned last week.
- The Association plans to restructure the Marketing Director position by including group event management functions; fill that position and also the Sales Director position.
- Destination marketing
- 87% of respondents to a July survey said that destination marketing should be the primary function of the Association.
- Currently 26% of the Association's budget is spent on marketing.
- New plan is to increase marketing budget by $100K.
- In order to do that, the Association plans to seek municipal funding in the form of a share of restaurant and lodging tax revenues.
- The Stowe Town Manager says the Association has not yet formally approached the town about this.
- The Association plans to begin saving money immediately by renting out one floor of its Visitor Center in hopes of breaking even on operation of that facility.
Looks like Amy Morrison has a lot on her plate: needing to come up with $100K in additional funding and fill 2 key positions, with snow already on the mountains and the 2016-2017 skiing season set to begin. Everyone wish her luck please.
