[wmm] WMM 8am 17 Feb 2010 Notes

[info at haystackgraphics.com]

With 40 people in attendance, and Wendy Higgins absent, Jeff Jewel was the 
facilitator of the Feb. 17 Wednesday morning meeting. 

Featured Business 

Using her website as a template (www.abel2manage.com), Tracy Abel gave a 
presentation about her business, Abel Management. She noted that in these 
economic times many companies and organizations do not have event planners. 
While not “rocket science,” she added that she brings a great deal of 
experience to all of the necessary planning details that are required to 
make big events a success. 

Some of these details include:
Setting up timelines
Setting up a conference office
Site selection
Meeting space arrangements (including breakout rooms)
Negotiating with hotels (e.g., what happens if the rooms reserved aren’t 
filled)
Audio visual components
Speaker coordination
Registration services
Exhibits 

Tracy added that while she has experience with planning both events and 
meetings, she prefers the latter because of their longer process, “often a 
year in advance.” She also added that her company has been greatly 
involved with various medical groups and associations that require 
continuing education credits. 

She was praised for her work with promoting Stormy Weather.  Asked how 
Cannon Beach might better promote itself as a host location for such things 
as continuing education seminars, Tracy said what makes it difficult is the 
distance from an airport and transportation. She said, though, “it’s 
doable, we just have to focus on it.” 

Round Table
Hoteliers, restaurants and Basket Case all reported that the Valentine’s / 
President’s Day weekend went well.
Jeff Jewel and Gary Hayes spoke about the upcoming Savor Cannon Beach 
weekend, March 12-14. Encouragement was given to purchase tickets for the 
Savor weekend in advance.
Carol Lynch of the Children’s Center said they have 19 confirmed wineries, 
with 2 locations getting their own.
Jim Kingwell urged businesses to promote “the 12 days of Earth Day” 
(April 22-May 3).
Gary noted that the Friends of Haystack Rock will begin a fundraising 
campaign beginning on Earth Day and continuing through June.
A tax tip was given that donations made to various Haitian Relief funds 
before March 1 could be included in 2009 taxes.
Regarding Haitian Relief, Carol Lynch also mentioned the Children’s 
Center’s Soles for Souls effort to get shoes to those in need.
Jennifer Williamson said the 1st Farmers Market meeting for volunteers will 
be Feb. 23 at 5 p.m. at City Hall.
Jean Furchner commented on the excellent turnouts the Library has had for 
their first Thursday of the month World of Haystack Rock lecture series. On 
March 4, Bob Bailey, of Oregon Department of Land Conservation & 
Development, will speak on the “Living with Climate Change on the Oregon 
Coast.”
John Sowa of Sweet Basils: Lite Bites on March 2 (supports United Way)
Jeff commented on the “fantastic Business after Hours” gatherings. He 
also praised an article by Nancy McCarthy in the Daily Astorian on the 
“Spirit of Cooperation” in Cannon Beach.
Jeff also reminded everyone that “it’s really important we go en 
masse” to a meeting about the proposed tunnel closure on March 1, from 
2:30 – 4:30 p.m. in Seaside at the Chisholm Community Center.