Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/43601
2011 Red Bluff-Tehama County Chamber of Commerce Banquet Address from outgoing Chairwoman Kristin Behrens For the past two years and a few extra months, I have had the pleasure of working with volunteers from all walks of life in Tehama County focused on one thing-to pro- mote the growth and prosperi- ty of local commerce. Memo- rable events such as the RBTC Strategic Advance, Ribs, Rods and Rides, the 11 days of Round up or the Man- ton Wine Tour come to mind. However, the most intriguing, challenging and motivating project is the Tehama County Branding Project. The Tehama County Branding Project is a move- ment in response to an oppor- tunity and desire to improve the economic prosperity of Tehama County and it's anchor communities of Red Bluff, Manton and Corning. Branding: economic prosperi- ty is a community investment in a journey of discovery and the development of activities, enhancements and new busi- ness opportunities that rein- force our community assets, lend to the greater community prosperity and create loyalty beyond reason. However, Branding is noth- ing new. The concept of branding Tehama County has been around for decades. At one time our forefathers joined ideas and intellect and branded our communities Tehama Country! Highlights Tehama Trail-an organiza- tion initiated by Kate Grissom and her team to establish a trail for tourists/visitors to fol- low and experience the won- derful agricultural delights we have in wine and olives. The 11 days of Round Up; a serious investment inaugu- rated by Kate and her team, Bill Hill and Dave Gowan to create a plan and path for all to follow doing all things round up! State Theater: The Theater is an center stage icon worthy of the love, respect and atten- tion that its volunteers have dedicated to it with the sup- port of owner Dr Ron Clarke. Ribs, Rods and Rides: an event sparked by newer arrivals, Greg and Marcie Stevens and launched by Rolling Hills Casino, Kate Grissom and her team-invit- ing folks from all over to experience ballooning in more ways than one if you hit the beer and rib area of the event! More than 500 surveys have been tallied and brand concepts have surfaced, and now the Brand Development Committees are providing their input. They have been charged with considering these ideas against a litmus test of 10 points. When complete, these teams will dissolve and four new Brand Leadership Teams will be created, based on the concept chosen for each area. The private sector holds the majority of these team seats as they drive the products and brands forward. DDI is sched- uled to return to present the final plan in early December. If nothing else, we have Chamber CEO Dave Gowan presents the Business of the Year award to Cindy Zumwalt from North Valley Services representing CEO Lynn DeFreece. Movement began to take place in things that mattered beyond visitors, it includes education and the next gener- ation of leaders in Expect More and NEXT Tehama Expect More and NEXT were a direct result of the Chabin and Associates study sponsored by the County which introduced DDI and Roger Brooks to us. DDI a tool in our toolbox is encouraging us to think dif- ferently about branding as an economic strategy and has given spark to new business ideas and enhancements to the businesses we have. Including exploring the gems that we have in a more formal and deliberate way through Manton Wine tours, Hundred Mile Harvest (November 3rd Bianchi Ranch) and rediscovering Lassen Park. This energy has lead to a savvy downtown, upgrades to lighting on Walnut Street and sophisticated business models such as Lucero Olive Oil. Other ideas have taken flight with this surge of com- munity pride as evidenced in the recent RiverPark Festival, the innovative DIG Red Bluff, Disc Golf Park at Dog Island Park and of course Murder Mystery Dinner And the momentum contin- ues with events like Artwalk, Farmers Market, Beef n Brew Dr. Ron Clark, DDS, is presented the Beautification Award by board member Kristen Gray, of Durango RV Resort. Greg Stevens — Chamber Chair Extradorinare Greg is a California native and the oldest of three brothers. A navy man, he traveled the world including Viet Nam, then made his way over to Japan. True to form for Greg that is, he found a way home via a cruise ship as a ragtime piano player traveling from Japan to Hawaii. This was most likely the beginning of his passion as a ragtime piano play- er-a talent that contin- ued at Shakey's Pizza Parlour and that many of you have enjoyed at the State Theater with the Southtown Strummers and in the recent Murder Mystery Dinner. Greg has been with the Strum- mers for 30 years and is an accomplished com- poser and well as musi- cian. Greg was nominated for publisher of the year, met Jimmy Carter while living in Hawaii and received the title Ruler of the World when he was at the helm as pub- lisher for the World Newspaper in Oregon. He has received the Sil- ver Shovel award, the highest award in News- paper Marketing and has been a Rotarian for 30 years. He is actually Outgoing Chairwoman Kristin Behrens, of St. Elizabeth Community Hospital, receives a plaque from Chairman Greg Stevens, of the Daily News. headed to Thailand with his wife of 17 years, Miss Marcie the Dairyville Orchardist. Chamber work is not He has new to Greg. been the Chamber presi- dent in Napa, Coos Bay and now we are graced to have his leadership at the helm in Red Bluff. Founder of the Balloon portion of the Ribs, Rods and Rides event, Greg and Marcie are avid enthusiasts of our county, Marcie taking to country life a bit quicker than Greg, a former Her- mosa Beach Surfer. I know Greg to be focused and fractious all at once. If you ever hear me say "Yellow Bird" this is my reference to his ability to rabbit trail in any conversation then simply reinsert at the right time on point. He is most likely one of the most brilliant people I know and many of us have a hard time keeping up with him. It was not uncommon for Marcie to receive calls from the World Newspaper staff asking her to keep him down or drug him to stop the midnight calls of ideas and concepts and action plans. Today, it is not uncommon to receive an email from Greg time stamped in the wee hours of the morning with a brilliant strategy or plan for our future. A lover of fine wine, mediocre scotch and Monte Python, Join me in welcoming Greg Stevens to the captain's chair of the Chamber. all surrounding a newly reno- vated Clock Tower at the cen- ter of town. What's next? The Branding Project host- ed Roger Brooks in August for a workshop and twenty small group interviews that took place in Red Bluff, Corn- ing and Manton over four days. Four teams were asked to serve as temporary brand development committees. Their job has been twofold: 1) encourage people to take the brand survey online and 2) provide input for a "10 Best of Tehama County" brochure. new interest, energy and intrigue in our community. People are talking and the brand loyalty concept is tak- ing hold, we are headed for economic prosperity if not in immediate dollars, in immedi- ate emotional rewards such as pride, enthusiasm, collabora- tion and creativity. I have appreciated the honor of being your Chamber Chair and look forward to continuing my work with the community in the realm of Convention and Visitors Burea and Branding economic prosperity. Thank you for your time, your patience and your support.