Downtown Waterville Farmers' Market

Notes from the 24-February 2009 meeting of the

Promotional Committee

Present: Hanne Tierney, William Neville, Clayton Carter, Micheal Scholz, Jack Cozart, Ernie Ames, Jean Koons, Fred Nassar, and Shannon Haines, (Sorry just from memory I hope I didn't forget anyone!)

Artwork discussion

• Agreed that we should adopt a standard logo to be used from year to year but that the primary artwork on the totebags, brochures and other materials should change from year to year.
• Michael will draft a logo for group approval. The logo will serve as the primary artwork this year since we will be introducing it for the first time.

Totebags

• The group unanimously agreed that we should do totebags again but that the distribution method should be adjusted.
• We will limit the number of bags to 400, and keep the same style of bag, which means the total amount of money allotted to bags will be about $3400.
• The design on the totebag will consist of logo and pertinent info only – day, time, web site
• Bags will ONLY be distributed to customers who spend $100 at the market – the $20 purchase rule will not apply this year.
• We may designate certain days as double-days where customers will receive double credit for their purchases, but this will happen no more than once per month.

Newspaper Advertising

• It was agreed that we would allot $1000 to newspaper advertising but that it would only be used to promote special events, like the Taste of the Market Days. We will add a coupon to the ads to find out whether they are effective or not.

Radio Advertising

• Michael will contact Amber Lambke in Skowhegan to find out whether they are interested in cooperatively advertising the Skowhegan and Waterville markets.
• No dollar amount was designated for this expense.

Signage

• The group agreed that it would be great to replace the huge, heavy signs, which are getting a little beat up.
• The #1 priority is to install a permanent sign next to the market area. Shannon will check with the City to see if they will approve a permanent sign.
• The group also expressed a lot of interest in flags/banners to fly from the poles in the center of the parking lot.
• The group agreed that no more than $3000 will be spent on signage.

Taste of the Market Events

• Two dates were identified for Taste of the Market events: July 16 and August 27.
• Shannon will investigate whether local restaurants are interested in cooking at these events.
• Shannon will happily promote and help to organize the events but asked that there be a market contact person to organize the vendors contributions and participation. Jean agreed to serve as that liaison.

Winter advertising was tabled for now.

The scholarship idea was briefly discussed, but there was no interest at this time.

Jack indicated that Bob Lovelace would no longer be participating in the Waterville market and that he did not need sponsorship for his show. The group agreed that we would like to offer a sponsorship as a gesture of appreciation for his involvement in the market and we agreed that someone would contact him to determine his interest.