Southern Gold Coast News

Surfing Industry | Economic Impact | Further Action Taken
As a follow up to the Surfing Industry Economic Assessment Report recently released by the GCCC, it called a further meeting at the Coolangatta Hotel on Wednesday 18 November 2009. Many business leaders with interests in the sport and its industry attended.
As Connecting Southern Gold Coast part funded the report, our General Manager, Jim Wilson, attended and took part in the discussion groups.
The meeting was a real watershed for the sport and the huge industry it has become, of itself, and how it represents the Gold Coast. The meeting resolved that there should be a feasibility conducted on establishing an industry-led Gold Coast Surfing Industry Forum, which could be the voice of the many and varied interests in the sport and all its economic interests. The Forum would be governed by a Board or a Committee, the members of which had a proven understanding of the various segments of the sport and its industry, as widely defined.
The Gold Coast City Council is to be commended for facilitation of this outcome, as the Surfing Industry has immense importance to the social, cultural, environmental and economic fabric of the Southern Gold Coast. Our GM, Jim Wilson will continue to be involved in future Workshops, which promise much for future economic and environmental outcomes for the SGC.

On Tuesday 17 November Connecting Southern Gold Coast and Tweed Tourism jointly hosted a workshop at Le Monde Café at Kirra Surf for traders. It was called “Getting the Most from the Wintersun Festival “. Barry McNamara of Wintersun Inc was the guest speaker and was well received.

Whilst the Workshop was attended by only 20 traders from both the Southern Gold Coast and Tweed, it did not blunt the collective enthusiasm of those present to hold another Workshop with Barry in February 2010.

A number of concerns were raised by traders and ensuing discussion with Barry McNamara revealed that some of them could probably be rectified in the programming of the 2010 Festival. This was a good result.

Also, Barry pointed out the following which was well noted and discussed by those present:

1.       There are many opportunities for traders to convert additional visitor spend into ‘dollars in the till’ during Wintersun and creativity and cooperation with the Festival should see this occur, for those traders willing to get active;

2.       The Festival is in need of volunteers, starting now;

3.       The Festival organizers have produced a booklet for traders which lists how traders can become a ‘financial friend’ of Wintersun and gives ideas as to how they can participate in quality promotions relating to the Festival;

4.      Barry encouraged traders to suggest to their suppliers of goods and services should also become a ‘financial friend’ of Wintersun for appropriate recognition and as a show of support.

5.       Wintersun Inc is an incorporated association under the laws of Queensland and a copy of its audited accounts are on its website under the “Students’ tab.

Any traders interested talking with Barry about the above or finding out more about how they can help or be involved with Wintersun are encouraged to call him on 07 5536 9509.

Over the next few weeks Rachael and Mike of Connecting Southern Gold Coast will be hitting the pavement with fresh bright new brochures to promote the SGC Region.

The SGC Regional Brochure features a stylised map of the region showing just how much of a punch we pack into a small area, info all about the SGC and details each of the eight villages that make up the region.

The Top 20 Brochure features 20 of the best things to see, surf, visit dine and enjoy whilst here on holiday!

First stop is to visit all of the Accommodation Houses in the region and provide brochure stands packed with these bright glossy brochures that really show off the Southern Gold Coast’s assets, highlights and things to see and do!

This summer we would love for our visiting tourists to walk away from their holiday with the feeling that they definately chose the right place to take their summer break, knowing that they will be back again to visit our spacious sunkissed shores real soon!

So keep your eye out for Mike and Rachael knocking on your door very soon! We look forward to seeing those Accommodation Providers in the coming weeks to deliver this collateral and say hi!

Connecting Southern Gold Coast is pleased to bring you a regular tip from Business Coach Graham Lock!

Graham has over 25 years experience in business development, directorship and business mentorship. Graham has hands on experience with client negotiation, strategic planning and small business ownership.

Graham gained most of his experience by owning and operating large retail stores throughout Australia, Asia and more recently successfully running a medium size business he created, internationally acclaimed Bali Flags.

Graham is passionate about his clients needs and works tirelessly to help businesses grow and sustain in today’s current climate. We are very grateful that he has taken the time to provide this information for the benefit of the Traders in our beautiful region! So thank you Graham! And watch this space next month for another valuable tip from Graham!

This month we look at how you can get the most out of the Christmas Trading Season!

Maximising Your Christmas Trade and Helping Your Clients at the Same Time

Christmas for me in retail was always a time that I looked forward too, one of the few occasions that regardless of how good or bad you are as a retailer could guarantee a quick kick to the cash flow, and isn’t that what we all want. Our choices and preparation at this time of the year can help turn this increased cash flow into a lot more than just an increased trickle.

Right now your potential future Christmas clients are already thinking about their Christmas Shopping, and we need to do everything possible to make it as easy as possible for them to purchase these gifts from you. Here is a list of suggestions that can be implemented straight away.

• Windows need to be sign written with a Christmas Feel and a Big Lay-By Now for Christmas, if you do not have suitable windows, you must create large signage and place Lay-By for Christmas signs on as much merchandise as possible, all of your staff need to be offering this lay-by facility and mentioning it to everyone that is looking for a Christmas gift.
• Purchase a few large rolls of Christmas wrapping paper, and Pre Pack piles of different products and display them in stacks of Christmas Gifts for $20.00- $40.00 – $60.00- $80.00 – $100.00 and up. Have the pre wrapped stock in a pile under an open version of the product. The client already knows how much they want to spend on Uncle Harry, the priced and pre wrapped gifts make this whole decision making process so much easier for them and will increase your spontaneous sales, Believe me, this works.
• Make an effort in store to create a festive spirit, even a Christmas tree with lights and some Christmas music playing in a loop in the background will help stimulate sales at this time of the year. Yes you may get tired of the music, but remember your customers do not.
• Lay-By, I did mention this earlier, but if you are not promoting LayBy for Christmas now you are already losing business, once you have helped your customer commit to their Christmas shopping, you have also taken a load of their mind and guaranteed additional $$ in the till, if you are not doing this already Start It Now.
• Are you and your staff now answering the telephone with Merry Christmas Thankyou for calling Fred Smiths Shoe Shop, Graham speaking, if not why not, we need to do everything possible to reinforce the message that Christmas is very close and you need to be purchasing your presents now. Often my staff would complain about this, but I see it as a not negotiable, every call should be answered this way between now and Christmas, NO Excuse, and staff must do as directed.
• Lastly and I am repeating myself again, a neatly stacked pre wrapped and stacked according to price points series of Christmas Gifts that are also clearly price marked will increase your Christmas sales, do not have discreetly placed price stickers that your clients need to go looking for, at this time of the year, and the closer it gets to Christmas the more important this becomes, prices from $20.00 upwards each price point with its own stack, will work wonders. Your job is to make this as easy as possible for your client.

Written by Graham Lock mng dir www.grahamlock.com.au retail business consultant

GCCC Councilor Chris Robbins declares Kirra SurfStock 2009 Open

Andrew McKinnon talked passionately about the cause behind Kirra SurfStock and the precious natural assets and historic culture of Kirra

Kirra SurfStock officially opened for its inaugural year to celebrate Kirra Beach, its lifestyle, the surf, the music, the movies and the culture that Kirra is world renowned for. Festival organiser Andrew McKinnon, along with Bob McTavish, Councilor Chris Robbins, Jim Wilson, Kristy Theissling and others all spoke to those gathered for the official opening held at the Coolangatta Sands Hotel this morning. The Festival has a plethora of events being held starting this evening and running right through til Sunday evening. Click here for more details of the schedule of events. The festival is free to all, plenty of activities for the kids and all monies raised goes to support the organisations that support Kirra, including Kirra Surfiders Club, Surfrider Foundation, Kirra SLSC and Kirra Point Inc!

Jim Wilson of Connecting Southern Gold Coast speaks at the launch of Kirra SurfStock

Lucas Proudfoot of Max Judo playing the didgeridoo to wrap up the launch!

Click Here for a quick video of the wrap!

Last Thursday saw official launch event of the Seafood Discovery Trail, Currumbin to Cabarita!

With over 55 seafood outlets and tour operators, the trail provides more entertainment than you can poke a fish at!

Click here for more info and photo’s from the launch