(SUBMITTED BY amyt)

What is the Richmond Area Business Association (RABA) up to now? If you have a local business in the Bolton, Huntington and Richmond area, you will want to know about this...

RABA, the 75-member (and growing) local area business association is working hard to attract more visitors to our area. How? We’re looking at creating a colorful map indicating the location of each business that chooses to advertise, with small ads around the sides of the map. It would be similar to the popular “resort maps” that you’ve probably seen in other areas, such as Burlington and Stowe. If we do it, we’ll produce it in-house, using the graphic talents of member, Billy Keyworth, who also designed our website, http://richmondvermont.com/.

In 2005, member, Larry Bohen, led the effort to take put an ad in the Williston Visitor Area Guide. Maybe you saw it in one of the 25,000 copies of the guide at I-89 Rest Areas, or other tourist venues in the greater Burlington Area. As we discussed the idea of renewing the ad for 2006, a conversation began about how to effectively increase visitor traffic to our area AND tie all our wonderful attractions and businesses together. We realized that there are primarily two ways to attract visitors: (1) through the Internet (before they get here), and (2) once they arrive in the state (picking up some literature somewhere). As we brainstormed, so much excitement was generated that a “visitor outreach” committee formed. We’ve been meeting every week for the past three weeks, and the meetings are very well attended. We’ve even had guest speakers come and present marketing ideas to us.

Should we go forward, we hope to have the map available in early September. If you have a business that depends upon tourists and/or a tourist attraction in RABA “territory,” don’t miss this opportunity to cost effectively attract more customers. Contact member, Amy Todisco, to assure your place in this new publication. RABA members will receive a discounted advertising rate, as will nonprofits. Non-members can join the organization ($50/year) by clicking on the “join now” button at the site, and then receive the member discount, and join the ranks of our growing organization. Also, Billy Keyworth (434-3516) can help you design your ad (RABA members get a 50% discount). If this idea interests you, feel free to give Amy a call at: 434-3813, or email her at: amy@greenlivingnow.com .