Tuesday 3 April 2007.
Austinmer Bowling Club.

Attendees: Scott Smith (nio.com.au); Cheri Bartlett (Emerald Business Services); Darryl Bromley (Ocean Blue B&B); Lynda Starky (Stark Event Management); Pauline Smith (Otford Pantry); Ronda Collins (Centennial Hotel); Barbara Allen (Piccadilly Travel); Kaylene Prendergast (Illawarra Credit Union); Quentin Field (Interphase Security and Electrical); Leila Visser (Tudor Lodge B&B); Narelle and Joye Nelson (IsKarp Lifestyle); Rebekah, Lyn and Kate Shoobert (Scarlett’s of Thirroul); Warwick Reader (Profit Growth Systems) and Dick Salm (Austinmer Bowling Club).

Apologies: Greg Watts, John Radnidge, Peter Bate, Mike and Gail Brennan, Cheryl and Klaus, Di and Humphrey, Tracey and John Noonan, John and Frances Vander, Julie Humphries and Rob Haywood.

Meeting opened: 7:10pm

Chairperson, Darryl Bromley, welcomed members and introduced new members, Scarlett’s of Thirroul. All attendees introduced their businesses to the meeting.

Lynda Starky presented the Strategy Report Proposal 2007 – Marketing the Region. Proposal was the combination of responses to the recent member’s survey and a project team review of historic strategy document from several years ago. Two (2) key proposals are: (1) Development of brochure for the region; and (2) Individual flyers.

Discussed “branding” of Northern Illawarra villages, given that Tourism Wollongong currently promotes our region as “Northern Wollongong”. No conclusion.

Need to verify or otherwise if NICC is still a member of Tourism Wollongong.

No report from Tourism Wollongong representative.

Signage, traffic flow and parking continue to identified by members as a major issue.

Darryl Bromley spoke of funding opportunities that are available to NICC from organisations such as the Illawarra Area Consultative Committee. Darryl will forward via email to members for comment.

Treasurer, Quentin Field, reported we have a positive balance of $13980 in the account.

Webmaster, Scott Smith, advised that all member listings now accompanied by nio link.

Meetings Officer, Barbara Allen, requested feedback from members on our new meeting format and approach – vital to assess how recent changes are affecting members.

Media Liaison Officer, Linda Starkey, advised that one of our members, Symbio, has won a major industry award, beating out the likes of Taronga Zoo!! Lynda will promote same in conjunction with Symbio when she finds out more details.

Scott Smith suggested NICC is risking “biting off more than it can chew” with the expanding list of projects and subjects of interest – best to go for attainable goals.

Dick Salm offered to run an NICC commercial on the Austinmer Bowling Club internal screens to promote membership. Scott Smith to follow-up on the offer.

Barbara Allen suggested that three (3) businesses speak at each meeting to promote themselves and to encourage cross-promotion between and within membership.

Meeting closed: 8:40pm

Next Meeting – Tues 1 May, Austinmer Bowling Club, 6:30pm start.