Tuesday 7 August 2007.
Austinmer Bowling Club.

Attendees
Scott Smith (Northern Illawarra Online), Lynda Starkey (Stark Event Management), Pauline Smith (Otford Pantry), Barbara Allen (Piccadilly Travel), Dick Salm (Austinmer Bowling Club), Greg Watts (Helensburgh Post Office), John and Robyn Venn (John Venn Pty Ltd), Carol van der Water (Watergum Grove B&B), Warwick Reader (Profit Growth Systems), Greg Soster (Tourism Wollongong), Julie Humphries (LJ Hooker – Helensburgh), Wendy Eyles (Harmony Therapeutics), Jeremy Quinh and Simone Bale (Campbell Page), Neil and Leslie Craddock (Thirroul Optometry), Gail and Mike Brennan (Party On), Barry and Sarah Neill (Pianosa Fine Foods), Scotty Russell (Fireworks Café), Steve Melchior (Just Cruisin’ Harley Tours), Shelley Daniew (Embroidery Plus), Suzi van Middelkoop (Tea by the Sea), Dick Bradley (Small Business Field Officer Program, IACC) and John Radnidge (Symbio).

Apologies
Tracey and Matt Baker (Central 2515 @ Thirroul), Kaylene Prendergast (Illawarra Credit Union), Quentin Field (Interphase Security & Electrical), Peter Bate (Peter’s Art Group), Barry and Colleen Ahern (Barry Ahern Electrical), Robert Haywood (LJ Hooker – Helensburgh), John and Francis Vander (Articles Fine Art Gallery), Ceri Bartlett (Emerald Business Services), Jo-Anne Fahey (Getem Entertainment), David Peterson (BES).

Meeting opened: 7:10pm.

Chairperson, Pauline Smith, welcomed members, followed by quick member self-introductions.

Pauline Smith, Lynda Starkey and Barbara Allen dressed in costume for the “Up, Up and Away to the 60’s” theme to get us all in the mood for the Ball on 9 November!! DL sized flyers handed out at the meeting, larger flyers out soon. Bookings being taken and tickets being sold now – tickets available later this month. Looking at arranging buses.

Guest speaker
Ms Sarah Parker, Festival of Flight. SP briefly reviewed some of the history of the Festival of Flight, which is now essentially separate from the Festival of Flight Ball. FoF is at the moment set to be small community festival event with stalls, music, rides, a kite day and a fly over – unless significant help is forthcoming. SP sees the management of a more significant event as a business proposition for her; that is, to be paid; not voluntary. Public liability and traffic management continue to be key issues. Currently booked the park for Saturday 10.11.2007 and some entertainment (which she sees running from 11am to 6pm). Needs a committee, help and resources. Greg Soster acknowledged that Tourism Wollongong continues to see FoF as a significant event for the Illawarra and TW can provide marketing input but not event management – FoF should be seeking funding under state and federal government regional flagship programmes. SP thanked for her presentation and the Executive will consider our response at our next Executive meeting.

First “NICC Chamber Blast” widely acclaimed. Thanks go to all contributors and Lynda Starkey and Scott Smith. Has already become a major value-adding marketing tool for both the Chamber and its membership. Next Chamber Blast will be issued this coming Friday. A hardcopy will be mailed with the invitation for the September General Meeting.

Membership Report.
We have 61 members to date, which is a terrific result following our renewal process and membership drive through end June and in the context of an increase in annual fee. It is clear that NICC’s profile is building within our region through articles in local media, the FoF Ball and the Chamber Blast. New members are Campbell Page, Commonwealth Bank – Thirroul, Harmony Therapeutics, Central 2515 @ Thirroul, Bushfire and Environmental Services Pty Ltd (BES), Embroidery Plus and Panorama House.

Treasurer’s Report
Current balances are (1) ICU as at 30.06.2007 $4690.00; (2) Horizon S1 $121.95; (3) Horizon S2 Thirroul Advertising and (4) Horizon Fixed-Term $13,980.57. Treasurer still chasing a receipt from Crystal Bears Pty Ltd in the amount of $2700.50 out of the Horizon S2 Thirroul Advertising account – Sarah Neill agreed to obtain that receipt (ACTION: Quentin Field to liaise with SN). Receipts for membership payments will be sent by end of August (ACTION: Quentin Field). An ICU cheque book has been handed to the Ball Committee to facilitate payments within the Ball Budget as previously approved by the Executive.

Secretary Report
Main outgoing mail was the letter to all members clarifying NICC’s position on the publication of the Northern Illawarra Business Directory by NiO. No questions from the attendees on that issue.

Media Report
Chamber Blast out this coming Friday. Articles in local media – Local Citizen and Northern Leader - re NICC generally and the FoF Ball.

Webmaster Report
Currently updating the Member Directory on the website in conjunction with Membership Officer and working on the next Chamber Blast.

NICC-promoted seminars and workshops with IACC. Dick Bradley reminded the meeting that the first NICC/IACC free seminar in the Northern Illawarra is set for the evening of 26 September at Austinmer Bowling Club. Contact Barbara Allen for details and to book. A second seminar, “Customer Service Strategies to grow your Business”, set for the evening of Wed 29 November also at Austinmer Bowling Club. Thanks to NICC for the co-operation.

Member presentations from (1) Tea by the Sea and (2) Party On. Excellent and continues to be a highlight of our meetings. Presenters at next meeting will be Campbell Page and Harmony Therapeutics.

General Business

Free advertising for members at Austinmer Bowling Club is fully ready to go!! Members just need to submit content!!

Meeting closed 8:50pm

Next Meeting – Tues 4 September, Austinmer Bowling Club, 6:30pm start.