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Show BUSINESS The Park Record. Editor: Bubba Brown business@parkrecord.com 435.649.9014 ex.118 Chamber/Bureau seeks feedback from members The Park City Chamber/Bureau is asking members to fill out an annual survey about how the organization’s events, communication and operation can better serve its membership. According to a newsletter from the Chamber/Bureau, the surveys were recently emailed the primary contacts on file for members. The survey will be available until 5 p.m. on March 22. For more information, or to confirm the primary contact in the Chamber/Bureau database, members are encouraged to call 435-658-9600. The organization’s website is visitparkcity.com. Former Olympian named company spokesperson Summer Sanders, a Parkite and former gold-medal Olympic swimmer, was named spokesperson for Laguna Blue, a company that makes eco-friendly, bacteria-resistant microfiber towels. According to a press release, Sanders’ involvement with the company stems from her role as a mother and an advocate for health and fitness. Laguna Blue indicated in the release that it’s eager to have Sanders’ unique voice and energetic spirit working with the brand. “We are thrilled to have Summer Sanders onboard as our official spokesperson,” said Debbie Wideroe, president of Laguna Blue, in the release. “She is the face of an Olympic Athlete, (a) TV personality and (a) mom, living the Laguna Blue life authentically.” Women entrepreneurs can apply for Pitchfest Women who own businesses in the outdoor industry are encouraged to apply for a chance to participate in Camber Outdoors Pitchfest, which is scheduled for July 25 in Salt Lake City. According to a newsletter, entrepreneurs will be able to pitch their growth plans to thought leaders, investors and company CEOs. Women who are selected will receive mentorship leading up to Pitchfest. Applications are due by April 19. For more information, visit camberoutdoors.org. A big chill comes to Park City, A-16 www.parkrecord.com summit sotheby’s pitches in, A-17 A-15 Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues, March 11-14, 2017 Networking group aims to elevate business Park City’s BNI chapter seeks growth to provide more value for members By Bubba Brown The Park Record The Park City-area chapter of the business networking organization BNI has existed for several years, but the group’s president, Rick Morris, admits not everyone in the business community knows about it. That’s always been surprising to Morris because of the value the chapter -- called Business Elevated -- delivers to its 35 members. He said the chapter provides an average annual value of about $45,000 per member through referrals from the other participants, a number that will only grow as the membership expands. Morris added that offering that value is possible because of the nature of BNI. Members become strong advocates for the other companies in the chapter, essentially selling the other businesses to interested potential customers. “This is not about finding how many business cards you can collect in that room,” said Morris, who has been a BNI member for more than three years. “Although certainly sales get made in that room between a member and a member, the most important thing that’s going on in that room is educating the other members about Bubba Brown/Park Record Rick Morris, who owns an internet marketing company called Barking Frog SEO, is the president of the local chapter of the business networking organization BNI. He says membership in the chapter -- called Business Elevated -- can yield a return of thousands of dollars through referrals from other members. who we are, what we do and how they can refer us to someone that they know. We basically make them our extended sales force.” The model has worked well for the business Morris owns, an internet marketing company called Barking Frog SEO, which has drawn more than half of its recurring customers through BNI connections. He said businesses in other fields where word-of-mouth recommendations are critical, such as trades or skilled labor like house painting, also thrive. But Business Elevated is choosy Please see BNI, A-16 Amended rental bill passes in late legislative action In other legislation, Zion Curtain torn down and tourism receives funding By Bubba Brown The Park Record On the last day of the state legislative session, Park City officials were pleased with the final version of a bill aimed at restricting a municipality’s ability to curb nightly rentals. Earlier versions of H.B. 253, sponsored by Rep. John Knotwell, a Republican from Herriman, would have prevented cities and counties from enforcing ordinances prohibiting residents from offer- ing owner-occupied properties as shortterm rentals through online services such as VRBO and Airbnb. After an amendment made Thursday on the Senate floor, however, the bill merely stops cities and counties from fining or citing a homeowner for advertising a property as a short-term rental. Municipalities like Park City would still be able to enforce zoning rules that prohibit the actual act of renting out a home on nightly rental websites. Currently, nightly rentals are not allowed in large portions of neighborhoods such as Prospector, Park Meadows and Thaynes Canyon. The bill was passed by the Senate Thursday and approved by Speaker of Please see Rental, A-17 |