april2009web

The April meeting will be hosted by:Dana White ALL EVENT RENTALS (770) 476-1659and,Andy & Carol Kite CORPORATE EXPRESSIONS (770) 467-3257

Food served will be picnic style:Hotdog, potato salad, slaw, chips, etc.

Continued on Pg 2

meetingApril

April Meeting:Tues., April 76pmLocation: All Event Rentals3550 Buford HighwayDuluth, GA 30096

THE GAB-RRRAAPPRRIILL 22000099

Monthly News from the Duluth Merchants Association

All Event Rentals offers:* Audio/Visual Equipment* Beds and Baby Items* Beverage Serving Equipment* Candelabras Chafing Dishes

Chinaware* Flatware Concession Equipment* Cooking Equipment* Glassware Linens and Skirting* Miscellaneous Party Items* Tables and Chairs Tents /

Canopies Trays* Serving Items Wedding Specialties

CALL US FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT!

About Corporate Expressions* Plaques* Crystal* Badges* Acrylic Awards

Corporate Expressions, Inc. is located indowntown Duluth at 3475 Fox Street, thefar side of Proctor Square ShoppingCenter. Carolyn and Andy Kite haveowned Corporate Expressions for 27years. They are members of the Duluthmerchants Association; the GwinnettChamber of Commerce and the Awardsand Recognition Association.

2009 OFFICERS

Harold Stamey, President

Glenn Sarver, 1st Vice-President

Al Brown, 2nd Vice-President

John Monk, Treasurer

Cody Moran, Secretary

Marion Maloof, Past President

BBOOAARRDD OOFF DDIIRREECCTTOORRSS

Dr. Marion Maloof 770.923.1111Al Brown 678.858.4207Tim Thornberry 678.677.4847Harold Stamey 770.476.1943Glenn Sarver 770.265.2448Sunny Ramsay 678.312.6839Al Watkins 404.388.0492John Monk 770.495.8900Dr. David Dudovitz 678.777.7883Cody Moran 404.790.8175Elizabeth Rudin 678.475.3512Albert Marquez 770.932.8739Richard Daluga 770.366.4561,Kaye Slayton 678.473.6743

The Gab-RRR is a monthly publication of the Duluth MerchantsAssociation.Back issues are available atwww.Duluthmerchants.com

Database, Printing and Distribution:NNoorrmmaann KKlluuggmmaannAAcccceenntt MMaaiill SSeerrvviicceewww.accentmail.com678.473.4643nklugman@accentmail.com

Newsletter Design:TTeerrrryy PPaallmmeerrQQuuiicckkCCRREEAATTIIVVEE AAddvveerrttiissiinnggwww.Quickcreative.net404.502.5531Gabrrr@duluthmerchants.com

DULUTH MERCHANTSASSOCIATION

www.duluthmerchants.comfrom the

P r e s i d e n tHarold Stamey DMA President 2009

2DMA-Gab-RRR APRIL 2009

Dear DMA Members,

Thanks to Kurt and his staff at Kurt’s Restaurant forhosting last month’s meeting. Some of us spent timewandering down memory lane recalling some of the eventsthat occurred over the past twenty years. Several chartermembers were in attendance, Kurt was one of them, thatprecipitated our look back as DMA celebrates its twenty-year anniversary.

Spring has sprung which should remind those of you whohave not as yet prepared or even thought of your tax returnthat we are nearing the end of this taxing season. From myperspective, it’s like a box of chocolates, I never know whatchallenge each client will bring.

I would like to express my deep appreciation to those ofyou who attended the Spring Benefit at the AmericanLegion for the benefit of the Sentinels of Freedom-Gwinnett. Further appreciation goes to the members ofthe planning committee who dedicated their time aboveand beyond the call of volunteer duty.

The hosts of the April meeting are All Events Rentals andCorporate Expressions. The meeting will be Tuesday,April 7, at 6:00 P.M. at the All Events Rentals’ locationat 3550 Buford Highway. Dana White and Andy & CarolKite have reserved a spot for you. I will see you there if I’mnot too taxed out.

Carolyn and Andy are active in their tradeorganization, the ARA, and both have been statedirectors. Andy does education seminars for theARA continuing education program. Andy hasobtained the level of CRM (Certified RecognitionMaster) and Carolyn has achieved her CRS(Certified Recognition Specialist) Both requiremany hours of in class training as well as a writtenthesis to be certified.

Continued from cover


Do I Need aWebsite for My Business?by Albert MarquezDMA Webmaster

With the economy at crisis levels, anatural inclination is to tighten belts andavoid extra expenditures. But as marketsshrink, it's even more important for yourcompany or organization to attract newbusiness and retain current clients.So what's the most cost-effectivemethod of promotion? A Web site.

Q: WHY A WEBSITE?

A: First of all, the public now expectsbusinesses and organizations to have aWeb site -- one that can, at the very least,supply basic information and a means ofgetting in contact. A Web site hasbecome nearly as essential as atelephone or fax machine or printedbrochure.But apart from fulfilling the public’sexpectations, a Web site will also helpyour business increase profits.Increasingly, people search the Webrather than the Yellow Pages whenlooking for a service or product. If theydon't find your business represented,they will find your competitor’s.

Q: WHAT CAN A WEBSITE DO FOR ME?

A: A few examples of immediate,practical benefits:-Expand the effect of a print ad. Additionof a Web site address to an ad, even avery small one, means that anyoneintrigued by the ad can immediatelyaccess much greater amounts ofinformation about your company. Theeffect is heightened when you addsuitable photos to your site.-Save time. Much company time andeffort is often wasted by repeatedly

providing the same information either byphone or in person. Have a section onyour site that provides answers tofrequently asked questions.- Make it easier for potential customersto find you. Include a detailed road mapon your site, and make things even easierfor customers by indicating parking lotsand bus stops.

Q: WILL A WEBSITE MAKE MY

BUSINESS IMMEDIATELY MORE

SUCCESSFUL?

A: Does a phone, or fax machine orbrochure? All are tools forcommunication and promotion, butneed to be used effectively. On the otherhand, neglecting to have one of thesetools can put your company at a seriousdisadvantage. No company operateswithout a phone. A Web site -- and theservices it can provide -- is equallyessential for a 21st century business.

To get some indication of howimmediate your need for a site is, checkout the Web presence of yourcompetitors. None of them have Websites yet? Lucky you -- you've not onlygot some breathing space, you also havea good shot at being the first to attractnew markets. Your competitors alreadyhave Web sites? Get to work -- fast.

Q: GIVE ME SOME EXAMPLES OF HOW

A WEBSITE WILL HELP MY SPECIFIC

BUSINESS:

A: The possibilities are limited only byimagination and budget, but followingare some benefits that can be providedby even the simplest, most basic‘brochure” site:Restaurant: People choose restaurantsnot only for their food, but also for theirambiance and convenience.- Show attractive photos of the interior,and sample entrees on a beautifully settable.- Have you had good reviews? Reprintthem on your site.- Show your menu.

Continued on Pg 7

Foursomes and Individual Players WelcomeDonate Items for Player Prizes

Mix and Mingle with Sports Celebrities

Thursday, April 23, 2009Olde Atlanta Golf Club in Suwanee

Registration: NoonShotgun Start: 1pm


Gwinnett Medical Center: Duluth HostsOpen House on the Glancy Campus.Friday, April 24Noon-3pm

For more than 60 years, the Glancy facility on McClure

Bridge Road served the community's health needs. Today,

the facility has taken on a new look - and some new services.

The community is invited to attend an open house celebrating the new programs

and services offered on the Glancy Campus, located on 3215 McClure Bridge Road

in Duluth. On Friday, April 24, 2009, a free open house will feature exercise class

demons, patient education, exhibits, exercise and tours of the newly renovated

facility from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m, The event is sponsored by Gwinnett MedicalCenter's Center for Sleep Disorders and Diabetes & Nutrition Education Center.Participants can learn how to stay healthy and fit by improving their nutrition andsleep habits.

The Center for Sleep Disorders has a new facility on the Glancy Campus to serve theDuluth community. The Center tests for many sleep-related disorders, such as sleepapnea, insomnia and restless leg syndrome, and provides patients with detailedinformation and education on those disorders. All of the Center's technologists arecredentialed polysomnographic (sleep) technologists for both sleep and respiratorycare, and its physicians are board-certified in sleep medicine, which ensures a level ofclinical excellence reflecting the highest quality of care.

The Diabetes & Nutrition Education Center is Gwinnett Medical Center's premierresource to meet the diabetes & nutrition education needs of the community. Theprogram is accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is recognized formeeting and exceeding national education standards. Services include diabetes andpre-diabetes education and sound nutrition advice for weight management, highcholesterol, prenatal nutrition and overweight children.

The open house celebration is free and open to the public. For more information, callthe Diabetes & Nutrition Education Center at 678-312-6040.


- Advertise special offerings and servicessuch as business lunches, catering, etc.- Post testimonials from satisfied patrons.- Include a printable map, which showsthe location of parking and bus stops.Professional services (attorney, doctor,

dentist): For these services, which can'tuse conventional advertising methods, aWeb site is especially valuable. Here is anaccepted way of showcasing your areasof specialization. Do you havepublications? Cite them. Awards? Displaythem. Articles or case studies thatdemonstrate your credentials? Placethem online.Design services (architect, interior

designer, home renovator, illustrator,

etc.): Here a picture isn't worth athousand words. It's worth a million.Before & after pictures can tell your story-- without the costs of 4-color printing,plus distribution.Realty services: Here, too, pictures are agreat tool. Show off properties with lotsof full-color, large-format photos. Sitesare easily kept current with newinformation and properties.Retail store: Even if you're not yet readyfor the expense of full-blown e-commerce, a site can effectively promoteyour business. A user-friendly onlinebrochure is easily done -- and savesthousands in printing and mailing costs.- You can publicize sales and specialoffers.- Looking for employees? Post thepositions and let prospects contact youby e-mail.- Post a printable map showing yourlocation.- Customer service is faster and friendlierwhen customers can contact youimmediately, 24 hours a day, by e-mail --

rather than have to wait on the phone,listening to Muzak, and getting moreimpatient by the second.Writers:

- Post clips with copyright information,and refer editors to this page in yourqueries.- Promote published books.- Sell your books from your site via anaffiliate link to an online seller such asAmazon or Barnes & Noble. You'll earn upto 15% in referral fees, apart fromroyalties.Non-profit organizations: It's importantto establish credibility — especially whenyou're engaged in fundraising.Document your organization's progress,achievements, contributions. Once yoursite is launched and properly registeredwith search engines you may be foundby sectors of the public that you'd neverhave been able to otherwise identify andreach.

Q: WILL I BE ABLE TO AFFORD A

WEBSITE?

A: Prices vary widely, depending on thespecifics of each individual site. But whenconsidering the benefits that even thesimplest Web site can provide, thequestion to ask is less "Can I afford tohave a Web site?" than "Can I afford notto have one?"

NEED A WEB-SITE?Get A Professional Looking Web-Site AtAn Affordable Price!

Get your Business on the InformationSuper Highway Today!

Give me a call for a free consultation:

(770) 330-5469

Albert Marquez

DMA Webmaster

Need a Website - Continued from page 7


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