All posts by Beverly Mapes

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Anniversary Announcements, Celebration Ideas

Steamboat Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Ready to Ski at Steamboat
Beverly Mapes with ski buddies Vicki Ven Huizen, and Kathy Weber from the Greater Grand Rapids Ski Club

One of the largest business anniversary celebrations we’ve seen occurred this year at Steamboat, also known as Ski Town USA and the home of Champagne Powder. Although yours truly didn’t make the January 12 to 21 celebration dates, my ski buddies from the Greater Grand Rapids Ski Club and I made it to the after party last week as shown in the photo.

Crew from Steamboat Today TV
The crew from Steamboat Today, Local TV18

We also got to chat with the nice folks at Steamboat Today, who put on a very informative morning show on TV 18, shown in the other photo.

Promotions Galore

This post would be miles long if it listed all of Steamboat’s promotions for their big celebration, so here is a shortened summary:

  • An ESB beer brewed by Anheuser-Busch and labeled with a custom Steamboat 50th Anniversary tap at participating bars. Note: we did not see this at their outdoor “ice bar,” but the bar was sure cool.
  • A new cocktail called “Golden Antler” made with Barenjager Honey Bourbon, peach schnapps, orange juice, and ginger ale. I don’t remember anything after trying this!
  • Their official celebration (which we missed)
    • Live music from the Yampa Valley Boys
    • 50th Anniversary merchandise tent
    • A time capsule opening from their from their 25th anniversary
    • Several Bud Light free concerts featuring area bands
    • A Texas sized birthday cake: 3 layers, 700 lbs, 30” deep by 80” long by 3’ tall – use your imagination!!
    • Lighting of the 50th Anniversary Cauldron
    • Torchlight Parade (Vogue, See Me, Lower Valley View runs)
    • Fireworks synched to music – the largest display in resorts history
    • Prizes hidden in gondola cars
    • 39th Annual cowboy downhill
  • Many, many prizes, including
    • Steamboat ski vacation for 4
    • Heli ski trip for 2
    • 4 monthly prizes: Rossignol skis and bindings, Burton Snowboard, Steamboat summer vacation for 2, Rossignol skis and bindings
    • 50 days and 50 daily prizes including lift tickets, ski and cowboy apparel, sleigh ride dinners, and massages
  • On site improvements
    • new Bison Groomer
    • expanded and upgraded snow making capabilities
    • new 4-stroke energy efficient snowmobiles
    • foot rests and restraining bars on Morrningside chairlift (thank you, thank you!)
    • new chairs with foot rests for the 4 Points chairlift
    • ski rental inventory revamp
    • facility enhancements at the Steamboat Grand, Thunderhead, and Rendezvouz

Steamboat’s History

Steamboat was founded by Jim Temple and John Fetcher, local ranchers with a love of skiing. The town reflects this today, with its shops touting both ski and ranch sundries, apparel and supplies.

Scouting began in 1955, when Temple enlisted some of his best skiers to determine the best routes down the mountain. After much planning and work, the ski area officially opened Jan 12, 1963 with Storm Mountain Express, a double lift with an A-frame warming hut. Revenue on their opening day was a whopping $13.75 which may not have been that bad since the temperature was 25 degrees below zero.

Today Steamboat encompasses 2,965 acres, with 165 runs and 23 lifts. Not sure on their daily revenue today, but a local saying is that if you want to make a million in Steamboat, come there with 2 million.

A Michigan Recommendation

Steamboat is definitely the place to go for powder, at least it was on our ski trip. Many of us from Michigan also like groomed corduroy runs to take a break from learning how to ski on the powder. Although grooming there is top notch, it is only done at night. When it snows all day, it means powder all day, on every slope. So for your next anniversary Steamboat – or even before then – why not groom some runs during the day for us “sissy” corduroy skiers?

Join us in congratulating Steamboat on their 50th anniversary!

Anniversary Announcements, Celebration Ideas

Little Mary’s Hospitality House – 30 Years of Compassion and Sunshine

Lodge and Play Area at Little Mary's Hospitality House
Lodge and Play Area at Little Mary’s Hospitality House

A 30th Anniversary Dinner and Silent Auction marked the 30th birthday of Little Mary’s Hospitality House, held at the Norman Township Community Center in Wellston, Michigan on July 28, 2012. According to Maureen Fischer, co-founder and Secretary of the charity, “We had a great fundraiser.  Full house.  Off-the-charts prime rib dinner. Great silent auction.”

While for-profit businesses often celebrate anniversaries to bring in extra business, it is important to realize that not-for-profit businesses also can take advantage of an anniversary by promoting it at an event such as the dinner by Little Mary’s.  This year they used a variety of fund raising efforts for their celebration:

  • Announcement in their newsletter, with a Save the Date blurb
  • Mailing to donor list announcing the event; included tickets to purchase and to sell to others
  • Sold tickets for the event at the door
  • Held a Grand Raffle for numerous large prizes, with advance and on-site ticket sales
  • Held a Silent Auction with numerous items, both large and small, for attendees to bid on, hopefully taking home a few
  • Advertised the event through media blitzes in area newspapers and via radio. This provided  expanded visibility and name recognition as well as more attendees to the event

Star Lake in Wellston, MI
Little Mary’s Hospitality House is located on the shores of Star Lake in Wellston, MI

Christian-based Little Mary’s Hospitality House provides a free, year round vacation retreat for families who have children with catastrophic, debilitating, life threatening or terminal illnesses.  The 501c3 non-profit organization was established in memory of three year old Mary Catherine Fischer who died of a terminal brain tumor in 1982. Although it is shady along the near-private lake and 6-apartment vacation retreat, the sun never ceases to shine there; new families are welcomed weekly with love, compassion, and determination to give them a relaxing respite from their daily life.

Anniversary Announcements, Celebration Ideas

Robinette’s Celebrates 100th Anniversary with Hoopla

Robinette's Apple Hause & Windery LogoA business that has survived 100 years is pretty special. The owners of  Robinette’s Apple Haus and Winery, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, have a family history of determination and perseverance.  They also know how to celebrate as evidenced by the hoopla surrounding their 100th anniversary in business, reached in 2011:

  • Unveil a Centennial sign in a ribbon cutting ceremony, with sponsorship from the Chamber of Commerce
  • Offer discounts on gift barn purchases
  • Provide free souvenir wine glass and wine tasting on select days
  • Offer a glass of cider and a donut for 100 pennies
  • Celebrate each fruit “season” in anniversary year with varied offerings and events: Peach Festival, Apple Time, etc.
  • Host special weekend events including:
    • “Blessing of the Blossoms” – blessing from a pastor, bluegrass band, speakers from US Apple and the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council, free wagon rides, and door prizes
    • “Giving Thanks” – serve limited edition Centennial Hard Cider, discounts on wine tasting, donate a percent of proceeds to a local charity
    • “Picnic Under the Maples” – hayrides, kids games and prizes, free wine tasting, special cherry or pumpkin spice flavored donuts, and live music by an opry house band
  • Create video about history of farm
  • News media blitz around each celebratory event

Join us in congratulating Robinette’s Apple Haus and Winery on their 100th anniversary!

If you are looking of ways to celebrate your own business anniversary, check out their celebration list to borrow or spark ideas. In celebrating your anniversary, and especially getting the media’s attention, you’ll gain free publicity, branding awareness, and attract more interest from your target market.

Business Anniversary Directory News

Why Is It Important to Share My Business’ Anniversary?

 

  • Because your business has suceeded! Celebrating an anniversary is celebrating another year of staying in business, and that is bound to be a goal of any business owner. It is an important milestone, and should be recognized!
  • Longevity. Celebrating an anniversary shows longevity, and indicates stability and trust to the public. This can make a customer feel connected with your business and want to continue their relationship with your company.
  • Publicity. A business anniversary gives newspapers, tv and radio stations, and other journalists something to write about. With more and more focus on supporting local business, journalists are happy to put a spotlight on a business in their community. Putting the public eye on your celebration is a good way to boost both your reputation in the community and your sales!