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Summer recap, Celebrating Warburton, Cycling Tips
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CEDA UPDATE FEB/MARCH - Members and associates edition

Dear <<First Name>> 

The Yarra Valley is now the NUMBER 1 visitor destination in Victoria for day trippers! The region has approx. 6 million tourists every year and tourism to the region has increased by 51% for local visitors and 71% for international visitors. Are you making the most of this?

We're seeing similar increase in local tourism in the Warburton Valley. Last year we had more than 35,000 people walk through the doors at the Waterwheel Visitor Information Centre (your membership fees help support its ongoing operation) and we had more than 210,000 hits on our website visitwarburton.com.au. In January alone we had 30,000 hits on our website - making it the second most busy month in the past year - (just behind our June peak snow period). So the visitors have certainly been in town and online this summer!
Our Visit Warburton Facebook page had more than 10,000 impressions in January with a huge spike on the Australia Day long weekend. Since 
January 1 we've already posted more than 80 pieces of unique and shared content on FB making sure the Warburton Valley is in more feeds every day.
Whatever we are all doing, it's working! 
Here's a link to an article from domain.com.au that also sings Warburton's praises - a whole world of wonder!

Kind regards,
Peta Godenzi

President - Warburton Valley CEDA
Tel  0428 971 203 or Email me
MARKETING NEWS
Join our CEDA Facebook Group - click here
WARBURTON VALLEY MAPS - time to restock
Replenish your map stocks in readiness for Easter holidays. Bulk quantities can be collected from  Yarra Valley Rentals in Yarra Junction, The Waterwheel in Warburton or from Wild Cattle Creek, Seville. 

Facebook Spotlights for Members
We're continuing with our program of dedicated posts on FB/Visit Warburton page shining the spotlight on CEDA members (part of your CEDA member benefits). Until end June we will do two feature posts a week (Mon and Thurs) so please help support your fellow CEDA members by liking the post, sharing where relevant and going to their FB page and liking them.
We've set a schedule that takes into account peak times and key events and, of course, will also post and share your own events and posts along the way in addition to this feature service. If you have any questions, please email lindy@warburtons.own.net.au

Info Kiosk
Thanks to Yarra Ranges Tourism we now have an INFORMATION KIOSK at the Waterwheel. This is a dedicated iPad, locked to our Visit Warburton website in a free-standing display that visitors can access quickly and easily. So if you're featured on our website, then you're featured on the Info Kiosk!


 











 
Read our latest blog - Warburton Summer Produce Market
OUTDOOR TOURISM AND CYCLING NEWS
TRAIL MAPPING PROJECT 
This project is almost complete. Photography and video will be developed in mid-March with online content to be uploaded later in the month. We've already had interest from several other sites, including Trailhiking.com.au to feature this info so the word about our top trails will spread quickly!

HOW TO BE CYCLING FRIENDLY
We've compiled a list of ideas for increasing the cycling relevance of your business and capitalising on the potential cyclists bring to our economy.
  • Have cycling specific items on your menu such as a high protein smoothie, carbo load pasta or muscle easing magnesium meal.
  • Develop a range of cycling specific merchandise. Ideas include Snack packs (nutritious nut packs), drink bottles, pocket size eat-on-the-go muffins/biscuits etc. Cyclists also love glucose lollies for an extra boost before they tackle steep climbs. 
  • Provide areas where cyclists can park and keep their ride in view.
  • Add facilities for pumping up tyres, bike wash – a complimentary/borrow tyre gauge, pump or hose would be well received.
  • Accommodation providers can offer lockable storage, bike wash facilities, disposable mats for standing bikes on inside, complimentary tool borrow, patch kits, cycling magazine in room, helmet storage, airing/drying cabinets for lycra.
  • Have brochures freely available for cycle specific services and events, such as Cog, Yarra Valley Cycles Pedal Pickups. Pop a couple of cycling magazines in your reading basket.
  • Keep copies of the Warburton Valley Tourism Map, Rail Trail Z Map and other trails maps in-house.
  • Write on your menu boards or pop a notice in your window that you are ‘cycling friendly’.
  • Offer stay-over packages specifically for cyclists, provide incentives for ‘return again’ cyclists (and encourage mid-week stays).
  • Pop up a novel instore display – a cycling based sculpture, or image may be a welcoming attraction.
  • Think about other services in town you can cross promote or package with – cyclists need massages, chiro, spa/swim, various lotions and potions (from sunscreen to anti chaffing cream!), R&R and more.
  • Ensure your website mentions your proximity to cycle trail and services, provide links to the cycle section of  www.Visitwarburton.com.au
  • Cross post your FB page on Visit Warburton and let cyclists know what you are offering on your own page.
  • Know that for every cyclist that attends an event there are family members and spectators that come along with them, and will also return again, even for non-cycling visits.
  • Ask your cycling customers how their ride was and where they are going next!
  • Thank cyclists for coming and encourage them to return soon.
And of course many of these ideas are relevant for any market segment you want to attract, beyond cycling to walkers and runners, to paddlers and families, grey nomads and others.
The best idea is to provide a high level of hospitality and service to anyone who chooses to Visit Warburton Valley and your business. Got any other great ideas? - let us know!
 
BUSINESS AND NETWORKING
Traders' Group 
The Traders' Group subcommittee will meet on Tuesday 7 March (once per month)  from 6pm at THE ALPINE PUB, Warburton.  All welcome. 

 
Yarra Valley Business Networking Group
if you haven't already connected with this group please take a moment to view their latest email here and see if it is for you.  Their next meeting on 16 March will include important updates on the Rail Trail Extension, Lilydale quarry plans and the Lakeside campus and Cr Jim Child and CEO Glenn Patterson from Yarra Ranges Council will be in attendance. Hear also about the Yarra Valley Food and Wine Festival (April 1 and 2). See above  link for details.
 
GENERAL NEWS
 
Rubber Duck Derby a huge success 
AUSTRALIA DAY IN WARBURTON - Thursday 26 Jan 2017
A fabulous day out for everyone involved! Congrats to the organisers - the event attracted more than 1800 people to the Warburton Yarra River bank and ducks for all races sold out!
The day was a lot of fun with loads of tourists getting involved with locals. Stay tuned for details on the 'next big thing'! The Easter family fun day and market at the Warburton Holiday Park.


 
Events for your calendar
We are trialling a more comprehensive rolling annual calendar for events: see here and we need your help. Do you have your finger on the pulse of what's happening in your town? Can you spare a few minutes every month to be a contributor. It's all logged in a super easy google document accessible via your existing email address. Contact Lindy via email if you'd like to offer your support. When this is a comprehensive calendar we will be able to highlight it on Visit Warburton.com.au

Coming up
  • Warburton Summer Produce Market - every Friday night (until 7/4/17) on the green adjacent to Cog Bike Cafe.
  • Benvenuti Festival at Killara Estate - March 12
  • Herb and Chile Festival - March 18
  • Giro Della Donna - Nov 26
Don't forget there are also many regular markets and other activities in the Warburton Valley - see our Markets page, and regularly check the Whats on page on our website - it's updated in real time (via www.atdw-online.com.au).
Membership news
Pro rata memberships available, tiered memberships 
Membership can be taken out at any time so if you are considering joining CEDA please do contact us and find out the pro rata rate. Don't forget we also have a range of membership options, including not for profit and individual – making membership affordable from just $30. You can download a membership application and table of benefits here.

Next CEDA  meeting

Date: Tuesday 21 March 2016
From: 10am to midday  
Where: Warburton Community Bank, Warburton ( boardroom upstairs) 

Members may attend. Please RSVP via email

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS
Heaven Sent B&B - Paul and Sonia
Celebrating Warburton - Book Now!
Congratulations Charnwood Cottages

RATED SECOND IN VICTORIA !! WINNER

 Star Rating Australia has awarded Charnwood Cottages  in the top ten Gold List for hosted accommodation in Victoria!! What a huge achievement! Well done Darren and Belinda for all the hard work they have put into making such a beautiful place to stay. www.charnwoodcottages.com.au 
Ph: 03 59662526

New members welcome
Join CEDA and help support a range of initiatives in the Warburton Valley that benefit business, tourism, community and ultimately every person who lives or has a close connection to our towns. We welcome all new and lapsed members.  Click the button for easy online payment.
BECOME A MEMBER OF CEDA
Our purpose statement:  'To promote sustainable economic development that enriches the lives of those who live in or have a close connection to the Warburton Valley and rely on its prosperity.'

Copyright © 2016 Warburton Valley CEDA. All rights reserved.

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Email: CEDA@upperyarra.net.au
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Warburton Valley CEDA · PO Box 267 · Warburton, VIC 3799 · Australia

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