RE: Note from KellieJane: Thus far the city is the only entity that has mentioned the RFP
but if that is what the majority prefer to do we are happy to facilitate
that process. Joe and Tom are checking the references and credentials of
the person I sought the marketing proposal from for our project. I am
happy to share references with everyone-in fact-I’ll paste to this
email.
In the past I believe I entered into small contracts on behalf of the
City without an RFP.
I don’t have a close friendship with the proposed consultant -I was
seeking someone who has the reputation from my peers and from what I
have seen by sitting in his classes the most to offer.
Secondly what is meant by a community having some of their own
initiatives –perhaps Kalispell desires to focus efforts on additional
shovel ready sites which is controlled internally by the city and
developers; or perhaps the city initiatives such as a stronger website
presence to ED, or some type of tactic that is related only to
Kalispell. The MWED plan will focus on tactics that benefit all the
communities. I am seeking the ability for the entities, should they
desire it, to have one on one time with the consultant and gain some
relevant and useful action items of their own if they choose. What makes
sense to me is for the City and the chamber to have the same plan.
The MWED plan will be the umbrella. This is merely a suggestion and the
structure in my opinion is purely flexible. With that said I do believe
timing is critical-the community (all of us in the Valley) is ready to
hear about action and I know there is a desire to act quickly.
I hope this answers your questions.
Sincerely,
Kellie
Eric Canada’s references
Hampton Roads: Jones Hooks, Jeckyll Island Authority, 912-635-4003,
jhooks@jekyllisland.com
Dallas Chamber: Bill Sprull, Richardson Chamber of Commerce,
972-792-2801, bill@telecomcorridor.com
Rick Dickinson, Greater Dubuque Development Corp., 563-557-9049,
rickd@greaterdubuque.org
Adam Knapp, Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce, 225-381-7125, adam@brac.org
In Sioux City, our project was a subcontractor for a Airport Consultant,
Crawford Murphy &Tilly, and specifically related to the highest and best
use of the airport property marketing strategy. The Siouxland Initiative
(Chamber) is a software client. They use Synchronist PRIME. We have not
done marketing strategy for them directly.
From: Jane Howington [mailto:jhowington@kalispell.com]
Sent: Monday, March 01, 2010 9:17 AM
To: Kellie Danielson, CEcD; joe@kalispellchamber.com;
robert.schneider@fib.com; sburch@fvcc.edu
Subject: RE: Note from Kellie
Kellie,
After a quick read of your outline, I do have a couple of concerns. The
primary concern is the process of hiring a consultant and the need to do
a RFP/RFQ for this. I know the use of public funds via the City would
require this process to take place and wondered if that’s a requirement
for MWED as well. Certainly, if the City were to contribute to the
$20,000 match this process would need to take place.
The second item of concern falls under the “what needs to be defined
section of your outline. In the second bullet point you mentioned the
MWED marketing plan would be broad and the community’s would be
responsible for their own initiatives. Could you elaborate what is
meant by this? Would the marketing plan identify the target markets and
strategies so the City’s could take this information into account? How
would this help us get to the goal of having a targeted ED
implementation strategy for each community?
Thanks.
Jane
From: Kellie Danielson, CEcD [mailto:Kellie@dobusinessinmontana.com]
Sent: Friday, February 26, 2010 1:42 PM
To: joe@kalispellchamber.com; Jane Howington; robert.schneider@fib.com;
sburch@fvcc.edu
Subject: Note from Kellie
All: I created a synopsis of the marketing project and next steps for
the Montana West executive committee for a meeting on Monday, March 1. I
captured the events and planning from the Kalispell Jobs Recovery
meeting on Tuesday. I have attached the document for you to review.
Suggestions are always welcome. (No pride in authorship).
The Whitefish Chamber board has approved the participation today and I
don’t know the funding contribution from Whitefish yet.
As promised we have approached the other community chambers to ASK if
they want to participate. Columbia Falls Chamber reviews with their
board on Tuesday, and I have yet to chat in detail again with Lakeside –
Somers, but will. Bruce is away but expected in Bigfork next week. I
will inform the County Commissioners, FCEDA chair and the city managers
of CF and Whitefish. So I’ll wrap those discussions up next week.
I would like to ask for someone from each chamber and local units of
government if interested or could be represented by the chamber to
participate in a meeting on March 4th if available after the regularly
scheduled chamber exec get together that day to review the proposal from
Eric Canada and determine if additional services need to be addressed. I
would like expectations to be discussed on the front end. Then we would
conduct a conference call with Eric to ask questions, clarify items and
so forth. The purpose of these actions are to make sure everyone
understands (including the consultant and more importantly me as Montana
West facilitates the project) the deliverables, services to be provided,
etc. before we sign off on any contract for services. March 4th is
tentative until confirmation of the availability of everyone.
Once this is accomplished and everyone is comfortable we would like to
hold a press conference with all organizations represented to show the
collaboration and describe the action being taken to effect job
recovery.
Have a good Friday,
Kellie Danielson, CEcD
President/CEO
Montana West Economic Development Corporation
Kalispell, Montana 59901
406.257.7711
kellie@dobusinessinmontana.com