Message From The General Manager

Laura Chastain

As we wrap up 2019 we've had many things to be proud of this last year.  The year long celebration of National Park Service's 100 years brought wonderful events and celebrations that lasted throughout the year.  We also had many firsts this past year, the Instagram blogger campaign, the Bike your Park event and the Grand Canyon Trail Half Marathon. 

I am excited for 2020.  First I will start the year with a week long training at the University of Arizona - this will be my first year of a 4 year program offered through the US Chamber. Course topics include advocacy, media training, membership, finance, legal issues, human resources, and more.  Upon completion of the 4 year program I will receive the IOM (Institute for Organization Management) which signifies 96 hours of nonprofit management training. I know my mind will be swimming with new and improved ideas upon my return.  I am truly grateful for this opportunity and the scholarship that was provided by ACE (Arizona Chamber Executives).

Our Chamber is now full members with the US Chamber and I'm please to announce & extend additional resources to our small business members. Shortly you will receive information on our Federation Partnership program - with discounts on FedEx, toolkits with how-to information on hundreds of topics from healthcare to taxes to help your small business.

We have our tentative 2020 schedule listed and will continue to add more as we move into next year.  We will continue to offer Employment Familiarization Tours, Grand Canyon Become the Expert information sessions, Food Handlers/Manager training and Situational Awareness training.  As always if there are other classes, training's or topics you would be interested in seeing in our area please let me know.

Membership & 2020 Visitor Guides - invoices have all been mailed out. We have begun work on our 2020 Official Visitor Guide and your membership payments must be current to be included in the guide.  Jamie and Joel from Arizona Exposure will be sending out all the information at the beginning of the year.

2020 Board Election Results- Thank you to all that sent in your ballots - newly elected/re-elected board members: DaNene Pace - West Wind Air Service, Stoney Ward - Buck Wild Hummer Tours, Clarinda Vail - Red Feather Properties, Courtney Dixon - Grand Canyon National Park Lodges.  Returning board members include: Romy Murphy (President) - Pink Jeep, Julie Aldaz - Red Feather Lodge and Freda Ranenfuehrer - Best Western Squire Inn.

A Special Thank you to all of our 2019 Sponsors:

We couldn't do all of our events (July 4th, Half-Marathon, Employment FAM Tours, Become the Experts etc) without you! Look for our new 2020 sponsorship opportunities in February 2020!

Platnum Sponsor: Town of Tusayan for July 4th

Gold Sponsors: Holiday Inn Express and Suites, Red Feather Lodge, Texaco Express Mini-Mart

Silver Sponsors: The Grand Hotel, Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopter

Bronze Sponsors: Plaza Bonita Restaurant, Big E Steakhouse, 
RP's Stage Stop, Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel, Best Western Grand Canyon Squire Inn

Small Business Sponsors: Arizona River Runners, Camper Village, Maverick, Buck Wild Hummer Tours

CUA fee increase Delayed AGAIN

The Commercial Use Authorization fees timetable schedule that had been scheduled for October 1st has now been delayed until at least January 1, 2021 for Grand Canyon.  Here’s a link for more information:

https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/management/cua.htm

We've received some questions regarding the size of the vehicle and whether vehicles with 25 or less seats will be paying per seat or per passenger.  While we are awaiting final confirmation - Grand Canyon Concessions believes it will remain the same (per passenger - not total seats).  Should I receive different information I will inform you ASAP.