Annual General Meeting November 23, 2017
MOUNTAIN at a Glance Searchmont Resort offers: downhill skiing snowboarding freestyle skiing adaptive skiing cross country skiing and snowshoeing
MOUNTAIN at a Glance The Resort also hosts regional and provincial level ski races along with corporate, community and school events. Skier visits average between 20,000-40,000 per year.
History Searchmont Ski Association Incorporated (SSAI): is a volunteer, community operated, not for profit organization incorporated in October 2001 to operate Searchmont Ski Resort, situated in the mountains of the Algoma District, 48 kilometers northeast of Sault Ste. Marie, ON. In 2005, the owner decided not to operate the resort due to extensive cost capital improvements required on chair lifts and other facilities.
History With no owner to be found, SSAI was pressed into action to ensure much needed wintertime recreation was available to tourists and locals. Currently, SSMEDC owns the property, while operated by SSAI.
SSAI Board Name Kristy Rachkowski Travis McCormack Janet Gawne Brian MacDonald Andrea Reibmayr Tyler Epp Joe DeRosario Position & Experiences President Finance, Human Resources, Wellness Toga Instructor Vice President Community and Environment, Governance OLG Treasurer Finance, Community Engagement, Governance Municipal Board Member Secretary Marketing, Sault College Professor Past President Governance, fundraising, Transformational Coach Governance Manager, Alumni Relations & Events at Sault College Governance, Finance Vice-Principal ADSB
Vision With exceptional service, we will promote a healthy, active lifestyle while utilizing our unique natural resources to provide memorable, year-round adventure experiences for all ages & abilities
Values Lead with Enthusiasm - Have Fun Collaborate - Teamwork, Partnerships, Community Involvement Inclusive - Youth, Accessibility, Newcomers, Promote Learning Dependable - Operations, Hours, Staffing, Messaging Ownership - Respect for others & Community Hill Integrity - Environmental Stewardship, Community Respect
Strategic Pillars People Finance Place
Partnerships Lake Superior State University No Limits Adaptive Ski Assoc. YMCA Sault College SEARCHMONT Searchmont & Area Freestyle Assoc. Searchmont Ski Runners EDC Tourism SSM Algoma University
Partnerships A bulk agreement has been made recently with Lake Superior State University for the upcoming 2017-2018 season. Algoma University & Sault College are also continuing their partnerships
Board Update SSAI Board Update - 2017 Lot Development: In the spring of 2017, SSMEDC hosted a town meeting in Searchmont to show the development proposal. Originally there were 18, one acre lots proposed. That plan has since been revised to 11, two acre lots as the province supports the latter lot size. To appeal the provincial standard could prove to be a great deal of work with no gain. In November 2017, SSMEDC met with the Searchmont Local Road Board. Approval for the road was received subject to approval by the Ministry of Transport (MOT), Algoma Public Health (APH), and North Shore Planning Council. Next steps will entail: Getting approval from MOT Getting approval from APH Establishing a selling price Providing cost estimates for power, and road, upgrades, etc. to complete the project. SSAI Strategic Planning In fall, SSAI Board completed a 2 day Strategic Planning Workshop onsite at Searchmont Resort. Result was a workable SWOT analysis and Strategic Plan/Action plan to guide Searchmont Resort through the next 5 years. Board Meeting moving forward will continually refer to strategic plan in order to stay on target. Completed & Finalized version of Strategic Plan will be posted to Website following review by new SSAI Board members.
Renovations & Improvements CHAIR LIFTS Triple & Quad lift engineering assessment completed Lift Towers and lift buildings were painted ON HILL Brushing of entire mountain & new signage Snow making line repairs 12 New Terrain Park features purchased and the older features have been updated
Renovations & Improvements VILLAS & BUILDINGS Villa upgrades New flooring, painting, televisions and couches New roof and heating source in Slopesides OTHER Larger Rental Fleet- New skis, snowboards, helmets (Elan) New uniforms for Snow School & Outside Operations New Snowmachine
Demand Analysis Skier Visits 2015 2016 Season The ski visitors were 19,796 in total Most were season pass holders Skier Visits 2016 2017 Season Ski visitors were 29,661 in total, an increase of 9865 Most were season pass holders Visitor increased by 66.7% from the previous season 35,000 30,000 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 0 Customers 2015-16 2016-17 Customers
Performance Measures 2016-17 Season Occupancy Rate increased 20%. Snow School Revenue up 68%. Operational Days up 50% from previous season( 66 days). Season Pass Revenue up 32% from 2015-16 Total Revenue up 34%. 5 new events were created.
Marketing & Promotions Tag Line used for upcoming season Bigger, Steeper and Deeper Continue to promote our exceptional terrain, abundant snowfall and size. Partnerships with Algoma Country, Tourism Sault Ste Marie will continue and we look to extend the reach of our promotions across Northern Ontario and Michigan.
Marketing & Promotions Website Data: October 1 st 2016 April 30 th 2017 93,617 Sessions (amount of people engaged with the website) 254,267 Page views; peak was from opening day until Janurary 55,744 individual Users; Peak was from Nov. Jan. New Visitor: 58.9% (57,381) Returning Visitor: 41.1% (39,084)
Marketing & Promotions Facebook Page: An increase of 2,316 total page likes over the 2016 2017 season Rating went from 4.3 stars to 4.4 stars Increased advertising, using Ads Manager: Allowed for more reach and engagement Weekly Engagement: Lowest in November: 31,594 Highest in January: 174,665
Marketing & Promotions Facebook Page: 14000 Page Likes 12000 10000 8000 6000 Page Likes 4000 2000 0 2015 2016 2017
Marketing & Promotions Instagram: Re-gained access September 16 th 2016 Before Sept. 16 th, account had 1 post and 600 followers Now it has 162 posts and 1,560 followers Averaging 1 post every 2 days Followers 2000 1500 1000 500 0 2016 2017 Followers
Marketing & Promotions We also have Snapchat, Twitter and a Youtube Channel We will be using these social media channels for the upcoming season to capture a wider customer engagement.
Action Plan 2017-2018 Creating Facebook Live videos for a view of the weather and special events Radio Ads with Rock 101 and Yes FM will begin mid December Digital Winter Campaign Lead by Village Media which will commence first week of December, and the major thrust of the campaign will be reaching out to Michigan and US Market. CTV video ad will be aired across Northern Ontario, in partnership with TNO and Tourism SSM SSAI will continue to increase reach by boosting posts and creating content that drives traffic to our website.
Financial Report Completed Full Audit with Joe Ruscio Professional Corporation 2016/2017 Financial Standing Cost Savings & Ongoing Fundraising Efforts
Financial Report
Financial Report Searchmont Ski Association Inc. has made great strides in the past 3 years moving the business from a severe operational deficit to a moderate profitable position 200,000 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 100,000 0-100,000-200,000-300,000-400,000-500,000-600,000 Income
Financial Report $400,000.00 Food & Beverage Revenue $350,000.00 $300,000.00 $250,000.00 $200,000.00 $150,000.00 Revenue $100,000.00 $50,000.00 $- 2015-16 2016-17 $111,502 more than the previous season
Financial Report $800,000.00 $700,000.00 $600,000.00 $500,000.00 $400,000.00 $300,000.00 $200,000.00 $100,000.00 $- Ski Pass Revenue 2015-16 2016-17 $172,154 more than the previous season Revenue
Financial Report The financial position of the resort has improved because of several key factors: 1. Reduced cost of goods sold 2. Increased revenues 3. Decreased deficiencies 4. Established strategic partnerships 5. Secured provincial and federal funding
Financial Report Funding partnerships Over the past 3 years the Searchmont Ski Association/ EDC have secured over $1.5million from both federal and provincial funding agencies.
Committees Governance Development Human Resources Marketing Finance Environmental & Community Engagement If Interested, Please Contact: tyler.epp@saultcollege.ca
Committees Fundraising Committee Upcoming Capital Expenditures and Infrastructure renewal programs will require new and consistent approaches to fundraising. SSAI is establishing a standing committee tasked with the development and execution of fundraising campaigns and activities. Open Call For Members: Please See any SSAI Board Member or contact tyler.epp@saultcollege.ca to participate.
ACKNOWLEGMENTS Jamie Horbatuk Great Lakes Honda: Kent and Francine Floreani The Economic Development Corporation of Sault Ste. Marie Tourism Sault Ste. Marie Algoma Country Brian Mealey Chris Greensted Jeff Elgie Mike Lesnick Searchmont Ski Runners No Limits Adaptive Skiing Program Canadian Ski Patrol Searchmont & Area Freestyle Alliance Algoma Insurance Sault College Algoma University Lake State Superior University Joe Ruscio Professional Corporation Robert Prouse Prouse Chevrolet Soo Mill- Sandra Hollingsworth All our passionate and motivated staff and volunteers
Bylaw Amendment Amendment to Bylaw 4.03- Special Resolution Special Resolution #1 The board recommends that we amend the bylaw Article 4.03 to add that a board be composed of minimum 50 percent plus 1 members who are either a Mountain, General or Honourary member. To add: 4.03 QUALIFICATIONS Each person shall be qualified for election or appointment as a director if eighteen (18) years of age or older. The Board will consist of minimum 50 percent plus 1 members who are a Mountain, General or Honourary member in good standing of the Corporation.
ACKNOWLEGMENTS SSAI Wishes to thank Outgoing Board Members for their commitment and dedication: Andrea Reibmayr Joe DeRosario
Nomination and Election of Board Members Nominations Committee: Travis McCormack - Committee Chair Joe DeRosario 2016 Chair