The Port Douglas Chamber will sponsor the Young Achiever Award for the second year.  We have some very talented and hard-working young people in the Douglas region and we look forward to receiving many nominations.  All nominees will be acknowledged.  The closing date is Friday, 14 September, 2012.  For further information and entry details Click Here

The award will be presented at the Port Douglas Magazine Business Awards in October.

Port Douglas Strategic Plan Integrative Project 2012

Download Reports here
Summary Report 60 pages 1.73 mb
Full Report  193 pages 4.12 mb

The Port Douglas Chamber of Commerce initiated a research project with the Melbourne
Business School (MBS) to collect data, analyze this data and produce a report with
recommendations on how Port Douglas might improve its economic outlook given that in
recent years the decline in tourism has had a major impact on business levels. Over 140
concerned residents and businesses contributed insights and opinions in this project.
By using an independent body such as MBS we had the opportunity of obtaining objective
and dispassionate insights into what the issues are and how we can progress. On Saturday
31 March the MBS presented its report which clearly outlined the strengths and weaknesses
of the Port Douglas economy and made a number of recommendations.

The MBS report recommends serious action and to achieve this we need support from the
various diverse community groups who have been so helpful in providing input and have
expressed keen interest in the findings.
Perhaps the most potent finding by the study is the need to develop a shared vision
speaking with one voice. This will be very difficult in a passionate community such as Port
Douglas but we must find a way to proceed or be content to remain in a downward spiral as
suggested by the report. The Chamber will work to achieve a shared vision for this
community. In particular we will work closely with Tourism Port Douglas Daintree who is a
major stakeholder in the business activities of Port Douglas.
The first step is to facilitate an ongoing conversation on the matters raised by the MBS
report. We propose to do this by creating a social media platform. A facebook page
GOPORTDOUGLAS and a twitter account @GOPORTDOUGLAS have been created. You are
urged to sign up for facebook and twitter and participate in the discussion. GoPortDouglas
was chosen because we want to be positive about the future. This forum is about ideas and
not personalities. Comments simply criticizing other individuals are not welcome. Criticize
ideas and make positive suggestions. This is the way forward.

Date: 24 April 2012

Time 5.30pm for 6pm start

Venue Sea Temple Golf Club Port Douglas

Cost $25 per head – Includes canapés on arrival

More information

Tickets

The difficult business environment facing Port Douglas over the last few years is the greatest concern of the Chamber. We recognise that we need help to identify strategies which may assist us in these difficult times. The Chamber now has the opportunity to work jointly with the MBS to first research the issues and then recommend strategies which may be adopted to improve our business levels. This project will produce a five year strategic plan to revitalise business. The project will commence on 2 February when 35 final year MBA students will be in Port Douglas working with the Chamber of Commerce, Cairns Council and Port Douglas Daintree
Tourism to research the issues.

The students are mature age candidates for the University of Melbourne MBA undertaking a final year elective in integrative studies. With backgrounds in finance, marketing, engineering and general management, they will bring a collective wealth of experience to the project. They will be led by professional consultants who will bring their own considerable intellectual input and experience to the project.

The Chamber views this as the right time to develop a plan revitalizing Port Douglas as a tourist destination as well as look more broadly to opportunities which may be available to Port Douglas. We are fortunate to be working in conjunction with Australia’s leading business school to get this process started. The expectation is that the results of this study will yield tangible benefits to the Port Douglas community and business interests.

If you want to input  your ideas send your vision to secretary@portdouglaschamber.com.au

A welcome dinner will be held at Salsa on 2 February for the 35 students , the faculty staff and a limited number of business and community members. The cost for the dinner is $45 and bookings can be made online at  http://www.trybooking.com/BDCP

 Tourism Port Douglas Daintree ensured a representative was on the marina to welcome each ship and in September 2011 the Chamber employed a cruise ship representative and together these delegates have embarked on a Cruise Ship Meet and Greet Program which has attracted a dozen volunteers to date.  So, not only do passengers take away a positive memory of their short visit, but we have had confirmations from accommodation providers that some of these visitors have returned within six months.

 As some comments have been made by the passengers that our port was a bit ‘ho hum’ the organizers of the Program, together with the volunteers, sourced colourful clothes, tropical flowers, professional name badges and have submitted an application to the Cairns Regional Council to fund live music for each ship which to date, has been jointly paid for by Meridien Marinas and retailer, Oz About Oz.   One volunteer brings her children on the weekends which is always well received – passengers missing their grandchildren maybe?

 Port Douglas is expecting 26 ships in 2012 with the first arrival on the 18th of January and final arrival on the 12th of December.  To check on the 2012 cruise ship schedule and any additions or cancellations, go to:  Cruise ship schedule and scroll down to Port Douglas.

In 2012, the first weekend of the program will be a food and
wine festival, with existing events such as Palates of Port, Food Wine & A
Taste of Port, the Longest Lunch and the Seafood Extravaganza.  The street
parade and the Four Mile Beach day will take place on the Friday and Saturday
of the second weekend. Carnivale Manager Ken  Dobbs said the festival had
come of age, and it was feedback from event
managers and stakeholders that effected the program change.

The program is being restructured to cater for both the
local community and for visitors who want to fly in to attend the festival.
Visitors will travel from southern states for 5-7 days to attend events covered
in the food and wine festival part of the program and holiday in the region
while locals have the option of attending the whole spectrum of events in the
program, so it makes sense to create a distinction and promote these different
aspects.

The Street Parade is a real signature event and one of the best in Queensland. For 2012 we want to
take it to a higher level and have the best Street Parade in Queensland so
start planning now and be part of the fantastic event. The Parade theme will be
announced before the end of the year to allow entrants to start working on
their float.

Financial members only may vote and membership renewals and new members
will be accepted between 5.30 and 6pm.

For additional information email secretary@portdouglaschamber.com.au or
phone  40840285