Chamber Newsletter

Chamber Newsletter

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November 1, 2011: Introduction....

    Greetings supporters of the Route 66 Chamber.  This Newsletter will update you on our recent projects and let you know of our plans for the near future.  Topics include the production of PSA's (public service announcements) for TV and Radio broadcast, our Boots Motel project,  and travel & promotional plans for 2012.

PSA PROMOTION:

    Earlier this year, we decided to develop plans for promoting Route 66 nationally using Public Service Announcements that would air on television and radio networks beginning in March, 2012. These 30 second ads will encourage Americans to consider making a Road Trip or taking a Family Vacation on the historic Mother Road.

    This has never been done before, as the last national organization to promote Route 66 closed it's doors in 1976.  The Route 66 Chamber believes it is time to compete with other famous attractions and theme parks for the attention of American and Foreign travelers. For more information on the PSA Project, visit our  Route 66 PSA page.

SAVING the BOOTS MOTEL:

        Ranked high on the list of endangered Route 66 Icons, The Boots Motel in Carthage Missouri was at risk of being sold and demolished by it's current owner for a new commercial use.  Several months ago, the Chamber mounted a concentrated effort to find a restoration-minded buyer by establishing a Facebook page, "Save the Boots Motel", and by building a website www.bootsmotel.com.  In June of 2011, the Chamber was contacted by an interested party, and the end result is that two sisters have purchased the motel and are beginning restoration work.  Their website is still www.bootsmotel.com.

JOPLIN and ROUTE 66, AFTER THE STORM:

          By now,  we have all heard about the deadly EF-5 tornado that hit that city on March 22nd..

Since Joplin is my hometown, arrangements have been made to establish a Chamber office for the summer in Webb City, just north of Joplin.  This will allow us to continue our work on the Boots Motel project in nearby Carthage and help plan fundraising events and assist in recovery and rebuilding efforts in Joplin.  Our office will be located across the street from the Webb City Post Office, just one block from historic Route 66 and the new Visitors Welcome Center operated by the Webb City Chamber of Commerce.  Our CPA is also nearby, and this will help speed our 501 (C)6 filing for non-profit status as a Chamber of Commerce this year.

IN SUMMARY:

To accomplish these projects and continue our Route 66 promotions, the Route 66 Chamber of Commerce will need your continued participation and contributions.  The economic effects of the reccession, along with high gas prices, have taken their toll on many Route businesses, and early reports from popular Route 66 Events indicate a significant drop in attendance so far this Spring. Without the promotion and advertising of Route 66 as a viable tourism destination, commerce will suffer and more businesses will close their doors.

If you are not presently a member, please Join this Chamber and help us preserve and promote the Mother Road for future generations.  Thanks for viewing our Newsletter and our website.

Ron C. Hart - Acting Director

Route 66 Chamber of Commerce

(417) 385-MY66  (6966)

This page was last updated: May 15, 2012