5 December 2011 – MONDAY MEMO

…from Heart of Gisborne acting city manager, Ken Huberts

The week ahead: After an incredibly successful Christmas Parade, we are now focusing our attention on the upcoming late night shopping promotion on 22 December. This is a great opportunity for shoppers to support our participating local retailers who will all be in the festive spirit! We will also be arranging a shopping bus for R&V and BW visitors so they’re able to take advantage of some shopping time during their stay.

Christmas Parade success: After months of hard work, not only by Ken and Jade at the Heart of Gisborne, but also the many groups and organisations that entered floats, the Annual Heart of Gisborne Christmas Parade was a huge success. Thank you to all the businesses in the CBD, especially along the parade route, for accommodating this fun-filled family event.

Christmas parade float winners: Winners for the best floats in the parade were selected by judges Manu Caddie, Jolene Douglas and Kerry Taggart from their viewing balcony at Paul Nache Gallery. The results are as follows:

Best Not for Profit: St Johns Youth

Best Sport: Bin City Brutalion Roller Derby

Best School: Te Wharau School

Best Effort: Gisborne BMX

Best Business and Best Overall: Rhythm and Vines

The judges had a difficult time choosing from some great entries, with special mentions to Sticky Fingers Childcare Centre, Makauri Rural Kindergarten, Gisborne Motorcycle Club and Midway Surf Life Saving Club for their efforts.  “I’m glad I didn’t have to choose a winner because absolutely everyone involved contributed to the fun and festive atmosphere of the parade,” said Jade Baty, Heart of Gisborne Events Manager.

Santa ride winners: The two lucky winners who got to ride with Santa on his sleigh in the Christmas Parade were eight-year-olds Alyssa Herbert of Mangapapa School and Morgan Devlyn of Te Wharau School. Not surprisingly, Alyssa and Morgan were very excited and had smiles from ear to ear during the parade.

Late night shopping:  This night is now just around the corner on Thursday 22 December. On top of the 4 x $500 media packs you could win from The Radio Network, Heart of Gisborne is offering advertising slots at no charge in the lead up to 22 December to any business that agrees to participate in the late night shopping. This will be a valuable tool to help you drive sales during the busy Christmas period. Advertising slots are strictly limited, so register now by emailing Jade at jade@heartofgisborne.org.nz . We will be emailing and dropping off more information this week.

Office Star of the Week: This week’s Office Star is Melanie Walker of the Gisborne District Council. Melanie was nominated for being “an amazing work colleague who is always so pleasant and willing to help everybody who interrupts her in the office.” Congratulations Melanie! You can nominate someone to be our next Office Star of the week here.

Parting thought: “Awesome parade!” - Anonomous spectator at this year’s Christmas Parade

On the Street – your news and views=========================

Vodafone’s exciting new store: Vodafone Gisborne has moved into its exciting new store! Now located at 2 Peel Street (on the corner of Peel Street and Reads Quay), Andrew and the team are looking forward to seeing you in this spacious new retail space. The new store offers greater customer comfort with its seating area and kids room, making it the perfect place to browse for Christmas gifts (for yourself or someone else). We offer great product knowledge, friendly service and a wide range of mobile phones and accessories (including an exciting range of the latest i-Phone accessories), fixed line and broadband plans and lots more. So come and see us in-store – we’re looking forward to seeing you!

Juve newsdesk: Jane Iredale’s Pure Pressed base has been nominated for Best Powder in the 2011 Beauty Awards. Come in see our gorgeous new summer range including Just Kissed lip and cheek stain in forever pink, which is a multipurpose stain that uses all natural ingredients to enhance your natural colouring. Contact Juve on 867 1234 or visit our website www.juve.co.nz

From Emma Lawrence, web-savvy PR consultant: Not on Twitter yet? Don’t know what it’s all about? If that sounds like you, jump onto my Facebook page and watch the short video I’ve just posted about why Twitter rocks! Also, make sure you ‘like’ my page while you’re there if you want to be kept in the loop about all the latest PR, marketing and entrepreneurial news. Click here to visit my Facebook page.