The way marketing works best is to have a strategic business plan and then follow that plan up with a marketing plan that outlines exactly how marketing efforts will help you achieve your business goals. Your marketing plan may or may not include a brochure. It may not include doing an e-newsletter. There are a ton of variables that we have to look at before determining what’s a fit for your business. Some of those include your target market, demographics, historical data, competitions, etc.

All this aside, the key point is that in order for any business to really see a return on every marketing dollar spent, a plan should be in place. This plan should have buy-in from everyone on the team and it should be revisited every few months. It’s fluid and may require adjustments but the important thing is that there is a plan and all of your marketing efforts are moving together in a unified and consistent fashion. If done correctly, it works!

The Facts

The goal is to see which event can raise the largest amount of donations for Water Missions International’s efforts in Haiti.

100 percent of all donations will go directly to Water Missions International, headquartered in Charleston (West Ashley behind Seacoast Church)

Water Missions International has already sent 32 water purification systems to Haiti but many more are needed.

Water Missions International has committed a total of 100 water systems to the people of Haiti to address their water crisis.

Each system provides clean water for up to 5,000 people per day.

$25,000-$35,000 will fund one safe-water, disaster, response project.

A safe-water, disaster-response project includes the construction of a water purification system, transportation to Haiti, set-up and staffing throughout the disaster. After the immediate need has been met, the system is then relocated to a permanent, sustainable location, continuing to provide to the people of Haiti. It truly is the gift that keeps on giving!

If every attendee at the Boat Show and the Oyster Festival donates $5, we can fund two disaster-response projects in Haiti.

The Charleston Boat Show and the Lowcountry Oyster Festival are two of the most popular, well-attended events in the Lowcountry. Jacqui Bomar and Kathy Britizus, the event producers, would like to utilize the recognition of their events as a way to get patrons involved in helping out.

While the challenge is real, the Charleston Boat Show and the Lowcountry Oyster Festival seek to dramatically and jointly expedite the efforts of Water Missions International in Haiti. Time is of the essence.

With the help of boat- and oyster-lovers alike, everyone can help bring clean water to the people of Haiti.

The Events

Charleston Boat Show:
January 22 – 24 (Friday, Noon‐6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.‐6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.‐5 p.m.)
Charleston Area Convention Center in North Charleston (FREE parking)
Tickets are $8 per adult (bring 5 canned goods for the Lowcountry Food Bank and receive $2 off)

Lowcountry Oyster Festival:
Sunday, January 31 (10:30 a.m.–5 p.m.)
Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant (FREE parking)
Tickets are $10 per person in advance and $12 per person at the door

Follow the challenge on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BoatsVsOysters.

Each month, Georgia Kids First will highlight inspirational patient and family stories and will give updates from the hospital’s leadership staff and medical teams. This month, we’re profiling C.J. Dube, a former cancer patient who has found ways to give back to other children battling the disease.

I speak for everyone at Trio when I say that we are thrilled to be a part of this project and that we look forward to working with everyone at MCGHealth. To learn more or to sign up for the newsletter, visit www.mcghealth.org/kids.

We’re about to finish up the Palmetto Medical Initiative marketing and communications plan…and WOW…they are an amazing bunch! Be sure to check out their Web site to learn more about their organization and how you can help make a difference.

Next up…The Good Neighbor Center. Another worthwhile cause that we are honored to be working with. Check out this story written in the Post & Courier last year…and let’s all try to be a little bit more appreciative of our Lowcountry Veterans. Thank you for all you’ve done and continue to do for us and for our country!

Working on the banner and rack card for Liza’s Lifeline now. Big shout outs to George with Expotrade Exhibits and Brent with Professional Printers for their discounted pricing for the materials needed to complete these projects! These new marketing pieces will definitely help this organization in their mission to provide education, support and awareness about the dangers of domestic violence.

Lots more going on and we’ll report back soon. Holla!