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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTBID_2025-11-19-25_ Public Comment Recieved by Email- Stay and Play Letter 805-466-2044 ∙ info@atascaderochamber.org www.atascaderochamber.org Atascadero Chamber of Commerce 6907 El Camino Real, Suite A Atascadero, CA 93422 11/17/2025 ATBID Advisory Board City of Atascadero 6500 Palma Avenue Atascadero, CA 93422 Re: Concerns Regarding Visit Atascadero “Neighborhood Tab” Micro-Campaign Dear ATBID Advisory Board Members, On behalf of the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce, I want to express our appreciation for the ongoing work to promote visitation, enhance our tourism economy, and support local businesses. We recognize and value the intent of the newly launched “Neighborhood Tab” micro-campaign and the effort put forth by Visit Atascadero and Verdin Marketing to increase overnight stays during the winter season. However, we must also express our disappointment in the decision to utilize $50 generic gift cards rather than directing these funds toward local businesses. As designed, the campaign provides 600 visitors with prepaid gift cards that can be spent anywhere, including outside Atascadero, resulting in a significant missed opportunity to strengthen our local economy at a time when many of our businesses are struggling and could truly benefit from increased revenue. This is especially important during the holiday season, when small retailers, restaurants, and service providers rely heavily on local spending. Redirecting even a portion of the $30,000 gift-card allocation toward Atascadero-based businesses would have created a meaningful economic ripple effect, reinforcing the purpose of ATBID and aligning more closely with the goals of supporting local commerce. We believe a more locally focused approach, such as offering gift certificates redeemable exclusively at participating Atascadero businesses, would better reflect the spirit of “Stay & Play,” ensuring that dollars intended to stimulate our community actually remain within it. Public Comment Received by Email ATBID | 11/19/25 | Item B2 805-466-2044 ∙ info@atascaderochamber.org www.atascaderochamber.org This shift would not only benefit our merchants but also create deeper cross-promotion opportunities and strengthen visitor engagement with Atascadero’s unique offerings. We respectfully ask the Board to consider these concerns as you receive and file the campaign update and to evaluate potential adjustments or future iterations that more directly support our local business community. Thank you for your stewardship of tourism efforts. We welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively to ensure that promotional investments create the maximum possible benefit for Atascadero’s hotels, businesses, and residents. Sincerely, Josh Cross President/CEO Atascadero Chamber of Commerce Public Comment Received by Email ATBID | 11/19/25 | Item B2