Behind every great event is someone working day and night to pull everything together.
Behind Celebrate Oxford 2005 ? set for August 5 and 6 ? that person is Vicky Winkler.
Winkler, who’s lived in Oxford for almost six years, was hired by the DDA back in May on a part-time contractual basis as Celebrate Oxford’s ‘event coordinator.?
From the Taste of Oxford and Business Expo to the Historic Home Tour and ‘Art in the Village,? Winkler’s job is basically to organize and promote the various elements that make up the popular summer festival, ensuring they go off without a hitch and within budget.
‘When I agreed to 20 hours a week, I knew it was going to be more,? she said. ‘But it’s worth every extra hour I put in.?
Winkler is no stranger to event planning. Prior to this, she spent five years working as the marketing director for New Horizons Rehabilitation Services, running all the non-profit organization’s charity events.
Being the event coordinator for Celebrate Oxford is a ‘natural fit? for Winkler given her Oxford-based company, The Marketing Shop, and the DDA have the same basic goal ? helping and promoting local businesses.
For nearly three years now, The Marketing Shop has provided business cards, newsletters and brochures to a number of well-known Oxford businesses.
‘When I first started my business, my goal was to be the marketing company people in Oxford go to,? she said.
Winkler views Celebrate Oxford as ‘an untapped opportunity for local businesses.?
‘When I look at Celebrate Oxford from a business perspective, there’s a huge opportunity for local businesses to get involved and get exposure.?
Winkler’s also been able to help the summer festival through connections she’s cultivated as president of the Oxford Chapter of the Local Business Network (LBN).
Oxford’s LBN chapter is basically a group currently comprised of representatives from 15 businesses ? located in Oxford, Lake Orion, Lapeer, Leonard, Rochester Hills and Troy ? who meet twice a month for about an hour to pass on referrals to each other and engage in networking.
‘Everytime you go there are referrals passed,? Winkler said. ‘It’s been a really, really dynamic group.?
Only one representative from a given business category is allowed in the Oxford LBN. For instance, Victoria Connolly, of Victoria’s Delights, is the only catering/restaurant member.
The Oxford LBN meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at Coldwell Banker Shooltz Realty (110 S. Washington Street). Networking takes place prior to the meeting at 7:15 a.m.
It was through LBN that Winkler obtained this year’s event sponsor for Celebrate Oxford ? T&C Federal Credit Union, who paid $5,000 for the honor.
T&C Federal Credit Union is ‘the owner of this event in a sense,? Winkler said, noting that with thousands of visitors expected at the festival such a prominent sponsorship is ‘well worth every advertising dollar,? especially for a new local business trying to promote itself.
While making Celebrate Oxford a successful event is definitely one of Winkler’s primary goals, she also wishes to ‘maintain (the festival’s) integrity? and all the elements that drew her to it for one simple reason ? ‘I love Oxford.?
For more information about Celebrate Oxford, the Oxford LBN or The Marketing Shop contact Winkler at themarketingshop@earthlink.net.