Dannet Botkin explains the new Resident Ambassador Program to the Sacred Heart Men’s Club at the club’s March meeting.

There were two special guests at the March meeting of the Sacred Heart Men’s Club; Dannet Botkin, Marketing Manager for the POA, and her father Dan Botkin.  Following dinner, Dannet gave a presentation to the club outlining the plans that have been put in place to market Hot Springs Village and the results achieved to date.  The marketing program that is being put in place is targeting those people 40 to 65 years of age who are planning for retirement and have money to spend.  The plan is utilizing all mediums to reach potential homebuyers including print media, direct mail and emails.  In addition 12 micro websites have been established each focusing on a different theme such as golf, fishing, entertainment, etc. to showcase the many diversified aspects of the Village.  Dannet is also using various other techniques to expose the Village including participating in trade shows and partnering with the Board of Realtors and the Chamber of Commerce to offer tours to visitors.

A survey of those who recently moved into the Village shows that over 50% chose Hot Springs Village after learning about it from a friend or family that lives here.  Recognizing this trend, a new program has been established called a Resident Ambassador.   This program is offered to encourage residents to expose their family and friends to the Village and to qualify for discounts and prizes.  There are other special and unique activities planned to gain exposure to the Village including such things as a Media Day, a Triathlon in June, States Weeks where visitors from a state can use amenities at resident rates and a Real Estate Open House Day featuring lunch at participating restaurants.

Although Dannet has been on the job for a very short time there are already some impressive results.  In addition, Hot Springs Village will be declared as one of the five best retirement centers in the US in an upcoming issue of Newsweek magazine.  Following the presentation Dannet took questions from those attending and her talk was very much appreciated.