Ashley Gaither

Founded in 1993 with 156 charter members Mission Statement Raised over $20 million 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Approximately 4,500 members

Average membership increase is only 290 new members per year

To increase membership in Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park to 5,000 members by January 1, 2009

To increase readership of brochures to 250,000 within 6 months To increase business membership by 33% within 6 months

To increase local membership by 5% within 6 months To increase membership by referral by 5% within 6 months To maintain membership at 5,000 after January 2009

Visitors of Great Smoky Mountains National Park Gatlinburg businesses Sevier County / Gatlinburg residents Friends / relatives of current members

Stress benefits of membership and overall good of the organization Brochures available throughout area Reach tourists through local media campaign Host hot air balloon event and bluegrass concert Presentations at local meetings

JulyHot Air Balloons Event, Brochure Debut Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce SeptemberBillboard Debut OctoberBluegrass Concert Event, Media Campaign Gatlinburg City Hall DecemberMail Thank You Stickers, Member References

Hot Air Balloon Event$1250 Bluegrass Concert Event$1000 Brochures$500 Media Campaign$2000 Presentations$250 Contingencies$500 Total$5500

Membership records Survey results

Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (n.d.). Friends of the Smokies. Retrieved May 28, 2008, from U.S. Census Bureau (n.d.). Gatlinburg city, Tennessee – Fact Sheet – American FactFinder. Retrieved May 28, 2008, from U.S. National Park Service (2008). Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Retrieved May 28, 2008, from