Business association discusses hiring event coordinator, forming events committee

LANDRUM – The Landrum Area Business Association elected new board members during their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 3.

According to former LABA president and Landrum Hardware owner Shawn Evans, the four-member board was entirely up for replacement including the treasurer, secretary, vice president and president.

A motion was approved to elect Tryon Daily Bulletin marketing consultant Magan Etheridge as president, Landrum Antique Mall owner Kim Karaman as vice president, Pee Ridge Vintiques owner Cindy McKenzie as treasurer and Landrum State Farm Agency owner Tiffany Freel again as secretary.

The LABA treasurer and president serve a two-year term while the vice president and secretary serve a one-year term, according to the association’s bylaws presented by Evans.

Southern Delights and Carolina Antiques owner Linda Fitzgerald said it might be time for Landrum to have an event coordinator hosted and managed by the city who could handle events planned by LABA like the Easter Egg Hunt and Christmas Parade and Stroll.

“You cannot have four people in positions and then not have the external support,” Fitzgerald explained. “There are many large events here, maybe not this year, but next year, and unless we form a group that is active and is supportive of each other and all these businesses start working as a team, we are going to get lost in the shuffle.”

Ellen Henderson said a team of individuals could be formed to look at the events on Landrum’s calendar. She added this committee should “take a hard look” at the events occurring this year and determine what could be done differently, adding some events require more energy to put on than others.

Rich Caplan, city administrator, said city council could put the discussion of hiring an event coordinator on this month’s council meeting agenda. He added the city’s hospitality tax allows hiring an intern or part-time person, but said this person cannot replace the participation and cooperation of the city’s business community.

Landrum Mayor Robert Briggs said he agreed with Caplan on looking into hiring an event coordinator for the association. He added this person cannot overshadow the association and said the LABA serves as a vehicle for the business community.

Karaman said she would serve as vice president on the condition she would be in charge of the committee. She along with other members of the association including The Hare & Hound owner Patty Otto, Sissy’s Boutique owner Todd Cox, Freel, Henderson and Etheridge formed this committee.