Just found - thanks Steve Genovesi & David Laphrad

Editorial

Front Page - Friday, October 14, 2011

Convention and Visitors Bureau reports uptick in tourism

David Laprad
Despite the depressed economy, the launch of a competing aquarium in Atlanta, Ga., and the lack of new tourism product in the city in recent years, the number of people visiting Chattanooga is rising. This has led to a spike in hotel tax revenues that almost doubles the national average... Steve Genovesi, vice president of sales and marketing at the Chattanooga Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, makes it his job to understand the ups and downs of local tourism, and believes he knows why the Scenic City is hosting so many out-of-towners: not only is Chattanooga a wonderful place to visit, it’s an easy place to sell.

“More and more people are telling us they’re coming to Chattanooga to experience the whole community, so while they’re here, they take in the Aquarium, ride a Pedicab and go to Lookout Mountain.”

In the end, tourism benefits everyone who lives in Chattanooga, Genovesi says, especially homeowners, who save hundreds of dollars a year in property taxes thanks to the economic impact of tourism, according to a study the Bureau commissioned from a University of Tennessee at Chattanooga professor.

Meet our drivers - Edward

So Edward joined us during the cold winter months, and pedals like CRAZY!  He's a great driver, and will even take the hills.

welcome to the streets

Meet Eric aka ECO MAN.


Humble student by day, ECO MAN by night - saving the universe, one pedicab ride at a time.

Order to Install - Only 7 Hours

Ok, so we normally don't work QUITE that fast, but yesterday, apparently St. Paul's had a hand in and/or had some pull with all the forces in the universe.  We went from concept meeting (of course they already had their art work ready), to signatures, to order the signs, to pick them up, to installation in less than seven hours.  Amazing!
And we think it looks pretty terrific too so we put it on two cabs instead of one.  What do YOU think?

so you want to drive a pedicab?

What are the steps to driving pedicabs for Buzz Chattanooga?


Are you 21 years or older, do you have a valid US driver's license?  Do you have $132 and a day or so to devote to getting licensed?


If so, first you will need to meet with Thor and/or Christina, since our advertisers expect pedicab drivers to be able to speak fluently about their businesses
Second - since we carry the public around in our cabs, the City of Chattanooga requires that we be licensed, in a manner similar to automobile taxi drivers (see steps below)

• To get that license, first you will need a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) background check ($29)

• Next, a full DOT physical with drug and alcohol screening, we recommend Physician's Care at Hamilton Place Mall - they've agreed to a discounted rate for potential Buzz Chattanooga Pedicab drivers - just tell them you are self pay, with Buzz, and need the full DOT physical with drug and alcohol screen ($93)
• Then, fill out the driver application for the City and have it notarized and approved by Thor or Christina
• Next, assemble the results of TBI, DOT Physical, Application and a check to the City for $10 and have Thor or Christina deliver the package to the Transportation Inspector
• Then, get out on the road for training - at least eight hours (unless you are some kind of pedicab prodigy)
• Finally, appear at the City of Chattanooga Transportation Board Meeting on the first Tuesday of the month for your license approval vote - the Board votes to approve new drivers

Third - get a key for the space, learn to log the bikes in and out, and go DRIVE

 you can also visit
 http://bit.ly/BuzzPedicabDriver

Another new advertiser - WELCOME GOOD DOG

So late last week, another advertiser saw the great benefits and small investment associated with advertising on our Buzz Chattanooga Pedicabs.  GOOD DOG joins us from the Northshore at Coolidge Park with the side of three cabs.  We did a bit of design work, had a FANTASTIC bite to eat and got busy ordering the clings.
  

In the meantime, our new digital advertising partners at 423Market said, "Hey, let's put together a digital ad for them to run over the weekend, just as a bonus you know!".  Well we certainly agreed (they do, after all, have amazing dogs - all their buns are from Niedlov's on Main Street, all ingredients are fresh and local, and even their sausages and bratwurst are hand crafted at their store!)

So, Chattanooga, join us in welcoming GOOD DOG!

exciting news

We are stoked about this new idea!