The e-commerce solution for community recovery. The mission of The Gulf Coast Marketplace is to contribute to community recovery by providing opportunities for economic growth and financial independence to individuals and families, especially those impacted by disaster.

1. Visit our website:
10/18/2011 www.thegulfcoastmarketplace.org 1

2. The Gulf Coast Marketplace
The e-commerce solution for community recovery
MISSION STATEMENT:
The mission of The Gulf Coast Marketplace is to
contribute to community recovery by providing
opportunities for economic growth & financial
independence to individuals & families, especially
those impacted by disaster.
Visit our website:
10/18/2011 www.thegulfcoastmarketplace.org 2

3. The Gulf Coast Marketplace
The e-commerce solution for community recovery
OVERVIEW:
 e-commerce website
 Virtual marketplace for hand-crafted products and
services created by people living along the Gulf Coast
 Economic stimulator for the Gulf Coast region
 Celebrates the rich diversity of many cultures
 Assists in the economic & emotional recovery of
individuals & families impacted by disaster
Visit our website:
10/18/2011 3
www.thegulfcoastmarketplace.org

4. The Gulf Coast Marketplace
The e-commerce solution for community recovery
OVERVIEW continued:
 Will provide supplemental income, and on a macro-level
serve as an economic stimulator for the Gulf Coast region
 Need sponsors
Together we can harness the talent of our creative
cultures and convert that power into fuel for economic
prosperity.
Visit our website:
10/18/2011 www.thegulfcoastmarketplace.org 4

5. The Gulf Coast Marketplace
The e-commerce solution for community recovery
PRODUCT DESIGN:
 Virtual marketplace, simulates the sights & sounds of
traditional fairs & festivals indigenous to the Gulf Coast
 Operate as an online store showcasing products and
services created by artists and craftsmen
 Features the latest in e-commerce tools that the buying
public has come to expect
 Hosted by Pinnacle Cart, leading U.S. e-commerce
company
Visit our website:
10/18/2011 www.thegulfcoastmarketplace.org 5

6. The Gulf Coast Marketplace
The e-commerce solution for community recovery
PRODUCT DESIGN continued:
 Site map invites visitors to take a virtual stroll among the
fairgrounds
 Each virtual vendor booth includes a personalized touch,
such as a video clip of the vendor
 Will serve as a special link between local vendors & global
customers
 Variety of vendors will represent our unique culture &
heritage while promoting the region as a desired
destination for business & tourism
Visit our website:
10/18/2011 www.thegulfcoastmarketplace.org 6

7. The Gulf Coast Marketplace
The e-commerce solution for community recovery
OPERATIONS:
 Packaging, shipping & tracking handled at distribution
hubs, insuring inventory control & customer satisfaction
 Bringing back the concept of “lagniappe” (a little
something extra) as the cornerstone of the GCM
 Gets income into households quickly
 Keep vendor paperwork at a minimum & encourage artists
to focus on their crafts
Visit our website:
10/18/2011 www.thegulfcoastmarketplace.org 7

8. The Gulf Coast Marketplace
The e-commerce solution for community recovery
OPERATIONS continued:
 Concept will foster micro-enterprises & help to stimulate
the local economy
 Encourage vendors to help recruit additional vendors
 Foster mentoring by encouraging established
artists/craftsmen to share knowledge
Visit our website:
10/18/2011 www.thegulfcoastmarketplace.org 8

9. The Gulf Coast Marketplace
The e-commerce solution for community recovery
FINANCES:
Business model relies on sponsorships at the following levels:
 Major Sponsors $25,000 (featured prominently on home
page)
 Supporting Sponsors $10,000 (featured on the main
“fairgrounds” page)
 Artist Group Sponsors (3 artists) $5,000
 Individual Artist Sponsors $1,500
Visit our website:
10/18/2011 9
www.thegulfcoastmarketplace.org

10. The Gulf Coast Marketplace
The e-commerce solution for community recovery
FINANCES:
Each $1,500 Individual Artist sponsorship will be allocated as
follows:
 $500 to assist the artist in purchasing equipment and
supplies for further development of their craft,
 $500 for Options for Independence to purchase initial start-
up inventory from the artist, eliminating the need for the
artist to give up inventory on consignment; and
 $500 to set up e-commerce booth and to provide technical
and marketing support.
Visit our website:
10/18/2011 10
www.thegulfcoastmarketplace.org

11. The Gulf Coast Marketplace
The e-commerce solution for community recovery
FINANCES:
 GCM will assist vendors in setting price
 Sales taxes collected at time of purchase & paid to applicable
jurisdictions
 Recruit members at an annual fee of $12.50 to help cover
operating costs. Members will receive special discounts &
promotions
Visit our website:
10/18/2011 11
www.thegulfcoastmarketplace.org

12. The Gulf Coast Marketplace
The e-commerce solution for community recovery
IMPLEMENTATION
 Quiet launch in September 2011 to test functionality
and demonstrate capabilities
 Recruit artists/vendors, sponsors & members
 Initial focus on Louisiana artists/vendors
 Expansion to other Gulf Coast states will occur as we
establish functionality and support
Visit our website:
10/18/2011 www.thegulfcoastmarketplace.org 12

13. The Gulf Coast Marketplace
The e-commerce solution for community recovery
THE TEAM:
 Barry Chauvin, CEO, Options For Independence
 Jim Pittman, Workforce Development Director, Options For
Independence
 Brandi LeCompte, Marketplace Manager, Options For Independence
 Charles Gaiennie, CEO, W.L. Gaiennie & Co., Social Media & Marketing
 Chase Chiasson, Publisher/Website Design, Bayouland Advertising,
 Sammy Hebert, VP Sales, Data Management Services,
 Tracy LeCompte, Graphic Artist/Print Design, Bayouland Advertising
 Dino Paternostro, Business Consultant, LegisLink, LLC
Please consider helping us to make the Gulf Coast Marketplace a reality
and to fulfill our mission of becoming the e-commerce solution
for community recovery.
Visit our website:
10/18/2011 www.thegulfcoastmarketplace.org 13

14. The Gulf Coast Marketplace
The e-commerce solution for community recovery
MAJOR SPONSORS:
 South Louisiana Economic Council (SLEC)
 Options for Independence
Visit our website:
10/18/2011 www.thegulfcoastmarketplace.org 14

15. The Gulf Coast Marketplace
The e-commerce solution for community recovery
ADVISORY PANEL/SPONSORS:
 Jerry Bologna, Director of Economic Development,
JEDCO
 Lanor Curole, Program Director, Vocational
Rehabilitation Services, United Houma Nation
 Frank Fink, Director of Economic Development, St.
Mary Parish Government
 Vic Lafont, President/CEO, South Louisiana Economic
Council (SLEC)
 Fred Peer, Partner/CEO, N.O. Brew
Visit our website:
10/18/2011 www.thegulfcoastmarketplace.org 15

16. The Gulf Coast Marketplace
The e-commerce solution for community recovery
ADVISORY PANEL/SPONSORS - continued:
 Aimee Smallwood, CEO, Louisiana Cultural Economy
Foundation
 Ewell Smith, Executive Director, Louisiana Seafood
Promotion & Marketing Board
 Jennifer Steel, R.N., Director, West Jefferson Hospital
Foundation
 Carmen Sunda, Center Director, SBDC-GNO Region
 Darryl Ward, Chief Administrative Assistant,
Office of Parish President, Jefferson Parish
Visit our website:
9/12/2011 www.thegulfcoastmarketplace.org 16

17. The Gulf Coast Marketplace
The e-commerce solution for community recovery
Tour the Gulf Coast Marketplace :
 www.thegulfcoastmarketplace.org
Learn more about artists & craftsmen
 www.BayouResilience.com
Visit our website:
9/12/2011 www.thegulfcoastmarketplace.org 17