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Dear Valued Members,
We are happy to report a successful summer season and a flurry of activity for the fall. Thanks to our members who signed up for our Fall Display Contest. We had 15 official entries and many more who participated. Thanks to Lisa Kristoff from the Boothbay Register who judged our contest and will have a brief article in this week's paper. First place - BBH Framers Gallery & Gifts - the multi-textured, complex window display complemented by the simpler outdoor autumn visual together created a STUNNING display. Lots of effort, time and creativity. SECOND place - Flagship Inn's bridge...colorful, seasonal and fun. Again, creativity and time came into play here - and decorating the bridge, considering bridges are symbolically and literally structures that transport us somewhere else was terrific!
In addition, we've had countless people stop by the Chamber and photograph our pumpkin, thanks to Sam, Adele and Carol for making it a great hit.
Thank you to those of you who read and answered our survey below. We welcome more of you to give us your input.
We look forward to a productive Annual Meeting on Wednesday, October 19th and appreciate your votes.
Thank you and see you soon!
Best wishes,
Catherine Wygant Executive Director |
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Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber 2011 Survey | | |
Survey Results:
In our September Executive report I asked our membership three questions that covered our services, Windjammer Days and committees.
The response was minimal and here's how they came down.
Executive Report sent to 457 people
Opened by 188 people
Clicked throught to survey = 48 people
Answered survey = 11 people
So far the responses show the following results:
1) Types of benefits and services you would be interested in learning more about.
- Category specific workshops, business skills and health insurance where the most important.
2) 50th Anniversary of Windjammer Days.
- We had four responses wanting to help including tours of the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, the Garden Club, an idea about more cruise ships visiting our harbor and general assistance.
3) Members are interested in the following committees:
- Arts 27, By-Laws, Events, Windjammer Days, Budget/Finance, Marketing/Public Relations, PYP and Volunteers.
Please take five minutes to answer our quick three question survey by clicking here and let us know your thoughts. Thank you! |
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Events: | | |
Annual Meeting:
Date: Wednesday, October 19th, 2011
Time: 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Location: Spruce Point Inn
Dates to remember:
Tomorrow...Wednesday, Oct. 12 - you will receive an email with an electronic ballot for you to vote on the incoming Board (we will mail ballots to those who do not have email).
Tuesday, Oct. 18 by noon, you must send in your ballot via email or mail.
You need to review the revised Bylaws to vote on them at the Annual Meeting.
Annual Meeting Agenda:
- Thank you to retiring Board members
- Announcement of results of voting for new Board
- Introduction of the new structure within the chamber office
- Discussion of the Bylaw changes, Q&A and vote
- Review of the past year and vision for upcoming year
- Open Forum with Q & A for members to speak
MC3- We hosted the September 22 meeting of the Midcoast Chamber Council (MC3) which is a regional alliance of seven Chambers of Commerce of the Midcoast Region of Maine. MC3 has selected industry-leader, Village Profile, to produce its inaugural, high-tech map and SmartPhone Application (APP). We sent out a separate email to all members introducing you to this project. We also coordinated with them on the Maine Invites You State tourism guide (click here to see our ad) and the Maine Campground Guide (click here to see our ad).
Maine Office of Tourism- On November 1st from 9 to 11:30 am, MC3 will host a Regional Maine Office of Tourism seminar for MidCoast region businesses at Skidompha Public Library in Damariscotta.
Our Chamber has volunteered to help facilitate this meeting. Light refreshments will be generously provided by Rising Tide Community Market of Damariscotta. Admission to the event is free to members of any of the MidCoast region Chambers of Commerce.
Click here to learn more.
Special Offer Mainebiz MOMENTUM Convention:
When you register to attend the 2011 Mainebiz Momentum Convention on October 20th from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. at the Augusta Civic Center, you can earn a $10 discount.
Click on www.momentumconvention.com to find out about the exhibitors (they are sold out!), the learning sessions you can attend (six different tracks this year) and networking opportunities during the Momentum Reception.
When you register, use the promotion code: CHAMBER2011 and you will get a $10 discount off a convention pass and pay only $49 (regularly $59).
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Marketing & PR | | |
Upcoming Marketing Opportunities:
In the Media:
The chamber placed an ad promoting fall in the region in the following publications:
- The Scene magazine, October issue
- Maine magazine, October issue - 48 hours In Boothbay Region
- Downeast Magazine, October issue, Arts 27
Please contact Magaret Hoffman (margaret11274@aol.com) if you would like to advertise in the December issue of Downeast magazine with Arts 27. Click here to see the draft of the ad.
Our Partnership with the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest has brought us exposure in the following media:
- Lincoln County News (numerous issues)
- Maine State Chamber 'See Life' Blog (click here to read the blog)
- Boothbay Register (2 articles)
- Damariscotta Pumpkinfest Website
- Inclusion in video being filmed by Sweet Thunder Productions
- Listed on the Pumpkin trail map that will be handed out to over 10,000 people, leading them into our region.
The 2012 Maine Invites You publication has been finalized and the Boothbay Harbor Region was very well represented in a four page spread. Thank you to all participating members who allowed our region to be visible in the largest and most requested publication leaving the state of Maine. Click here to see the ad.
In-house Marketing:
Round Table Discussions: We are very excited to report that the team has hosted two marketing workshops in the past month. Attending members have given very positive reviews and are excited about sharing new ideas and possibilities.
Do you have a topic that you would like to bring to our 'Round Table'? Call us today to share your ideas and we'll schedule the next one.
For a copy of our past workshops click on the following:
Print Advertising: The Necessary Evil
Working Together to grow your business and our region
Submit Your Photography: Do you like the idea of FREE marketing opportunities? If you do, then please take a moment to read the information we send you, because there are many creative ways to market your business that are free! Here is one of them: Submit your photography to be considered for placement in the 2012 Visitor & Resource Guide. If your photo is chosen, your business gets credit. Details here.
Marketing 1on1: Would you like help with social media or maybe a few creative ideas on marketing your product or service? Call Lori to set up an appointment.
PLEASE HELP US: We need your 2012 guide information in order to finish the design process. If you need assistance with your paperwork, we are happy to help!
Maine Arts Commission Grant:
We welcomed Donna McNeil (Arts Policy and Program Director for the Maine Arts Commission), Mary Ellen Barnes (Director of Economic & Community Development for the Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission) and Linda Morkeski (Executive Director for River Arts, Damariscotta) at our September Business After Hours hosted by the Boothbay Harbor Inn after hosting a tour of the arts in the region.
The Chamber has joined the consortium applying for a $50,000 grant to communities or regions with a strong commitment to inter-sector collaboration that seeks to strengthen our cultural assets while fostering economic development.
Lori Pecor
Director of Marketing
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Membership | | New Members
New place, same face! Congratulations to Molly Hutchins, the new owner of On Board Fabrics located on Route 27 in Edgecomb. A barn full of textile treasures. Fabulous fabrics to add a little color to your home decor. Molly says "Love the fabrics, but no time to sew, Molly will make it for you!" Visit the website to learn more.
Who is the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce?
The Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary organization for the business community. It unites business and professional individuals,thus creating a central agency which lends itself to improving business and building a better community.
The Chamber is the members.The Chamber organizes and directs the energies of those who believe that, a community worth living in is a community worth improving. The Chamber enables these people to accomplish collectively what none of them could have done individually.
The main function is to promote interest in local business possibilities. It is the guardian of the community's economy and is the community's business advocate. It works to increase wealth and prosperity by facilitating the growth of existing businesses and fostering new ones.
This is achieved by office staff, Board of Directors and members' involvement in economic development, advocating for legislative issues affecting business, and supporting member businesses through marketing, events and offering you the tools to a wider path of success.
This chamber will continue to grow in a positive way for the positive growth of the community. Times are tough, I understand. The days of what it use to be is just that, what it use to be. To move forward, we need accept where we are today, unite and work for a better tomorrow. The wheel does not need to be reinvented, but instead take a look at what we already have and learn how to make it better.
With this being said, I welcome you to take the time, sit with one of us here at the chamber, and let us know what we can do to help make this region a leader, not a follower.
Up Coming Business After Hours
Osman Page LLC (Click Here to RSVP)
Wednesday, October 26th
5 - 7 p.m.
The Gallery-Gathering and Events
Wednesday, November 9th
5 - 7 p.m.
More information to follow
Click on the link below for the application:
Membership Application
Heather O'Brien
Director of Membership
heather@boothbayharbor.com |
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Finance | | |
Thank you to all for working with us on your renewals and guide information. We know we sent out a lot of paperwork but the good news is we have updated our records and are planning to automate this in the future.
We appreciate all those members who have promptly paid up! If you have any financial questions regarding your membership, please speak with Rachel.
Rachel Tibbetts
rachel@boothbayharbor.com |
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Guest Relations | | Despite the few days of soggy weather, the months of September and October have been busy at the chamber with foot traffic and phone calls. The staff really tries to find out from visitors where they are from and how long they are here. In recent weeks, the majority of visitors have been from the mid east states, including Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and a handful from the southern states to see the fall foliage.
Understanding that tracking where visitors hail from is important, the chamber will be working on a better program to collect this information and relay it back to its members. Another way the chamber is working for you! |
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