The Bedford Chamber of Commerce board (l-r) Karen Kenney, Chair of Membership (Organization Works), Pam Brown, Chairman (Brown & Brown P.C.), Josh Cohen, President (SNAP Infusion), Maureen Sullivan, Executive Director, Adam Schwartz, First VP (CouponSurfer, Inc.) and Charles Duran, Secretary/Treasurer (Carlton & Duran, CPAs, P.C.) Missing Second VP Fatima Mendonca (Brookline Bank)

 

Submitted by Daisy Girifalco

The Bedford Chamber of Commerce kicked off 2013 with their monthly meeting drawing nearly 100% of the board. The chamber is ready to kick the year into gear with more programs that will help support local Bedford businesses. Including networking with other towns around issues such as public transportation and other ways they attract young talent to local businesses.

One of the many programs the chamber offers is the Bedford First Program. The Bedford First Program encourages more than 150 Chamber-member companies and their 5000 plus employees to prefer other Chamber members when making buying decisions. The offers are valid for both corporate and personal purchases, and as we continue to accept new discounts offers throughout the year, we will update the list of participating companies on a monthly basis. A Bedford First card will be available to Chamber members and their employees. The card entitles members to many valuable discounts, from restaurants and accommodations to local attractions. There is no fee to participate in the program. Members simply present their card at participating businesses to receive discounts on many products and services.

Are you receiving the benefits of your

  Chamber Membership?

Are you sure your company or organization is receiving all of the benefits of Chamber membership? Look at the list below and place a check next to the programs/events your company participates in. You may be surprised at the opportunities you are missing.

• I submit news briefs or promote my business in the "Business Spotlight" section of the Chamber Newsletter
• I have been a guest on the Chambers Cable show "Chamber Connections"
• I keep my business information current with the Chamber for referral list (Note: The Chamber does not refer non-members. If someone asks about an on-member business, they are informed that business is not a member, therefore we have no information regarding that business.)
• I promote my business by taking advantage of specialty advertising opportunities, such as the town planner, the Chamber map, and our web site.
• I display my business cards on the Chamber Board in the town center
• I network with my fellow Chamber members by attending the Annual Dinner, Monthly card exchanges, Flavors of Bedford and other events.
• I participate on Chamber committees
• I am participating in the Bedford First Member to Member Discount
• I am being interviewed for the "I am a Bedford Business" montage
• I call on the Chamber when I need assistance or information on local business issues
• I have utilized the export certificates of origin
• I display my Chamber Plaque where customers can see it.
• I have showcased my business by holding a monthly mixer
• I have sponsored Chamber events throughout the year.
• I have checked the Chamber Insurance to see if I could be saving money.
• I have informed the Chamber office of my website or any changes in my current listing.
• I have linked my website to the Chamber website
• I have utilized the free member listings and labels
• I do business as often as I can with other Chamber members
• I encourage other businesses to participate and take advantage of the benefits of being a Bedford Chamber of Commerce member.

Well how did you do? Out of the 20 items listed, to what extent are you taking advantage of your Chamber membership benefits and participating? Your Chamber membership cannot benefit your business without your participation.

The Bedford Chamber of Commerce is at your disposal as a vehicle to enhance your business and the community serves. If you would like information on any of the services listed above, please free to contact the Chamber office.

By Kathryn Eskandarian 

Friday evening January 11th, about 100 well wishers gathered at the Bedford TV Station to celebrate the premiere season of the new show, "Let's Get Fit!" with Sandy Morvillo, a local health and fitness expert. The show has two formats: An Interview Show and a Workout Show. In the Interview Show, Sandy sits down with her guests and discusses their fitness issues and goals and then provides them with a comprehensive fitness and health "game plan" tailored to meet their needs.   In the Workout Show, she takes viewers through a high impact exercise workout and offers modifications so viewers can follow along appropriately at their own pace. Sandy is excited about the show as she believes it will allow her to reach even more people right in their own homes. According to Madeleine Altmann, Executive Director at Bedford TV, "The viewer response has been very positive. I am impressed how many of our senior citizens are tuning in and working out. It's so great to have this kind of programming on Bedford TV."

     

 

Sandy has long been passionate about helping people of all ages and fitness backgrounds live healthier lives. For over 20 years, the 43 year old mother of two, has helped countless people of all ages live more healthfully by providing classes such as kick boxing, weight training and total body conditioning as well as fitness clinics for children and adolescents. She exemplifies a "complete health" lifestyle that encompasses daily exercise, eating well and a holistic approach to health care. Her high energy, motivational ability and achievement of results has garnered her many followers.   She is the Group Fitness Director of Summit Health Club in Bedford, MA where she teaches classes as well as runs a popular Women's Boot Camp through the Bedford Recreation Department. She continues to work as the conditioning coach for the Bedford Boy's Football Team which she has done for several years and also provides personal training for clients seeking a one to one fitness program.

 

 Photo by Julie Antriasian 

Left to Right:Jennifer Buckley, Kathryn Eskandarian, Madeleine Altmann, Sandy Morvillo, Julie Antriasian

 

 

 The interview shows vary in topic with the three currently being shown focusing on Maintaining Balance and Consistency, Incorporating Healthful Living into a Busy Lifestyle and Diabetes Related Issues and Health. There will be many more shows to follow in 2013. The shows can be viewed on Bedford TV on Comcast Channel 8 and Verizon channel 38 (check "TV Guide" for the schedule). The shows can also be seen on YouTube by searching "Sandy Morvillo" or "Bedford TV."

 

If you would like to learn more about Sandy or apply to be a guest on her interview show, please visit her web site at sandymorvillo.com . She is also available on facebook at "sandymorvillo.com."

 

   What the Chamber did in January

I am A Bedford Business 

We will be filming Wednesday, February 6 at Chamber Businesses. If you would like to be included in the promotional video montage, call the Chamber and set up an Appointment. It will entail us filming you saying

Hi, I am ----------------, from -------------- and I am a Bedford Business.

I love doing doing business in Bedford because _______________.

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Bedford Retail Group 

The Bedford Chamber is looking for a Few Good Retailers.
A new Retail Group has been formed whose mission is to make it easier to do retail business in Bedford. The group meets approximately once per month and works on issues such as Signs, Zoning, Promoting Bedford Businesses and more. We're looking for a two to three more retailers. If you're interested in helping your business and the retail business in Bedford succeed, please reply to this email. 

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 Bedford Historical Society
 The Bedford Historical Society is happy to announce that some of thier most popular merchandise, formally only available at the office or at the Freight House Store, is now available through the Bedford Freight House Online.  Please visit the Bedford Freight House Online when searching for any Bedford-related merchandise.

 Orders can be placed any time of the day or night and paid for using credit cards and PayPal! We will continue to add items over the next few months. Please feel free to email us at info@bedfordmahistory.org if there are any additional Bedford Historical Society books or merchandise that you would like to find available online.

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 Business Workshops at Shawsheen

Technical Institute

February 5th and February 21st

FREE informational seminar on how to produce dollars for training. Shawsheen Technical Institute and the Mass Workforce Training Fund are providing 2 free workshops on either February 5th or February 21st, both at 10 am. Merrimack Valley businesses can learn how to use state funding to more effectively train their workforce. Workshops will be held at Shawsheen Technical Institute, located at Shawsheen Valley Technical High School, 100 Cook Street, Billerica, MA. Learn more online at: www.shawsheeninstitute.org.

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