Well it has been officially one year since I have been in the Lakes Region of NH as Executive Director of the Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce. I’ve met some great people and have seen many businesses and events over this past year.
In November of last year I experienced the Santa Fund Train and the Laconia Holiday parade. The Santa Fund Train is a great community event where people drop off toys or clothing for families in need. Another similar event I attended was in December which was the WLNH Children’s Auction where money is raised to help families in the communities of the Lakes Region. In January, I attended the Annual Meeting which was held at the Margate Resort. In February I was able to meet with Ski Writers at Gunstock who are interested in our area. March was our very successful Sportsmen show in Franklin that is held over a two-day period and I was added as an incorporator at the BCEDC Annual Meeting. In May I went on the Shakedown Cruise aboard the Mount Washington which had many individuals and dignitaries on it including the Governor and most of the Executive Council and May is also the month for our great Chamber Social event, the Mix & Mingle held at Meadowbrook. June was very busy as Laconia Motorcycle Week was once again upon us plus we had our Golf Tournament at the Laconia Country Club (which I got to play for my very first time). August was a fun month as I went flying on a Training Flight with the NH Air National Guard, courtesy of Jim Goss from the NHESGR and we had our first and very successful event, Cool Bikes & Hot Wings at Laconia Harley-Davidson and in October we held our annual Business Showcase at the Conference Center at Lake Opechee Inn & Spa.
In addition to all the above, I was able to attend many Ribbon Cuttings for the Entrepeneurs in our area who believe in themselves and brought business to our region. Also, each month I attended our Business Before and After Hours at our member locations and the Chamber hosted many Brown Bag Lunches which are great informational seminars that are free to our membership.
I look forward to the coming year and all the new people and businesses I will meet and the events I will attend.
Just got back from a Business Before Hours at Laconia Bike Works in Gilford. Great concept there, they design their own line of scooters and are developing a line of motorcycles, plus they are rider friendly and have a cafe where you can go with your bike and have food and coffee.
Their scooters start at $899 for a 50cc and run up to about $2600 for a 250cc. Each one is very stylish and have standard features that you would normally find on scooters twice the price.
In addition to food and scooters, they also have a shop where you can have your motorcycle inspected or repaired. They also have connections for aftermarket parts for your motorcycles and scooters.
You should definitely take a trip and check them out.
It’s that time again, time to think about marketing your business and getting the word out about you.
The Chamber offers a very cost effective way of doing that with our informational brochure. Our brochure was distributed as follows for 2009: 30,000 units in the Boston Market at the Copley Place Mall and the North Shore Mall, 10,000 units in the 17 NH rest Areas and 10,000 units in our offices, information booth, mail and trade shows.
Beginning September 24th approximately 225 Model A’s will come to the Lakes Region for a gathering and road trip. On Saturday the 26th they will tour around Lake Winnipesaukee. Many of these cars and their owners are staying in local lodging properties like the Margate and the Landmark Inn.
Here is a preview of the event as some of the cars have begun arriving in the Lakes Region earlier this week.
On August 25th, Doug Holmes, Executive Director and Sandy Marshall, Chairman of the Board for the Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce presented Mark Edelstein, President of Lakes Region Community College a check for $500.00 for the Cool Bikes & Hot Wings Scholarship. The Scholarship money will be used for the Lakes Region Community College Automotive Program.
On Saturday August 8, 2009, The Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce held the 1st Annual Cool Bikes & Hot Wings Competition at Laconia Harley-Davidson in Meredith. As part of the event, money was raised to award a scholarship to the College. We hope to raise money again next year at the 2nd Annual Cool Bikes & Hot Wings Event to help benefit the Lakes Region Community College Automotive Program.
This year we are combining our Women in Business Showcase and the Business Showcase into one. There will be a prize given to the attendee who successfully finds all businesses that have a woman as a primary owner / partner. In the event of a tie, we will draw a winner from those attendees that answered correctly. The prize will be a one year membership to the Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce and can be used towards a renewal membership or a new membership.
We will also have a Silent Auction again this year. If you are a business, this is one more way to showcase / promote your business by donating an item. If you are attending the event, bid on some great items and at the same time support the Chamber and the Community.
Check back for more details for the list of exhibitors and floor plan for the Annual Business Showcase.
The Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce presented Jason Rathbun, Josh Lemire and the rest of the staff at T-Bones and Cactus Jack’s a plaque for being the winners of the Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce’s Hot Wing Competition. On Saturday August 8, 2009, The Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce held the 1st Annual Cool Bikes & Hot Wings Competition at Laconia Harley-Davidson in Meredith. Ten local area restaurants participated in the event. The event spectators had a chance to sample the wings and vote for their favorite. T-Bones and Cactus Jack’s won this year with The Manor on Golden Pond coming in a second and Shooter’s Tavern and Pizzaria coming in a close third.
Hmmm? I know we are all suppose to be supporting each other by doing business with other Chamber Members. But are you? When you need a service or need to make a purchase, what is the first thing you do? Where do you look? I know what I do? I reach for my trusty Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce Membership Directory.
For instance, I needed to find a Chiropractor. I did not know of any Chiropractors sooooo I took out my Membership Directory, looked under “Health and Wellness – Chiropractor” and there was Stephen G. Guild, Chiropractor. So I made my first appointment and was quite pleased by the experience that made subsequent appointments as well. So, due to Dr. Guild’s Lakes Region Chamber membership and me supporting our Chamber members, he now has one more patient. Who will then refer him to others in need of his service.
So, the next time you need your car serviced, your house cleaned or you need to purchase some flowers or are in need of anything ,check your Chamber Membership Directory first. This is how you stay strong. By supporting each other.
